Tags
Q: Signature (Spam) Ability. 1.5-3s CD(or cast time)
Each Weapon Type (sword, bow, fire staff, hammer, etc) will have their own Q ability which is the same across all tiers. Most have a small special effect or characteristic (slow, poison, armor reduction).
Support weapons have a damage option and a heal/shield option. Bow has a second option on T5
W: Utility Ability. 7-10s CD
Each Weapon Type has their own set of 1-3 options (mostly two – one for more damage/healing, one for more Albion Online Items). These have special effects such as interrupts, slows, shield, fears, damage over time, dashes, knockbacks.
E: Ultimate (Special) Ability 15-30s CD
Each Weapon Type has a similar flavor or effect, but every weapon has their own Ultimate/Special Ability. Typically 2 of the weapons in a particular Type will have similar effects (broadsword gives armor/mr, claymore also gives armor/mr; staves all have knockbacks; spears have a dash and a pull; bows have AoEs).
Weapon Passive
Each Weapon Type has two passives, but only in their two-handed versions (Tx.2 and Tx.3 for most Types). Think “10% chance to gain damage/attackspeed/bleed/slow/castspeed”. Typically one damage boost, one utility boost (attack range or energy or a slow) but it varies.
Identifying Weapons
You’ll be able to instantly see if they have a sword, or a bow, or a certain staff, at which point you will know if they’re going to be Q spamming a slow or damage. You’ll have to remember that certain weapon types have different W abilities for utility, and wait to see if they have it as a damage boost or for Albion Online Silver. You’ll have to remember that certain weapons have high dps, certain weapons have stuns and crowd control. You won’t be able to tell what passive they have without inspecting them. And last, each weapon has a very different model, so you’ll be able to tell what their Ult/Special is going to be.