Katana vs Heavy Bastard

[Malicious]

Is there much that makes the Katana better than the Heavy Bastard? It seems to be the more popular choice, but yet it costs far more, has +2 cut to -5 pierce, has shorter ranger, the same speed, and no secondary.

[Moncho]

The magnificent Eastern steel has been folded and reforged over 9000 times to give it a unique blend of durability and speed that no other weapon can. It is only wielded by master Samurais and thus exclusive, as only the greatest weapons should ever be.
To bring it to the battlefield, the master smiths have to rely on dodgy caravan masters who have to cross the wastes on the other side of the desert, treacherous ground that makes its importation extremely expensive.


Now seriously: No. Katana has always been overpriced for its value, especially since the latest buff to shorter 2hers (with a nerf to greatswords).
If it was normally priced, however, their number on the battlefield would most likely greatly increase and all the min maxers might start wearing kuyak + katana.
It is still a great, fast weapon with good cut, and this way it is more used by people for style, not min-maxing.

[Sylvari]

longsword is better 

[WITCHCRAFT]

Katana and bastard sword are about equal in strength. The numbers are too small to matter much. The cost of a katana (and wakizashi too) is mostly for "style" points. They are largely cosmetic in their value.

+3 Katana is really easy to get on the marketplace though, if that matters.