You know, one thing I always wanted EVERY GOD DAMNED RPG/MMOS to do is separate their shit.
World of warcraft, or any other MMO really for exemple, X skill is fine in PvE but OP in PvP?
Their answer: OH SHIT NERF THE FUCK OUT OF IT, MAKING IT USELESS IN PVE TOO.
My answer: Separate the stats from PvE and PvP, if it's fine in PvE make it stay the same in PvE but if it's OP in PvP then just change the stats to when you're attacking another player instead of a monster.
So basically, the skill would work differently depending on if you're using it in a PvP or a PvE environment.
Same could be said in strategus, if a weapon is OP or needs change in Strategus but is fine, or even underpowered in cRPG, only change the stats of it in Strategus.
Like that, it could keep it's sideswing in cRPG but would be 2 attack directions only in strategus.