people stare at numbers write things down any contemplate balance in a systematic way. This is why I hate balance posts
The dark texture on the blade itself actually makes it harder to see in battle! especially if the opposition plays with full graphics so the enviroment further decreases his/her ability to see the blade.
Secondly the curve of the blade makes it harder yet to see the blade when it reaches the resting point (the most useful point to see where to block) as sometimes it is masked by the user's back as it wraps around his or her body
Lastly is an advantage hidden in a disadvantage in that it is short. The length of the weapon makes it difficult to see in
'up close and personal' situations
For the user saying he should 'just go to the hafted blade'
Just because the hafted blades numbers make it look better does not mean it is. For one ALL polearm swing animations are rediculously exaggerated. Look im swing left cuz im bringing my weapon aaaallllllll the way to the left and then aaalllllll the way to the right. Next is the thrust animation! The animation on polearms is even worse than 2h. For one they are slow and will always be beaten by twohand or 1h no shield thrust (which is illogical) Next is that the thrust itself is off center. This makes it hard to aim at a strafing target
lastly the block animations on polearms take up so much of the screen. Its hard to the the enemy feint when you are waving your hands in the air like you just dont care
Where I agree with you
One point i can agree on is damage of the swings using a logical analysis. The curve of the blade actually reduced initial contact area thus increasing penetration. Curve = moredmgduhbutlesspierce
(on the other hand its lighter which would reduce damage on the swing but being light would increase damage on the thrust)
Speaking of pierce i do not know where the idea came from that just because a weapon is slightly curved it sucks at thrusting
(to the degree expressed in this game) According to the balance the katana has the worse ability to thrust than a hafted blade which by the way doesnt even have a point.