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then the first and foremost factor to determine the "power" of a weapon is the enchantment bonus. (+1,+2... and so on).
The higher that bonus, the better.
You get this bonus to test if you hit with your weapon and to the damage. It also helps bypass (some) damage reduction.
next up is the abilities that are also on a weapon, besides the enchantment bonus - thoese are more individual, because some players like elemental damage, haste or some third or fourth ability on their weapon.
Okay..well in the case of these two items here's the rundown..
Lucky One = 1d6 damage + 1 enhancement + free feat.
So basically it does 1d6+1 damage and has a free feat that you most likely already have if you are using a rogue, monk, or barbarian (I think).
Short Sword of Quickness = 1d6 damage + 1 enhancement + 1d6 elemental damage + Haste.
With this weapon you end up with 2d6+1 damage as well as a spells which makes you move faster, swing faster, and all that stuff.
So in the end, the Short Sword of Quickness will own the Lucky One any day of the week..and then have it over for lunch, and own it again.
Unless you're a rouge, b/c it provides Improved Evasion, and that's sg at the beginning! You have to decide what you need more - Haste and higher damage or Improved Evasion and less damage. Probably you'll find the first more useful, though, as Paranitis said.
So basically the enchantment (+X) counts and then the additional damage (fire, elemental, or special kind of damage against specific creatures, like +3 vs. dragons), and then other abilities like Haste.
It's useful to read the properties of your wepons carefullly, you may need to use different weapons against different enemies. E.g. I usually use Angurvadal (1d8,+2, +1d6 fire damage) but it's not that effective against Fire Elementals. It will deal the normal damage, but won't add the fire damage, so I'd rather use Greatsword +3.
Btw, if we're talking about swords, does anyone have an idea why I can't use the Dragonslayer? It's a bastard sword, exotic - and I'm a ranger/rouge, proficient with exotic weapons.
Only reason I could think of for you not being able to use a bastard sword is if you are a gnome or halfling since a bastard sword is a large weapon..otherwise there is no reason since you have the prerequisite feat.
