Boeriemore: I have in the past asked a similar question but am still somewhat unsure.
I am currently on level 11 but my silver sword is only rated at level 6, but it
is classed as a relic item and has three sockets.
I can buy a silver sword rated at my level 11 that does +38 more damage
but it is classed as a common item and has only one socket.
So basically, what is preferable, a higher level sword or a higher damage
rated sword? Has anyone experimented along these lines?

Boeriemore: I was using a relic sword simply as an example.
My silver sword is rated at level 6 but has bonuses like increased sign intensity, critical hot chance etc.etc.
The level 11 sword has +38 damage but no bonuses. So of the two I would like to know which sword
is more beneficial, the higher level sword with more damage points or the lower level sword with many bonuses as well as extra sockets. Throughout the game one can buy a sword from a blacksmith which is rated at your current level BUT
has no features as stated above.

Hickory: It depends on your style (magic based or power hitter?), and also on the enemies. The simple answer is that you should swap about to suit the situation. When facing soldiers, for example, you want something with hitting power AND armour piercing. On the other hand, using a sword with added fire damage benefits you against enemies like Drowners etc. You should never, ever, restrict yourself to one sword. Look at what you're facing and adapt accordingly.

Boeriemore: I do not believe I have been explaining my confusion very well.
Here is another example. I am currently on level 12 with level 5 boots equipped.
I can equip level 12 boots that shows a plus number in green indicating more damage
protection. My equipped boots provide less protection yet has six bonus protection features,
each indicating a plus number in green when the level 12 boot show these figures in red minus.
So, how or where does it provide that added protection its green number shows?

Hickory: Hypothetical situation: I have a pair of steel boots and an 'inferior' pair of rubber slippers. The steel boots offer fantastic protection against heavy things dropped on my toes but are totally useless if I step into an electrified puddle. The rubber slippers are useless against heavy things, but do protect me from electrocution. Clear?

Boeriemore: Okay, so in this instance would you personally equip the level 5 or 12 boots?
Generally, would one equip a weapon with the highest rated level as possible?
A point must surely be reached when if one is on say level 30, a level 5 item would never be equipped.

Hickory: In general you want armour protection, because in general physical attacks is what you're going to be facing. So unless the item carries a significant protection against something else that you're facing, you want the higher level stuff equipped. If you have, and can equip, level 30 armour, you would virtually never use level 5 stuff. The cut-off is a matter of judgement on your part.

lw2jgog: The point they're making is that you should consider what you're up against and what the situation is.

For instance, a steel sword with lots of armor penetration might be useful if you're fighting a well-armored enemy knight, but it's not nearly as relevant if you're fighting a pack of wolves. A silver sword with a good chance of inflicting poison and bleed might be very good against a werewolf or cyclops, but against a golem, neither is relevant; in that case, you want direct damage rather than status effects.

Likewise, consider critical hit damage. A sword which offers a somewhat lower critical hit damage bonus but a higher critical hit chance bonus may actually offer higher DPS if you're not often attacking an enemy's back, but if you *are* very often attacking the back, you're getting critical hits anyway (or at least far more likely) so the hit chance bonus won't matter as much.