Despite the WA casting time being longer, costing more, and the name being different the only real difference is about it is seeming to have a radius bigger if you had +1 somber upgrade or a +3 smithing upgrade. As a base I used a +0 weapon and a +6 weapon to check radii. I compared this GS at +5 with a +6 Meteoric Ore Blade, a +15 Brick Hammer with Gravitas, and a +5 Starscourge GSs. Radius on the hammer and Ore Blade were identical as they should be since +15 and +6 are comparable in ratio 15/25 and 6/10. The radius on the GS was only slightly larger but the casting time was significantly longer. By comparison the casting time on the Starscourge GSs has a shorter casting time and a follow up attack. Maybe, just maybe, the radius scales as you upgrade and isn't just a flat boost, but the difference is so minor between the weapons it was barely noticeable. Honestly just use two Meteoric Ore Blades and you'll have some more success dragging people in for aggression and roll catching and the only reason I say that is because no other katana scales with Str and Int.

So, this Ash of War is literally just slightly better Gravitas? I'm beginning to believe FromSoft got halfway through designing these special weapons and just said "**** it, make their ashes like normal ones".

holding this thing, really looks like it could've just been a longsword.
Not really sure if I'm liking From's reliance on making weapons just default be greatswords or colossals cause they have a weapon art. I know thats not always the CASE but idk. When I see a weapon that looks light or I KNOW is lighter than what it is, make a heavy thunk in the ground, feels bad as ****.

Or maybe they can just give greatswords less amateurish swings. Something. idk.

somethings up with this weapons 2h R2s, they seem to do way more poise damage and also higher damage overall...

This, or Onyx Lord’s sword?

on a strength/int build this thing is pretty cool. the gravitas weapon art has unusual timing and rather good reach, i've finished off many an invader with it.

This pulls enemies in more tightly than Gravitas. Better for clearing really big mobs.

This greatsword's 1hR1 seems to do 13.75 poise damage on PVE compared to the usual 11 poise damage of Greatswords.

The 1.04 patch made the WA so much better. It’s speed was significantly increased and you get the ability to roll cancel it.

Ground based skills and items for sure dont work right on that platform where you fight the Alabaster Lord for the sword. I put a healing stone down fell right through the floor, Taker's Flames from Rykard's sword only go like 5 feet and even the Albaster Lords Gravity Pull skill wasnt even working past like 5ft against me lol.