Horrible Weapon Models...
I happen to love most of the models. They look real. As in, like something someone would actually wield to do damage without weighing themselves down too much. (I did say most of course .. I personally cannot fathom the twiny blue and green branches Sylvari “sword” but I know many that love it).
Through decades of gaming and research to support that habit, as well as RL fencing and the like, I’ve garnered a fair idea of how a hand weapon will need to look. I’ve even collected a fair number of blades. That doesn’t preclude fancy extras like dangling tassels, gem inlays, etching on blades, or variety in blade shape. Still, after other games I’ve played, I couldn’t be happier to be running around in Tyria with weapons actually useful for combat.
(I love most of the armor for the same reason. It’s designed to protect the body and to deflect incoming strikes rather than guiding them straight to neck or sternum).