Katana has superior survival with DA and a better attack chain at low levels. Its high-end ST attack chain is also a bit better than the comparable high-end DB attack chain.
DB has better tohit, includes a good AoE (cone) in its ST chain and is a bit stronger in AoE.
Both are good for different purposes. Neither is really lacking in the things the other is better at, except maybe DB for survival (pretty much nothing in DB helps your survival save for the KD in Vengeful Slice, One Thousand Cuts and whatever combo gets Typhoon's Edge to KD).
I'm getting down to one of the last character slots on my SG's server, so I wanted to make it count. My only problem is which primary to go with, as I have a 50 in both and don't prefer one over the other much(and, yes, I'm comfortable with combos).
It's up between Katana/WP and DB/WP. /WP was chosen for concept reasons. So, will someone point out to me which is better and why? Things like survivability, damage(could be broken into ST and AoE), soloability, team-synergy, IO set potential, and anything relevant I probably missed. Sample builds would be appreciated if applicable.
Was thinking Katana would probably be better for survival with DA. DB could help me regen my health with KDs.
Damage I wasn't sure on, thought perhaps DB was stronger in AoE.
Thematically, I see both being desirable. DB flowing seamlessly with a whirlwind of attack putting enemies on edge. Yet Katana seems just as skillful, if not more so at times with its precise and purposeful movements. I think I've been seeing too many Kurosawa films lately...