I know this is probably a real newbie question and everyone will know but me but how can you tell you are equipping the best for your character ie what stats in your profile are you looking at ??? Thanks

Checking your Weapon Proficiencies is usually a good first step. ;) [img]tongue.gif[/img]

aside from proficiencies there are other things to look at, for missile weapons have a character with a good dex (and for slings, daggers, throwing axes, etc a good strength for damage bonuses, also consider rate of fire, darts have low damage, and don't get str bonuses (although they should), but they have an extremely high APR.

For melee weapons, base damage is good to consider as is what type of armor you expect to be going against (blunt weapons are great against plate-type armors, piercing is good against mail armors like chain mail and ring mail.

Base damage is nice, but it helps to know what magic items are out there, ie 2-handed sword is nice damage and has plenty of nasty magic weapons (Carsomyr, silver sword, Lilarcor(sp?), etc, while some like katana have a relatively small variety, but those are very powerful (Dak'kon's Zerth Blade, Celestial Fury), flails have really only one really useful weapon, the Flail of Ages (which is one of the better items in the game).

basically find what you want to do from playing through the game, pick out the best of the best eq and build your characters around those weapons, or assign the weapons you like to characters who can already use them.

1] Give each person in your party one ranged weapon, and at least one melee weapon. Keeping these weapons in their weapon slots at all times will allow them to switch from ranged to close combat and back, very quickly and easily.
2] Know in advance how you're going to use each character. If you have a character usually used for getting up close & personal with the enemy, you shouldn't give that person a ranged weapon that uses both hands, since that prevents their using a Shield. (In fact, you really don't even need to give that person a ranged weapon at all, because he'll never use it.) Give your best melee weapons to characters who are going to be in melee combat most of the time; give your best ranged weapons to those who will be fighting from a distance.
3] As soon as you can, try to make sure every party member has at least one weapon of +3 enchantment or better, even if they don't have any proficiency points in it yet. You won't need to use it often, but it's good to have in case of emergencies.
4] All the best weapons should go to your Warriors (Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, Ranger), because they'll get the most use out of them. After that, the heirarchy goes to Priest (Cleric, Druid), Rogue (Thief, Bard), and finally Wizard (Mage, Sorcerer). Monks shouldn't be using weapons at all, except for ranged combat, and for Rule 3.

Excellent points SoS, and I'd like to add that certain weapons just "fit" better with certain classes, since rogues don't increase #'s of attacks as they level like fighters do, a bow that provides multiple shots per round would go best with a rogue (if you dont have a ranger(archer) or fighter maxed out with bows), ones that create their own highly magical arrows are popular too as they can hit most creatures.

Also know the weapon restrictions of the characters before designating a weapon for them, ie don't try and give that really spiffy crossbow to a Kensai, Cavalier, or any mage or cleric class as they can't use it.