Hello have you ever used a gun? The attack rating is usually half of the other weapons at the same tier, but they ignore enemy defense! On some enemies they don't have any special advantage, but on others, stone ones especially, you'll be dealing triple the damage as other weapons! Very noticeable! Elemental staves can also provide a huge advantage. Equiping one and casting the corresponding element against an enemy weak to it can allow you to wipe out a huge mob with one spell!

EDIT:

And of course poles, which take attack rating and magic defense into account, rather than attack rating and defense. Pretty handy against enemies with a high defense.