I really don't understand the logic in their weapon balances this time around. Actually, I don't really understand FE's desire to "balance" weapons in the first place. In FE7 the weight system hindered my units SO MUCH that using powerful weapons got them killed.
The more powerful weapons in this game really all seem to have these awful setbacks to them that, while it doesn't really matter much in Birthright, seems like it could kill your experience in Conquest.
I avoid Silver weapons and just forge iron/steel to be somewhere near the same might. It's something I know I won't be able to do in Conquest without the DLC that gives you unlimited gold, but meh to that -2 skill. I have a bad enough time with the RNG as it is.
I don't know if I can say I "get the logic" but I'm slowly starting to get some idea of the niches of weapons and such... but yeah, it's kinda weird. I didn't do much forging because I don't really dig the system and stuff but I imagine that low-level forged weapons are probably better than high-level ones for what you mentioned. I mean, silver weapons and brave weapons are useful especially for initiating attacks but they have various setbacks, and... meh, idk, it's just kind of so complicated now lol
and like you said, in Conquest there's not much you can do unless you exploit the DLC >_>'
I haven't actually used many different weapons yet, but have you tried using one and trading it for a safer one in preparation of the enemy phase? That's what I usually do after I use a steel weapon. (though I haven't bothered to forge anything)
Yeah I noticed that this tactic is way more useful in this game due to the presence of weapons that debuff you and the like after using them once (or weapons that only have special effects on your turn or the like). Going for a "safer" weapon for defense is better and maybe even necessary if you're using weapons like javelins or the kodachi or other stuff that just sets you back notably and puts you at risk for dying. That being said, trading does require a unit to be close, so it's not like you can do it all the time, but eh...