I prefer 1.9. Oh,
@Orangeric88: Knockback is still the same for all attacks unless there's a plugin that modifies knockback.
@Build: Ask this to a lot of 1.8 servers and a lot will say 1.8.
1.9:
-Weapons with CD
-Fights are fast paced if you add more DPS to your attacks by using secondary weapons such as lava
-You still have to watch health because most of the time, you don't have a chance to eat without getting out-DPSed.
-Bowspam is still VERY ineffective in close quarters, almost inaccurate if you're getting attacked. The time you take to charge an arrow could have gone to extra melee hits. Additionally, knockback and motion affect accuracy. The knockback taken from the hits will greatly reduce bow accuracy.
-You can emulate rod knockback with quick bow shots and snowballs/eggs.
-Off-hand can save some time, in turn allowing the user to use items slightly faster than pressing a hotkey and then start using the item.
-Item management and more emphasis on secondaries such as axes.
1.8:
-Weapons reload and attack instantly
-Combos are easier to pull off
-Fights are fast paced.
-Rod knockback
-Bowspam is STILL ineffective, but knockback and motion do not penalize accuracy.
-1.9 to 1.8 has a bug when blocking is emulated on a 1.9 sword in a 1.8 server.
-Fights are based on CPS. CPS determines your melee DPS. Effectively, this is 2 times your melee damage against a single target.
-Strength is way too OP (level 1 for a 2.3x multiplier, level 2 for 3.6x)
Note: Before any 1.8 players start flaming and saying "axes are super OP weapons in MC," don't even bother. Axes are and will never have the most DPS compared to the sword.