"no element gem"? Don't get you.
I wish there was some way to actually calculate dps stats, because at least subjectively it seems to me that the Magda Flora is outperforming the Sledge. I don't see any significant difference in base dmg output between the two, but I do see the blast damage trigger fairly frequently. To be honest, I find the dmg calculation system, however its setup, kinda wonky. For instance my Lance has half the attack of my hammer, but for normal attacks they do almost the same damage.
Oh yeah, wtf do I need to trade the Elder Melder for her higher end items (monster parts and gems). I'm like rank 13 and I still haven't run into a single item she'll accept as a melding trade-in for that stuff.
P.S: Fuck DevilJo. Had my first fight with a Black Diablo last night, had him down to an injured state, and then fucking Deviljo shows up out of nowhere to fuck us both up. Wasted a full 10 dung pods to scare him away, but the fucker kept coming back. *rage*