Sidenote - if I'm looking at this right, the weapon deals the damage in its permanent form, but once it's in the air (via Animate Weapon), it suddenly obtains no attack?
Sort of, yes. The weapon does not inflict any
physical damage - rather, it inflicts damage through its ability, which allows it to bypass shield and continue poisoning the opponent. Such is the ideal ground between Darkness's subtlety and Death's decay.
That being said, thanks for everyone who voted this into the Forge! Keep up the support.