Well, its obviously a matter of preferences.

Im not a real pirate, would never want to be, and like the weapons in the game, staff is more efficient, fun, and cooler to watch IMO, grenades is per yours..

I would say.. lets just agree to disagree. Neither is right, and neither is wrong.

Thats why the game gives us choices, its also why these whats the better/weakest/coolest/easiest skill/weapons polls which I think people post just to post ;) are generally pointless.

Deffinitelly the Voodoo Doll. Easiest way to level it is by healing people. Also when you get your doll to level 20, you have life drain, which can be a great help.

I haven't mastered any of the main weapons yet (except for Sailing and Cannons). Only reason those are mastered is because sailing about the high seas is my favorite part of the game. I'll master my weapons when I get there. I just don't feel I need to hurry myself there.

Remember that they've changed how much reputation you get for just using Heal and Cure. You need to do some damage to the enemy if you want to get a bit more out of it. Only using Heal and Cure won't get you as much as it used to.

The reason for me that the voodoo doll is easiest to level is because you can target multiple enemies and kite them around so you take minimal damage.

The grenades, for me, are one of the most fun and unique weapons in the game since they take a little more skill than standing in front of an enemy and hitting the attack button.

On all of my pirates I master nades first and I love to use them there isnt much properly equiped siege charge cant kill in two hits