This depends on what level you were attacking vs. what level your sword is...
If the level of your enemy is equal to: your (Noriety + Sword) / 2 + 8 higher (so if attacking a L25 enemy and your Noriety is 21 and your sword is 7 then (22 + 7) / 2 = 14 + 8 = 22... because 22 is lower than 25 your sword hack will almost (if not always) miss
