Attempting to use weird numbers for Skills with inadequate equipment often results in crashes.Also keep in mind, that unlike previous games in the series, skills have tiers in MM6, there are:
1. Normal tier of Skill.
2. Expert tier of Skill.
3. Master tier of Skill.
That chance to do triple damage applies to Master tier. Which should make it more interesting for you to actually try this game:) I actually find this skill system more fun than Oblivion's skill system, and it is more interesting to develop 4 people instead of 1. There is also more variety in everything :)

In any case, Grayface analyzed nearly all mechanics in this game from the actual code (after all, he is the maker of actual resource viewers, various modifications, articles on various moments in MM6 code, etc. for all of MM6-8 trilogy). So I have 100% confidence in what he writes about daggers.

Oblivion actually has skill tiers as well, though they are based off your base value of the skill (fortify effects and luck don't count); for example, with spells, you need to reach certain minimum skill levels to cast more expensive (and hence more powerful spells). Fortify Skill doesn't affect that, but will affect the amount of stats you gain from it. There are similar benefits for other skills; for instance, mastering weapons will allow you to paralyze with a power attack, and reaching Expert in Armorer will allow you to repair equipment to better than perfect condition.

Anyway, it will be a while before I get to MM6, as there are too many other games I want to play. I am currently playing Cookie Clicker (actually a rather complex game, believe it or not), am about to start replaying Dust: An Elysian Tail (assuming no technical problems), and I also have Hollow Knight and a few JRPGs (Trails in the Sky, Hyperdimension Neptunia, Cosmic Star Heroine) to play. I also might replay Shovel Knight (Plague Knight New Game +) at some point.

According to Grayface, "in MM6 if you wield a Spear and a Sword, the Spear skill will only effect Damage. Attack and recovery time would be taken from Sword skill." So halberd + sword (broadsword for maximum damage) beats axe + sword? Or is the extra attack from the best longsword (+12 from what I've read) preferable to the extra damage (3d4 vs 3d3) from the best (+10) broadsword?

I'm in the early stages (just reached Free Haven) with the quick-start default party (PACS). My aim is halberd and sword for the archer as damage dealer, axe and shield for the paladin.