Weapons > element or attack power?

say for example the Monoblos is weak against Ice.
which im planning now to use the SNS against it.

but here's the deal

my Dark Scythe packs more attack power comapared to the SNS.
which would be the best choice?

and unlike any games, im just wondering why MHF, particulary the monsters don't have a life meter for us to know when will it die... just curios...

The reason I've poted about the weapon characteristics is because each weapon has it's strengths and lacks certain things. The SnS is quick and allows blocking, but it lacks raw damage like the GS, katana. one the other hand the katana has range and raw power, it only lacks a blocking ability.

The monster hunter game rely on your actual experience to gauge the monster HP, sharpness durability.