Preface

Weapon mastery such as pierce, slash, cleave, bludgeon, range, and shield allow you have game-like skills which you can discover and tweak to fit your fighting style as well as allowing you to wield said weapons. You may come up with more complex attacks and intricate combos as your mastery increases.

Keep in mind that each weapon have a unique skill set, speed, weight, impact, strength and weaknesses. Certain weapons are better suited depending on different situations.

Progression

Beginner	You can wave your weapon around; that ought to hit something in front of you.
Novice	You can wave your weapon around more effectively now; it will definitely hit something if your aim isn't off.
Trained	Your attacks have some kind of form now and you're starting to discover some skills and mechanics that you can perform somewhat reliably.
Proficient	You can now proficiently wield a weapon in combat. You have found a particular fighting style that you are most comfortable with. You also have a good set of skills that you can perform with confidence.
Adept	You have the basics down pat and are now starting to explore the more complex skills that require a lot more precise execution. You also unlocked complex skills and are beginning to bridge together attacks to perform basic combos.
Expert	You have mastered basic stances and movements and can effectively execute movesets associated with your weapon. You are honing and making your attack combos more efficient.
Mastered	You now have powerful combos and series of attacks that leave your opponent devastated if not dead.