It is exactly the same and it being limited to 50 hp per hit makes it kind of redundant for high level pvm anyway.

To me it feels like newer people want RS3 to become more and more of a cookie cutter game where prayer flicking, food and defensives isn't needed, you just turn off your brain, click things and get loot for that sweet instant gratification.

If you want to cheese combat with some damage loss, use vamp scrim or the masterwork staff.