Exact weapon or weaponized spell for me varies by character, but I always prefer ranged behind cover because I always wind up playing low HP or half insane or erratic characters. For versatility, I like the whip. Add a tip for fatal strikes (or carry two,) disarm, trip, destroy mechanism (sacrifice whip,) climb, 'bridge,' fetch, bind, torture, usable short range or melee with no adjustment, or strangle someone if you have stealth. Some GM's agree that a master level whip user can use a rope with no weights at expert level, chain at amateur level. That brings in replacement bonus.