Swordsman Archive

I have a question about how the different stat attributes from rifleman affect melee (2h swordsman for example). If you look on the right side of the rifleman tree you will notice that each box gives a +5 to melee defense (also ranged support line in base marksman tree has similiar melee/ranged defense boosts). Unlike melee who's defense stat, boosts are labeled 2h sword toughness these are just general melee defense points. I would think that these stat attributes (one's on the right side of rifleman tree) would be applicable all the time and not just when you have an effect when you have a rifle because of the way they are labled.

If I would make a swordsman and pick up that right side of the rifleman tree would those stat attributes help any at all??

I would appreciate an answer, and please give some backing to this. Because really this could be argued either way, and it would make sense. I keep on going back and forth on this so i figured i would finally just ask. Who know's unless someone gives some documentation I probably won't be convinced until the developers say something.

Thanks for reading.

Hatchet