Not “useless”, still the same strength as the Longsword (27), just doesn’t look like the Iron Two-Handed Sword anymore. I’d still unlock it since it’s a massive upgrade in damage, and it’s not hard to reach and kill a Rhino in the Exile Lands even at level 10.
The only redeeming quality of the sword was that it could be used as an illusion for it’s extended range. Now it just falls into the same category as all the other “improved” versions of subpar weapons that will go unused.