It’s both yeah. Weapon dmg & pure dps are both good, however strength is very lackluster which is one of many reasons why intelligence is a way better choice over strength.
Isn’t pillars also affected by magic dmg? I would think so at least since pillars on mobs with zero prot is very good, but shit on mobs with high prot.
Edit: what also was said here is a very good point. Combat rating (fire) does not work on btd dot, but combat rating and combat rating (2he) works. But again, not on the same lvl as magic dmg unless you get a very high amount.