I ALWAYS use the sword on normal and have used it on hard a fair share of my times as well. The thing is.... ALL of the pressure is on us. WE are the ones killing Crota. WE are the ones doing the damage. WE are the ones in the middle of four Knights. It is very easy for us to get discouraged if we don't have the support of the group. I have never had a problem wielding the sword on normal but I have only gotten Crota to enrage on hard. This is very frustrating, very depressing, and can easily dissuade me to think I am not good enough to kill Crota which will effect my play. Just have some patience with us if we mess up a few time and keep a good spirit. Volunteer to take the sword a go or two so we can have a small break to get our spirits back up. It WILL make a difference.