OFF for Area-of-effect is +1 at the core, 0 at normal area and -1 at max range.
Each weapon has four stats; DMG, SPD, RNG and QL.
DMG is a static number that the weapon does for each point of OFF after all DEF has been deducted from the attack.
SPD is used for
RNG is the usable range the weapon can be effectively used in. Although it seems short for most weapons, in reality the marked range is the optimal range of the weapon, it can can be used in shorter and longer ranges (but these induce bonuses or penalties). Take the optimal range and halve it, from 0m to this, you get +1 OFF. Multiply it by 3, and you get the maximum range to use without penalties. Multiply by 4 and you get how far you can hit with the weapon with -1 to OFF. 5x multiplier gets the maximum range the weapon can effectively used at (with -2 to OFF).
QL modifies OFF.
Range for all melee weapons is 1m. This includes short spears1) when not thrown and all improved appliances (chairs, baseball bats, table legs, etc.)
Rate of Fire ⇒ +1 OFF / (Rate of Fire - 10)