Cold element

Cold: This element should not be taken into consideration for damage purposes
unless you're using a bow. The overall damage of this tree is so low in
comparison to others that it's sad. It's saving graces, however, are the
absolutely amazing slowing abilities and defensive capabilities of the tree.
The first ability is to infuse your weapon with ice. Each hit on a target nets
a 25% chance to slow and a 5% chance to freeze. This is a truly amazing
synergy with garment, since it has a lower physical defense. Decreasing the
amount of hits you take overall is nice no matter which armor type you're
using, but it's especially good on a character who takes three times as much
per hit as other characters.
The second ability increases the physical defense of the user. Again, great
synergy with garment's lack thereof.
The passive ability of cold increases physical defense even further.

Strongly recommended for: Swords, Bows, Garment
Recommended for Garment because of the plethora of physical defense raising
abilities to counteract the natural disadvantage of the armor type.
Recommended for Swords because of the speed at which swords hit, increasing
the chances of inflicting one of the slowing status ailments.
Recommended for Bows because of the slowing ability's ability to keep an enemy
far away for a long time while you peg them with arrows.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/file/930711/43300