think 3 frames should do it? (125 milliseconds (1/8 second))

Really depends on the frame rate. Do whatever looks good.
As for tests. why even bother with "tests". just play around and make short animations. make sure your sticks look good though. thats probably the most important thing. and you dont have to bother posting every single animation. take some time to feel around and learn the basics and make some improvement. post at intervals, to show what youve been working on, or if you need feedback on something.

If I posted everything, you'd be flooded. When I don't do tests, I'm told to just do tests. So I do a few, then work with it.

what do people think of "extreme hoverboard racing"? thinking of doing that next, now that I can actually get people shooting properly.

SInce no one anwered in general help ill ask here im making a sword test and should i make the sword in a layer by itself

you shouldnt use sword on a diffrent layer it should go with the stickman

I find it's easier to work with if it's on it's own layer, personally. It's up to you. Which way do you do better work with?

Yea i used its own layer here is the result http://www.truploader.com/view/987873 C&C please I know it sucks but oh well

I made a quick animation, this is my first use of effects, C+C is appreciated.
http://www.truploader.com/view/294226

that's cool wzheerio is it like a energy thingy creating a stick well its cool not very effecty but it's good for your first effects. C&C mine plz

Weapon creation. not bad. wouldn't it make sense for it to create a weapon upward, so it naturally fall into the hand? Or is it to be an extension of the summoner?

Hey bomb did you fix the gun thing oh and C&C comeon people!

DarkCloud, you need to make yours smoother, it is very choppy. Add more frames in between.
B0mb, I wasn't really thinking about that.

ill try im not very good with smoothness

Sure. Crap I should work on blood too...