W. Va. Code § 56-4-62: Verification of pleadings in equity.

If the plaintiff desire the defendant to answer the bill on oath, he must verify his bill by affidavit, and if the bill be so verified, the defendant must in like manner verify his answer. But if the bill be not verified, the defendant need not verify his answer, and if he does so it shall not be entitled to any more weight in the cause than if it had not been verified. In case the defendant verify his answer, alleging new matter constituting a claim for affirmative relief, the plaintiff must verify his special reply thereto. A general replication to an answer claiming affirmative relief shall not apply to so much of such answer as states facts constituting a claim to such relief.