Discussion Weapons in Fantasy Worlds

Most of the time, the weapons the MC uses is THE SWORD. I get the fact that it's probably the most famous medieval weapon out there but it just feels like people forget that there are also other weapons that the MC can probably use.

So, if you were to pick a weapon other than a sword, what would it be and why?

Personally, I would pick a hammer because learning how to hit something really hard seems easier than learning how to slash at someone. Also, I didn't know hammers were an actual medieval weapon until a few years ago, and whenever a book mentions a hammer, I would imagine a giant block on a stick.

 

Spear. Doesn't get much simpler than point and poke

 

Bow/Long Bow, Spear/Lance ....These two would be my second choice .

 

A glaive or a halbred they r a sword-spear hybrid and a sword-axe hybrid respectively.
I like them because they r very versatile and can be used differently
A normal spear or staff is also preferable , basically anything that can work in both mid rannge and long range

 

A double-bladed axe. I always thought that axe is cooler than sword. Probably will need to train my strength before I can wield it tho.

 

A machete? A spear with two protrusions on each side so I can swing down like a pickaxe on both sides, poke and slam.

 

Spear with dual dagger for close quarters. If the universe setting got stats I would prioritize agility.

 

Bow or spear something that keeps me away from enemies yet still able to be a threat to them.

 

There are plenty of novels that don't use swords, just swords have a reputation in fantasy worlds (but they weren't that great in real life, in medieval world most swords were used as makeshift hammers and makeshift spears)


As for what weapon I would use? The staff/wand/grimoire/orb. Why would I want to be a barbarian in a fantasy world bashing things with a weapon? I'd like to cast magic rather!

 

What ur saying is a Halbred

 

Well played lol.

 

Bludgeon, mace or hammer easy to use and lethal. As long as I am strong enough to lift it, it's effective to all kind of enemy in close combat.

 

spear and bow

 

But a halberd would be heavier than the spear thus less mobility. And the reason I picked spear because of its simplicity, just point and stab. With the halberd you need to slash and cleave as well

 

Honestly, unless you've got magically infinite sharpness&durability swords, a sword is pretty much the last thing you want to use against tough hide opponents. Pole-arms, bows and 1h axe/mace with shield are what you'd want. Or magic of course. But swords in general can't consistently(!) generate enough force AND cutting power to deal sufficient damage. Historically it was a back-up weapon for a reason. You can save yourself with it, but actually killing someone who isn't practically naked can be very tough.

So, I would preferably arm myself with a center grip shield, 1-2 spears for throwing and thrusting and I guess a warhammer (1h) with blunt and spiked end. And whatever armor I can get my hands on, preferably full plate (max protection while actually maintaining decent freedom of movement).

That is of course, when speaking of a fantasy setting with high Earth historical realism. If magic is "easy" than of course go full magic protection and damage buffs etc. And by that point your weapon doesn't even matter that much, it's just a matter of skill lvl and proficiency RPG style.

 

Sorry, just nitpicking historically. Halberds would still primarily be used as spears, thus primarily used to stab at people. The axe head just gives the possibility to strike harder when making a cutting or sweeping action, like spears were used for as well. Just that, in a more confined space, like a cave or a battlefield, there is rarely any room to make large sweeping or cutting motions, so stabbing forward or cutting downwards are what you'd be able to do 80%(~) of the time. Just no room for fancy pole-arm fighting.

 

Speaking of shields, no one ever really uses them and even though most MCs have 1 handed swords with nothing on the other hand

 

Halberd(axe, spear, hammer) and crossbow.

Haberd because it give you many options in how to attack your opponens. I prefer a hammer end over the spike because it it's less likely to get stuck and crushing attacks can easily wear down your opponents giving the the option to capture then if needed.
For ranged combat I prefer the crossbow. Sure its slower firing then the bow, but it's ease of use, it's penetration and it's range are second only to firearms if built properly. Crossbows are also relatively easy to build even with out a blacksmith(though they help greatly)

 

Ai-chan would prefer to use someone's petrified corpse because nobody has done it yet.

But if such a weapon is not allowed, Ai-chan would choose the glaive. Say it with me, ger-laaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiivvah! Well, it's mostly because Ai-chan practices naginata and a glaive is similar to a naginata. Naginata is way sexier than any piss-ass swords. Not only it can sword, it can also spear and staff. Naginata is truly the best weapon and should be worshipped as the god of all medieval weapons. You disagree? Meet my blade on your neck.

 

6 to 8 foot area around a combatant with a slashing polearm is more then enough to make use of their weapons. Granted caves are an issue, but anyone stupid enough to take polearms into a confined environments is more hindrance then help. Though there is something to say about attacking with the spearhead from behind a shield bearing vanguard.
In general pole arms were ment to be used by midrange fighters from behind the shield wall. Sweeping from side to side was generally discouraged and most attacks were either spear thrusts or over head chops with the axe, pick, or hammer.

Fancy staff fighting is for light weapons or specific styles used in the Asian countries. Most European polearms were used just as you described them. Overhand chops, thrusts, or pulling down mounted opponents. Just there was a few hundred using similar attacks from behind soldiers with either shield and short spears or other one handed weapons.