Melee Weapons

Axes, swords, hammers, polearms and the like, used with the Melee Weapons skill.

The Might requirement may be met with Reflex instead if the weapon has Finesse.

Melee Weapons Descriptions

Battle Axe. A war axe forged for fighting rather than firewood — a lighter head, a keen edge, and a haft banded with iron so it holds up to a hard swing.

Club. Any stout length of wood meant for cracking skulls, from a carved fighting stick to a fence post somebody grabbed in a hurry.

Dagger. A short blade that rides on a belt or in a boot. Good for close work, and balanced well enough to throw.

Flail. A spiked iron head hung from a wooden grip by a length of chain. Hard to parry and hard to predict.

Glaive. A long, single-edged blade mounted on a pole taller than a man, built for slashing at foes before they get close.

Greataxe. A heavy, two-handed axe, often double-bitted or bearded. The Norse settlers of the plains still swear by them.

Greatclub. A massive cudgel, knotted or iron-shod, that takes both hands and a strong back to swing.

Greatsword. A two-handed sword nearly as long as its owner is tall. The blade near the guard is left dull so it can be choked up on in a tight spot.

Halberd. A pole weapon about five feet long, topped with an axe blade and a thrusting spike.

Hatchet. A small camp axe that serves as well in a brawl as it does chopping kindling, and flies true when thrown.

Javelin. A light throwing spear, balanced for the throw and not much use in a melee.

Light hammer. A short hammer with an iron head, light enough to hurl across a room.

Longsword. A straight blade three to four feet long, single- or double-edged, that can be swung with one hand or two.

Mace. A heavy flanged or knobbed head on a thick haft, made to dent armor and break bone.

Maul. A huge two-handed hammer, the kind railroad crews and giants both appreciate.

Morningstar. A short haft capped with an iron ball bristling with spikes.

Pike. A ten-foot shaft of seasoned wood with a narrow steel point, meant to hold a line against a charge.

Quarterstaff. A six- to nine-foot staff of hardwood, often iron-capped, that works as walking stick and weapon alike.

Rapier. A slender thrusting sword with an ornate guard, favored by duelists and dandies.

Scimitar. A curved, one-handed blade with a single sharp edge.

Shortsword. A blade about two feet long, handy in close quarters and easy to carry.

Sickle. A farmhand's curved harvesting blade on a short handle, pressed into service as a weapon.

Spear. A shaft tipped with a metal point. It can be used one-handed in melee or thrown.

Trident. A three-tined spear on a four-foot shaft, used by fishermen and river pirates. It can be thrown.

Warhammer. A heavy iron hammerhead on a wooden haft, delivering crushing blows with one hand or two.

War Pick. A narrow, pointed head on a sturdy haft, built to punch through armor.

Whip. A long, braided lash of leather. It stings more than it kills, and its crack can be heard across a canyon.