Melee weapons

Melee Weapons are weapons used in close-range combat. They generally deal higher damage than ranged weapons and require no ammunition. In Warband, thrown weapons can also be used in melee.

Stats

Example of weapons stats

• Name: The name of the weapon. This may include a single Modifier, indicating improved or reduced stats.
• Type of handling: Weapons can be wielded one-handed, two-handed, or as a polearm. A shield cannot be used with all two-handed weapons and some polearms. Some weapons can be switched between the different forms of handling by pressing "X" or by equipping or unequipping a shield.
• Sell price: Without any modifiers, this price is exactly one-tenth of the base value of the item, and one-twentieth of the purchase value from a store. When looted from battle, items will display their base value. Modifiers will change this value.
• Weight: Affects your overall encumbrance (the speed at which you move on foot and travel). It also increases the chances of the "stun" effect when you strike an opponent's block. The collision of a high weight weapon with a low weight weapon sometimes results in a "stun" effect where the person carrying the low weight weapon cannot respond with another strike. During this period the person with the low weight weapon can only block a second swing from the heavy attacker. With the roles reversed, a heavier weapon will not be stunned by a low weight weapon. The weight of the weapon also affects the crush through blocks threshhold of weapons.
• Damage: Damage dealt swinging the weapon. Some weapons (like scimitars) are swing-only.
  • "c" (cutting): Cutting weapons often do Bonus Damage against lightly armored targets but significantly lower damage to heavily armored assailants compared to piercing and blunt damage. These weapons benefit the most from the Power Strike skill due to their inherently higher damage, which can eventually overcome their penalties against heavy armor.
  • "p" (pierce): Damage dealt by thrusting the weapon or firing bows and crossbows. Some weapons (like some spears) are thrust-only. Piercing weapons have higher armor penetration than cutting weapons without losing as much effectiveness as blunt weapons against lightly armored targets.
  • "b" (blunt): Damage dealt by some weapons with the swing or the thrust. Hammers are an example of a typical blunt weapon. Blunt weapons have highest armor penetration and do lower damage against lightly armored targets. These weapons will always knockout the target; there is no way to kill a target with blunt damage. This makes these weapons the only reliable way to capture Prisoners, since a charging horse doesn't deal enough damage to reliably knockout enemies. Additionally, blunt weapons have a chance of knocking a target over depending on the weapon's weight and speed.
• Speed rating: Affects attack and block speed as well as weapon speed bonus (how quickly the weapon is moving upon impact and how much bonus damage is added as a result). It also affects the weapon's ability to crush through blocks. Speed rating additionally affects how quickly you can recover from a glancing blow (often referred to as a "poke") and resume usage of your weapon to block or strike.
• Weapon reach: This determines how far you can strike. Ideally, its value should be higher if you wish to fight on horseback, though many of the shorter weapons are also the perfect length for striking enemies in the head after grazing them with your horse to disrupt their blocking. Shorter weapons are preferable in tight quarters, such as the stairs in many multiplayer siege battles, the middle of a massed infantry melee, and the final stage of single player siege battles inside of the keep. The full damage of the weapon is also easier to achieve with shorter weapons as maximum damage is inflicted only when the tip of a weapon (the fastest moving point) contacts your target. Conversely, while longer weapons have more difficulty applying maximum damage, their potential damage is higher than a shorter weapon's.
• Requirements: Many melee weapons require a certain minimum level of Strength to use.

Types

There are three types of melee weapons governed by the character's proficiencies. There are also some multi-role weapons that can be switched between different types.

One Handed

One-handed weapons are usually fast, light, and can be used with a shield, but they have a shorter reach and don't deal as much damage as Two-handed weapons or Polearms.

▼ Show/Hide One-handed weapons ▼

Weapon	STR	Speed	Reach	Swing	Thrust	Weight	Base Value	Trait	Modifiers
Arming Sword	-	99	95	29c	24p	1.5	410	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Arming Sword	-	99	100	29c	28p	1.5	480	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Butchering Knife	-	108	60	24c	17p	0.8	23	Can't be used to block	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered
Cleaver	-	103	35	24c	-	1.5	14	Can't be used to block	None
Club	-	98	70	20b	-	2.5	11	-	None
Cudgel	-	99	70	13b	-	2.5	4	-	None
Dagger	-	109	47	22c	19p	0.8	37	Can't be used to block	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Elite Scimitar	-	100	103	32c	-	1.5	290	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Falchion	8	96	73	30c	-	2.5	105	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered
Fighting Axe	9	92	90	31c	-	2.5	77	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Fighting Pick	-	98	70	22p	-	1.0	108	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Heavy
Flanged Mace	-	103	70	24b	-	3.5	122	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Hammer	-	100	55	24b	-	2.0	7	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Hand Axe	7	95	75	27c	-	2.0	24	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Hatchet	-	97	60	23c	-	2.0	13	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Heavy Sabre	-	98	96	33c	-	1.8	384	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Iron Battle Axe	9	97	71	35c	-	1.8	250	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Iron Mace	-	99	73	22b	-	2.0	45	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Iron War Axe	9	97	71	38c	-	1.8	360	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Knife	-	110	40	21c	13p	0.5	18	Can't be used to block	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered
Knobbed Mace	-	98	70	21b	-	2.5	98	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Long Arming Sword	-	96	105	33c	28p	1.8	550	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered
Military Cleaver	-	96	95	35c	-	1.5	263	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Military Hammer	-	95	70	31b	-	2.0	317	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Military Pick	-	97	70	31p	-	1.5	280	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Heavy
Military Sickle	9	100	75	26p	-	1.0	220	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Nomad Sabre	-	100	97	29c	-	1.3	105	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Nordic Short Sword	-	103	85	28c	21p	1.3	162	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Nordic Short War Sword	-	103	86	29c	21p	1.3	280	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Nordic Sword	-	99	94	28c	20p	1.5	147	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Nordic Sword	-	99	95	29c	21p	1.5	276	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Nordic War Sword	-	99	95	30c	21p	1.5	394	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
One Handed Axe	9	98	71	32c	-	1.5	87	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
One Handed Battle Axe	9	98	73	34c	-	1.5	142	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
One Handed Battle Axe	9	98	72	36c	-	1.8	230	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
One Handed Battle Axe	9	98	76	37c	-	2.0	550	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
One Handed War Axe	9	98	76	34c	-	1.5	190	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Pickaxe	-	99	70	19p	-	3.0	27	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Heavy
Practice Axe	-	95	75	24b	-	2.0	24	Bonus against shields	None (Nord, Swadian, Vaegir Tournaments)
Practice Dagger	-	110	47	16b	14b	0.5	2	Can't be used to block	None (Khergit, Sarranid, Vaegir Tournaments)
Practice Sword	-	103	90	22b	20b	1.5	3	-	None (Khergit, Nord, Rhodok, Sarranid, Swadian Tournaments)
Sabre	-	99	98	31c	-	1.5	294	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sabre	-	99	97	30c	-	1.5	191	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sarranid Arming Sword	-	99	97	28c	19p	1.5	218	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sarranid Cavalry Sword	-	98	105	28c	19p	1.5	310	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sarranid Guard Sword	-	99	97	30c	20p	1.5	420	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sarranid Sword	-	99	97	26c	19p	1.5	108	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Scimitar	-	101	97	30c	-	1.5	210	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Short Arming Sword	-	103	86	26c	24p	1.0	243	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Short Sword	-	102	85	26c	24p	1.0	152	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sickle	-	99	40	20c	-	1.5	9	Can't be used to block	None
Soldier's Cleaver	-	96	95	31c	-	1.5	193	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Spiked Club (a)	-	97	70	21p	-	3.0	83	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Spiked Club (b)	-	99	70	19p	-	1.5	45	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Spiked Mace (a)	-	98	70	28b	-	3.5	180	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Heavy
Spiked Mace (b)	-	98	70	23b	-	2.8	152	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Strange Short Sword	-	108	65	25c	19p	1.3	321	-	None (Strange set)
Sword	-	99	95	27c	22p	1.5	163	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Sword	-	99	95	28c	23p	1.5	243	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Torch	-	95	95	11b	-	2.5	11	-	None (Cheats only)
Winged Mace	-	98	70	24b	-	2.5	212	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Wooden Stick	-	99	63	13b	-	2.5	4	-	None

▲ Show/Hide One-handed weapons ▲

Two Handed

Two-handed weapons deal more damage per hit and have a longer reach than their one-handed counterparts, but they are generally slower and cannot be used with a shield.

▼ Show/Hide Two-handed weapons ▼

Weapon	Str	Speed	Reach	Swing	Thrust	Weight	Base Value	Trait	Modifiers
Axe	8	91	108	32c	-	4.0	65	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Bardiche	10	91	102	47c	-	4.8	291	Unbalanced • Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Battle Axe	9	88	108	41c	-	5.0	240	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Great Axe	10	94	96	47c	-	4.5	316	Unbalanced • Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Great Bardiche	10	89	116	50c	-	5.0	617	Unbalanced • Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Great Hammer	14	79	75	45b	-	9.0	290	Unbalanced • Can crush through blocks	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Great Sword	10	95	125	39c	31p	2.8	423	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Great Sword	10	96	120	42c	29p	2.8	1123	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Heavy Practice Sword	-	94	128	30b	24b	6.3	21	-	None (Khergit, Nord, Rhodok, Sarranid, Swadian tournaments)
Iron Mace	-	90	95	35b	22b	4.5	470	Unbalanced • Can crush through blocks	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Maul	11	83	79	36b	-	6.0	97	Unbalanced • Can crush through blocks	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Sarranid Battle Axe	10	89	95	49c	-	3.0	350	Unbalanced • Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Sarranid War Axe	10	90	90	46c	-	2.5	280	Unbalanced • Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Shortened Military Scythe	10	90	112	45c	-	3.0	264	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Shortened Voulge	10	92	100	45c	-	4.5	228	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Sledgehammer	12	81	82	39b	-	7.0	101	Unbalanced • Can crush through blocks	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Strange Great Sword	11	92	125	38c	-	3.5	920	-	None (Strange set)
Sword of War	11	94	130	40c	31p	3.0	524	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Two Handed Axe	10	96	90	38c	-	4.5	90	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Two Handed Sabre	10	96	120	44c	-	2.8	920	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Two Handed Sabre	10	96	120	40c	-	2.8	523	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Two Handed Sword	10	97	110	40c	28p	2.8	670	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork
Two Handed War Axe	10	96	92	44c	-	4.5	152	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Voulge	8	87	119	35c	-	4.5	129	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
War Axe	10	86	110	43c	-	5.0	264	Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
War Cleaver	10	93	120	45c	-	2.8	640	-	Rusty, Chipped, Balanced, Tempered, Masterwork

▲ Show/Hide Two-handed weapons ▲

Polearms

Polearms generally have a longer reach than other melee weapons, though they are tricky to be used effectively without a horse.

▼ Show/Hide Polearms ▼

Weapon	Str	Speed	Reach	Swing	Thrust	Weight	Base Value	Trait	Modifiers
Ashwood Pike	9	90	170	19b	29p	3.5	205	No shield	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Awlpike	-	92	165	20b	33p	2.3	345	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Bamboo Spear	-	88	200	15b	20p	2.0	80	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Battle Fork	-	90	144	15b	35p	2.0	282	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Boar Spear	-	90	157	26c	23p	1.5	76	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Double Sided Lance	-	95	128	25c	27p	4.0	261	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Glaive	-	90	157	39c	21p	4.5	352	No shield	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Great Lance	11	55	240	-	21p	5.0	410	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Great Long Bardiche	12	88	155	50c	17p	5.0	660	No shield / Unbalanced / Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Hafted Blade	-	95	135	37c	20p	2.8	185	No shield	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Hafted Blade	-	93	153	39c	19p	3.3	350	No shield	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Heavy Lance	10	75	190	16b	26p	2.8	360	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Iron Staff	-	97	140	25b	26b	2.0	202	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Jousting Lance	-	61	240	-	17b	5.0	158	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Lance	-	80	180	16b	26p	2.5	270	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Light Lance	-	85	175	16b	27p	2.5	180	Couched lance damage	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Long Awlpike	-	89	185	20b	32p	2.3	385	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Long Bardiche	11	89	140	48c	17p	4.5	390	No shield / Unbalanced / Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Long Hafted Knobbed Mace	-	95	133	26b	23b	3.0	324	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Long Hafted Spiked Mace	-	94	140	28b	26b	2.5	310	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Long Spiked Club	-	96	126	23p	20b	2.5	264	-	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
Military Fork	-	95	135	15b	30p	2.0	153	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Military Scythe	-	87	155	36c	25p	2.5	155	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Pike	-	81	245	16b	26p	3.0	125	No shield / Cannot be used on horseback	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Pitch Fork	-	87	154	16b	22p	1.5	19	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Poleaxe	13	77	180	50c	15b	4.5	384	No shield	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Polehammer	18	50	126	50b	35b	7.0	169	No shield	None (Cheats only)
Quarter Staff	-	104	140	20b	20b	2.0	60	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Scythe	-	97	182	30c	14p	2.0	43	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Shortened Spear	-	102	120	19b	25p	2.0	53	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Spear	-	98	135	20b	26p	2.3	85	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Staff	-	100	130	18b	19b	1.5	36	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
Voulge	10	88	175	40c	18p	3.0	129	No shield / Bonus against shields	Rusty, Chipped, Heavy
War Hammer	-	81	120	38b	38p	3.0	125	No shield / Cannot be used on horseback	Cracked, Bent, Balanced
War Spear	-	95	150	20b	27p	2.5	140	-	Cracked, Bent, Balanced

▲ Show/Hide Polearms ▲

Two-handed/One-handed

Two-handed/One-handed weapons can be used either in both hands or in one hand with a shield. These weapons have the advantages and disadvantages of both weapon types, depending on how they are used.

▼ Show/Hide Two-handed/One-handed weapons ▼

Weapon	STR	Speed	Reach	Swing	Thrust	Weight	Price	Modifiers	Other
Bastard Sword	9	98	101	35 (cut)	26 (pierce)	2.0	294	Masterwork • Tempered • Balanced • Chipped • Rusty
Heavy Bastard Sword	9	96	105	37 (cut)	27 (pierce)	2.3	526	Masterwork • Tempered • Balanced • Chipped • Rusty
Morningstar	13	95	85	38 (pierce)	-	4.5	305	Heavy • Chipped • Rusty	Can crush through blocks • Unbalanced
Spiked Staff	9	95	117	24b	20 (pierce)	2.5	200	Heavy • Chipped • Rusty
Strange Sword	9	108	95	32 (cut)	18 (pierce)	2.0	679	-	Part of the strange set

▲ Show/Hide Two-handed/One-handed weapons ▲

Polearm/Two-handed

Polearm/Two-handed weapons are all large axes that can be used as either polearms or two-handed weapons.

▼ Show/Hide Polearm/Two-handed weapons ▼

Weapon	STR	Speed	Reach	Swing	Thrust	Weight	Price	Modifiers	Other
Long Axe	10	POLE 93 • 2H 88	120	46 (cut)	POLE 19 (blunt) • 2H None	4.75	390	Heavy • Chipped • Rusty	Bonus against shields • Unbalanced • No shield
Long War Axe	10	POLE 92 • 2H 87	125	50 (cut)	POLE 18 (blunt) • 2H None	5.0	510	Heavy • Chipped • Rusty	Bonus against shields • Unbalanced • No shield
Great Long Axe	10	POLE 91 • 2H 85	127	54 (cut)	POLE 19 (blunt) • 2H None	5.5	660	Heavy • Chipped • Rusty	Bonus against shields • Unbalanced • No shield

▲ Show/Hide Polearm/Two-handed weapons ▲

Melee Modifiers

Weapons can have modifiers that indicate increased or decreased stats. While one of the available modifiers is "Heavy", the Heavy Sabre, Heavy Bastard Sword, and Heavy Lance are actually different weapons from their "non-Heavy" counterparts; these cannot carry the "Heavy" modifier, thus there is no Heavy Heavy Sabre.

Equipment Modifiers
One Handed • Two Handed • Two Handed / One Handed Name Strength Requirement Damage Attack Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Masterwork +4 +6 +5 +9 +1 +1650% 30% Tempered - +4 - +670% 40% Balanced - +3 +3 +250% 50% Heavy +1 +2 -2 +90% 70% Chipped - -1 - -28% 100% Rusty - -3 - -45% 100%
Polearms Name Strength Requirement Damage Attack Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Balanced - +3 +3 +250% 50% Heavy +1 +2 -2 +90% 70% Chipped - -1 - -28% 100% Bent - -3 -3 -35% 100% Rusty - -3 - -45% 100% Cracked - -5 - -50% 100%
Polearm / Two Handed Name Strength Requirement Damage Attack Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Heavy +1 +2 -2 +90% 70% Chipped - -1 - -28% 100% Rusty - -3 - -45% 100%
Bows Name Power Draw Requirement Damage Missile Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Masterwork +4 +5 +1 +1650% 30% Strong +2 +3 -3 +360% 40% Bent - -3 -3 -35% 100% Cracked - -5 - -50% 100%
Crossbows Name Strength Requirement Damage Missile Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Masterwork +4 +5 +1 +1650% 30% Bent - -3 -3 -35% 100% Cracked - -5 - -50% 100%
Thrown Name Power Throw Requirement Damage Missile Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Balanced - +3 +3 +250% 50% Heavy +1 +2 -2 +90% 70% Bent - -3 -3 -35% 100%
Ammunition Name Stack Amount Damage Price Shop/Loot Chance Large Bag +13% - +90% 30% Bent - -3 -35% 100% Note: Thrown weapons can only carry the "bent weapon" modifier.
Firearms Name Strength Requirement Damage Missile Speed Price Shop/Loot Chance Masterwork +4 +5 +1 +1650% 30% Tempered - +4 - +670% 40% Balanced - +3 +3 +250% 50% Bent - -3 -3 -35% 100% Cracked - -5 - -50% 100%
Armor Name Protection Price Shop/Loot Chance Lordly +6 +1050% 25% Reinforced +4 +550% 25% Hardened +3 +290% 30% Thick +2 +160% 35% Sturdy +1 +70% 50% Crude -1 -17% 100% Battered -2 -25% 100% Ragged -2 -30% 100% Rusty -3 -45% 100% Tattered -3 -50% 100% Cracked -4 -50% 100%
Shields Name Durability Resistance Price Shop/Loot Chance Reinforced +83 +4 +550% 25% Thick +47 +2 +160% 35% Battered -26 -2 -25% 100% Cracked -56 -4 -50% 100%
Horses Name Riding Requirement Armor Speed Maneuver Charge Damage Hit Points Price Shop/Loot Chance Champion +2 - +4 +2 +2 - +1350% 20% Spirited - - +2 +1 +1 - +550% 60% Heavy - +3 - - +4 +10 +90% 70% Stubborn +1 - - - - +5 -10% 100% Swaybacked - - -4 -2 - - -40% 100% Lame - - -10 -5 - - -60% 100%