Swords are very basic weapons and are probably the most commonly used throughout the world. Very few swords are exactly the same because every blacksmith has a different forging technique. Every sword can be identified as one of the following:

• Short sword - Larger than a dagger but smaller than other swords
• Long sword - Slightly elongated blade for longer reach
• Broad sword - Wider blade for extra sturdiness and added power
• Two-handed sword - So large and powerful that it must be wielded with two hands

There are also some variations of the sword such as the rapier, scimitar, epee, foil, claymore, sabre, flamberge, etc.

Blunt weapons aren't quite as common as swords but, when wielded properly, are just as effective. The most basic of weapons is the club, used since the beginning of mankind. The blackjack is based on the same principle but has many advantages over its predecessor. Easily concealed, the blackjack is capable of knocking an opponent unconscious quickly and quietly. The mace, another similar weapon, is somewhat like a club in that it consists of a weight mounted on one end of a short shaft. For extra damage potential, the weight sometimes has spikes, bumps or barbs. A ball-and-chain is much like a mace except that the weight and shaft are connected by a chain. A flail is closely related to the ball-and-chain except that the weight is usually a studded wooden bar. Lastly, a hammer, or war hammer, is a heavy, larger version of the tool. It often requires both hands to be used properly (depending on size) and sometimes has a spike on one end for added damage.

Missile weapons are deadly in the hands of a veteran. Foremost is the bow, a versatile tool which can be used to shoot a variety of arrows. Some of the more lethal ones are:

• Broadhead - Conventional ammunition with high piercing damage and average accuracy
  
  
  
  
• Fire - Explosive arrows which cause destruction to a fairly large area
  
  
  
  
• Gas - Upon impact, a cloud of potent knockout gas is released affecting everyone in the area
  
  

A similar weapon is the crossbow which is slower because of loading time but is extremely accurate. Crossbow ammuntion is a bolt, which can be purchased in quarrels. A less powerful and cheaper weapon is the sling which is used to propel stones and pellets at enemies. Slings are much more difficult to aim than a crossbow.

Knives and daggers are concealable versions of a sword. Knives are not quite as effective as daggers which are double-edged, but both can be thrown for added range. Dirks are very similar. Main gauches, on the other hand, are designed specifically for use with the left hand. They are used for defensive parrying and are especially useful in hand-to-hand combat.

The term pole arms refers to long-shafted weapons about 5 - 7 feet long. They are designed with defense in mind and with their extended reach prove quite effective. Halberds have ends similar to those of battle axes. Lances are long shafted with sharp, usually metal-tipped points. Lances are of course most commonly seen wielded by those on horseback. Spears are similar but slightly shorter and have blade-mounted tips. Spears are quite versatile in that they can be thrown in the same manner as javelins or used in melee combat. Pikes are nearly identical in appearance to spears except have larger blades.

Axes are short-shafted weapons mounted with large, curved heads. Though somewhat slow, these weapons can inflict great deals of damage with a single chop. Most axes can be categorized as one of the following:

• Hand axe - Hand-held, reduced version which can be thrown
• Broad axe - Fitted with a single large blade
• Battle axe - Larger, double bladed variety requiring both hands

Leather Armour, made from boiled leather, offers minimal protection but allows freedom of movement. Also, it is much quieter than armour of other materials. For these reasons, it is the choice form of protection of those who prefer stealthy approaches. Due to its inexpensiveness and relative lightness, leather armour's use is quite widespread.

Chain Mail is armour made of thousands of interlocking metal links. Chain mail offers an amount of protection between that of leather and plate armour and is somewhere in between in terms bulkiness as well. Chain mail tends to be worn by the average fighter who avoids the front lines but still participates actively in skirmishes.

Conversely, plate mail is a heavy, durable armour made from overlapping metal plates which cover the entire body. It offers unparalleled protection and can withstand a great deal of blows. Knights and other warriors are often seen equipped with plate mail–those who favour close combat and are known to charge into the thick of battle. However, its weight and awkwardness restrict both the wearer's speed and agility. Only properly trained warriors can be effective wearing such bulk.

Shields are basically pieces of metal or wood (or a combination thereof) strapped to the arm used to block both melee and missile attacks. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and some are even decorative. With the exception of bucklers, all require a free hand to wield.