Ultimate Half Sword Beginners Guide

Half Sword delivers one of the most brutally realistic medieval combat experiences, but that realism comes at a cost. The game throws you into the fray with little explanation, leaving you to figure out its complex fighting systems through trial and (mostly) error.

It's frustrating to constantly lose to AI opponents while wondering what you're doing wrong. That's where our Half Sword beginner's guide comes in. We're breaking down the best combat tips you need to stop dying and start dominating duels in the game.

How to Kick Your Opponent & Win Round Fast in the Half Sword

You can kick your opponent by pressing the 'Spacebar' key on the keyboard. Ideally, the kick is best for creating space if the opponent is rushing you and getting in your range. But kicks aren’t just for defense; they also work as a brutal finisher when used right.

If an opponent gets too close, a well-timed kick can knock them back, giving you room to recover or reposition. This is especially useful against aggressive enemies who try to overwhelm you with fast attacks.

The real power of kicks shines when an enemy is downed. After landing enough hits to knock them to the ground, quickly move to their head and press Spacebar—your character will perform a low-kick on their skull for an instant kill, ending the fight right there.

This tactic is perfect for:

• Unarmored enemies (no helmet = easy head crush)
• Stronger foes – If they have a better weapon, knocking them down and finishing them with a kick is faster than risking a prolonged fight.

How to Break Your Opponent's Stance in the Half Sword

Before you can land a successful or guaranteed clean hit, you'll need to break your opponent's stance first. There are two ways to do this:

1. Kicking (Spacebar key)
2. Charging into them (Shift key)

Both methods leave you wide open for a counterattack, so timing is critical. The best moment to go for a stance break is right after your enemy swings—that's when they're briefly vulnerable.

• A successful kick staggers them, creating an opening for your attack.
• Running into them works the same way—if timed right, it disrupts their posture.

But be careful: if you mistime it, there is a great chance you could get a fatal counter-hit. Wait for their attack animation to finish, then move in fast before they recover.

How to Attack Effectively in the Half Sword

In Half Sword, combat isn't about trading blows - it's about making every strike count. Learning to attack effectively in Half Sword takes time, but these pro tips will fast-track your combat skills. Here's what every beginner needs to know:

Target Weak Points for Maximum Damage

Always aim for exposed body parts - they're your golden ticket to quick victories:

• Head/Neck (Best for bladed weapons - aim horizontal swings at the neck)
• Limbs (Severing arms/legs causes instant blood loss kills)
• Unarmored Areas (Watch for gaps in enemy armor)

Precision strikes to vulnerable areas do more than just damage - they can completely shift a fight's momentum. A clean hit to the head will stun your enemy, leaving them open for follow-up attacks. Even more effective are strikes that sever limbs, which not only reduce your opponent's combat effectiveness but can cause them to quickly bleed out.

There's nothing more satisfying in a duel than watching an armed opponent collapse after you've removed their sword arm in the Half Sword.

How to Play Defensively & Win in the Half Sword

The toughest skill to master in Half Sword is playing defensively. While the game offers a wide variety of blunt and sharp weapons, you must know that this isn’t a mindless hack-and-slash experience. As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense, and that holds true here.

Playing defensively means mastering three core elements: blocking, footwork, and spacing. You need to strike the right balance between aggression and caution, staying ready to counterattack while keeping yourself protected in case things go wrong.

For example, holding the Shift key lets you sprint, but it also helps with quick dodges—tap it while moving left, right, or backward to reposition and evade incoming strikes.

Shields are optional, but they’re one of the best defensive tools available. For a solid defensive setup, try equipping a shield in one hand and a one-handed weapon in the other.

Spacing is another critical factor. The closer you are to an enemy, the higher your chances of taking a brutal hit—whether it’s a blade across the throat or a sword slash to the gut. To stay safe, keep your distance and use weapons like spears to poke enemies from afar while staying out of their reach.

That is pretty much everything you need to know about the best combat tips for beginners in the Half Sword. For more about the game, consider reading our Ultimate Half Sword Weapons Guide & Tier List guide.

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