Ultimate Half Sword Beginners Guide [Early Access] (February 2026)

Updated February 2, 2026

With Half Sword entering early access, we updated our beginner's guide so it's up-to-date to the latest content.

Half Sword delivers one of the most brutally realistic medieval combat experiences available on PC. Following its early access launch on January 30, 2026, the game has evolved beyond the demo with deep progression systems, multiple game modes, and even more punishing combat mechanics. The game throws you into 15th-century tournament arenas with physics-based combat that demands precision, timing, and strategy.

If you're constantly losing to AI opponents or struggling to understand the game's complex systems, this guide breaks down everything you need to know. From mastering combat fundamentals to climbing through the rank system, we'll help you stop dying and start dominating in Half Sword.

Quick Start Guide for New Players

When you first launch Half Sword's early access version, you'll start in the Gauntlet mode as a lowly Beggar with nothing but your fists. Here's what you need to know immediately:

1. Accept your first Fistplay duel at the Jester's booth
2. Focus on kicks and grappling since you have no weapons
3. Win fights to earn points toward your first tournament
4. Grab the knife in Carnage mode – it spawns in the center of the arena
5. Surrender if you're about to die – press the surrender button to save your progress

Critical Early Game Tips

• Don't be afraid to surrender – losing a bit of rank progress is better than going to the Abyss
• Loot everything – defeated enemies drop weapons and armor you can keep
• Save your gold – you'll need it for better equipment as you rank up
• Practice spacing – distance management is more important than aggressive attacking
• Target unarmored body parts – head, neck, and limbs are your best targets

Half Sword Progression Guide for Beginners

Half Sword early access version introduces a rank system that replaces the simple arena from the demo. Here's how progression works:

• Beggar (Start here – fists only except in Carnage)
• Peasant
• Commoner (This is where the game really opens up)
• Soldier
• Veteran
• Man-at-Arms
• Knight
• Champion
• Baron (Unlocked after completing all ranks)

How to Rank Up in Half Sword

• Earn points by winning duels – Different game modes award 1-2 points
• Fill your progress bar – Check the bar above the Jester's booth
• Complete the Tournament – When your bar is full, a special tournament unlocks (approximately 90 gold reward)
• Defeat 7 rounds of random enemies – Win all rounds to advance to the next rank
• Your rank is permanent – Even if you die, you won't drop below your current rank

Points System:

• Single Combat (1v1): 1 point per win
• Fistplay (unarmed): 1 point per win (Beggar only)
• Carnage (free-for-all): 2 points per win
• Spoilance (improvised weapons): 2 points per win
• Melee (3v3 team battles): 2 points per win

Losing Progress:

• Losing fights costs you points (usually -1 or -2 depending on the mode)
• Dying sends you to the Abyss, where you must fight to preserve your rank
• Surrendering saves you from the Abyss but costs some rank progress

Which Game Mode to Choose in Half Sword?

Mode	Description	Progression / Points	Availability / Unlock	Key Mechanics & Rules
Gauntlet Mode (Main Progression)	No weapons initially. Heavy focus on kicks and grappling. The boss fight includes scattered weapons with a guaranteed knife spawn.	Rank-based progression (9 ranks)	Available from the start	Start with nothing; earn gear through victories. Risk–reward system (surrender to preserve progress). Boss fight at each rank transition (bosses are 1.15x taller).
Ultimate Challenge	Endless mode. Focus on momentum and equipment drops to scale power.	Endless (no fixed points)	Unlocked after defeating the Knight boss in Gauntlet	Start as “Willy” with basic clothing and a cleaver. Fight enemy waves that drop equipment. Full arena access (no fence gates).
Single Combat	Best mode for practicing mechanics and techniques.	Worth 1 progression point	Available at all ranks except Beggar	Short, focused fights. Ideal for learning weapons and tactics.
Fistplay	Unarmed version of Single Combat.	Worth 1 progression point	Beggar rank only	No weapons initially. Heavy focus on kicks and grappling. Boss fight includes scattered weapons with a guaranteed knife spawn.
Carnage	Free-for-all deathmatch against 3 opponents of the same rank.	+2 points for winning, −2 points for losing	Available once unlocked via progression	NPCs diagonally positioned usually target you first. Beggars start with one of three knives.
Spoilance	Free-for-all with improvised weapons scattered randomly across the arena.	Worth 2 points for winning	Available once unlocked via progression	5 fighters total. Randomized weapon spawns (cleavers, farming tools, etc.). Some opponents may surrender if unarmed.
Melee (3v3 Team Battles)	Team-based combat with allied troop types.	Worth 2 points for victory	Available once unlocked via progression	Allies and enemies can include Knights, Men-at-Arms, Veterans, Soldiers, and Militia. Team coordination is critical.
Abyss Mode	Fog-filled survival mode against Vengeful Spirits (zombie-like enemies).	Preserves Gauntlet progress if completed	Triggered by dying in Gauntlet without surrendering	Fight waves to survive. Life-drain mechanic restores health on kills. Golden cups can be collected and sold. Loot equipment as you progress.

How to Kick Your Opponent & Finish Fights Fast

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

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)
   • Quick stance break that staggers opponents
   • Creates space if they're too close
   • Opens them up for immediate follow-up attacks
   • Risky – leaves you vulnerable if you miss
2. Charging (Shift + Forward)
   • Running into opponents disrupts their posture
   • Works like kicking but with forward momentum
   • Good for closing distance against defensive enemies
   • Higher risk of counter-hits if they're ready

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 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

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.

Blocking	Footwork	Spacing
Shields are optional but powerful – equip one in your off-hand Recommended setup: Shield + one-handed weapon Block incoming strikes rather than trying to dodge everything Shields stop spear pokes – critical against ranged attackers Watch your stamina – blocking costs energy	Hold Shift to sprint – also enables quick dodges Tap Shift while moving left, right, or backward to evade strikes Circle your opponent to find openings Backstep from overcommitted swings Never stand still – moving targets are harder to hit	Distance equals safety – the closer you are, the more danger you face Keep enemies at your weapon's ideal range Spears excel at defensive spacing – poke from safety Close distance only to strike then retreat immediately Respect their weapon reach and adjust accordingly

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.

When to Surrender in Hafl Sword?

One of the most important defensive mechanics in early access is knowing when to surrender. Note that in Gauntlet mode, you can surrender even during tournament rounds. This is essential for survival – one bad tournament fight shouldn't send you to the Abyss.

When	Why	How
You've taken a fatal wound but haven't bled out yet Outnumbered and overwhelmed in team modes Disarmed against armed opponents Critical limb loss that makes victory impossible	Avoid the Abyss – saves you from fighting waves of Vengeful Spirits Only lose rank progress – not your entire rank Preserve your sanity – the Abyss is brutal Smart strategy – surrender small losses to prevent big ones	Press the surrender button (check keybindings) Your character will beg for mercy Lose 1-2 points from your rank progress Continue at your current rank without Abyss penalty

How to Survive Abyss

The Abyss is a survival mode you enter when you die in Gauntlet without surrendering. It features waves of Vengeful Spirits (zombie-like enemies) that you must defeat to preserve your rank progress. Dying in the Abyss wipes your progression and sends you back to Beggar rank. You can hire an NPC to clear it for you if you don't want to fight. Why you should use NPCs in Abyss:

• Pay gold to have them clear the Abyss for you
• Preserves your rank without risking a fight
• Costs vary based on difficulty
• Recommended for beginners who struggle with waves of enemies

Half Sword Beginner's FAQ

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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