Updated February 2, 2026
We add new weapons and overhauled the Half Sword tier list according to current meta from early access.
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Half Sword's physics-based combat demands more than just skill—you need to master the right weapons for your playstyle and rank. Following the January 30, 2026, early access release, the weapon arsenal has expanded significantly with new additions like crossbows and refined mechanics that have shifted the meta considerably from the demo version.
Ranking All Half Sword Weapons
Before diving into the tier list, it's essential to understand Half Sword's weapon categories and what makes each type effective at different progression stages. There are multiple weapon types in Half Sword:
- Polearms (Spears, Halberds, Poleaxes)
- Bladed Weapons (Swords, Axes, Scythes)
- Blunt Weapons (Maces, Hammers, Candlesticks)
- Ranged Weapons (Crossbows)
- Improvised Weapons (Farm Tools, Tongs, Scissors)
How we rank weapons in our tier list?
- Reach: Distance management is survival. Longer weapons keep enemies at bay and allow for safer engagements. Reach dominates in early ranks.
- Damage Type: Slashing causes bleeding and severs limbs. Piercing targets weak points. Blunt ignores armor but doesn't bleed. Each has its place.
- Weight: Heavier weapons deliver more momentum and stagger force but swing slower and drain stamina. Lighter weapons allow rapid combos but lack knockout power.
- Armor Penetration: Critical in Veteran+ ranks where heavy armor becomes standard. Blunt weapons and precise thrusts shine here.
- Speed: Faster weapons create pressure and combo potential. Slower weapons demand perfect timing and positioning.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Scythe, Poleaxe, Longsword, Halberd, Spear, Spiked Spear, Pitchfork |
| A | Claymore, Billhook, Battle Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Pike, Long Candlestick, Rake |
| B | Sword, Falchion, Machete, Long Axe, Axe, Short Sword, Warhammer, Crossbow |
| C | Daggers, Hammer, Sickle, Cleaver Knife, Hoe, Small Candlestick, Gauntlets, Two-Handed Axe |
| D | Scissors, Fists, Kick, Mace, Smithing Tongs, Spade, Helmet, Shield (as weapon) |
S tier - Best Weapons in Half Sword
| Weapon | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|
| Long Sword | + Deals massive, fight-ending damage. + Its long reach keeps enemies at bay. + A clean neck strike means instant decapitation. - Swings are slow. - Missed attacks leave you wide open. |
| Spiked Spear | + Has the same long-range safety as a regular spear. + The Bladed shafts on the wooden part of the weapon makes swings deadly too. + Devastating thrusts to chest/neck. + Charge attacks stop enemies in their tracks. - Shielded foes can block or deflect the attacks. - Swings need to be timed at the weak spots, otherwise be ready for enemy's counterattack. |
| Spear | + Unmatched range keeps enemies at a distance. + Deadly for precise chest/neck thrusts. + Charge attacks cripple enemy mobility. + Dominates in spear-vs-spear fights. - Shielded enemies can counter attacks. - Requires careful timing to avoid punishment. |
| Pitchfork | + Best weapon for poking from range in the game. + Leg shots immobilize enemies. + Neck strikes deliver instant kills. - Missed pokes leave you wide open. - Requires perfect spacing to stay safe. - Close combat style is not for this weapon. |
| Halberd | + Spear-like poking with deadly blade finisher. + Neck drags control enemy movement. + Body slashes deal fast, heavy damage. + Outranges most melee weapons. - Slow recovery after missed swings. - Requires space to leverage full range. - Struggles against shields up close. |
| Battle Axe | + Devastating close-range power + Fast swings cripple limbs quickly + Instant kills on unarmored heads + Overhead chops ignore basic helmets - Not much use against spears/ranged foes - Short reach loses to polearms - Tiring to swing repeatedly |
| Sword | + Lightning-fast slashes target weak spots. + High limb-severing potential. + Dominates 1v1 duels. + Best weapon for surgical strikes. - Useless against heavy armor. - Struggles against an opponent with a polearm or spear. - Not much use in group fights. |
| Machete | + Lightning-fast slashes (faster than most blades). + Devastating limb-chopping potential. + Perfect for finishing downed enemies. + Superior reach compared to knives. - Exhausting to swing repeatedly. - Weak against armored opponents. - Requires constant aggression to dominate. |
| Falchion | + Heavy slashing power due to bigger blade. + Lightning-fast horizontal swings. + Perfect for striking exposed neck/shoulders. + Very useful against shield-users as you can exploit the exposed side. - Vertical chops are slower. - Heavier than standard swords. - Not ideal for precise stabs. |
A tier - Best Weapons in Half Sword
| Weapon | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|
| Billhook | + Best-in-class swing range. + Devastating horizontal slashes. + Cripples limbs to control fights. + Axe-like power at maximum reach. - Useless in close quarters. - Has got slow recovery animation after each swing. - Makes you exposed to an incoming strike after missing the swing. |
| Pike | + Versatile mid-range pokes and slashes. + Horizontal swings surprise enemies. + Excellent for controlling space. + Pointy blade delivers lethal stabs. - Outranged by spears/halberds. - Struggles in tight spaces. |
| Long Axe | + Devastating strike damage to weak spots. + Crushes necks/ribs/legs with single swings. + Good medium-range crowd control. + Emergency close-range horizontal slashes. - Weak poking capability. - Slower than true polearms. - Leaves you exposed after big swings. |
| Long Candlestick | + Spammable bat-like swinging attacks. + Has polearm-range that helps in keeping enemies at bay. + Excellent stamina-efficient harassment tool. + Creates constant pressure with rapid swings. - Zero sharp damage (blunt only). - Struggles against armored opponents. - Requires perfect spacing to be effective. |
| Short Sword | + Lightning-fast slashing attacks. + Versatile one or two-handed use. + Precision strikes to weak points. + Quick close-range poking capability. - Very short reach. - Not much useful against foes wielding longer weapons. - Weak during crowded battles. |
| Axe | + Devastating charged/overhead strikes + Brutal close-range killing power + Ignores light armor effectiveness + Limb-crippling swing force -Poor at medium/long range |
B tier - Best Weapons in Half Sword
| Weapon | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|
| Daggers | + Fastest stabs in the game, which can deal relentless pressure + Critical hits to backs and necks + Easily causes bleeding - Demands point-blank range |
| Hammer | + Stagger force interrupts enemy attacks + Downed foes can be executed quickly using hammer - No bleed damage |
| Sickle | + Hooked slashes catch limbs for brutal disarms + Fast, arcing swings ideal for hit-and-run tactics + Bleed damage on deep cuts - Short reach despite curved blade |
| Cleaver Knife | + Lightning-fast chops (faster than axes) + Deep wound bleeding damage + Limb-severing potential on weak spots - Very short reach - Useless against heavy armor - Demands aggressive playstyle |
| Hoe | + Polearm-like reach for a farming tool + Heavy hooked swings (good for limb snags) + Decent crowd control with wide arcs - Slow recovery between swings - No piercing attacks |
| Small Candlestick | + Rapid, spammable swings + Surprising stun potential on headshots + Toothpick range - Zero armor penetration - Useless against shields |
| Gauntlets | + Amplified fist damage + Armor-crushing blunt trauma + Blocks blades while punching + Instant skull fractures on headshots - Still loses to polearms/spears - Exhausting sustained combos |
| Scissors | + Vicious piercing wounds that cause bleeding to the opponent + Tongs-like grip attacks with sharp edges + Fast stab combos to weak points - Has a very short reach - Fragile against armor/heavy weapons |
| Fists | + Devastating trauma damage to heads + Left/right hooks create dizzy combos - Suicide against weapons - Zero armor penetration - Requires flawless dodging |
C tier - Best Weapons in Half Sword
| Weapon | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|
| Kick | + Creates instant space from enemies + Briefly stuns opponents for openings + Brutal finisher on downed foes (Gets you kill in 1-2 kicks) + Always available to use - High risk at close range - Leaves you vulnerable if missed - Useless against armored legs |
| Mace | + Devastating blunt trauma damage + Crushes heads/ribs/spines in 1-2 hits + Perfect finisher for downed enemies + Ignores armor effectiveness - Very short reach - Slow, telegraphed swings - Useless against distant foes |
| Smithing Tongs | + Vise-like pincers crush chests/faces + Brutal close-range execution tool - Shortest reach in the game - Useless against armor - Does not cause bleeding or cut damage |
| Spades | + Sword-like speed with blunt force + Fast horizontal swings for crowd control + Surprisingly versatile in melee - Zero slash/cut damage - Short reach compared to real swords |
| Helmet | + High stun potential on direct hits + Can perform headbutts - Extremely short range - High risk |
| Shield | + Quick bash interrupts enemy attacks + Staggers foes for follow-up strikes - Minimal damage output - Drains stamina with each bash - Leaves you exposed if overused |
That is pretty much everything you need to know about the best weapons in Half Sword and the overall ranking of each weapon in the game. While you are at it, consider reading our Sultan’s Game Beginner’s Guide.