What are your favored (craftable) meelee weapons?

[Valykry]

I've never really dug too deep into the crafting system in this game, B41 OR B42. I've made the odd spear here and there and put up a couple walls and doors, but apart from maxing out tailoring and mechanics once, that's about it. I usually make due with what I can find lying around.

I'm on a particularly successful run in B42 now (20 days in, just shy of 4,000 kills) BUT i'm down to my last axe (my favorite weapon, but I honestly haven't experimented much with others). It's becoming apparent that I'm going to need to start crafting weapons if I want to continue my war against the hoards. Learning the large stone axe is a short grind away, and IIRC i can eventually learn to make better ones in the metalworking craft.

But i'm curious, are there better options for fighting large hoards? What are your favorites, and why?

[katsuragi]

It's a big investment (you'll need Maintenance 8+ and Long Blade 8+) to make it worth it, but Shortsword is amazing.

It's lighter than a Machete so it uses less endurance. 1 hit kills at least 50% of the time (again, IF you have high Long Blade skill) and can kill about 200 Z (again, IF you have high Maintenance) before breaking.

They are cheap to make (once you have the setup) because they only need a half bar.

Fortunately, Maintenance and Long Blade Books are a thing so getting the skills to take advantage of it isn't too hard.

[Valykry]

Maintenance won't bee too much of a problem. I accidentally stumbled across a way to grind it. I assume that as far as the long blade skill, at low levels it is similar to low levels with axe. I'll eventually get there. I'll look into it. Sounds like it will make a good backup to the axe (If not a full replacement)

[katsuragi]

Originally posted by Valykry:

Maintenance won't bee too much of a problem. I accidentally stumbled across a way to grind it. I assume that as far as the long blade skill, at low levels it is similar to low levels with axe. I'll eventually get there. I'll look into it. Sounds like it will make a good backup to the axe (If not a full replacement)

A good rule of thumb for any class of melee weapon is at low skill levels you want the highest damage you can get and at high skill levels you want the lightest weight you can get (because your skill will be providing bonus damage and bonus crits)

Axe is viable long term too though. You just be making Cleavers at the high end which are even lighter than Shortswords but not quite as durable.

[Valykry]

That makes sense. My key concern is durability. I want a weapon that can take on a lot of zeds before breaking. Doesn't have to last the entire 500 zed hoard, as long as they are durable enough I don't have to worry about them snapping mid-fight and light enough I can keep replacements on hand. I like to keep a single battle going until fatigue is the thing that makes me RTB, not running out of weapons.

[p3st|cIdE]

The Sawblade Long Handle was easy to make, lightweight, and high damage. Good if you can find a sawblade. Works as an axe! The handle will break though. Just make another one.
For high durability, I was pretty happy with the Sheet Metal Reinforced Bat. Metal bats take a long time to break. Try adding a tin can to reinforce most crappy weapons into something sturdy enough to crack a few heads. Tends to lengthen the shorter weapons though.
For fighting a large horde, you'll run out of stamina if you try melee; for killing lots of Z's fast, you need guns. But the noise draws more and more, so be sure your back is clear and that you have plenty of ammo, reserve clips, and a safe exit route when things go south.

[p3st|cIdE]

Originally posted by katsuragi:

Shortsword is amazing.

I tried crude shortsword and crude longsword out.
The problem w bladed weapons is they constantly need resharpened, break quite easily in comparison to reinforced bats etc. I had shortswords go unsharpenably bad condition after only killing maybe a dozen zeds, while a spiked bat w maxed long blunt and maintenance skill can take out half the mall before breaking. I can't recommend swords for durability reasons. They're good at making bloody messes fast though. Maybe the higher tier version is enough better to be worth the grind?

[Gootsu]

wooden spear since I never reached the point of being able to make those fancy weapons you are talking about here

[MV75]

Long sword is absolute king. You gain mad maintenance by sharpening them and they last ages. Use those found machetes up along with skill books and your longblade skill is up in no time. What do short swords do when they break? You can make them into scrap metal short swords. Indeed the full versions of swords are far superior. I'm just one level off being able to make long swords and machetes. Knowing you can eventually make them gives you more freedom just to burn through any found machetes, etc. I prefer to burn through weapons and defeat the hordes rather than retreat tired.

[Armagenesis]

So far? Stone axes. Easy to craft, fairly durable, decent damage. The maintenance requirement is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ in a low loot run, but otherwise it's not so bad.

[JediKnightSky]

And Samson said with the Jawbone of an Ass I have made heaps and heaps, with the Jawbone of an Ass I have slain a thousand men.

I favor a simple bone club. Can always get a new one. Cant wait till we get horses and donkeys in the game. I will use a Jawbone from one of them then forevermore!

[Gootsu]

How do you get so many bones?

[Armagenesis]

Originally posted by Armagenesis:

So far? Stone axes. Easy to craft, fairly durable, decent damage. The maintenance requirement is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ in a low loot run, but otherwise it's not so bad.

After 42.4 patch, this is no longer true. Which really sucks.

[The Dutchman]

Originally posted by Gootsu:

How do you get so many bones?

Seriously?? Butchering...

[Gootsu]

mr obious I was asking how do you get so many animals to have so many bones, when I find a deer my aim reticule is so large that it requires a miracle to actually kill one

[Benjamin Magnus]

Fire Hardened Spear. Super easy to make in quantity. Once you hit hit around Spear 2 and Maintenance 3ish youll feel like a god