Best Weapon Type?

[Thaddeus Mynor]

There's an overwhelming agreement, it seems, that two-handed bashing weapons are the best weapon type in the game.

But, what about the other weapons? For a melee fighter/hunter, how do swords, dueling weapons, daggers, etc all compare to one-another?

Am I going to be gimped if I train in daggers instead of swords, for example.

[Thaddeus Mynor]

Bump

[Cutlass Jack]

I'm not sure there's an overwhelming agreement. Two Handed Bashing might be the best weapon but only if damage is the only thing you consider.

If you use that weapon, you can't use a shield, which means you can't block missile attacks. It also doesn't have the two hex range advantage of a spear. Which means less tactical applications, like thrusting over your dwarf tank's head to melee in relative safety. Also they're slow.

In addition to the above, Spears are incredible combined with the 'Attack of Opportunity' talent. You get free swings at anyone who runs within 2 hexes of you.

The advantage of Swords is flexibility. They're middle of the road. They can do the widest range of different attacks...pretty much any move but Hammer Blow. And their damage type doesn't have much of an advantage or disadvantage.

Daggers are about speed. They provide bonuses to initiative, which means you're more likely to move before everyone else. This can be a huge advantage in the right hands, since the move you make can be anything, not just dagger strikes. Equip daggers and your turn comes up sooner so you can cast a spell, position yourself, take advantage of enviromental things, etc. When actually attacking with the daggers, the wound creating attacks are pretty useful. The downside is that Piercing damage isn't that great vs. certain enemy types like Skeletons.

Meanwhile Hammers/maces are the reverse. Much slower, but harder hitting and very little resists their damage. From a more practical standpoint, there are a few points in the game where you're separated from your gear and have to hit people with sticks/torches/clubs. This skill is useful for those moments. Plus torches let you do fire damage, and the Bone Mace (which you'll get early) does Magic damage, which is about the only thing that can damage Will O'Wisps.

So lots of factors to consider. And if you want the Weaponmaster Talent, you'll want to get at least three melee skills to 16. You can't completely gimp yourself with any weapon choice, but they all excell at some situations more than others.

[Ereius]

Two handed bashing & Bows by far. Spears work also very well with two handed bashing ensures you land hammer bow making a desvastanting combo

[eldercom]

Daggers and fencing are all piercing weapons, there are many piercing-immune enemies, so I'd not bother. Many daggers have useful magical effects though.

Swords and spears can be used only with Death Blow which is not my personal choice. More than that there's only one non-piercing Spear, it's great though

Two-handed swords are all slashing damage which is ok and can be used with Hammer Blow, so you can give them a try if you want

Bashing weapons are number one for me. One-handed are easier to hit with and two-handed deal more damage.

[ItsYFP]

I always play with 2 Handed Bashing Meeles, i dont like Hunters. The Spear is also great, but there is one weak point, Undeads(Zombies/Skeletons) can not injured with them :/

[Dorok]

The weapon available in the game with the heavier damages is a 2H bashing weapon and this weapon type has also the best special attacks, and is the best choice tactically, managing the best all type of enemies?

Woo looks like the dev failed hugely a balance point.