Role of the one-handed sword

[friendo1]

I played this game pretty impulsively, which is why I never get far. Pretty sure I give out too many swords. This infamous weapon doesn't seem to have priority in this game, so how are people using/viewing it and under what conditions? Thanks

[Thirty-O-Six]

One handed swords r cool. I use swords on 60+ melee skill. 1 hand sword from about day 1 (if 60+ and have sword) to day 95 is good. After that your transitioning to 2H swords unless one of two things apply:

1) Your a dedicated tank with decent melee skill and will use reposte
2) Your a dualist “flanker” type toon

Other than this your right...their viability is limited. Also, I find flails superior in easier fights in mid game (day 15-75).

[Tephros83]

Originally posted by friendo1:

I played this game pretty impulsively, which is why I never get far. Pretty sure I give out too many swords. This infamous weapon doesn't seem to have priority in this game, so how are people using/viewing it and under what conditions? Thanks

As the prior poster said. Also Early game when your guys are too fragile for 2h weapons, 1h swords are finishing weapons vs armored guys after an antiarmor weapon takes out the armor. Also a good weapon for lightly armored beasts. Later on it is a training weapon, i.e. your more experienced guys get the enemies to minimal health and the noob can finish off 1 or 2 per turn, best done with a 1h sword or 1h spear. I tend to use cruel falchion for that purpose since fatigue savings allows them to wear heavier armor to survive.

[McGrits]

Not counting the sword riposte build (a mid to late game build), the sword is a valuable step in the starting game and getting your early bros to mid and late game. The plus 10% is the key to the weapon. Don not give bros a weapons specialty until late in their levels.

In the early game where your bros are all less than level 5 or 6, the sword is every front line bro's second weapon. Bros less than 60 melee attack (and the corresponding low level defense) get a spear and shield. When your bro get to 60 melee attack, you switch the spear to a sword (and still carry a shield). When your bro gets to the low to mid-80s, you give them a weapon with a purpose like a mace, axe or cleaver. Some bros do not get past the switch point and you keep them on the sword. You give them higher tier versions as they go on with the end result a noble sword until you get named versions. These bros that stay with swords usually become reserves to fill in injury spots.

The starter shield bro is usually a final sword bro since his melee attack just doesn't quite get there. Some may get to be mace bros if the stat rolls get good RNG. This bro usually is a great bro for the legendary lightning sword since he just has the levels and time to give him good stats when you get the weapon. Yes, there are way better bros in your crew but they specialized in other weapons and a new bro just will not catch up to the starter bro.

The sword riposte build is a special defense build that needs mid to late game recruits to work.

[Cid]

Originally posted by McGrits:

In the early game where your bros are all less than level 5 or 6, the sword is every front line bro's second weapon. Bros less than 60 melee attack (and the corresponding low level defense) get a spear and shield. When your bro get to 60 melee attack, you switch the spear to a sword (and still carry a shield). When your bro gets to the low to mid-80s, you give them a weapon with a purpose like a mace, axe or cleaver. Some bros do not get past the switch point and you keep them on the sword. You give them higher tier versions as they go on with the end result a noble sword until you get named versions. These bros that stay with swords usually become reserves to fill in injury spots.

80's seems like a pretty high benchmark for most mercs before you switch from sword to something else. I usually switch at low to mid 70s without any problems: 70s + 10% for morale buff (confident) + 5-15% flanked buff(s) + 10% for enemy low morale debuffs (wavering/breaking). Bros that can't make it past 60s can still take other weapons but you'll probably need to take backstabber or fast adaptation in order for him to be viable.

[renollow]

Well, this is not exactly for the early game but i guess the topic are 1handed-Swords, ***spoiler*** a/the ultimate weapon in this game is the "Reproach_of_the_old_gods" (Sword Stats: https://imgur.com/oHEyVl4 ), but you need to defeat the Krakken & the Rachegeist, after that you are the Luke Skywalker of Battlebrothers, and eiher way on a duelist or a S&B-Tank it is really devasting, so having a 1H-Sword-Brother isn't that bad ;-)

cheers Renollow

[Tephros83]

Originally posted by renollow:

Well, this is not exactly for the early game but i guess the topic are 1handed-Swords, ***spoiler*** a/the ultimate weapon in this game is the "Reproach_of_the_old_gods" (Sword Stats: https://imgur.com/oHEyVl4 ), but you need to defeat the Krakken & the Rachegeist, after that you are the Luke Skywalker of Battlebrothers, and eiher way on a duelist or a S&B-Tank it is really devasting, so having a 1H-Sword-Brother isn't that bad ;-)

cheers Renollow

Yeah my plan is to use that sword on my riposte-indomitable-recover-adrenaline tank to solo the upper army of the monolith. Smaller scale tests have gone well.

[Tephros83]

Originally posted by Cid:

Originally posted by McGrits:

In the early game where your bros are all less than level 5 or 6, the sword is every front line bro's second weapon. Bros less than 60 melee attack (and the corresponding low level defense) get a spear and shield. When your bro get to 60 melee attack, you switch the spear to a sword (and still carry a shield). When your bro gets to the low to mid-80s, you give them a weapon with a purpose like a mace, axe or cleaver. Some bros do not get past the switch point and you keep them on the sword. You give them higher tier versions as they go on with the end result a noble sword until you get named versions. These bros that stay with swords usually become reserves to fill in injury spots.

80's seems like a pretty high benchmark for most mercs before you switch from sword to something else. I usually switch at low to mid 70s without any problems: 70s + 10% for morale buff (confident) + 5-15% flanked buff(s) + 10% for enemy low morale debuffs (wavering/breaking). Bros that can't make it past 60s can still take other weapons but you'll probably need to take backstabber or fast adaptation in order for him to be viable.

If he can't get into the 80s and he isn't a tank, sergeant, or an archer, he's not good enough for endgame.

[suejak]

Random factoid: Double-gripped falchions one-shot ancient auxiliaries (usually).

As others have said, I also use swords and spears vs. most beasts unless the bro is special somehow (e.g., polearm, archer, or my fatigue-neutral early game dodge 2handers).

Quasi-exceptions are unholds and schrats, though I'll still often use 1h swords on these too. But other things are better.

Basically, 1h swords are great vs. HP -- though not as effective as cleavers, I use them more as the damage alternative to spears vs. enemies for which hit-chance is most important (like thugs, nachs, wolves, goblins, spiders, etc.).

[Cid]

Originally posted by Tephros83:

Originally posted by Cid:

80's seems like a pretty high benchmark for most mercs before you switch from sword to something else. I usually switch at low to mid 70s without any problems: 70s + 10% for morale buff (confident) + 5-15% flanked buff(s) + 10% for enemy low morale debuffs (wavering/breaking). Bros that can't make it past 60s can still take other weapons but you'll probably need to take backstabber or fast adaptation in order for him to be viable.

If he can't get into the 80s and he isn't a tank, sergeant, or an archer, he's not good enough for endgame.

I have to disagree, since tanking is more about absorbing damage than dealing it while my 2h swords, pikes, bows dish out the damage. I tend to focus more on mdef/HP/Fatigue for tanks: These should all be relatively high in order for them to be end-game viable. If their hit is low (60s-70s) I just give them backstabber to compensate and they do just fine end-game.

[Whatever100500]

Useful on quickhand 1h+shield/2h bros.
2h sword on it's own is too inflexible - 2 attacks from spot(berserk) or move 1 + attack. You have way more options with 1h/2h quickhand swapping.

[Tephros83]

Originally posted by Cid:

Originally posted by Tephros83:

If he can't get into the 80s and he isn't a tank, sergeant, or an archer, he's not good enough for endgame.

I have to disagree, since tanking is more about absorbing damage than dealing it while my 2h swords, pikes, bows dish out the damage. I tend to focus more on mdef/HP/Fatigue for tanks: These should all be relatively high in order for them to be end-game viable. If their hit is low (60s-70s) I just give them backstabber to compensate and they do just fine end-game.

I don't think you read the post. I said unless they are a tank or a few other roles.

[Cid]

Originally posted by Tephros83:

Originally posted by Cid:

I have to disagree, since tanking is more about absorbing damage than dealing it while my 2h swords, pikes, bows dish out the damage. I tend to focus more on mdef/HP/Fatigue for tanks: These should all be relatively high in order for them to be end-game viable. If their hit is low (60s-70s) I just give them backstabber to compensate and they do just fine end-game.

I don't think you read the post. I said unless they are a tank or a few other roles.

Ugh, I read it wrong. I guess I was tired. Somehow I read "If he can't get into the 80's then he isn't a tank,sergeant or archer, he's not good enough for endgame." It's my bad. I wish I could delete my post.