The way of the Zweihänder.

This guide is a collection of all my experience with this intimidating weapon, written down for you to help you become better with it. It also covers a lot of general information regarding moves, tips, damage values and other stuff.

Introduction

The Zweihänder has to be my favourite weapon in Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. Not only does this wavy German blade deal tons of damage, it also has unique playstyle because of it's polearm like reach and exploitable slow speed.

Let's start off with some base damage stats:

Slash: 90
Zweihänder Overhead: 115
Stab: 70
Sprint attack: 100

One thing that immediately catches the eye is the 115 damage overhead attack. Basically what that means is that the Zweihänder will one hit kill Archers and Men-At-Arms with a torso hit, and two hit kill Vanguards. To kill knights you have to land a headhit and a torsohit (Not hard because overheads are aimed for the head anyway). [1]

But despite the incredible damage the defining feature of the Zweihänder is it's reach; It allows you to have the reach of a polearm while retaining your versatility with swings. The Zweihänders reach is also very hard to predict especially for newbies, because the sword tip is a lot less wide than the upper part of the blade. And finally, the Zweihänder's reach is so good that it allows you to keep Men-At-Arms out of dodging distance. (This would otherwise be the bane of the weapon.)

Still, you are probably thinking: "This all sounds good, but the weapon is very slow!". True, this weapon probably one of the slowest in the game, but despite that fact, it's speed is still on par with the other greatswords. The Zweihänder has an overhead (Designated primary attack) windup and release time of 1.2 seconds, while the Claymore has a combined 1.1 seconds. The snag is in the recovery time, which is about 0.3 seconds longer than the Claymore. However, the slow speed of this weapon allows it to be very effective at delay-hitting. (See "Moves and tricks")

So, are you still reading? Or are you simply amazed at the awesome stats of this weapon. In any case, please read on! Enjoy!

Moves and tricks

Every attack should be used in a different setting, i recommend you to do this:

Slash: When facing groups of enemies or when passing people
Overhead: Primary attack, don't combo it
Stab: Use as a counter, walk back and suddenly move forward -> stab

If you are new to the game, moves can be very hard to perform, so i have categorized each move by it's difficulty and relative efficiency. (Note: pictures will be added later.)

Easy moves
For when you are still learning the game or the weapon

1. The look down overhead 8/10 (Always effective)
This move is considered a glitch to some, but for this weapon using it is mandatory and near vital when countering fast attacks. To perform the move, simply look down before or during the strike. Doing this will make the strike hit earlier, most likely interrupting your opponents attacks. Downside of this move is that you can't combo it. Do not use this move exclusively, not only will people rage (and possibly votekick you, happened to me often), it's also easy to counter by using a fast secondary.

2. Slash spam 5/10 (Situational)
Frowned upon especially by Age of Chivalry (hl2 mod) players, slash spamming involves repeatedly using the slash attack, often killing multiple enemies (and allies!!) at once. Most people who start playing Chivalry continuously mash the LMB, probably because they are expecting blows any time and do not yet feel comfortable using other forms of attack. When using the Zweihänder, the only valid reason for using this is when facing groups of enemies with no help nearby. With the right footwork slashspamming can actually be a good way to kill many opponents at once.

Intermediate moves
For experienced players and frequent users

1. The delay slash 6.5/10 (Dangerous and situational, but effective)
This attack is very effective against other slow weapons users. To delay slash, simply press LMB while looking at the opposite swing direction. Your opponent will most likely block early, respond quickly now by dragging your swing towards him before the recovery time sets in. Congratulations, you have now surpassed his parry by delaying your swing/strike. This attack works even on pro players!

2. Feint-attack, Feint-attack, etc. 8.5/10 (Mandatory)
A feint can be performed by pressing RMB or Q while in swing windup. While feinting itself isn't hard, always using it can take some getting used to. Feinting an opponent will most likely cause him to block early, allowing you to follow up with the actual attack. Don't overdo it though, experienced players will probably see through it and perform a quick attack to cancel your swing.

3. Dancing 7.5/10 (Safe but situational)
Dancing involves hitting someone, and retreating if the blow fails or doesn't stun (More commonly know as hit-and-run tactics). You should never dance when fighting really good players, or people using long weapons. (Spear, halberd, zweihänder..)

Expert moves
Battle hardened veterans and primary users only

1. The confuse combo* 7/10 (Fun and good against new players)
My personal favourite move because of it's grace and usefulness against new players. To perform a confuse combo, do the following:

- Run towards an opponent
- Whilst running perform an alternate overhead

The attack hits
- LMB him once
- Follow up with a stab in his back

The attack misses
- LMB him while moving away, if it hits continue comboing his back
- If it misses again, "dance" away and engage again when at a safe distance

2. The pass by 7/10 (Dangerous but effective if used properly)
When you meet someone with a slow, hard to maneuver weapon:

- Wait for him to swing
- During his swing, parry while trying to flank him
- Do a primary overhead in his side and keep circling him
- Repeat until he's dead

These moves should help you a lot with mastering the Zweihänder, if you care about knowing some more details about the sword, once again: read on!

* = I will post some pictures or a .gif later showing me do the move, it's hard to explain it.

Pro's and con's

Every weapon in Chivalry has it's strong- and weakpoints, in this section i will cover most in a list, along with some common mistakes when using the weapon.

Pro's

- Capable of one hitting two classes
- Has a similiar reach to polearms
- Exploitable swing speed
- Effective at killing groups
- Intimidating

Con's

- Slow recovery time
- Slow combo time
- Relatively ineffective stab compared to the other greatswords
- One of the only weapons without the sprint attack being the strongest attack
- Hard to master (Master as in effective against everyone, everywhere)
- Ineffective against fast weapons/pro MAA


Common mistakes

1. You should never sprint attack with this weapon, because as listed above, this weapon's sprint attack is weaker than it's primary attack (overhead)!

2. This weapon isn't overpowered, nor underpowered, as you can read in my guide it's perfectly balanced.

3. Do not use exclusively use this weapon, always switch to secondary when meeting shield users or very fast weapon users. (Nordic sword, Holy water sprinkler, Hatchet, etc.)

Zweihänder vs. classes

Although the Zweihänder is effective against every class when mastered, there are situations where certain weapons are not always effective. In this section i will cover what you should do when facing a specific class.

Archer
Arrows will be your #1 reason for dying if you underestimate archers, always scout for them when walking around, and approach them carefully. When you are within about 10-20 meters, zigzag and jump when his arrow is released from the bow. Quickly charge in (preferably hit him before his weapon is drawn) and finish him with a single overhead attack.

Man-At-Arms
When facing new players, simply bash them once with an overhead and be done with it. Killing pros is a lot harder, you'll need to calculate your weapon reach perfectly before striking, as missing is deadly when facing a pro (He will quickly dodge forward and spam attacks in your direction). Again, overheads should be your primary attack but passing him whilst slashing works too. The absolute key to killing Men-At-Arms in being aggressive, do not give them quarter and facehug him.

Vanguard
Dealing with your own class should be easy, just approach them like you would normally do, feinting before the attack. Polearm wearing Vanguards are very dangerous though, switching to your secondary is a good idea in any encounter! (Also watch their feints, as polearm feints are the hardest to predict)

Knight
Same as with the Vanguard. When facing shield users though, switch to your secondary and flank them when in open ground. In close quarters you can also kick and kill him with your Zweihänder (Lookdown overhead).

Other equipment

Using your Zweihänder exclusively is a good way to get yourself killed, always switch to your secondary when the need arises, and finish people with tertiaries. I will cover what sort of equipment you should equip alongside your sword here.

Secondaries

Small weapons
Using small weapons as secondary might help you kill archers more quickly, but they aren't much better than axes, which should be your secondary. If you do want to use them though, pick a weapon which is a counter to your nemesis class. (Knight -> Cudgel, Vanguards -> Shortsword, Saber -> Archers, MAA)

Axes
Switching to an axe is never a bad idea, they deal good amounts of damage at reasonable speeds, at the expense of reach. There are three axes, each has it's own specialty. The Hatchet is good at comboing and circling people, the War axe two hit kills weak classes (overhead), and the Dane axe has excellent reach and can easily kill shield bearers. (Jump+overhead)

Tertiaries
Not as important as a secondary, but fun to use and in rare occasions effective too, depending on your skill with them. T. axes are useful for softening up heavy classes before fighting, and when chasing down runners. Knives are much more versatile, travel faster, and have more reach, but deal far less damage. Smoke pots are not really useful because the smoke effect radius is small, and doesn't last for too long.

Conclusion

As you will now know, this weapon is a true gem. It deals lots of damage, has good reach, and is very intimidating! I have taught you how to effectively use it, what moves to perform, how you should face other classes, what equipment to use and how this weapon forces you to learn to use your reach and footwork.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this guide as much as i enjoyed writing it. :-)


See you on the battlefield!

Sources

- Experience
- Official Chivalry: Medieval Warfare weapon values:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ami8d_HZmYHsdDRzc1Byb3ItVWNXSFR1SURHN29TZnc#gid=1
- Chivalry wiki
http://chivalry.wikia.com/wiki/Zweih%C3%A4nder
- People who fell to my blade

[C0ke]

if author != saa
me no read

[Linger | 零二]

@GarudaЗено, well, it was quite apparent that you were offended. I was too harsh and i shouldn't have been. I though that people around chivalry are bunch of trolls and ppl, who don't take things too seriously. I guess i was wrong for assuming that. And yea, your guide is outdated and tactics have changed a lot. Right now the only ppl playing are mostly high lvl ppl with tactics such as reverse overheads, upper drags etc.., so your guide right now is viable only for low lvl people learning "basics". And once again, i overlooked the date, so maybe it was viable for everything back in the day.

[Garudazeno]

@Entery Thanks for at least admitting that you were too harsh, i took personal offense by your comment. Of course we can't agree with all guides and yeah this one is a bit outdated by now. I recently tried replaying my own techniques after a long time of not playing and it's quite difficult, mostly because people playing atm are wheat already seperated from the chaff.

[Linger | 零二]

@GarudaЗено Truth to be said. I didn't notice that this guide was so old. So, my bad, i probably shouldn't have written that comment. But i don't think that my comment wasn't a constructive criticism. It wasn't xxx words long comment about what is wrong etc... but it's good enough. I don't understand how you can tell me that i'm appearing as a cunt, when i told you some of my problems with your guide, which. Doesn't make sense to me. And i understand that you enjoyed writing this, but i can disagree with it, maybe the word "bullshit" was too harsh, but that's it. And i don't enjoy writing guides, so that's why i'm not doing that. Could i do it better? Maybe yea, maybe not, who knows. Overall, if i knew that this guide is so old, i wouldn't say what i said, i'm sorry for that, but your reasoning, why i'm a cunt is a bit weird.

[Garudazeno]

@Entery This guide was made 2 years ago, the game has changed a lot. Stamina cost for the Zweihander was a lot less and comparable to a onehander back then. And this guide wasn't written for 'pros', it was written for people like me who like to read a bit about how others are effective with weapons. You can write "no hate" after your comment, but calling what i write bullshit instead of giving constructive criticism just makes you appear as a cunt. I took time to write this and I enjoyed doing it, if you think you can do a better job go right ahead.

[Linger | 零二]

#NOHATE

[Linger | 零二]

You have no idea how this game works. Some things you've written are pure bullshit. I'm starting to wonder if you even played this game. Example: Ineffective against Pro MAA, only if you are bad yourself. How is it ineffective when you can one shot them with that ? Or possibly trade, resulting in one shot. And overall, you have no idea how important stamina is. Zwei can drain oponnent's stamina pretty fast. This guide may be good for newbies, but not for players with rank 30+. But against noobs, you can use anything and still win, so your tactics aren't that much of an accomplishment.

[Garudazeno]

@Super, switching to a sidearm is more effective and doesn't cost stamina. These are all my preferences of course, you may find your method more effective for you personally.

[kappanata]

*with zwei of course

[kappanata]

switch to secondary when facing a shield user... wtf is that supposed to be??? hit the shield four times combined with kick and the guy with shield has no stamina left, just a matter of time