melee weapons
Close-combat fighting tools
Melee weapons are handheld arms used in close combat—swords, axes, clubs, knives, spears.
The term distinguishes them from ranged weapons like bows or guns.
In video games, melee weapons require getting within striking distance of enemies: I prefer melee weapons to firearms in this game.
The phrase sometimes appears as *mêlée weapons*, preserving the French spelling.
- cudgelThick wooden club
- maceBludgeon with flanged head
- rapierSlender dueling blade
- morning starPredawn planet or weapon
- bladeFlat cutting edge
katana · flail · nunchaku · hammer · quarterstaff · bo staff · whip · halberd · pike · lance · sabre · machete · kama · bolas · brass knuckles · hand to hand · close combat · sword
melee weaponsranged weapons
Arms projecting force remotely
projectile weapons · firearms · guns · bows · crossbows
melee weaponsarmor
Protective combat covering
shields · defensive gear · body armor · helmets · fortifications