shortswords
Compact close-combat weapons
Shortswords are bladed weapons shorter than longswords but longer than daggers, typically wielded one-handed.
The term appears mainly in fantasy games and fiction, where weapon categories matter for combat mechanics: The rogue equipped dual shortswords for faster attacks.
Historical equivalents include the Roman gladius and various arming swords.
Roman infantry blade
- spathaRoman cavalry sword
- falchionCurved medieval cutting sword
- wakizashiJapanese auxiliary blade
- tanto"So much" in scores
dirk · arming sword · kukri · machete
Forceful forward motion
- slashAngled line or swipe
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- riposteSwift clever reply
- lungeSudden forward movement
feint · counterattack · bladework · close-quarters · sidearm · draw · strike · block
Protective case for blades
- sheathProtective blade covering
- baldricDiagonal sword-carrying belt
- frogTailless leaping amphibian
- beltStrap securing trousers
concealable · sidearm · draw · unsheathe · portable · lightweight · handy · quick-draw
gladius
Roman infantry blade
tanto · dirk · arming sword · kukri · machete
blade
Flat cutting edge
tip · hilt · grip · pommel · crossguard · fuller · guard · handle · spine · belly
thrust
Forceful forward motion
lunge · feint · counterattack · bladework · close-quarters · sidearm · draw · strike · block · cut
scabbard
Protective case for blades
belt · concealable · sidearm · draw · unsheathe · portable · lightweight · handy · quick-draw
steel
Carbon-hardened iron alloy
whetstone · metalwork · craftsmanship · smithing · quench · grind · polish · hammer · anneal · hone
knight
Honored mounted soldier
- squireKnight's noble assistant
- legionaryRoman military serviceman
- samuraiFeudal Japanese military caste
gladiator · infantry · man-at-arms · hoplite · centurion · warrior · duelist · soldier · mercenary · guard
shortswordslongswords
Extended double-edged blades
greatswords · claymores · rapiers · two-handers · broadswords