Melee weapon

Melee

All melee weapons require a rigid core and may be used to block, parry, or score hits with their Strike-Legal portion. Some melee weapons allow for Heavy Padding Substitution for a given length. A melee weapon is considered wielded if gripped in hand, to be used in combat. A destroyed melee weapon cannot be wielded or used to block, and is considered unwielded carried equipment when held in hand.

Heavy Padding Substitution

All melee weapons require a portion their length to be Strike-Legal, as noted in the individual weapon descriptions. Heavy Padding Substitution allows you to replace a portion of Strike-Legal with Heavy Padding. For each inch of Heavy Padding added you may also replace an additional inch of Strike-Legal with Courtesy Padding.

Heavy Padding added must start within 3” of the stabbing tip and proceed continuously towards the handle. Courtesy Padding added in this manner must begin at the top of the handle and proceed continuously towards the tip.

For example: A 48” Long weapon is typically required to have 32” of Strike-Legal followed by 16” of Handle. Using Heavy Padding Substitution you could have 16” of Heavy Padding, followed by 16” of Courtesy Padding, and then 16” of Handle.

Dagger

1. May stab and slash.
2. At least 10" up to a maximum of 18".
3. At least 10” of its length must be Strike-Legal.

Short

1. May stab and slash.
2. Over 18" up to a maximum of 36".
3. At least 2/3 of its length must be Strike-Legal.
4. Allows for 1/3rd of its length to be substituted for Heavy Padding.

Long

1. May stab and slash.
2. Over 36” up to a maximum of 48”.
3. At least 2/3rds of its length must be padded.
4. If used to slash at least 2/3rds of its length must be Strike-Legal.
5. Allows for 1/3rd of its length to be substituted for Heavy Padding.
6. May be Double-Ended.
   • Each end of a Double-Ended long weapon must be padded 1/3 the total length of the weapon, continuous from the tip. If an end is used to slash, that end must be Strike-Legal for 1/3 the total length of the weapon. This requirement replaces the standard requirement for padding on long weapons.

Hinged

1. No more than 36” in length.
2. Has a single articulating head which must be entirely Strike-Legal and cannot contain a rigid core.
3. The chain of a hinged weapon:
   • Is not a legal striking edge.
   • Must be wrapped in foam with less than 0.5” of the rope exposed at any point.
4. The combined rope and striking edge may not exceed 18” in length.
5. The top half of the non-rope and Strike-Legal portion of the weapon must be padded.

Great

1. May stab and slash.
2. Greater than 48” in length.
3. Must be padded on upper 1/2 of length or at least 3', whichever is less.
4. If used to slash must have at least 18” of Strike-Legal surface.
5. Great weapons, when wielded in a two handed manner, may gain the Shield Crushing and Armor Breaking Special Effects if built to one of the two standards below:
   • If the weapon has 18" of Heavy Padding, starting within 3" of the tip and continuous down the core
   • If the weapon has a total length of no more than 72" and additionally is Strike-Legal for 2/3 of its total length.
6. May be Double-Ended.
   • Each end of a Double-Ended Great weapon must be padded 1/3 the total length of the weapon, or 3'. whichever is less, continuous from the tip. This requirement replaces the standard requirement for padding on Great weapons.

Magic Staves

1. May not be used to strike.
2. Between 36” and 72” long.
3. Must be padded along their entire length, and each end must meet the requirements of a pommel.
4. A player wielding a Magic Staff may not wield any other weapons or shields except for Daggers.
5. Wielding an unbroken Magic Staff does not count against having an empty hand for the purpose of casting abilities or the Charge incantation.
6. May not be easily confused for a Reeve Staff or for a different category of weapon.
   Rulebook 8.6.3

Even though Madu are also melee weapons, they are categorized under Shields in the Rules of Play.

See Also:

• Combat Rules
• Armor
• Weapons
• Equipment Checking