Melee Quick Reference Chart[]
For information regarding appropriate materials, see Prop Construction page entry under Typical Materials.
For information regarding color of weapons, see Prop Construction page entry under Weapon Prop Colors.
| Weapon | Skill | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dagger | Blades* | 18” | 24” | One-hand |
| Short Sword | Blades | 25” | 36” | One-hand |
| Long Sword | Blades | 37” | 46” | One-hand |
| Great Sword | Blades | 50” | 64” | Two-hand |
| Hatchet | Axes* | 18” | 24” | One-hand |
| Short Axe | Axes | 25” | 36” | One-hand |
| Long Axe | Axes | 37” | 46” | One-hand |
| Great Axe | Axes | 50” | 64” | Two-hand |
| Blackjack | Hammers* | 18” | 24” | One-hand |
| Short Hammer | Hammers | 25” | 36” | One-hand |
| Long Hammer | Hammers | 37” | 46” | One-hand |
| Maul | Hammers | 50” | 64” | Two-hand |
| War Glaive | Glaives | 48” | 64” | Two-hand |
| Great Glaive | Glaives | 60” | 72” | Two-hand |
| Staff | Staves | 48” | 64” | Two-hand |
| Spear | Spears | 48” | 64” | One or Two-hand |
| Polearm | Polearms | 60” | 72” | Two-hand |
| Blackjack | Clubs* | 18” | 24” | One-hand |
| Short Club | Clubs | 25” | 36” | One-hand |
| Long Club | Clubs | 37” | 46” | One-hand |
| Great Club | Clubs | 50” | 64” | Two-hand |
| Short Claw | Claws | 25” | 36” | One-hand |
| Medium Claw | Claws | 37” | 42” | One-hand |
| Buckler** | Shields | - | 24” | One-hand |
| Shield** | Shields | - | 36” | One-hand |
* - Anyone can use small weapons under 24" without the required skill ** - Shields measurement is diameter OR "longest dimension" if not round
Specific Weapon Usage[]
Axes[]
These weapons represent hatchets and all types of axes. An axe needs padding that covers at least 1/2 of its entire length. The striking surface is a head of open celled foam at least 8" in length that extends at least 4" from the shaft, and looks like an axe blade.
Blades[]
These weapons represent daggers and all types of swords. A bladed weapon has a striking surface that covers at least 2/3 of its entire length. The weapon may have a cross guard or hand guard, but the guard must be made entirely of pipe foam or the equivalent.
Hammers[]
These weapons represent maces, hammers, and all types of smashing weapons with metal heads. A hammer needs padding that covers at least 1/2 of its entire length. The striking surface is a head of open celled foam at least 6" long that extends at least 4" from the shaft, although this could be 2" on both sides for a mace.
Glaives[]
Glaives and shafted weapons that have a blade on both sides of the weapon. Each striking surface covers at least 1/3 its entire length, and the blade itself must be at least 18". The middle section of the glaive must also be padded, although you can use 3/8” padding for the grip of the staff so long as the full 5/8” is used for the striking surfaces.
Because both ends of the glaives are striking surfaces, the middle of the staff is aluminum and each end has PVC or CPVC. The glaive has a thrusting tip on both ends. All glaives are two handed weapons.
- You can choke up to one end and grasp the blade of a glaive only if you are wearing thick gauntlets.
- If you are skilled with a war glaive you can hold the weapon along the shaft and block attacks with one hand. You cannot attack while using a war glaive used in this fashion.
- If you have the proper skill to can also fight with a medium weapon in your other hand while blocking.
- The great glaive is a two handed weapon. You cannot use it with one hand.
Staves[]
Staves have a striking surface on both sides of the weapon. Each striking surface covers at least 1/3 its entire length. The middle section of the staff must also be padded, although you can use 3/8” padding for the grip of the staff so long as the full 5/8” is used for the striking surfaces. Because both ends of the staff are striking surfaces, the middle of the staff is aluminum and each end has PVC or CPVC. The staff has a thrusting tip on both ends.
Spears[]
The spear is the only long weapon that may be used one handed.
- A spear can only be used to stab an opponent
- It cannot be used to swing
A spear must have padding that covers down the striking end at least 1/2 of its entire length. You cannot fight a spear and another weapon if that weapon is longer than 36”.
If you are using a spear one handed you may not thrust at any target above the arm pit of the opponent.
Polearms[]
Polearms Covering all types of longer pole weapons, polearms have the advantage of reach . A polearm must have padding that covers down the striking end at least 1/2 of its entire length. The striking surface must cover at least 12", and must include additional padding of open celled foam that extends at least 1" from the shaft or another layer of pipe foam cut in half.
Clubs[]
These weapons represent weapons made entirely from wood. A club needs padding that covers at least 1/2 of its entire length. The striking surface is at least 6" long. It may be open celled foam that extends at least 1" from the shaft, or it could be an additional layer of pipe foam.
Claws[]
These weapons represent some kind of natural weaponry. A claw needs padding that covers at least 2/3 of its entire length. The striking surface is the padded area of the weapon above the grip. Claws are not affected by Fumble effects (e.g. Disarm). If a claw is affected by a [[[Destroy]] effect, the character will take a Maim effect to the limb holding the claw.
Shields[]
Shields are defensive props used to block weapon blows. They cannot be used to strike another player. They are constructed from light wood or plastic, and all exposed edges must be protected with 5/8" thick foam piping. Most shields use a handle and an arm strap, but light shields might only have a single handle. A buckler is a small shield that cannot be more that 24" at its longest dimension. A full sized shield cannot be more that 36" at its longest dimension.
How To Build[]
For information on how to create weapons, see the Boffer page. Because it's way too lengthy to explain in here.