Lugaru/Weapons

The enemies that you face in Lugaru and numerous and also deadly and sometimes fists just don't get the job done. For this reason there are three weapons available to you in the game: the knife, sword, and staff.

Knife
The knife is the smallest and fastest weapon in the game. Although it has a short reach, it is the only weapon in the game that can be thrown at enemies. It has low damage, but if used effectively can kill any enemy in 1-2 hits.

If a thrown knife hits a rabbit he will be killed instantly; however, a wolf or armored rabbit can still survive a thrown knife. In some cases, the knife may seem to disappear when it hits a body. In that case, kick the body to expose the knife to pick it back up. Some enemies can grab knives when you throw them or, in the case of wolves and armored rabbits, take them when they get hit by one.

Defense
The knife is an edged weapon and cuts with every hit. Any new or amateur player can find it hard not to get sliced every once in a while, even while attempting a reversal. Remember to keep in mind how many times you get cut. Unlike regular hits done by punches and kicks, knife cuts don't heal well over time. That means that running away and resting isn't always a viable strategy to take. The best thing to do is either dodge, use a reversal to steal the knife, or kill the wielder. Also keep in mind that an enemy isn't going to fight hand to hand if there's a knife on the ground. Pick them up if you are able.

Offense
Having a knife allows you to fight with a bit more ease. Knives do more damage over time than kicks and punches and can usually get a quick kill in, if used effectively. Knife cuts make your enemy bleed; if you cut a guy a few times, in a few minutes he will eventually bleed to death (if you are patient and sadistic enough to wait). Reversals get a knife stabbing upgrade, which makes them more deadly. Also a few good stabs will end in a cut throat finisher. Try your best to dodge reversals. If an enemy successfully blocks your stab, he'll be the new knife owner and you will have to go back to being on the defensive.

Staff
The staff is a large, wooden weapon that gives a longer fighting range, and is capable of deflecting or blocking attacks. The staff is fragile, and usually breaks within a few hits but more than makes up for it due to its ability to quickly end a fight.

Defense
That isn't a fancy walking stick your enemy has, it's a staff. A long wooden stick may not seem like much trouble, but staff users are rabbits you don't want to mess with. Staffs are a little more powerful than kicks and punches; they are also swifter and can be harder to block for the novice player. Staffs have a longer range than a knife, so you need to get a little closer if you want to use a reversal to take it. Staffs can also whack weapons out of your hands as well as block weapon attacks, so be careful. Staff hits are not cuts so you can run to heal them, but they can take a little longer. Just make sure not to fall prey to a succession of staff hits or you will die quickly.

Offense
You are now in possession of one powerful wooden pole. The staff is a speedy weapon with hard blows that can knock an enemy out of his mind in seconds. The staff may not cause enemies to bleed, but can end a fight much faster than a knife can. Staff blows take their toll longer and more quickly than knives and punches; you'll find enemies will run away a lot sooner when you have a staff in your hands. It can also parry other weapons. All of its blows are powerful enough to knock any enemy down, which leads to why it is such a quick killer. Staff hits on the ground are fast, hard, and numerous. It only takes one ground hit to knock an enemy out, but many find pleasure in whacking their enemies senseless, as if they were candy-filled piñatas (minus the candy). The only bad thing is that a staff is limited: after a while it will eventually break. You can find comfort, however, in the fact that it rarely breaks from your piñata exploits.

Sword
The sword is the deadliest weapon in the game and capable of killing any enemy in a few hits. It has a long range and is capable of parrying other weapon attacks.

Defense
Someone's been supplying your enemies with better weapons. Instead of carrying around measly hunting knives, you see swords hanging from their belts. Sword users are tough, not because of their skill but because of their weapon. Swords are the deadliest weapons in the game, capable of killing a wolf in only three hits; sadly you are not a wolf. If you know how to dodge staffs, then good, you can dodge a blade. One difference is that with a staff even though you may get a few hits on you, you can run and recover. With swords, not only can you not recover as quickly (or even at all) that next slice may be your last. So follow the rule of defending against a knife wielder: kill the one using the blade or take the blade and don't let them get it back.

Offense
Time to throw away the knife and bring out the best. If you are a novice or not keen to back stabbing, swords are the ultimate enemy slayer. Sword cuts are deeper than knife cuts, so your opponents will bleed to death faster. They also do not seem to heal over time as with other attacks. Swords have the range of staffs, without the breaking, and can continuously parry and block other enemy attacks. And finally, all reversals get the added bonus of sword stabs. It is point blank the best weapon to have, especially when dealing with groups of enemies.