One-handed weapons
Basic swords, axes and maces are in this category. This is the most usual weapon type, since it allows the player/unit to use a shield, and are very fast weapons. Defence and swiftness of course has to come for a cost, so the drawback to this weapon type is that the relative range and damage is less than comparatively larger weapons (such as two-handed weapons and some polearms).
Two-handed weapons
Two handed weapons deal more damage than one-handed weapons, but are generally slower. While on horseback all weapons are used with only one hand, so two-handed weapons suffer a 25% penalty to speed and damage when used from horseback. You also cannot use a shield despite having a hand free.
The Bastard Sword is a special type of two-handed weapon; as indicated in its pop-up it can be wielded either way. By putting away your shield (
) you can switch to two-handed, and vice versa. When on foot it allows you to have the two-handed advantage against melee foes by wielding it with both hands while still leaving you the option of using a shield when under fire from ranged troops.
Polearms
On foot, polearms require some special tactics and as such are often misunderstood. When wielded in two hands, they can do incredible damage with the thrust attack and decent blunt damage with the whacking attacks. The thrust attack does piercing damage, as well, which is more effective against armor than normal. If you want to use a shield with spears, you will need to sacrifice power and the whack attacks. A spear and shield deals great damage from great range, and being able to protect yourself with a shield at the same time is excellent for supporting your troops. For fights when you don't have troops to fall back on, however, it's usually best to use it two-handed.
There are also slashing type polearms like glaives. At close range these are rather slow and weak, but deal incredible cutting damage at range and are an excellent choice of weapon.
On horseback, the thrust attack for most polearms is decent if you aim it correctly. The primary use of polearms on horseback is "couching" them. By galloping and not clicking the mouse button the lance will "couch" into your character's armpit; in this state the tip deals impressive damage even if you are unskilled and the polearm cracked. Increasing polearm skill will increase damage and tip aiming accuracy, but to increase damage most significantly you will need to find a better weapon. In most cases, however, a solid hit will kill an enemy in one hit.
Once you have a good number of points into this skill (weapon speed isn't an issue if you use it on horseback to couch) damage and range become the most important factors.
See Arena for more.
Archery
The following bows exist in the game, listed in order of most damage:
- Hunting Bow
- Short Bow
- Nomad Bow
- Khergit Bow
- Long Bow
- Strong Bow
- War Bow
Like other ranged weapons, bows can be cracked (reducing damage) or bent (reducing accuracy).
Advantages
- fires quickly
- can fire and reload while moving
- all can be used on horseback
- damage increases and arc decreases with Power Draw
Disadvantages
- requires higher skill to become accurate, especially on horseback
- defenseless unless you carry a shield and second weapon
- shots arc at long ranges
See Ranged for more.
Crossbows
The following crossbows exist in the game, listed in order of most damage:
- Hunting Crossbow
- Light Crossbow
- Crossbow
- Heavy Crossbow
- Siege Crossbow
Like other ranged weapons, crossbows can be cracked (reducing damage) or bent (reducing accuracy).
Advantages
- deals good damage even with low skill
- Very accurate (99%) even with low skill
- very long range
- shots don't arc as much making long-range shots easier
Disadvantages
- slow reload
- can't reload while moving on foot
- only Light and Hunting Crossbows can be reloaded on horseback
- damage dealt is strictly limited by the crossbow, so you need to get a better one to deal more damage
Throwing
Throwing weapons are the hardest to use properly. They have the worst accuracy, lowest range, and highest arc of all ranged weapons.
Throwing weapons, unlike other ranged weapons, can be used while holding a shield so you can throw something between blocks. They're also fast and immediately have maximum accuracy so there's no need to wait a long time for the aiming reticle to decrease in size. Many throwing weapons though have low damage but their power skill has the highest boost so they're potentially very dangerous. They can also be thrown very rapidly. They give you an effective ranged weapon without having to spend two inventory slots (a launcher and ammo with crossbows/bows) and without having to sacrifice a shield.
Firearms
This special type has been included from Mount&Blade 0.750 and onwards. Firearms have completely different handling from bows or crossbows. This skill is only available in mods, not all of which have it enabled.