Weapons in Fantasy That Deserve More Attention: Part 2

This post is a continuation of the first one, Weapons in Fantasy That Deserve More Attention: Part 1.

Molotovs

A molotov, or molotov cocktail, is a bottle that is filled with something flammable (usually gasoline or aclohol) and has a rag stuffed in the mouth of the bottle as a wick. The rag is lit on fire, and then burns down to the explosive substance and, well, explodes. A simple way to add a little more combustion to your story.

morningstars

According to Google:

A morning star is any of several medieval club-like weapons consisting of a shaft with an attached ball adorned with one or more spikes.

 Thus, a morningstar can come in a wide range of varieties, including the mace and the flail, both of which are wickedly brutal. One hit to the head, and you're dead.

naginatas

The naginata is a Japanese pole weapon that greatly resembles a katana blade on the end of a staff. It has a long range, and a slightly curved blade. Not only does it look cool, but it's also very effective if you use it properly.

non-urban fantasy/ guns

Let's face it, guns are not exactly common in fantasy settings. But why? Why can't fantasy have guns as well? If technology is advanced enough, and there is no logical reason to not have guns, then you have all the reason you need to put them in.

polearms

A polearm is a weapon intended for close combat, with the fighting part attached to the end of a long pole, most commonly made of wood. Spears and pikes are both types of polearms as well as halberds.

pre-medevil European weapons

Pretty much any weapon that is pre-medevil and European. This counts anything from the middle ages, also known as the dark age. This counts various types of weapons including swords and the like.

push daggers

Push daggers are really cool weapons. They have a dagger blade, but the handle is shaped differently, so that when you hold it, the blade can be held directly in front of your fist. All you have to do to stab someone, is to punch them while holding one of these.

rapier

Rapiers are what are used in fencing. The blade is very long and thin, even flexible. Swords like these may not be very practical, but could easily be used for a variety of purposes. If you have a magic-user, then this could be their take on a staff or a wand.

rope dart

A rope dart is basically a dart attached to a rope. the dart looks much like a kunai, with a rope tied to the handle of the blade, in similar fashion to a grappling hook. But with a dart.

sai

A sai is used fro stabbing and is a traditional melee weapon from Japan. It looks kind of like a trident, but it's smaller, and the middle prong is much longer than the other two are. There are different types of sai, but they're all very sharp and good for stabbing people with.

scythes

A scythe is another weapon with a long handle. It has a long blade on the end that is curved, and not typically sharp on both sides. The sharp part is on the inside of the curve because it was originally used as a tool to harvest crops like wheat. This weapon is also commonly assoicated with the grim reaper and death.

senbon

Senbon are pointy metal needles that are sharp on both ends. A lot of the time they are used for acupuncture points for medicinal purposes, but if you use them properly, they can definitely be a lethal weapon.

shields

A shield is actually a great weapon. It blocks attacks, and your enemy will never expect you to attack them with a shield. People do not go into combat aware of the fact that a shield is actually a pretty handy thing to club someone over the head with.

slings

A sling is a projectile weapon that is used to hurl objects, often rocks, at an opponent. Slings, when properly used, can be quite lethal. They are made of pouch between two pieces of cord and are swung around to gain speed before launching the projectile.

slingshot

 A sling shot is, more or less, a sling that has its cords attached to a piece of Y-shaped wood. All you have to do is load it, aim, pull back, and fire. Simple.

spatha

A spatha is a type of sword (the straight kind) from ancient Rome. It's long, it's pointy, and it's great for stabbing and slicing. Just different enough from the typical longsword to be included here.

spears

A spear is, as previously mentioned, a type of polearm weapon. One of the most well-known types of spears is the ox tongue. It's your basica spear: pole and sharp metal head. The head is usually triangular and prime for stabbing with.

staffs

A staff is a pole. It's a stick that people use to fight each other with, and while it doesn't have any sharp parts to it, it's a pretty nice weapon. It can double as a walking stick, after all, and can be easily made as well.

sword canes

A sword cane is a sword that is hidden in a cane. The sheath is a cane which hides the blade inside, camouflaging what would otherwise be a very obvious weapon. This was used first in Japan.

throwing knives

Knives that you throw. Not much is cooler that (although the sword cane does come close). Throwing knives are normally small, thin, and light, with the blade being double-edged.

whips

Whips have a handle and a cord. The cord is the part usually used to strike the target, and some whips have multiple cord ends. While whips are normally used on animals and not in combat, if you want to further dehumanize a character, this might be the right weapon for their oppressor.

xiphos

The xiphos was the second weapon of choice for ancient Greeks. It's a straight sword, doubled-edged, and with a curved blade. It's also one handed so it's not as big as a two handed sword is.

yo-yos

Yo-yos were actually weapons used by hunters in the Philippines. They used them to tangle up an animals legs and close in for the kill. Of course, if it's being used against a person, you still have to take into account their arms, but a yo-yo is a pretty nifty weapon for immobilization.