Fantasy weapons are generally based on real world historical weapons, though there is no need for this to be the case. If your world is fantasy set in another age, this page will still help provide inspiration and ideas, but you should also look to weapons of that age for reference. A magically sentient intercontinental ballistic missile, for example.

In addition to regular, mundane weapons, weapons in fantasy worlds may also have magical properties. Perhaps they can cut through any material, perhaps they give the bearer the ability to fly, or perhaps they corrupt the heart of anyone who uses them.

Common Magical Properties for Weapons

• Fire
• Ice
• Thunder
• Shadow
• Corrupting
• Poison (may be magic or not)

Magical Sentience

Magical weapons may have a will of their own, or may only allow certain types of people to wield them.

If your world has magic weapons, do not forget to consider how their presence may change battle tactics, defensive structures, or fighting styles.

For game worlds, magic types may be used in combination with creature types to make weapons either more or less effective.

Oftentimes weapons in fantasy worlds, particularly swords and knives, have names. These may be given to them by the forger, from a notable event, or be family names.

Name Examples for Weapons

• Kingbreaker
• Talon
• Cold Night
• Axe of Talas
• Big Bonker
• Quick Death

In game worlds names can provide players quick insight into weapon function or mechanic, such as Knife of Thunder or Volcano Hammer for weapons that deal a particular type of damage.

Weapons must be made or forged. Consider where this occurs in your world. Some forges or craftsmen may be able to create different caliber of weapon. If magical weapons exist, consider how these are made. In addition, in fantasy worlds the materials used to create weapons may not be bound by the same restrictions as real world weapons. This is particularly true if your world contains new or fantastic materials

Example Weapon Materials

• Rare Metal
• Rare Stone
• Crystal
• Bone, Teeth, Scale, or Claws

It is common in fantasy worlds for there to be lost or legendary weapons. These can provide opportunities for quests in narrative and game worlds, or can serve as a simple way to add a bit of folklore into a world. Consider the legendary heroes of your world. What kinds of weapons did they wield and where are those weapons now? What would it take to reclaim such a weapon? Or is such a quest just a fool’s errand?

Lost and legendary weapons may be one avenue to help age a world.

Some weapons may be status symbols, representing a rank or class. A wielder of a particular kind of weapon may be from a unique group, or the wielder may be considered the true leader of an organization or state. Weapons may also be used in outside of warfare, in ceremonies or rituals.

For game worlds, weapons pose an opportunity for player advancement. Often characters begin with basic weapons, and then work slowly obtain ‘better’ tools. Different weapons may provide different strategies or gameplay. For game worlds with a player-versus-player component, a balance in weapons should be considered.