Skip to content
Other Atlas
  • Home
  • Worlds
    • World Archetypes
    • Fantasy
    • Science Fiction
    • Cyberpunk
    • Post-Apocalyptic
    • Horror
    • Mythological
  • Toolkits
    • Getting Started
    • Components
    • Models
    • Techniques
    • Map Icons
  • Shop
  • Support

Other Atlas

Resources for Worldbuilding

Fantasy Weapons

Fantasy Weapons

WeaponSimplifyImageDescription
SwordSSwordA generic sword
BowSBowA simple bow
QuarterstaffSQuarterstaffA long rod of wood
SpearSSpearPointy
ClubSClubWelcome to the club, pal
SlingSSlingLoad up with pebbles
AcinacesAcinacesAn ancient dagger
AruvalAruvalA billhook machete
BisentoAruvalA pole weapon topped with a thick blade
BlowgunSBlowgunCould they be poisoned darts?
BolasBolasHeavy ball weights attached to the ends of cords and thrown to entangle
BoomerangSBoomerangAn aerodynamic throwing stick. Some are designed to return to the thrower
Brass KnucklesBrass KnucklesGood for a bar fight
ChakramChakramA bladed weapon in the shape of a circle
CinquedeaCinquedeaA wide-bladed dagger that is five fingers broad at the hilt and evenly tapers to a point in a triangular shape
ClaymoreClaymoreA large two-handed great sword
CrossbowSCrossbowLike a bow that's angry. Crossbow.
Deer Horn KnivesDeer Horn KnivesDouble crescent blades often wielded in pairs
ÉpéeEpeeA thin thrusting sword used to fence
FlailSFlailDon't flail me now
FlambergeFlambergeA long, flame-bladed sword
Flanged MaceFlanged MaceA mace with flanges covering the striking head
FlyssaFlyssaNarrow, straight-backed single edged weapons that range in size from long knives to swords
GladiusGladiusA short sword used by the Romans
GlaiveGlaiveA polearm with a blade attached to the pole
HalberdHalberdA two-handed pole weapon topped with an axe and spike
Hook SwordHook SwordA sword with a curved end for ensnaring foes and weapons
JanbiyaSJanbiyaA dagger with a short, broad, curved blade
JavelinJavelinA throwing spear
KamaKamaA sickle-like weapon
KatanaSKatanaA curved, single-edged sword used by a samurai
KatarKatarA push knife
KhanjarKhanjarA sharply curved dagger in the shape of the letter 'J'
KopeshKopeshA sickle-shaped sword designed to be able to trap opponent's arms and legs
KrisKrisAn intricately designed, wavy-bladed knife
KukriKukriA machete or knife-like weapon with a recurved blade
KunaiKunaiA leaf-shaped blade with a handle and ringed pommel that may be attached to a rope
LanceLanceA long spear used from horseback
MaceSMaceA bludgeoning club
MambeleMambeleA four bladed knife that may also be thrown
Man CatcherMan CatcherA pole weapon with a semi-circular, spiked trap meant to ensnared necks
NetSNetUsed to entangle and trip foes
NunchakuNunchakuTwo hardened rods connected by a chain
PataPataA gauntlet-sword
RodRodA short club of uniform diameter
RunguRunguA wooden throwing club
SabreSabreA thrusting and slashing sword used to fence
SaiSaiA three-pronged piercing weapon
ScimitarSScimitarA single-edged, curved sword
Shepard's AxeShepard's AxeA thin axe used both as a weapon, and as a walking stick
ShotelShotelA long, curved sword
ShurikenShurikenA throwing star
Spiked MaceSpiked MaceA mace with spikes covering the striking head
TepoztopilliTepoztopilliA pole weapon topped with an obsidian, grooved, sharpened head
Three Section StaffThree Section StaffThree hardened rods connected by chains
Tiger ClawsTiger ClawsSharp, short blades designed to fit over the knuckles
TomahawkTomahawkA single handed axe that may be used in melee or thrown
TotokiaTotokiaAn ornately carved hardwood club with a central spike
TridentTridentA three-pronged spear
War FanWar FanA reinforced folding fan
WhipSWhipA long length of leather or chain
ZweihänderZweihanderA long, large, two-handed sword
WandSRodA magical rod
Wizard StaffSQuarterstaffA magical length of wood for spell casting
DaggerSAcinacesA simple knife

Fantasy Weapons

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.

Magic

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.

Magic
Common Magic Spells

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.

Names

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.

Forges, Master Smiths, and Unusual Materials

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
Fantastic Materials

Lost & Legendary Weapons

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.

Status Symbols

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.

Weapons in Game Worlds

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.

A Primer

  • Getting Started
  • World Archetypes
  • Regions & Biomes
  • Historical Events
  • Worldbuilding Terminology
  • Naming Places in Fictional Worlds

Inspiration in Your Inbox

Our monthly email with fun worldbuilding tips, guides & tidbits.

The Other Atlas Bulletin.

Success! Welcome to the Other Atlas Bulletin.

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.