Long Aiming Sword or a Heavy Bastard, using anything else is pure folly. They're just dream weapons. Long Aiming Sword if you want to focus completely on 1 Hand Combat, Heavy Bastard works wonderfully in 1 Hand and Two hand mix build characters without having to carry a 2nd sword. hehe
I used to like 1 - handed weapons best because of speed and defensive abilities, then I bought a great sword, tanked for awhile, and everything changed.
crossbow! the best, my favourite. I a mater crossbowman, i've used crossbow since i joined the rhodocks in the first mount and blade.
Still an steel bolt waiting to get trought the swadian king's neck..... someday lol.
But im happy i blowed the sultan's head with a siege crossbow
Early game:
1) Best 1h Sword I can loot (usually upgrade my starting Rusty Sword to a Nordic Sword of some kind from either a drunken attacker in a tavern, or some sea raiders).
2) Best shield I can loot (usually ends up being a Nordic Shield from sea raiders).
3) Hunting Crossbow + regular Bolts that I start with (for mounted cheesing of bandit groups that I couldn't otherwise beat).
Once I get a bit of money saved up:
1) Balanced Long Arming Sword. It's honestly kind of overpowered, I think - quite superior to all Bastard Swords since it doesn't suffer any penalties for using it with one hand.
2) Reinforced Heavy Heater Shield. Decent size, durability, and looks, though it seems to suffer from letting-the-wielder-get-shot-in-the-face-even-while-blocking syndrome. Been thinking about trying something else and see if that happens less (anecdotal evidence suggests that it's not as frequent with a Nordic Shield).
3) Alternates between Siege Crossbow + Bolts for sieges and a Heavy Military Hammer + Heavy Lance for field battles, but to be honest I almost never use the lance. Also, I'll usually switch out my Balanced Long Arming Sword for the Heavy Military Hammer when fighting siege battles; short range weapons are generally preferable then, and high rated blunt-force damage is pretty spiffy against all enemy types.
That's all for single player, of course. Only a pansy uses shields in melee during MP games .
Cant go past the sound a heavy morningstar makes as it smashes through a blocking weapon.
Theres that tink sound as it strikes the weapon and then the satisfying crunch as the spike ball strikes home.
Heavy Morningstar +1
ps how do I vote as I love the versatility of this 1/2 hander?
pps the third 1/2 hander is the spiked staff, which is good for slaving, used by high tier Rhodok infantry and generally available from Rhodock territories
I just happen to have an essay on this topic here.
"Everyone believe as a proper Swadian, the way to go is with a lance, sword and morningstar, charging atop a fine well-bred barded warhorse. But you are a Swadchesmarine, the elite infantry of the Swadian Empire. You hail from the coasts of Swadia, from Asgad, Balanli and Elberl, you've trained your whole life in the art of holding the line. You are the best line infantry the world has to offer, and your equipment reflect it.
You shun the morningstars, the bastard swords and the great lances, weapons traditionally associated with the knights of the realm. No, you are born commoners, and your spirit and discipline supersedes the need for a fine mount or a long spear. You hold the line with your heavy crossbows, firing withering volleys at any and all incoming opposition. To defend yourself in close-bloody quarter as your foes close in, you turn to your trusted short sword and shield while your comrades from both sides bombard your foes in the back with their crossbows. Such is the simplicity of your armaments that your foes would look down on them and charge headlong into your line of fire like butterfiles to the torch. Such is the folly of those whose brain would be pierced by a solid bolt.
In sieges, your equipment and your mastery over it shines like no other. Holding your line before the enemy walls, you tear through the defenders, armor and shields alike, with your hails of missiles. A wise commander know that mighty as you are, your strength is in your discipline and nerve to keep up the barrage under fire, not to charge up the ladders, and will use you as such. Unlike the proud knights and the foolhardy sergeants, you know that sometimes the best way to win the day is to withdraw rather than to persist.
Let these words guide you. Let the badge of the Swadchesmarines shine on your haubergeons' shoulders. Let discipline and courage be your watchword. Let your crossbow, sword and shield be the scourge of all those who would oppose the Swadian cause."
In other words: Arming sword, heater shield and the biggest crossbow I can lay my hands on.
Disclaimer: I hold no responsibility for any terrible defeat against Khergits you may encounter for employing an all-Swadian Sharpshooter team. Effing Lancer spams.
That's a tough one. I typically grab a two-hand polearm because it looks cool and the heaviest blunt object I can carry in one hand paired up with a shield, and then I grab some javelins or something as backup.
