Half Sword isn't your typical hack-and-slash game. This physics-based medieval combat simulator treats every limb, weapon, and piece of armor as a real object with weight and momentum. After spending hours in the demo getting thrown, stabbed, and occasionally victorious, here's everything you need to start winning fights.

Table of Contents

• Combat Fundamentals
• Controls and Movement
• Weapon Guide
• Armor and Weak Points
• Grappling Guide
• Game Modes
• Advanced Techniques
• FAQ

Combat Fundamentals

Half Sword's physics system means that fights play out based on actual momentum, positioning, and technique—not button mashing. Understanding these core concepts is essential:

The Physics Model

• Momentum matters: Heavier weapons hit harder but move slower
• Position determines power: A swing from the right angle does more damage
• Everything has collision: Weapons, limbs, and armor all interact realistically
• Stamina drains: Constant swinging tires you out

Key Principles

• Hit first: The player who lands the first clean hit usually wins
• Range control: Keep opponents at your weapon's optimal distance
• Target weak points: Armor has gaps—neck, armpits, joints
• Don't overcommit: Wild swings leave you vulnerable

Controls and Movement

Movement in Half Sword feels deliberately weighty. You're controlling a human body, not a video game character.

Basic Controls

• WASD: Movement
• Mouse: Camera and attack direction
• Left Click: Primary attack / Halfswording (weapon grip mode)
• Right Click: Secondary grip / Block
• Left/Right Grab: Grapple with respective hand
• Kick: Push opponents away

Movement Tips

• Circle your opponent rather than charging straight in
• Footwork determines attack angles—reposition constantly
• Backing up is valid; don't let pride get you killed
• Use kicks to create space when grappled

Weapon Guide

Each weapon class has distinct strengths. Learning one weapon deeply beats spreading yourself thin.

Longsword (Recommended for Beginners)

Why it's good: Versatile range, good for halfswording, effective against armor.

• Use halfswording mode (left click grip) to thrust at armor gaps
• The point easily finds weak spots in armor
• Balanced speed and power
• Community consensus: arguably the most effective weapon

Poleaxe / Long Polearms

Why it's good: Massive range and devastating power.

• Outrange almost everything
• Hard to control precisely
• If you hit first, you usually win
• Best for keeping distance

Two-Handed Axe / War Scythe

Why it's good: Raw damage and intimidation.

• Can dismember opponents
• Devastating when you connect
• The war scythe can literally rip opponents in half
• Slower but worth the trade-off

Longhammer / Mace

Why it's good: Blunt trauma ignores some armor.

• Concussive damage works through armor
• Good for stunning opponents
• Reliable choice against heavily armored enemies

One-Handed Weapons

Why it's situational: Faster but less reach.

• Good for close-quarters fights
• Often paired with grappling
• Daggers excel at finishing downed opponents

Armor and Weak Points

XV-century armor is historically accurate—which means it's excellent at stopping attacks, but not invincible.

Armor Weak Points

• Neck: The primary target; blades to the throat are lethal
• Armpits: Gaps in plate armor expose vital areas
• Groin: Less protected than the torso
• Joints: Elbows, knees, and wrists have gaps for mobility
• Visor: If open, the face is vulnerable

Fighting Armored Opponents

• Slashing at plate armor does nothing—thrust at gaps
• Halfswording lets you aim precisely at weak points
• Blunt weapons can still stagger through armor
• Grappling opens up opportunities to strike gaps

Grappling Guide

Grappling is Half Sword's most complex mechanic—and one of its most powerful when mastered.

How to Grapple

1. Get close to your opponent
2. Use the grab button for the appropriate hand
3. Target limbs, neck, or the opponent's weapon
4. Once you have a grip, manipulate their position

Grappling Tips

• Grab legs to trip: Lifting an opponent's leg destabilizes them
• Control the weapon: Grabbing their sword arm limits their offense
• Use momentum: Pull and twist to throw opponents off balance
• Don't overcommit: Failed grapples leave you exposed

Common Grappling Mistakes

• Trying to grapple at range (get close first)
• Grabbing without following up
• Ignoring your own balance while pulling
• Grappling when you should be striking

Game Modes

Fist Play (Tutorial)

Unarmed combat that teaches basic controls: grabbing, grappling, kicking, punching, and throwing. Play this until you can consistently win before moving to armed combat.

Single Combat

The core mode—one-on-one armed duels. Choose your equipment and fight to the death.

Gauntlet

A progression mode where you fight through multiple opponents. Fist Play is worth 1 point; harder modes earn more. Tests consistency across different scenarios.

Custom Matches

Set up specific scenarios to practice particular weapons or situations.

Advanced Techniques

Halfswording

The namesake technique. Grip your sword by the blade (left click mode) to use it like a short spear:

• Dramatically increases precision
• Essential against armored opponents
• Thrust at gaps rather than slashing at plate
• The longsword becomes devastating in this grip

Mordhau (Murder Stroke)

Flip your sword and strike with the crossguard like a hammer:

• Blunt damage against heavily armored foes
• Historically accurate technique
• Good when stabbing isn't working

Range Management

• Long weapons want distance; short weapons want closeness
• Step back to bait attacks, then counter
• Circle to attack from angles they can't easily defend

Timing and Patience

• Wait for your opponent to commit to an attack
• Counter-attack during their recovery
• Don't swing wildly—controlled strikes win fights

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Half Sword multiplayer?

The demo is single-player against AI. Multiplayer has been discussed for future updates but isn't in the Early Access launch.

What controller support does Half Sword have?

Half Sword supports controllers, though many players prefer mouse and keyboard for precise weapon control. Both are viable.

Why do my attacks feel weak?

You're probably slashing at armor. Target weak points (neck, armpits, joints) or use halfswording to thrust at gaps. Physics-based damage means you need to hit the right spots.

How do I beat armored opponents?

Stop slashing. Use halfswording to thrust at armor gaps, use blunt weapons for concussive damage, or grapple them to the ground and strike exposed areas.

What's the best beginner weapon?

Longsword. It's versatile, effective in both regular and halfswording grips, and has good range without being unwieldy.

Summary

Half Sword rewards patience, positioning, and precision over button mashing. Start with Fist Play to learn movement and grappling, then graduate to longsword duels. Target armor gaps, use halfswording against plate, and control range with footwork. The physics do the rest—your job is putting your weapon where it needs to be at the right moment.