You're tired of cliché weapons. You feel a regular sword or giant cleaver is overdone, and as a result look at less then lethal options such as blunt weapons in return.
The truth is, you don't have to.
You don't have to set your character up for slaughter against bladed opponents by going for blunt weapons, whilst making claims that due to one thing or another these weapons suit the situation and their use.
ENJOY!
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One thing that I often notice in fics and novels is that people why away from bladed weapons, like a Katana in favor of a Staff, because they feel the former is cliché and the latter original.
The truth is, that there are better options.
If your character enters melee life or death combat situations with a LTL (Less than Lethal) or Blunt weapon, on a frequent basis because of his occupation. Then you have ruined your character already.
Blunt weapons are only meant for LTL action, such as self defence, non lethal vigilantism and caving in metal armor. That is not to say they cannot be used for lethal purposes. They are just less efficient to do so.
As such, if you make a ninja, assassin, or warrior of some kind that frequently finds him or herself in lethal combat situations without a fully armored European Knight or its equivalent infront of them, then it is suicide to not meet that opposition with the same level of force or higher.
If the end result is death either way, then a competent character will streamline their efficiency in sending their opponents to the afterlife as expedient as possible.
Now, I bet you're thinking something like: but swords are overrated. With something like a European longsword or Katana in mind.
Perhaps you're even thinking of the giant blades some fandoms have, but those are not your only options by a long shot.
Here are some bladed weapon types that are just as cool, less used and that can give some flare and individuality to your character:
1. Polearms
One of the most overlooked bladed weapons that are known to excel in 1 on 1 combat are Polarms. They come in different types and sizes such as the poleaxe meant to hold back an armored opponent, up to Glaives and Naginata's which are meant to hold an opponent at bay much like a spear, but are centered around cutting more than stabbing.
The downside of these large weapons, is the environment in which they are suited for. They need a lot of open space, so if your story takes place in a forest, large cutting type weapons will be at a major disadvantage.
That said, stabbing stabbing weapons such as a spear, are not.
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2. Chinese War blades.
These badass cutters and choppers would look cool even in that hands of the biggest of men and smallest of women if simply scaled up or down along with their size.
They are unique enough to Warent their own fighting style and not be reminiscent of Katanas and longsword in either way.
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3. Kodachi
These are essentially short swords that are the perfect lenght for urban and forest combat. Often a choice for duel wielding characters in games and movies.
They're upclose and personal, efficiënt and sleek, perfect for a ninja or assassin.
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4. Kama / Sickles
Despite the numerous depictions of nina wielding variations of these in older online media, they haven't been seen much in anime or games.
Despite that, they offer wicked varieties to them such as a ball and chain varient, that will allow you to build up a trick and skill based combat style for your character.
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5. Sai
Perhaps best known in Western hemispheres due to characters like Carmen Elektra and the Ninja Turtle Rafael, Sai are brutally cool and niche weapons.
They are meant to assassinate, catch, snap and counter blades in a duelwield fashion.
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6. Tomahawks
Anyone who knows about Native American history knows just how lethal these little choppers are. Well balanced, they can be thrown with lethal efficiency with power behind them that will knock your opponent off his feet, as they chop into the skull.
Tomahawks are a form of one-handed war axes, that you will often see used for duel wielding in movies and games. They're one of the cheapest, most lethal and versatile killing tools to date.
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7. Fist weapons / Arm Blades
Anyone who has seen wolverine in action or perhaps a predator from the AVP series will know just how awesome, niche and Over Powered these weapons can be.
They come in a large variety of sizes and mounting positions, and are even seen among traditional ninja tools. The best thing is that they can be part of your characters armor, gauntlets and what not.
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8. Chakram / Circle Blades
These circular cutters are meant to be duelwielded, and a favorite with many variations to them in video games.
If you're looking for originality, then this is pretty much as good as it gets. If you have a very dynamic combat style in mind for your character, then this is one weapon type that you have to consider.
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9. Battle Axes
Mostly known in the common shape of an axe, there are varieties, such as the Panabas, that are absolutely lethal choppers.
Somewhere between the size of a pole arm and regular blade, these weapons rarely lack individuallity or lethality. They are perfect for two handed Close Quarter Combat as their size and weight is entirely depended on the type of battle axe.
If you have a strong character or one based on brute force, then this is most likely the best weapon for the..
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10. Zanbato and simularly large blades
These swords are oversized killing machines. Forget about quick drawing these because they are too large for you to remove from their sheaths after battle has commenced.
Often depicted as Large Claymores, these weapons come in a lethal and creative variety, that include swords simular to Okatana's and Nodachi. They make the perfect cavalry crippling swords, and are a right pain to deal with in 1 on 1 combat.
The only downside is, that much like pole arms, they're useless indoors and in forests.
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I hope this collection of bladed melee weapons will have sparked the imagination and ideas you have for characters!
After all, there is a limit to how much a wooden staff can take when facing one of these bad boys. Especially in fics with a supernatural enhancement for cutting power and the likes.