Ways to use this list
- Tabletop games: when the party opens a chest, spin for what lies inside, then give the find one small quirk, like a sword that hums near water.
- History lessons: spin a weapon from around the world and find out where and when it was used; the khopesh and the macuahuitl always start a discussion.
- Character design: spin a weapon before you draw a hero, because a wizard's staff, a longbow and a pair of sai each change the way they stand.
- Writing duels: give two rivals very different weapons, like a rapier against a quarterstaff, and the fight scene almost choreographs itself.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (60 entries)
- Longsword – straight sword for one or two hands, medieval Europe
- Broadsword – sword with a wide, straight blade
- Rapier – slim thrusting sword, Renaissance Europe
- Sabre – curved sword of cavalry riders
- Scimitar – curved sword, Middle East
- Katana – curved sword of the samurai, Japan
- Cutlass – short, heavy sailor's sword
- Claymore – great two-handed sword, Scotland
- Gladius – short sword of Roman soldiers
- Falchion – single-edged medieval sword
- Zweihänder – huge two-handed sword, Germany
- Jian – straight, double-edged sword, China
- Dagger – short blade for close quarters
- Kukri – curved knife, Nepal
- Khopesh – sickle-shaped sword, ancient Egypt
- Spear – a blade on a long shaft, used worldwide
- Pike – very long spear for foot soldiers
- Halberd – axe blade and spike on a long pole
- Glaive – single-edged blade on a pole
- Trident – three-pronged spear
- Naginata – curved blade on a long pole, Japan
- Guandao – heavy curved polearm, China
- Lance – long spear for knights on horseback
- Javelin – light spear made for throwing
- Battle axe – axe made for battle rather than wood
- Throwing axe – small axe made to be thrown
- War hammer – hammer for denting armour
- Mace – club with a heavy metal head
- Flail – striking head on a chain or hinge
- Morning star – club topped with a spiked ball
- Club – the simplest weapon of all
- Quarterstaff – long wooden staff, medieval England
- Bo staff – long staff, Okinawa and Japan
- Macuahuitl – wooden club edged with obsidian, Aztec Mexico
- Longbow – tall bow of medieval England and Wales
- Shortbow – small bow, easy to use on horseback
- Crossbow – bow fixed to a stock that shoots bolts
- Sling – strap for hurling stones, ancient and worldwide
- Boomerang – curved throwing stick, Aboriginal Australia
- Chakram – sharp-edged throwing ring, India
- Bolas – weighted cords for tangling legs, South America
- Atlatl – spear-thrower, ancient Americas
- Nunchaku – two sticks joined by a cord, Okinawa
- Sai – pronged metal baton, Okinawa
- Wizard's staff – fantasy: channels big spells
- Wand – fantasy: for small, precise spells
- Spellbook – fantasy: the words are the weapon
- Ember staff – fantasy: glows with living flame
- Frost wand – fantasy: coats things in ice
- Crystal bow – fantasy: fires arrows of light
- Storm spear – fantasy: crackles with lightning
- Moonlit dagger – fantasy: can only be seen at night
- Singing sword – fantasy: hums when danger is near
- Thorn whip – fantasy: grows from a living vine
- Starlight sling – fantasy: hurls tiny falling stars
- Feather blade – fantasy: light as air, sharp as glass
- Echo hammer – fantasy: every strike rings twice
- Tide trident – fantasy: calls up the waves
- Clockwork crossbow – fantasy: reloads itself
- Rune-carved axe – fantasy: glows when it is needed
Questions people ask
Are there any modern weapons on this list?
No. Everything here is either historical, from swords to slings, or invented for fantasy stories. The list is for stories, history topics and tabletop games, never for real fighting.
What is the difference between a longsword and a broadsword?
A longsword has a long grip for one or two hands and a straight, fairly narrow blade. Broadsword is a looser word for a wide-bladed sword, and historians often use it for basket-hilted swords.
How do I make a magic weapon interesting?
Give it one power and one cost. A storm spear that crackles with lightning but also draws every storm for miles is far more fun than a spear that simply wins.
Can every player get a different weapon at once?
Set Winners to the number of players and spin once, and each player gets a different weapon. Press Magic weapons first if the party has just found treasure.