devtrackers.gg
Intro
RuneScape was for me, the catalyst, to get into medieval weapons. After my return, I want to share my knowledge with the larger RuneScape community. So I've started this melee weapons review series. One central question: how functional are RuneScape weapons? How would they perform if you made a replica with real-life materials?
Weapon Review
A special thanks to u/Ansonlau1 for making this review possible!
This week's review is going to be the newly released Masterwork 2h sword. Right off the bat, this is a big boy. Not really because its length (it's actually quite short for a 2h sword, similar in length to a bastard sword), but because of its width.
I do understand the reasoning why it's this wide: the design team took great effort to get some details right. From a functionality perspective, not so much. It adds a lot of weight that has no real benefit.
Historical smiths solved the weight problem by the use of fullers. The Masterwork 2h sword solved it by a hole in the middle of the blade. I'm very very skeptical about it. You can argue that the masterwork alloy, a combination of various other metals and alloys in an intricate fabrication process, has properties superior to that of regular steel that allows the blade to function with such large hole in the middle without breaking. But if you would make a steel replica, which is the premisse of this weapon review, it just doesn't work. Overall, I don't like you need to come up with a fantasy deus ex machina to make something work.
I'm not entirely against the arrow-shaped tip of the sword. I think, if executed properly, it could be a stylistic addition to the sword with limited negative impact on the sword's cutting capacity. But this is only if the arrow-shaped tip has a good thrusting capacity. For this you need two elements: a singular tip and a short-angle tapering. The Masterwork 2h sword lacks both.
If you stab something, the wider the tip is, the more material the tip has to cut and penetrate, and the more force it requires. That's why a thrust-oriented sword has a very long and steadily tapering tip. But the most egregious part is the split in two tips. Two tips means double the force needed for the same depth of penetration. These two elements make it functionally not capable of effective thrusting.
The ricasso and the guard seems to be infused into one, but not in a good way. It's very bulky, but without any protective functionality. The guard has no extended quillons that can catch enemy blades, so it's easy to bypass or to slip through towards the hands of the wielder.
The grip is okay, it's nothing out of the ordinary. It's on the shorter side, as you can see with the guard stance our character needs the second hand to grip the pommel, which isn't as comfortable as the grip itself.
I like the pommel. Pommels are decorative mostly, so they don't need to have a functional utility. But I do think the tip of the pommel might have some functional validity, as it's pointy enough to be used in a defensive capability.
Verdict
It pains me, but I need to give the Masterwork 2h sword a 1/10. Only the pommel earns a point.
Design Suggestions
A narrower blade with a proper fuller, a proper slender tip, a longer grip and a complete overhaul of the guard and that might salvage this sword.
Masterwork 2h sword - unsheathed - right side
Masterwork 2h sword - unsheathed - left side
Masterwork 2h sword - sheathed
Masterwork 2h sword - guard stance
Outro
Did you like this weapon review? Let me know in the comments. If you have any suggestions for other weapon reviews, feel free.
Due to real-life events, I'm suspending the weapon reviews. It's a commitment I need to balance out with other commitments and the real-life ones have a higher priority right now. I'll review at the end of September if I'll continue this serie.
Check out the weapon reviews of last month:
Dragon halberd
Also, check out the list of previous weapon reviews of this and the previous months in the deep dives:
June Deep Dive: Double-Bladed Axes
September Deep Dive: Two-handed axes
External link →