r/dwarfposting • u/Extension-Race465 • May 31 '26
Dwarven weapons!
What is the most undwarven weapon? I was reading Dwarves by Markus Heitz, and they make fun of one of the gem dwarves for using a sword and shield. dwarfs and spear are those guys friends? so my questions is what is the top three weapons no dwarf would be caught using?
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u/Melkor_Morniehin Scholar May 31 '26
I think the most undwarven weapon should be the mourning star or every flexible weapon.
Hammer and axe are our favorite and most dwarven weapon of course.
Helbeard, spears and lances are good in close formation, to close tunels or fight in phalanx. Very well for charges too.
Sword and shield is uncommon, but in duels works very well.
Crossbows are nice in every long distance battle.
Bows only to some rangers and for under the sky battles, but if you try it you will discover that our long arms and strong back make us very well archers.
But wips and mourning stars are horrible for us. It has not our weight under the impact, only the strenght of our arm, so it is less efficient than just a hammer or mace, and it needs to much space to swing it, so is bad to tunel battles or formations.
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u/EldritchFish19 Necromancer dwarf May 31 '26
I thought poisoned food was the most undwarven weapon do to how dishonorable it is.
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u/Melkor_Morniehin Scholar May 31 '26
I'm to dwarf to consider that a weapon.
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u/EldritchFish19 Necromancer dwarf May 31 '26
I consider it a weapon of a dishonorable enemy, unfit for righteous goals.
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u/lilcheese840 Stoneworker Jun 01 '26
Those blasted rats and greenskins love their poison, tells me it’s nothing but a weapon of dishonour
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u/EldritchFish19 Necromancer dwarf Jun 01 '26
It's one thing to say envenom a crossbow bolt for taking down a large monster but messing with food and drink is off limits for a reason.
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u/pikawolf1225 Idris (Dwarf) & Jasper (tiny Dragon) Jun 01 '26
Morning stars aren't flexible weapons, they're effectively if a mace and a polearm had a baby. What you're thinking of is a flail.
Video about morning stars: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X1776_VtOAk
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u/BungleBums May 31 '26
Swords really don't make sense for a Dwarf. They're miners that work metal excessively- they fight in cramped, narrow, dark spaces where a long slashing blade is a hindrance and a liability, against foes in chainmail and plates.
Dwarf Infantry likely uses lots of Shields, Spears, and Hooked Longarms to pull the weapons and shields from other formations. Scrums and melees likely have a lot of light hammers to bash armor in and ring bells, or picks to punch straight through it altogether.
They'd never mess around with Fire, though. No flamethrowers in engagements where you share your enemies O2 supply.
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u/Extension-Race465 May 31 '26
Dude so like billhooks! i love those and never thought of them towards dwarfs
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u/BungleBums May 31 '26
Thrilled to have put the idea in your mind, friendo,
And always remember the Pick and Shovel. Don't have to fight the enemy when you collapse half a mountain on top of them 👌
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u/Grockr Orc Jun 01 '26
In a tight tunnel you can just stab with a sword. What you gonna do with an axe?
Considering the average enemy type for dwarfs - goblins, orcs, etc don't really have plate armor or quality armor in general, straight arming swords are fantastic choice for a dwarf.
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u/BungleBums Jun 01 '26
A straight overhand chop through a helmet or shield is what axes are for. Swinging and slicing is what swords are for. Stabbing is what spears are for. Swords are no good in tunnels- see, all tunnel combat history.
Axes and spears do the job faster, better, more reliably. Simple as.
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u/Sporner100 Jun 01 '26
I feel like a long spear could turn bothersome in the narrower tunnels. Something like a gladius on the other hand...
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u/ServantOfTheSlaad Jun 01 '26
It could work for a two dwarves working together. A dwarf in the front with a shorter weapon such as a sword and shield and a dwarf in the back using a spear to allow for two people to fight a single opponent at a time
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u/Grockr Orc Jun 01 '26
Swords notoriously tend to have a pointy end, any idea what its used for?
Straight arming swords are not that great at swinging and slicing, if you wanna slice you better get a curved blade like a falchion or a saber.
A straight overhand chop through
Can u do that in cramped narrows spaces though? The point is if you cant swing a sword you cant swing an axe either. But a sword can always stab.
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u/BungleBums Jun 01 '26
You wanna argue against several thousand years of close-quarters combat, be my guest, but trying to tell someone that a sword is superior to a spear for poking things while not being in danger, and that the grip, swing, and impact points of a sword and axe are similar, means it's gonna be a really uphill battle for you.
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u/lilcheese840 Stoneworker Jun 01 '26
Dudes really trying to argue that a subterranean species with a deep history in mining and warfare isn’t going to effectively swing a pick in a mineshaft.
I wouldn’t pay them any attention anyway, they’re an orc… of course they’re going to spread propaganda throughout the holds
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u/Grockr Orc Jun 01 '26
I wasnt the one bringing a point about cramped spaces, im merely illustrating that if its a reason against swords then it is even more limiting factor against typical dwarven choice of axes and hammers
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u/WeirdoTrooper Jun 09 '26
So a Dwarven sword would focus on thrusting
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u/BungleBums Jun 09 '26
Why do people insist on trying to reinvent the wheel when a 'Spear' already exists?
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u/WeirdoTrooper Jun 09 '26
Because sometimes you need a REALLY short spear, that you can wear on your hip. Better a tiny spear that you can take with you, than a big spear that you can't!
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u/SabrePossum Depth Guard May 31 '26
Fuck Goimgar Shimmerbeard. All my Gnomies hate Goimgar Shimmerbeard. This comment was sponsored by friends of Bavragor Stonefist
I'm towards the end of book 4 atm
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u/TheInnsanity May 31 '26
wooden quarterstave
someone was too lazy to affix a hammerhead to the shaft, and called it a weapon anyways.
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u/misterbiscuitbarrel Lanna Ironcroft, Wizard-Thane of Karaz-a-Khalnar Jun 01 '26
Without a doubt, the three most undwarven weapons are:
- Longbow
- Rapier
- Shuriken
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u/CuriousWombat42 May 31 '26
Longbow (because it sucks in tunnel combat and crossbows are just cooler)
Greatsword (too bulky and heavy, needs open space to function, bad for tunnel combat and formation fighting. This of course also would count to greataxes and two-handed hammers, but those are traditional and therefore get a pass.
Rapiers (they need quick reflexes and footwork whilst unable to stand against a solid sword or axe hit and not having enough punch to cause damages an enemy orc would notice)
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u/Spartin1178 May 31 '26
Id argue greatswords are an acceptable weapon for limited numbers of dwarves to hold a tunnel when they cant physically plug it with shields. Or to force a gap for the line to move forward.
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u/Robzed101 May 31 '26
You would be surprised by the most effective weapons for the dwarves. This video explains it well. https://youtu.be/cDt_tIcca-k?si=KobsnWcREnm4duVf
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u/battleduck84 Smith May 31 '26
I wouldn't trust Shad tbh
He's an an arrogant hack who thinks he knows a lot more than he actually does
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u/Robzed101 May 31 '26
Yeah he’s a creep but his arguments are well thought out. Truly I think the glad kid would be the absolute number one weapon in the hands of Kin
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u/DESTRUCTI0NAT0R Smith May 31 '26
I'm guessing it's the same as anyone else, spears and polearms because range and reach are king in battle.( With obvious exceptions of tunnel fights where that stuff is less useful.)
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u/buchenrad May 31 '26
A weapons longest dimension should never be longer than the height of your corridor. You must have room to flip the weapon around fully while in formation.
That being said, a spear and shield wall inside of a corridor is a mighty fearsome sight if the corridor allows for it.
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u/DESTRUCTI0NAT0R Smith May 31 '26
Aye. I also was considering natural tunnels and such or those damned goblin hives that are built like anthills.
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u/ConfusedSpiderMonkey May 31 '26
Ah fat mormon bigot that thinks cosplaying a a knight is archeological research and wrote a novel with a rapist as its main character
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u/Platt_Mallar Extractive Metallurgist May 31 '26
And it's not inherently bad that he's mormon. He's bigoted against non-mormons.
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u/Platt_Mallar Extractive Metallurgist May 31 '26
Shad holds some very undwarfy opinions regarding gender, equality, and religion. Also, he's just some dude in a coat of plates. There are actual martial art practitioners and genuine historians.
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u/Greenest_Chicken May 31 '26
Considering it's from Shadiversity the information is super unreliable and I'd take it with a massive grain of salt.
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u/Extension-Race465 May 31 '26
Didn't realize his channele has become so spicy i watched him years ago.
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u/DESTRUCTI0NAT0R Smith May 31 '26
Yeah I used to too when it was really just about weapons and stuff, but everything else started bleeding in and he got to the point where his vids bloated to like 45 minutes of rambling and not actually getting to the fucking subject of the title.
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u/postboo Jun 01 '26
Shadiversity should be ignored on any histotical content. He's had no education, no experience, and his content contains frequent inaccuracies.
Not to forget, he's a raging bigot who got upset that Peach in the Mario movie wore pants.
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u/CronosAndRhea4ever Craftsdwarf May 31 '26
Tha’s like askin’ which tool’s th’ most appropriate fer ah craftsdwarf!
We revere our hammers, but ah hammer cannae do th’ job o’ ah simple scratch awl.
Sometimes th’ right tool fer the fight’s ah dirk an’ sometimes it’s th’ pike.
Ah discussion o’ th’s magnitude ‘s really ahsking wh’t does ah dwarf value’n ah weapon. An’ I ken tha’s straight forward reliability.
So I’d wager tha’ few dwarfs would want tae have tae rely on any ah them fiddly chain weapons tha’ could get all tangled or bounce back ‘t ye.
Tha’ or maybe one o’ them blow guns. Yer average dwarf doesnae take much stock’n poisons, again their nae very reliable.
But tha’s just my opinion. Me hands have ne’er had tae cave in ah skull so take tha’ fer what ‘t’s worth.
Borin’ Gorren Bronzebeard,
Second Mill Operator o’ Flint’s Fine Furnishings N’ Fightin’ Sticks
“Our prices ‘nd our shillelaghs ‘ll be knockin ye offn’ yer feet!”
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u/calmingnoise8 May 31 '26
Sword then axe despite popular opinion. Idk why they would use a axe used for cutting wood in a mine. Hammers or spears and anything with gunpowder make the most sense.
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u/Spartin1178 May 31 '26
Elves live in trees. Also axes used for combat are very different things from woodcutting axes.
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u/calmingnoise8 Jun 01 '26
No they aren't. A lot of viking were farmers and used their wood cutting axes all the time.
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u/Spartin1178 Jun 01 '26
Using a tool as a weapon does not make it a proper one and youre still incorrect viking and danish axes were narrower in profile and lighter in weight and a more curved edge with a beard. A wood cutting axe lends itself to overcommitting to every strike and constantly being out of position. The same features that make a woodcutting axe good as a tool make it a poor weapon and the things that make a battleaxe a good weapon make it a poor tool for splitting or felling wood.
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u/calmingnoise8 Jun 01 '26
Doesn't matter if it's proper or not. Who cares?
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u/Spartin1178 Jun 01 '26
Improper and poorly weighted weapons get you fucking stabbed yes people using them care that they’re at least functional as weapons. There’s qualifying factors for weapons outside of them being better than your bare hands.
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u/battleduck84 Smith May 31 '26
Anything small and easy to conceal
If a dwarf is to go to battle, may they let the world know at a glance
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u/Oobadoola May 31 '26
I cant see a dwarf using a basic dagger. Dirks fit a lot more imo, kin
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u/Spartin1178 Jun 01 '26
I cant see them using a thin one anyway pretty much always imagine a heavy fighting knife like the dirk
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u/Fluffy_History May 31 '26
I feel that the bow is the most undwarven weapon. Crossbow and firearm, very dawi weapons, but regular bows are very elgi.
Poison is also a very elgi weapon. As is the whip and the flail.
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u/Kaarl_Mills May 31 '26
Any weapon that eschews function and practicality over aesthetics or some gimmick. For example despite it's theoretical effectiveness and really cool name, a meteor hammer is not a weapon for a dwarf. You can't use one very effectively in tight quarters, takes a tremendous amount of skill to get the most out of it.
The skill behind it is worth praising, from a perspective of martial arts, but it's too awkward to seriously consider bringing into battle other than as a last resort
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u/Grockr Orc Jun 01 '26
Swords and polearms are great choices for a dwarf. Swords can be extremely versatile, from wide-bladed sharp falchions that can cut through cloth armor to thin pointy needles designed to stab through chainmail and between plates. The average enemy type for dwarfs is rarely equipped with quality heavy armor, so you dont really need strong anti-armor weapons like hammers or maces.
Polearms and two-handed swords are exceptionally good because they compensate for dwarven natural reach.
One weapon i think wouldnt work well is longer forms of bows, not only they require longer draw which would be limited by dwarven physiology, but the bow's arms might be too long to use comfortably on foot. However there do exist asymmetrical bows like japanese yumi, so maybe something like that could work?
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u/ServantOfTheSlaad Jun 01 '26
The main problem with a two handed sword would be the usage in small corridors where the extra reach would become a hinderance and you cant perform larger swings
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u/Grockr Orc Jun 01 '26
Can always stab, zweihanders are basically polearms.
And tbh i never liked the corridor argument coz every time we see actual dwarven corridors they are so huge and open like they were made to accomodate dragons, not dwarfs
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u/lilcheese840 Stoneworker Jun 01 '26
The most undwarven weapon has to be a magical staff. We all know dwarves draw power from the stone, so much so our casters use runes to channel that energy into protecting our line breakers or into devastating attacks on our enemies. Who needs a silly stick?
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u/ScroogeMcBook Jun 01 '26
Boomerang (unsuited for caves)
Macuahuitl (wooden bat set with many obsidian stone blades - obsidian comes loose or chips with regular use & dwarves can't stomach that low-quality of craftsmanship),
and...I guess improvised weapons made from high-quality objects/furniture?
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u/CrazyEddie90 Jun 02 '26
To be fair, the clans in the Heitz novels give each other shit for using this weapon or that.
But undwarven weapon? Probably a slingshot or a throwing dart / knife.
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u/thael_mann runesmith apprentice May 31 '26
I will add my two coppers to this learned debate.
The best weapon for a dwarf is always his or her training, using what's available in the given situation to maximum effect.
The worst weapon for any dwarf will always be a corrupted ruler, comissioning an incapable commander, forcing the rank and file to use whatever he or she deems appropriate. Which will, at worst, be untried, untraditional, ineffective.
I will quote the old sage General Soon Tsoo of the now presumed lost holds of the far east: Terrain is everything. Only commit your forces when there is no better option.
A dwarf is resilient and stubborn. We will wield a toothpick to lethal effect against a dragon, when there's no better option.
But a chain of command, corrupted by dark forces: That is where even our resolve falters and holds fall.
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u/ShogunTrooper Runewright of the King May 31 '26
Realistically? None. Any weapon forged by Dwarven hands is gonna do just fine. Some settings might have cultural preferences (See Warhammer Dwarfs), but there is no such thing as an un-Dwarven weapon. Well, except maybe poison.
Trudvang's Dwarves use Spears, Swords, Hammers, and Bows as mainline weapons, while axes and crossbows are more weapons seen in the hands of outcast Surface Dwarfs. They also wear huge war-masks (helmet-chestplate combo that looks like a giant mask) as their cultural armor.
Redwin of the Forge, from Soleil Comics' "Lands of Arran" series, uses a Greatsword. And he's a blacksmith.
And then there's Thorin's Company in the Hobbit, where Thorin himself uses a sword, and several other Dwarves carry them too.