Massive weapons are harder to parry/shield block
* Swords: bastard, greatsword, claymore, flamberge
* Axes: battle axe, double-bladed axe, great axe
* Polearms: halberd, bill, glaive, bec de corbin

[Skills help] Weapons Help

Automatic

Each weapon skill modifies a character's chance to hit and damage with any
weapon sub-type in that skill's weapon group.  For classes with the parry
skill, a good knowledge of how to use your current weapon will enable better
parrying.  Some weapons are capable of special actions.

The weapon groups contain the following weapon sub-types:

axe      throwing axe, battle-axe, double-bladed axe, great-axe, pole-axe
bow      shortbow, longbow, compound bow, hunting bow, archery bow
crossbow hand crossbow, crossbow, siege crossbow, catapult, ballista
dagger   dagger, skinning knife, tanto, hunting knife, push-knife,
         throwing dagger, sai, curved dagger, straight dagger, khukri
flail    flail, ball and chain, morningstar, nunchaku
mace     club, spiked club, flanged mace, spiked mace, warhammer,
         spiked warhammer, flanged pole-mace, spiked pole-mace
spear    throwing spear, hunting spear, battle spear, ahlspiess, trident
polearm  halberd, pike, bill, glaive, bec de corbin, scythe, naginata, lance
staff    staff, cane, jo staff, bo staff, spiked staff, blade staff, ajatang
sword    shortsword, gladius, scimitar, wakizashi, kris, machete, rapier,
         epee, longsword, broadsword, katana, bastard sword, greatsword, cutlass
         claymore, flamberge, no-dachi, falchion, khopesh, landsknecht
whip     whip, riding crop, bullwhip, battle-whip, spiked chain
boulder  boulder, ore, ballista bolt
exotic   kama, sickle, kusari-gama, bandalore, bolo, shuriken, magical orbs

Two-handed weapons do not do additional damage but will allow the wielder to
make greater use of their strength.  If a weapon has reach, it can reach across
that one rank in a group formation and still be used for melee combat.  Massive
weapons are harder for opponents to parry and shield block, but are also harder
to parry with and take additional energy to swing in combat.

Some weapons can be thrown, including many types of daggers, throwing axes,
throwing spears, bolos and shuriken.  Flails and whips cannot be parried without
special training.  The exotic skill cannot be taught or trained, and depends
solely upon level.  Not every weapon that exists is listed here.

See also: parry throw 'specialize list'

[Skills help] finesse
 
Automatic
 
The abilities of the swashbuckler lie in the melding of tremendous skill
with balanced weapons that are capable of striking with great precision.
Finesse is the key to the swashbuckler's success as it provides him with
the edge he needs in several important areas. 
 
Besides enhancing weapon accuracy, the skill also makes it more difficult
to parry and disarm the swashbuckler's dancing blades.  Swashbucklers also
use finesse to make up for their lack of familiarity with other weapons
when disarming.  But perhaps most important is the ability to find chinks
in the protection of even the heaviest armor.  Just remember that for the
swashbuckler, not every sword is created equal - only certain finesse weapons
allow him to make full use of all his skills.
 
Finesse weapons: broadsword, curved dagger, cutlass, dagger, epee,
falchion, gladius, hunting knife, kris, kama, katana, khopesh, khukri,
longsword, machete, no-dachi, rapier, sai, scimitar, shortsword, sickle,
skinning knife, straight dagger, tanto, and wakizashi
 
(C)ontinue - (R)efresh - (B)ack - (H)elp - (Q)uit [RETURN]:

See also: parry disarm weapon riposte

[HP:100%] [ME:100%] [PE:  7%]
>
[HP:100%] [ME:100%] [PE:  7%]
> help backstab
[Skills help] backstab

Syntax: backstab <victim>
Syntax: backstab behind <victim>

The backstab skill is the art of catching an opponent off-guard and striking
it in an undefended and critical area.  It can be used only with certain short
piercing weapons such as daggers and short swords.  Backstab multiplies the
damage done by the normal strike based on the rogue's level of training.

By specifying the behind argument, the rogue can target the rearmost person in
the same column as the named victim.

Backstab weapons: shortsword, gladius, kris, rapier, epee, pigsticker, dagger,
skinning knife, tanto, hunting knife, push knife, curved dagger, straight dagger

See also: 'circle stab' 'dual backstab'