One-Handed Weapon

In but one way to look at weapons in UO, all weapons are either a One-Handed Weapon or a Two-Handed Weapon. Generally speaking and relative to two-handed models, one-handed weapons:

• do less damage;
• are faster;
• allow for shields to be equipped;
• allow for a free hand, as several actions cannot be taken unless a hand is free:
  • drinking a potion,
  • detonating a potions ,
  • throwing a poisoned Shuriken, etc.

Bushido, Parrying & One-Handed Weapons

With the samurai skill, Bushido, a character has a greater chance at Parrying a blow if he or she is equipped with a two-handed weapon rather than a one-handed weapon and a shield. Holding a shield will actually decrease your chance for a successful parry. A Bushido practitioner should not wear a shield, even if he or she is using a one-handed weapon.

Weapon Macros

The recommendations related to creating macros that allow for quick weapon switches weapons are mixed. One school of thought is that it is better to experience a slight additional delay by first un-equipping both hands, and then arming, which definitively avoids the "you already have something in your hands" error. Another school of thought advocates creating macros that disarms a specific hand and then equips a specific weapon; proponent claim that the "you already have something in your hands" error is just not an issue.

Recommendations

A brief survey of the forum posts on the subject resulted in the following non-artifact, one-handed weapon suggestions, presented in no particular order:

• Swordsmanship: Elven Machete; Katana; Radiant & Twinkling Scimitars.
• Mace Fighting: Diamond Mace and War Axe
• Fencing: Leafblade and War Fork
• Player vs. Player: Bushido + Bokuto = a win.

See Also

• Axes
• Bashing Weapons
• Bladed Weapons
• Bows
• Crossbows
• Polearms