Melee weapons are grouped under the skills required to use them. Skill names appear in capital letters, with defaults in parentheses; e.g., "AXE/MACE (DX-5, Flail-4, or Two-Handed Axe/Mace-3)." If there is more than one way to use a weapon, each method gets its own line. If multiple skills let you use a weapon, the weapon appears under each skill. For example, both Staff skill and Two-Handed Sword skill let you wield a quarterstaff – and either lets you swing the staff or thrust with it.
AXE/MACE (DX-5, Flail-4, or Two-Handed Axe/Mace-3)
[2] Stats are for one-handed use. A legendary katana may be used two-handed for +1 to swing and thrusting damage. Katana! Wildcard skill covers this use, defaulting to [[Two-Handed sword]]-4.
[1] Can be thrown. See Muscle-Powered Ranged Weapon Table.
[2] May get stuck; see Picks.
[3] Brawling increases all unarmed damage; Claws and Karate improve damage with punches and kicks (Claws don't affect damage with brass knuckles or boots); and Boxing improves punching damage.
[4] If you miss with a kick, roll vs. DX to avoid falling.
[5] On a failed HT roll, victim is stunned for as long as weapon is in contact plus (20 - HT) seconds longer, and then can roll vs. HT-3 to recover.
[6] Attempts to parry flails are at -4, and fencing weapons ("F" parry) cannot parry at all! Attempts to block flails are at -2. A nunchaku is small, and gives half these penalties.
[7] This is an energy blade. Take a Ready maneuver to activate/deactivate. The blade cannot break, and damages any weapon or body part it parries or which parries or blocks it. Extra energy cells cost $100, weigh 0.5 lb., and last 300 seconds.
[8] A piece of rope used to strangle; see Garrotes.
[9] Damage increases in a mounted charge; see Cavalry Weapons.
[10] Hilt counts as brass knuckles in close combat.
[11] Noisy! Runs for two hours on half a gallon of gasoline.
[12] Specify maximum reach (up to 7 yards) when bought. Cost and weight are per yard. ST is 5, +1 per yard. Many special rules apply; be sure to see Whips.