Shad: "A poleaxe can offend someone wearing full plate armour quite effectively" Poleaxe: "bitch"

Was expecting nunchucks at F tier. Not disappointed. Also STICK should be at S+ tier

I think the hunting bow icon should have a simple d-shape but just shorter than the longbow, this would avoid confusion with military composite bows

Opinions: 1. Fine points for stabbing It's generally a misconception that a finer point is always better at stabbing. During the World Wars but especially in WW1, it was found that fine points and spikes while they could penetrate deep, often had 2 main issues: a) they didn't do enough internal damage to kill because of their low volume, b) durability; they would often bend or break. As a result, most stabbing implements designed for penetrating tough material or for general durability (such as awls, rondel daggers, dirks, and tantos) often had reinforced points. This chains in to point designs on Japanese swords. Most Japanese swords (even going back to what is considered medieval in Japanese history [the 12th-16th centuries] being the muromachi, nara, and kamakura periods. Periods when the tachi [a katana like sword but with a length and distal taper contemporary to longswords) have reinforced points. They were like that so that a) they would be durable enough to not break or bend, and b) so that they could pry apart links of maille armor. 2. The glaive I believe the glaive should have been in S-tier. Primarily because I believe you mischaracterized the glaive as being good slashing only and being as good as the Dane axe at slashing. Most glaive heads had more material in them than a Dane axe and were about as long as halberds to start with. The added mass, and finer edges of a glaive but not even mentioning the added leverage and lack of obstruction from the haft itself, would mean that glaives would cut better than Dane axes. Furthermore, you also forgot or just didn't know that glaives were about as cheap to make as halberds and billhooks, could also and often did have hooks on their backs just like a halberd or billhook, could stab just as well as spears, and also had variations that were made for knights to be used in lieu of a poleax (these versions shown in art were about the same length as a poleaxe and had languets reinforcing the shaft). As the halberd was for Germans, the billhook for the English and Italians, the glaive was for the French. 3. The rapier While rapiers (as we know them: long bladed singlehanded thrusting swords with complex hilts) were taken to the battlefield, they were taken for the same reasons that officers in the 18th and early 19th centuries would take smallswords to combat; they were badges of office meant to denote rank, not intended for actual combat use. On your belief that rapiers would be good for stabbing against armor, as applied to rapiers as are generally understood, their blades are too flexible for stabbing in gaps of armor. Only a specific type of rapier called a tuck (a variant of rapier largely popular in France, Spain, and England with its name originating in England) would have been good for stabbing in gaps of armor because its blade was constructed as a triangular or square spike similar to the earlier estoc. There is a certain caveat though which is that in the early modern period, the swords that we sword enthusiasts refer to today as sideswords (swords with blades resembling medieval arming swords, and complex hilts that incentivize a similar point forwards grip as rapiers) were referred to in period as rapiers too. The distinction between sideswords and rapiers as differing types of swords is a largely modern convention as in period, the term "rapier" and "sidesword" were largely interchangeable. 4. The bardiche The bardiche as you said is largely an early modern weapon. Most bardiches though were poleax length weapons and their blades, while very broad, were very thin, about as thin as a sword blade. Their most famous usage was by a type of Russian soldiers called streltsi who would wield them as a secondary weapon to their musket in case they needed to charge into melee although accounts of them using their bardiches to fend off cavalry charges do exist. While I do agree with where you put the bardiche, I believe it's a low S-tier weapon. Extras for a possible future video: 1. The yari Yari, while commonly and accurately stated to mean spear, also includes items that we in the west would consider as forms of halberd, pike, and poleaxe. While the most common type of yari is a stereotypical spearhead (this variation is called a su-yari), the second most common form of yari features a projection similar in form to a japanese sickle called a kama which allows it to function in a similar way to a halberd or billhook (this version was called a kama-yari). There were also countless other variations that featured things like hooks, and axe like blades projecting from them. Lastly, there were also variations of yari that were poleaxe length; these yari usually featured a kama-yari or other similar type of head, but on a shaft that was often poleaxe or Dane axe length. 2. The kama These usually refer today to agricultural sickles that are still used and even sold in Japanese hardware stores even today but in the past, these were used as weapons by peasants, ashigaru, and even samurai. unlike most sickles, kama usually have robust blades that as such, made them very similar to warpicks but lighter. Where they shined the most though was as a projection on a yari. 3. The naginata Naginata were glaive like weapons that featured a blade between 1.5-3 feet long on a shaft that was commonly about spear length, with some being poleaxe length (these versions were the ones that often had longer blades). They were good at cutting and stabbing, and with their ability to fend off cavalry charges, throughout most of medieval Japanese history before the rise of the ashigaru in the 17th century, this was the most common polearm used by both samurai and their retainers, and Japanese warrior monks called sohei.

This is like Shad combining all of his rant videos about terrible weapons and glowing videos about great weapons in one nice condensed video. Love your content and keep up the great work!

Please do another tier list, these are so fun to watch and do. If you could though, have a bigger photo of the weapon you are suggesting. The pictures on the tier are a little small to see. I know you reviewed all to most of these weapons already, but I still need a reminder on what they look like X.x

Amazing vid, really like it. One suggestion: could you put up a big image of the weapon when you introduce it? Would make it easier to visualize. Thanks!

I was expecting all or most S tier weapons were going to be the varient evolutions of the spear. As Tierzoo said, it's the best in-slot two handed weapon until the development of the modern rifle.

The best wild card castle defense weapon: French taunt. It is extremely effective, with huge amount of emotional damage.

I like where the katana was placed in the tier list. During the war eras of Japan, katanas were mainly used as a secondary weapon. This was because Samurais mainly fought on horseback and used bows and spears. They would only used their katana when they were knocked off their horse, lost their bow or spear, or for self defense when why are not on the battlefield. The time where the katana did see the most "action" was during the Edo period, the time period in Japan where there were no wars, where they were used as personal carry weapons and as a status symbol to show that they were samurai.

I definetely loved it. The only things I guess were missing were the training time for the weapon to be used effectively and its cost. Both really important constrains when thinking about war campaigns...

Great vid Shad. I was in a medieval combat club for 5 years .. talking with clubmates we concluded the best set up for a infantryman in random situations is : Gambeson with mail overlay . steel helm , large shield slinged over back to protect , primary weapon 6 ft bull spear and a sharp side arm perhaps a short sword

Great banter! The background character should become a permanent sidekick.

100% agree about the pole axe. Pole arms and pikes were devastating weapons.

Great Video Shad and a lot of fun. I'd love to see your rankings for your S-tier choices! As always you've entertained and educated me, thanks!

Hey Shad, love your content, great video. Here's a suggestion for you: make a video about medieval guns/handcannons.

Hey, Shad. I’ve started my second book. I’m really hoping my intended series does well. Also, in your true medieval fantasy novel, I’m curious about something: will there be monsters in it? Monsters are one of my favorite parts of fantasy.

Shad, you're completely missing the most devastating battlefield weapon, and I'm disappointed that you forgot it. *_The Lute._*

Always fun to hear your knowlege on this stuff, Shad. I'd be curious to see you create an "ideal loadout" for classic fantasy races/classes. Like, what kind of weapon would work the best in the hands of a classic fantasy dwarf, given their culture, materials, and stature?

I'd love to see this list for dueling and potentially adventuring (fictional combat with a small group against varied foes in varied environments).

The bardiche (as far as I know) was often used in a combo with early firearms. You would use it as a gunrest for a musket or an arquebuse, giving you one or two shots before your enemies are in melee range for the bardiche. At least the Streltsy a russian guards unit formed by Ivan the Terrible used it that way. The List is pretty top heavy... But I imagine the "bad" weapons wouldn't have been around for long! Except the nunchucks... since they're still here even with all your attemts to eliminate them. And come your war-darts with an atlatl or without?

I would definitely be interested in seeing other tier lists for weapons: - for castle assault/defense - for self-defense/everyday carry - for adventuring (fantasy) *although this is a broad one* - for when you have to deal with dragons because... What about them! Maybe even the same with armour perhaps? But of course, I love your regular content as well so these would be a treat to see intermixed with your usual uploads.

I noticed a few times where you seemed to want to order weapons within their tier, such as putting a really good A tier close to S. For future reference, if you declare the list an "ordered tier list," or a list where the individual tiers are ordered, then you can do that. The items would be classified left to right within their tier, so the first thing you read in A tier for instance would be the best in A tier, while the last thing in A tier would be the worst in A tier. This video was great and I'd love to see more like it.

PLEASE do a follow up about personal defense! I'd love to see how an individual's needs might differ from a group, especially in a less formal setting

Would definitely love to see that ranking video for weapons for castle defense

I think doing a pole arm tier list could be really cool as well to differentiate from all the s tier pole arms

Love this video Shad, I think you should definitely do more of these, I think you should do a tier list on Japanese weapons, so you can check out some of the longer katanas, you can do a list of the best shields, the best early firearms or even armour, for example, the best helmet designs. Definitely think these tier list videos could be a new series, once again, love the videos shad, keep up the good work :)

Really fun episode, Shad. Always enjoy your videos both on here and Knights Watch.

Hey shad, Where would nunchucks, but they’re 2 small dragons with there tails tied together that breath fire be?

As for Glaives, I practice naginata myself. Which is basically a katana with a prolonged shaft. Essentially a very light and thin glaive, long reach and able to stab inbetween openings of armor. It can be used for stab like moves, though Tsuki, the stab just past and then slice of the neck is one of the more difficult techniques to pull off. Which makes clear it's predominently a slashing weapon. It was the most commonly used weapon in Japan for both samurai and common foot soldiers until the introduction of fire arms because it was affordable, effective and not too difficult to use or learn. I'd say it's a bit better than heavier glaives but not as effective as pole axes. I'd say mid to high A.

Great job with the tier list would love to see more, maybe best siege weapons or farming tools turned into weapons could be a fun list

A few times you mention that there should be a "tier within a tier" so you can place a bunch of weapons there. In a way there is: A-tier. A bunch of stuff you placed into A-tier could be put into B-tier and A-tier becomes the stuff that's "high in A or low in S". In effect B-tier is the new A, and A is the "in between A and S".

2:44 Poor Shad, he's getting ready to run for office. He sure talks like a politician now.

Spending 50 mins of my life watching something that will never help me in my life is tight! BTW love you shad

An interesting ranking / context could be: best weapons for nefarious activities. Highwaymen, thieves, assassins, etc.

I am so happy that the mace, my favourite weapon on this list, and in general, is in A tier!!

Shad speaking french to a french viewer is pure gold.

I miss the fantasy rearmed series, but I can't think of any more good monsters/races to suggest Unless.... fantasy refortified? What would a classic fantasy fortification, that plays off the strengths of the race, look like? Shad pls!

This is a nice tier list, very well done! If you could possibly update or make a brand new tier list video, I would love to see some more weapons included, like the wagoner's axe, the Holy Water Sprinkler mace or even the shillelagh, would be wonderful.

Amazing video Shad. I agree with your ratings. Dunbchucks getting roasted still funny😂 . Please do more like this. Maybe try like a fantasy rearmed tierlist for ranking all fantasy races based on their effectiveness on the battlefield(without magic). That would be very interesting because each fantasy race has distinctive biological advantages and disadvantages and various strategies and weapons can be deployed with them to increase their effectiveness. Since you discussed like giants and orcs etc it would be interesting to see how each fantasy race conpares to one another.

Just some suggestions for categories off the top of my head. Self-defense, castle defense, sieging (Both siege weapons and 'small arms'), 'hottest/most exotic weapons, ... Also you could go also start doing stuff like most innovative battlefield/figthing techniques on the battlefield. For instance I think of things like the comparing the first introduction of a technique like say siege warfare vs the shield wall and then rank them based on prominence, usefullness, cultural influence, ...

An arming sword would be a C. I am sure I could defeat a clone of myself if I used a pitchfork and the clone used an arming sword by itself.

This was a fun video. Also, glad to see The Kingkiller Chronicles up front with The Princess Bride 👌

One huge benefit of many of the smaller, easier to carry weapons (daggers, swords of a wearable size) is that you could have them on your person even while using a larger / better weapon, as a backup or for situations where your main weapon wouldn’t do as well. Of course, as shad has addressed before, carrying too many things with you also poses a problem. I’d be interested to see more tier lists for things like duels, everyday self defense/carry, and that castle defense weapon idea sounded fun.

For greater visual clarity and organization you could organize the weapons in the same tier from the left to the right based on their rank of effectiveness in comparison to the other weapons on the same tier. Fun video :)

This is like the Endgame movie for Shadiversity weapon rants.

Definitely more of these kind of videos please :D Armor, castle "parts", sieges, cost effective weapons, duels, whatever you can imagine, please please :D

Please more tier lists! This one was amazing!

Great video! I've got a suggestion for another tier list - mounted battlefield weaponry

I feel like cost and ease of production should be something that is considered a bit more. Since logistics and finances are such important things in war.

Shad that was realy entertaining and I love to hear your reasoning. I also like having a quick video I can check for where any weapon might fall in its utilty. BUT, many times you menched that some wepons belonged at the top or near the bottom of a spicific catagory, and after five minites I can't remember which was which and your chart doesn't didingush between them. If you put the best weapons of a catgory to the left and the worst of a category to the right then your chart would be more nuanced. I have seen many other youtubers use this extra level of division and I realy think your future tier lists would greatly benifit from it. Love your work shad. Can't wait for more.

Hey Shad, fun video as always. I was just wondering if I could ask for your opinion about a weapon & shield design I came up with for a story I plan to do in a medieval setting.

"you're a bar-douche" lmao Ozz killing it off camera

Just want to add, i appreciate that you took the time to line up those 2 swords with the back of the chair

Some more factors I'd like to see you talk about more when you categories these weapons Shad, difficulty of use defensive attributes, and reusability! Example wise; an axe is harder to parry and block with rather than a sword, and also stamina, how long can the soldier use certain weapons? Like a crossbow can be held indefinitely for better aiming long range, also ease of use. Great video as always! Kindly regards from Norway! 😁

Your videos are awesome man

Can you do ancient weapons too? This was cool, & it looks like you and techno-wizard of Oz had fun doing it.

I think weapon effectiveness needs three catagories. One) You've never heald a weapon before, here take this and fight those soldiers. Two) You've had a week's training. Three) You've trained since childhood and can be considered a master of this weapon. Nunchuck - 1) Fail. 2)Fail. 3) D-. Two handed Warhammer - 1) S. 2)B. 3) C

Great video! I probably would have thrown the flail in wild card for cavalry since the chain would reduce reverb on the wielder (though cavalry was maybe not part of the judgement criteria). Also, the ability to latch behind and pull enemy shields would have given axes a boost.

Awesome as always, thank you.

I will be honest , including unarmed doesn't really make senes if you think that the other combatant will always have an advantage. The fact you don't have a weapon doesn't mean the enemy is not allowed to grapple you as well before plunging a dagger in your belly. Not to mention that an estoc which was placed below unarmed would be almost incapable of losing against an unarmored opponent while still having better chances against a heavily armored one due to having a solid grip which can be used to pummel someone. So basically, every weapon can be considered unarmed but with a better.

I agree with your ratings! I would indeed find quite interesting a tierlist in sieges, both in castle defense and in an offensive scenario, as well as skirmishes or ambushes/surprise atacks. The more versatile weapons would most certainly appear in high tiers again, be it in the same category or in a higher/lower one by a notch, but things could be different by virtue of context. Really puts into perspective why soldiers carried a main weapon and a sidearm, and it would link itself well with previous videos such as the best weapons for adventurers. Edit: as another comment pointed out, I would also suggest splitting categories into upper and lower levels of the same tier for a more accurate scale, but I understand it would take up all the screen so it works well enough as it is. Maybe adding an upwards/downwards pointing arrow to the pictures while editing would be a fine solution.

thanks for the goedendagh, greatings from Flanders

such a lovely channel, love the videos

In the classic adventure game NetHack, the bullwhip is one of many weapons in the game. (If your class is Archaeologist, you start out equipped with a bullwhip, leather jacket, and a fedora, because of course you do.) As a weapon, it's entirely useless against tougher monsters because it can't penetrate heavier hide or armor. F-tier indeed!

Shad has his serious face on, they better watch out

Love these videos

2:08 i'd love to see that. the sword and shield combo in *A tier?* i expected it to be C at best, but A? noice! i love that weapon combo!

"______ and shield" is common in S-tier. Does S stand for "Shield"

i'd be interested to see where some more non-european weapons would fit on this list, like a punch dagger or that cool aztec sword thing

Nice video, shad!

Would love a short and sweet countdown from worst to best, with a brief explanation for each weapon. I realize entertainment is part of the presentation and I appreciate the congenial chatter, but, time efficiency and efficacy is the 1st priority I'm aiming for. A concise list with explanation/ description and be done. Excellent video. Very fun. Much appreciated. Requesting a short and sweet version. Cheers.

Hey, loved the video, but I was wondering what your thoughts were on the sling. I’m not personally sure how common it was in medieval warfare, but I believe the staff sling was used.

Seems like primary and secondary weapons should get separated (dagger was a great example why) Thanks for the video!!

Just used this as a creative tool to help add some flavor to a knight character I was writing, so thank you!

I love where you rated the hands. It got my like.

This is so entertaining! :)

I go with Skall on the flail. The big advantage is it eliminates hand shock. Which is an especially big deal on horseback.

Great video Shad. Tier lists are dope

Awesome video Shad and i agree for the most part with the teir Weapons too.

"Wow, I didn't even know you could read." And now Shad just did a Skeletor.

the chain and ball flail is F absolutely. the two handed one with that single link, the threshing flail with spikes. though I'd say wild card as it was VERY effective used by the hussites in the war wagons and situations like that where there where awkward angles you had to deal with. (like this one kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9Z5g7tkldyaYpc.html )

"I didn't even know you could read" I absolutely lost it there XD.

I'm glad to see a tier list for edo period weapons just to explore on their utility.

I'm not sure Dane axe should really go in S rather than A or even B. Given that it really does one thing well and doesn't have the reach out things like poleaxes and halberds. One of the advantages of the other polearms is that you can cut, thrust, impale, bash, etc. Lots of options.

Love the premise here. Id love to see the next their list evaluate best weapons for single combat/dueling

Great video, would recommended if you do more, make the tier list the majority of the screen and the camera the smaller portion just so that the tier list is more legible throughout the video.

Bardouch'e. Had me dying I love this channel

I love how Shad just ha to mention how bad the nunchuck is in every video.

You forgot about the greatest medieval weapon of all; sideways glock.

Tear list for last minute weapons would be interesting. Like, if a village was raided and you're a common farmer that had to use something to defend yourself, what farm impliments would be best? I'm sure there are lots of tools that could be on the list. ^-^

I need to get me a Kaftan, Shad yours looks amazing!

Imagine a world, where every country’s military is equipped with standard issue nunchucks.

At Last! A tierlist! As timely as a medieval enthusiast should be!

Here's an idea for a video, ideas you think would make weapons more effective in combat. I enjoyed your video on the Klingon arms, and I thought it could be interesting. For instance, the Executioners sword. Usually a situational tool, but what if it didn't have a blunt tip, but instead two split blade points on the end, kind of like a thicker Bident. Or perhaps it could be given serration on one side, similar to a swordbreaker, to give it some more versatility in damage and defensive potential. Just some ideas.

I love spears and polearms (with shields). Seeing my favorite type (one that apparently was actually a real thing; not just from games or my head) The Swordstaff at S tier makes me very happy!!!

ASLO: What's the best weapon for personal combat? Notice that duels ware sometimes fought with halberds. So sub-category whats the best weapon to carry for personal defense. (Probably sword.)

I'd personally put the baseline as unaltered or minimally altered natural tools. So your big stick from before, heavy rocks for bashing or throwing, etc.

The swords hanging behind Shads chair are so perfectly aligned. Its ao beautiful.

Very well thought out. I have a few suggestions. 1. Where would you put javelins and slings? they were definitely used in medieval times. Would they be a similar tier as war darts? 2. A tier list of cavalry weapons. This seems to focus on infantry. I assume that the lance is S tier, but I am especially interested in your opinion on horse archers. Otherwise a very enjoyable video.