There is something very human about hoarding weapons in Bannerlord. You swear you will pick the sensible option, then you spot a sword with a pommel the size of a toddler and your brain quietly goes yes this is who I am now. One handed weapons hit a sweet spot in the game. They suit shield users, cavalry, arena enjoyers and anyone who has accidentally overextended and needs to fix the situation before their entire frontline collapses. What follows is my honest ranking of the strongest one handed weapons in Bannerlord, written with more affection than judgement.
1. Fine Steel Kavkaz Mace
This thing turns armoured enemies into mildly dented problems. Maces scale beautifully in the late game because armour keeps getting thicker, yet this handy lump of metal never stops delivering. It is not glamorous, but it is brutally reliable. If you like hearing the very specific sound Bannerlord makes when plate armour gives up, here you go.
2. Masterwork Gladius
For anyone who wants a tight, efficient blade with zero fuss. It is quick, it is sharp and it does not pretend to be a cavalry weapon. It excels in tight formations, alley brawls and the general chaos that happens when your troops forget what a shield wall is. I love it for city fights. It feels very Roman, very practical, very I am here to get this done.
3. Fine Steel Spatha
The spatha is the well balanced older sibling of the gladius. It has the reach, the versatility and a reliable swing that feels great on horseback. If you love cavalry but still want to hop off and do respectable work on foot, this is the blade. Nothing dramatic. Just solid performance and elegant damage.
4. Heavy Warrazor
Do not let the name fool you. It sounds like something a teenager would engrave on a skateboard, but the weapon itself is a monster. Fast swings, high cut damage and a reach that bails you out when you panic swing while backing away from a Vlandian with too much confidence. Not refined, but very fun.
5. Reinforced Highland Broadsword
Sturgia may not commit to central heating but they do know their metalwork. This broadsword gives you punchy damage with surprisingly graceful handling. It thrives in shield infantry lines where you need to break blocks, trade hits and still keep pace with a formation that cannot decide if it is disciplined or feral.
6. Decorated Eastern Sabre
The sabre is for players who like to feel stylish even when collapsing an enemy flank. It does not hit as hard as the chunkier swords, but its speed makes up for it. Perfect for Khuzait style cavalry manoeuvres. You feel like a menace in the best possible way.
7. Morningstar
Here is the part where subtlety leaves the chat. The morningstar rewards patience, timing and a mild disregard for structural integrity. It is slower than a mace but hits much harder. Great for players who enjoy watching armour rethink its life choices. Not ideal for beginners, but wildly satisfying once you understand its rhythm.
8. Arming Sword with Fine Steel Blade
The classic knightly arming sword. It will not win awards for innovation, yet it never lets you down. It is the weapon equivalent of the reliable friend who brings snacks to group work sessions. Quick, balanced and perfect for shield fighting. A great all round option for early and mid game.
9. Tribal Throwing Knife (as a backup)
Yes this is cheating a little, but anyone who has used these knows why they are on the list. One moment the enemy is charging, the next they are lying down reconsidering their choices. You draw them fast, they hit hard and they sometimes save your life more effectively than your actual sword.
10. Northern Shortsword
The shortsword is the emergency tool of the Bannerlord world. It shines in cramped siege towers, ladders and alleyways where reach basically becomes decoration. Fast swings, fast thrusts and a surprising ability to keep you alive when you should have been flattened thirty seconds ago.
How I Ranked These Weapons
I focused on real combat scenarios rather than ideal stat sheets. Cavalry use, shield synergy, siege practicality, late game enemy armour and general Bannerlord chaos all factored into the list. A weapon that works in more of those situations naturally climbs higher. After all, the game rarely gives you the perfect conditions for weapon testing. Most of the time you are sprinting up a ladder hoping gravity works in your favour.
Seven Swords Takeaway
Bannerlord’s one handed weapons reward players who adapt, experiment and occasionally panic-buy gear from a suspiciously cheerful town merchant. There is no single champion for every situation, but the options above give you a toolkit for almost anything the game throws at you. Pick the one that feels right and enjoy the satisfying clatter of metal meeting unfortunate foe.
