melee weapons

There are different categories of weapons in Steam’n’Steel:

Short one-handed weapons: Dagger, knives, mallets, punching rings…
Standard one-handed weapons: Swords, sabers, hand axes, clubs…
Two-handed weapons: Long-handled axe, two-handed swords, half-long war-scythe…
Two-handed weapons: Battle axe, gutter-smasher, war-scythe…

Each weapon has the following properties: Damage, Range, Strength modifier and possible Bonuses.

Damage: This is added to the net successes of the comparative combat test.
Strength modifier: Increases damage when you are strong. For achieving the Strength modifier and every multiple of the modifier you deal an additional point of damage. You cannot wield a weapon for which you do not exceed at least half of the damage modifier.
Range: Indicates how far the weapon reaches. With different ranges you can gain a positional advantage on your attack instead of dealing damage. If that works, you have +1 to your attack until the other gains a positional advantage.
Bonuses: Possible special features of a weapon class.

Short one-handed weapons:

Can be worn concealed and readied in one action. Quick to hand and suitable for a surprise attack.
Can wield a shield or use a second one-handed weapon.
If you attack with two one-handed weapons in one action you must split your skill dice in that action between the two attacks. For that, the opponent must perform two defense actions.
Shields grant bonus dice to the combat check depending on size: Small shields grant one die, large shields two dice.

Standard one-handed weapons:

Can wield a shield or use a second one-handed weapon.
If you attack with two one-handed weapons in one action you must split your skill dice in that action between the two attacks. For that, the opponent must perform two defense actions.
Shields grant bonus dice to the combat check depending on size: Small shields grant one die, large shields two dice.

Two-handed halberds

Against a two-handed halberd you cannot gain a positional advantage, but it can gain one.

Two-handed weapons:

Weapon type	Damage	Bonuses	Strength modifier
One-handed, short	1	Concealment, Shield, Two Weapons	3
One-handed, standard	2	Shield, Two Weapons	3
Two-handed halberd	3	two ranges	4
Two-handed	4		4