What is a True Melee Weapon?
When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, melee weapons are a crucial part of any arsenal. In today’s world of combat sports, video games, and medieval reenactments, the term "melee weapon" is thrown around quite frequently. However, not all melee weapons are created equal, and not all of them deal "true melee damage". In this article, we will delve into the world of melee weapons, explore the concept of true melee, and discuss the different types of melee weapons.
What is a Melee Weapon?
A melee weapon is a handheld weapon that is designed to be used in close combat, typically within a short distance from the user. Examples of melee weapons include swords, knives, daggers, and clubs. These weapons are designed to deliver blunt or sharp force to an opponent, with the intention of incapacitating or disabling them.
True Melee Damage
But what does it mean for a weapon to deal "true melee damage"? True melee damage refers to damage that is caused by the weapon itself, as opposed to projectiles or explosives. In other words, if a weapon deals damage solely through physical contact with an opponent, it is considered to be dealing true melee damage. Examples of true melee weapons include swords, knives, and maces.
True Melee Weapons vs. Non-True Melee Weapons
So, what’s the difference between a true melee weapon and a non-true melee weapon? Let’s look at some examples.
- True Melee Weapon: A sword is a great example of a true melee weapon. It is a handheld weapon that is designed to be used in close combat, and its damage is caused solely by physical contact with an opponent.
- Non-True Melee Weapon: A flamethrower is a great example of a non-true melee weapon. While it is handheld, its damage is not caused by physical contact, but rather by the heat of the flames it emits.
Types of Melee Weapons
There are many different types of melee weapons, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Here are a few examples:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sword | A handheld, typically bladed weapon designed for close combat. |
| Knife | A small, handheld, typically bladed weapon designed for close combat. |
| Club | A blunt instrument designed to deliver force to an opponent. |
| Axe | A bladed weapon with a handle and a sharpened edge, used for chopping and cutting. |
Murasama and Starlight
Let’s take a closer look at two specific examples of melee weapons: the Murasama and the Starlight.
- Murasama: The Murasama is a unique hardmode melee weapon in the game Terraria. While it visually resembles a sword and has a similar attack motion to shortswords, the sword itself does not actually deal damage. For this reason, it is instead classified as a projectile-only melee weapon.
- Starlight: The Starlight is a boomerang-like projectile weapon that is thrown at an opponent. While it does deal damage, it does not deal true melee damage because its damage is not caused by physical contact.
Counter Melee
Finally, let’s touch on the concept of "counter melee". Counter melee refers to a technique used in some melee weapons to parry or block incoming attacks. This can be done by timing a quick button press before an incoming attack lands on the user. The purpose of counter melee is to allow the user to turn an enemy’s attack against them, or to gain a moment of advantage in close combat.
In conclusion, true melee weapons are those that deal damage solely through physical contact with an opponent. There are many different types of melee weapons, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. While not all melee weapons deal true melee damage, some weapons like the Murasama and Starlight use different techniques to deal damage to an opponent. Finally, counter melee is a technique used in some melee weapons to parry or block incoming attacks and gain an advantage in close combat.