Best weapon in FANTASY setting.

[antipirate]

I'm leaning towards a short spear and a heavy metal shield particularly if I'm fighting alone in melee(see 1st season finale of deadliest warrior, which imo was the high point of the series)if ranged weapons were part of the mix I might choose longbow over anything else, particularly if it could have spiked ends for when I used it as a bow-staff.

I must say that a halberd is tempting because of it's versatility but not being able to have a shield would be a serious drawback unless I was fighting with a group of people then I could stand behind someone, though against some slow but though fantasy creatures the halberd would probably out class the spear based on the added weight of the axe head being needed to do effective damage.

Also a glave is not just like a halberd one can probably recover from swinging it faster but to get that advantage in balance one must eschew many of the extra pointy bits and weight that make the halberd a more versatile and decisive weapon.

 

[him over there]

Obviously the choice is clear, sword canes are the best. especially umbrella sword canes. I'm stabbing in the rain, stabbing in the rain. perfect for assassination and semi formals.

 

[Alssadar]

An English billhook. Add in a sharp point on the top and make it into some form of a halberd.
The power of an axe, the anti-cavalry power of a spear (the hook can also drag off horsemen if it doesn't impale them), and is useful for any form of chopping. It also has less end-weight than a solid halberd to make it lighter ended and more agile.
Large image, I'm sorry

Spoiler

Zombies? Chopped. Any armored opponent? Hook 'em off balance and/or hack them.
Dragons? Well...

If not, standard kite shield and longsword. Can't go wrong with the basics, eh?

 

[guitarsniper]

probably some kind of axe. not too big. actually closer to something along the lines of between a tomahawk and a one-handed battleaxe. throwable, good at chopping things, can still do damage if the edge goes a bit dull, and useful as a tool in ways that a sword wouldn't be. polearms are cool, but the problem then becomes what you do when you have to fight indoors.

 

[Malty Milk Whistle]

bow/crossbow/old'ish gun/spear.
the distinguishing things about these, is that the action...is on the other end of the pole self preservation awaaaY!

 

[Ruedyn]

A dagger. You can throw it and it's okay at CQC, plus easily hidden. Not as good as a katana or somethingat CQC, but you asked for versatile.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Whichever magic macguffin is the most powerful and non-fatal to the user.

*shrug*

Too many halberds about for me to say anything else 'original'... -_-

 

[ecoho]

a metal great spear or another true polearm.(halbreds are hybrid polearms)

 

[JesterRaiin]

Let's see... Thanks for all suggestions !!!

However :
- I asked about mundane weaponry. Magic can turn pretty much anything into unstoppable, ultimate weapon. Imagine simple, stupid boulder o' instant death. There's no fun in that.

- As for slashing weapons with long reach - halberds, polearms - they need some place to take a swing. They may be handy, especialy against big enemy (be it dragon or knight on horse), however only a few steps off road, into the woods (heroes need to sh*t too) or quick visit in inn followed by brawl and such equipment becomes useless. Also, stregth requirement. No lean, etheral chick from manga swinging 50 pounds of steel and wood scenario please.

- Spears, billhoks ? I guess they are more versatile than halberds, even if they can't perform slashing attacks. Am i right here ? Also, aren't they more bulky than one handed weapons ?

- Thrown weapons. You throw the weapon. You either miss or wound enemy. You're disarmed. Now what ?

- Bows, crossbows. Useful no doubtly. Flamewars about bows vs crossbows are veeeery old, and i know i'm risking another one here, but it's strength vs speed. Also arrows are usually easier to acquire than bolts. I'm not sure which one is better. Yet, can they be drawn quickly enough when ambushed on the road ?

- Small weaponry like knives, or hidden blades. Quick, easy to hide, light, fast. Without any doubt good sidearm, or weapon of last resort. Usefulness against monsters, armored enemies as main weapon ?

- Exotic weaponry. Unlikely combinations. There's a reason that swordbows or crossbowaxes weren't mass produced.