Longsword

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The longsword is a melee weapon in RimWorld that does a large amount of damage, has a long cooldown, and deals sharp damage.

Acquisition

Longswords can be crafted at any smithy, once the Long Blades research has been completed, from 100 Stuff (Metallic/Woody), and 18,000 ticks (5 mins) of work.

Longswords can be purchased from any outlander and orbital combat suppliers, or obtained from outlander and pirate raiders.

Analysis

The longsword has the highest base DPS out of any melee weapon in Core RimWorld.

In the Royalty DLC, they are surpassed by the monosword and other ultratech weapons, though those can't be crafted by your colony. A masterwork plasteel longsword beats a normal persona monosword and excellent monosword, at least before considering AP.

Comparisons

Comparison to maces

The longsword is naturally compared to the mace - the mace is the strongest craftable Blunt weapon in Core RimWorld, while the longsword is the strongest Sharp weapon. Maces cost 50, half as much as the sword. They require only Smithing research, rather than Long Blades. In addition, blunt weapons are best with uranium, while sharp weapons are best with plasteel. Uranium is a cheaper material, and generally less useful throughout the game.

In terms of raw damage, the longsword has +14% more base DPS than the mace. However, most enemies with armor will have much more Sharp armor than Blunt armor. For example, a flak vest has 100% Sharp armor, but only 40% Blunt armor. While the mace has less AP, most enemies have little blunt armor, resulting in an "armor-piercing" effect.

Breakpoints for when each weapon is better vary by quality and material.

In general, a plasteel longsword beats the same quality uranium mace against unarmored humans and lightly armored humans, such as flak jackets without the corresponding vest. The sword is also better against light mechs like scythers and lancers.
The uranium mace would do better against flak vests and all sorts of power armor, as well as larger mechs like centipedes. For example, a normal uranium mace deals +20.6% DPS to a centipede when compared to a normal plasteel longsword. (In raw DPS, before intricacies documented below)

Similar comparisons can be made between steel longswords vs steel maces.

Damage and AP are easily the most important factors for performance, especially at lower qualities. Regardless, this comparison can get significantly more complicated, even without factoring material cost. These details are documented below.

Sharp vs Blunt

There are a large amount of mechanics surrounding the damage types of the longsword and mace. For their "Best" attack, maces deal Blunt damage. Longswords deal either Stab or Cut damage. Best attacks are the most likely to hit (75%); for sake of simplicity, "Mid" attacks are ignored. They are listed in rough order of importance.

Cut damage deals bonus damage. Specifically, if a Cut damage activates a cleave, then total damage is multiplied by 140%, then split between body parts. This means that a Cut attack inflicts more pain on a pawn, causing pain shock. Pain shock is the most common way to down / kill enemies in combat. Even with painless mechanoids, dealing enough HP of damage will cause a pawn to die, even if you never destroy a vital body part.

The chance to cleave is 40%. This improves sword DPS by 116% on average, and the sword already is better in terms of raw DPS.

Spreading the damage between body parts may prevent outright destroying body parts, which could be more devastating than extra damage.

Blunt weapons have superior overkill damage mechanics. If a Stab would destroy a body part, then any further damage is wasted. If a Blunt attack would destroy a body part, damage is spread to the parent part. In other words: if a sword would stab off a finger, the mace would smash the finger and damage the arm in the process.

Meanwhile, Cut damage has a chance to cleave an opponent. If cut damage happens to get a part to 0 HP, then it is much more likely to destroy it. The mace remains superior - it is more likely to cripple/destroy larger body parts whilst not wasting damage.

Overkill is unlikely to matter for weapons below masterwork quality. Plasteel / uranium weapons at excellent quality will barely be able to destroy larger body parts, like the arms, in 1 hit, meaning overkill damage is almost nonexistent. Lower qualities won't be able to destroy large parts in 1 hit. With lower qualities, overkill is only relevant if a body part is hit twice in a row. This is much less important than DPS and the pain it inflicts.

Blunt weapons can stun enemies, though the chance is small. If a blunt weapon hits the torso or a equivalent body part (a scyther's thorax, a centipede 1st body ring...), then the target has a chance to be stunned for a short time. This is completely independent from EMP and mechanoid adaptation. Stun chance depends on the target's health scale and the damage done. A normal uranium mace hitting a human would have a 2.7% chance to stun per hit to the torso.

Blunt weapons can also stun if they hit the brain. But a uranium mace of at least Poor quality will always one-shot a human brain (unless it is fully negated by armor, in which case it wouldn't stun).

Sharp weapons cause bleeding. However, bleeding is unlikely to help the player, since melee engagements are usually over long before combat penalties due to blood loss can kick in. This may even be a disadvantage, as it makes it harder to save prisoners and causes infections.

Attack table

Feature	Toggle
Attacks
Quality

Longsword				Handle (Poke)					Point (Stab)					Blade (Cut)					Human: Left & rigth fist (Blunt)					HP	Value
Quality	Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value
Awful	Bioferrite	8.1	29.3%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	23.92	2.6s	35.36%	9.2	37.5%	23.92	2.6s	35.36%	9.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	119
Awful	Gold	5.03	18.17%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	13.8	2.6s	20.4%	5.31	37.5%	13.8	2.6s	20.4%	5.31	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	5030
Awful	Plasteel	8.43	25.22%	6.48	1.6s	9.36%	4.05	8.33%	20.24	2.08s	29.92%	9.73	37.5%	20.24	2.08s	29.92%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	520
Awful	Silver	5.59	20.21%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	15.64	2.6s	23.12%	6.02	37.5%	15.64	2.6s	23.12%	6.02	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	530
Awful	Steel	6.44	23.27%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	18.4	2.6s	27.2%	7.08	37.5%	18.4	2.6s	27.2%	7.08	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	127
Awful	Uranium	6.55	25.74%	10.8	2.2s	15.6%	4.91	8.33%	20.24	2.86s	29.92%	7.08	37.5%	20.24	2.86s	29.92%	7.08	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	360
Awful	Wood	3.77	11.59%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	7.36	2.6s	10.88%	2.83	8.33%	7.36	2.6s	10.88%	2.83	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	83
Poor	Bioferrite	9.04	32.71%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	26.91	2.6s	39.78%	10.35	37.5%	26.91	2.6s	39.78%	10.35	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	178
Poor	Gold	5.59	20.19%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	15.53	2.6s	22.95%	5.97	37.5%	15.53	2.6s	22.95%	5.97	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	7545
Poor	Plasteel	9.4	28.12%	7.29	1.6s	10.53%	4.56	8.33%	22.77	2.08s	33.66%	10.95	37.5%	22.77	2.08s	33.66%	10.95	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	780
Poor	Silver	6.22	22.48%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	17.6	2.6s	26.01%	6.77	37.5%	17.6	2.6s	26.01%	6.77	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	800
Poor	Steel	7.17	25.93%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	191
Poor	Uranium	7.31	28.71%	12.15	2.2s	17.55%	5.52	8.33%	22.77	2.86s	33.66%	7.96	37.5%	22.77	2.86s	33.66%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	540
Poor	Wood	3.88	11.92%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	8.28	2.6s	12.24%	3.18	8.33%	8.28	2.6s	12.24%	3.18	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	124
Normal	Bioferrite	9.99	36.13%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	235
Normal	Gold	6.14	22.21%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	10060
Normal	Plasteel	10.37	31.03%	8.1	1.6s	11.7%	5.06	8.33%	25.3	2.08s	37.4%	12.16	37.5%	25.3	2.08s	37.4%	12.16	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	1045
Normal	Silver	6.85	24.76%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1065
Normal	Steel	7.9	28.58%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	255
Normal	Uranium	8.07	31.68%	13.5	2.2s	19.5%	6.14	8.33%	25.3	2.86s	37.4%	8.85	37.5%	25.3	2.86s	37.4%	8.85	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	725
Normal	Wood	3.92	12.33%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	25%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 25%	65	165
Good	Bioferrite	10.98	39.68%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	25%	32.89	2.6s	48.62%	12.65	37.5%	32.89	2.6s	48.62%	12.65	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	295
Good	Gold	6.7	24.23%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	18.98	2.6s	28.05%	7.3	37.5%	18.98	2.6s	28.05%	7.3	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	10560
Good	Plasteel	11.79	34.07%	8.91	1.6s	12.87%	5.57	25%	27.83	2.08s	41.14%	13.38	37.5%	27.83	2.08s	41.14%	13.38	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1305
Good	Silver	7.48	27.03%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	21.51	2.6s	31.79%	8.27	37.5%	21.51	2.6s	31.79%	8.27	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1330
Good	Steel	8.64	31.24%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	25.3	2.6s	37.4%	9.73	37.5%	25.3	2.6s	37.4%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	320
Good	Uranium	8.82	34.64%	14.85	2.2s	21.45%	6.75	8.33%	27.83	2.86s	41.14%	9.73	37.5%	27.83	2.86s	41.14%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	905
Good	Wood	4.32	13.02%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	75%	10.12	2.6s	14.96%	3.89	6.25%	10.12	2.6s	14.96%	3.89	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	205
Excellent	Bioferrite	11.98	43.29%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	25%	35.88	2.6s	53.04%	13.8	37.5%	35.88	2.6s	53.04%	13.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	355
Excellent	Gold	7.26	26.25%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	11060
Excellent	Plasteel	12.86	37.17%	9.72	1.6s	14.04%	6.08	25%	30.36	2.08s	44.88%	14.6	37.5%	30.36	2.08s	44.88%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1565
Excellent	Silver	8.11	29.31%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	23.46	2.6s	34.68%	9.02	37.5%	23.46	2.6s	34.68%	9.02	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1595
Excellent	Steel	9.37	33.9%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	27.6	2.6s	40.8%	10.62	37.5%	27.6	2.6s	40.8%	10.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	380
Excellent	Uranium	9.58	37.61%	16.2	2.2s	23.4%	7.36	8.33%	30.36	2.86s	44.88%	10.62	37.5%	30.36	2.86s	44.88%	10.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	1085
Excellent	Wood	4.67	14.07%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	75%	11.04	2.6s	16.32%	4.25	6.25%	11.04	2.6s	16.32%	4.25	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	250
Masterwork	Bioferrite	14.47	52.31%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	25%	43.36	2.6s	64.09%	16.68	37.5%	43.36	2.6s	64.09%	16.68	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	590
Masterwork	Gold	8.66	31.3%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	25.01	2.6s	36.98%	9.62	37.5%	25.01	2.6s	36.98%	9.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	12060
Masterwork	Plasteel	15.54	44.91%	11.75	1.6s	16.97%	7.34	25%	36.69	2.08s	54.23%	17.64	37.5%	36.69	2.08s	54.23%	17.64	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	2605
Masterwork	Silver	9.68	35%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	28.35	2.6s	41.91%	10.9	37.5%	28.35	2.6s	41.91%	10.9	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	2660
Masterwork	Steel	11.54	41.69%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	25%	33.35	2.6s	49.3%	12.83	37.5%	33.35	2.6s	49.3%	12.83	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	635
Masterwork	Uranium	12.03	47.74%	19.58	2.2s	28.28%	8.9	25%	36.69	2.86s	54.23%	12.83	37.5%	36.69	2.86s	54.23%	12.83	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	1810
Masterwork	Wood	5.54	16.69%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	75%	13.34	2.6s	19.72%	5.13	6.25%	13.34	2.6s	19.72%	5.13	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	415
Legendary	Bioferrite	18.98	72.93%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	0%	49.34	2.6s	72.93%	18.98	50%	49.34	2.6s	72.93%	18.98	50%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	1185
Legendary	Gold	9.78	35.34%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	28.46	2.6s	42.08%	10.95	37.5%	28.46	2.6s	42.08%	10.95	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	13060
Legendary	Plasteel	17.68	51.11%	13.37	1.6s	19.31%	8.35	25%	41.75	2.08s	61.71%	20.07	37.5%	41.75	2.08s	61.71%	20.07	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	4045
Legendary	Silver	10.94	39.55%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	32.26	2.6s	47.69%	12.41	37.5%	32.26	2.6s	47.69%	12.41	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	4065
Legendary	Steel	13.13	47.44%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	25%	37.95	2.6s	56.1%	14.6	37.5%	37.95	2.6s	56.1%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	1275
Legendary	Uranium	13.68	54.33%	22.28	2.2s	32.18%	10.13	25%	41.75	2.86s	61.71%	14.6	37.5%	41.75	2.86s	61.71%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	3615
Legendary	Wood	6.24	18.78%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	75%	15.18	2.6s	22.44%	5.84	6.25%	15.18	2.6s	22.44%	5.84	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	825

^{For the full effects of qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.
↑ Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder