History UsefulNotes / WhenYouNeedSomethingDead

* Big Guns: Artillery, Cannons, or just Guns. They are too large for a single person to carry, so must be moved by vehicles, or work animals or teams of people in earlier times. The earliest cannons fired stone balls, changing to metal and later explosive shells as time went on, plus grapeshot/canister (lots of smalll pellets like shotgun) during the musket era. Powerful enough big guns can shoot beyond what they can see, doing this is called indirect fire and needs different aiming techniques and often scouting to accurately hit their targets. Big gun projectiles can kill lots of people at once, even solid cannonballs could hit lots of people with lots of energy to kill or injure a lot at a time. They can also fire farther than handheld weapons, and throw projectiles with enough power, or explosive force, to attack fortifications, a major use throughout their history. Modern version include artillery and vehicle mounted guns such as tank guns. They may be towed using separate transport or be attached to a vehicle permanently.

* Battering Ram: A pure siege weapon. Famously used to attack gates, could also attack walls. they require good coordination by the people working the ram. They were often covered, getting close to a wall makes it easy to shoot the rammers, or even drop things on them.

* Polearms: Simply put, BladeOnAStick. This can be a spear, glaive, halberd, naginata or pollaxe. Polearms were the primary weapon of pre-industrial militaries, not swords, contrary to popular belief. Swords require a good deal of metal and time to forge them well, and even more time to learn/teach someone to use effectively. Although intricate fighting systems such as naginatajutsu exist for polearms, the essence of it on the field was "stick the pointy end into the other guy". Much easier to drill. The modern concept of a bayonet essentially allows a firearm to function as one (if by 'modern' [[OlderThanTheyThink you mean 'since someone noticed longarms were long and a wood/metal mix]]).

** Longbows: made famous by the English, this is pretty much what it sounds like: a larger, longer bow (as tall as the user or taller), with a higher draw strength (the force used to pull the string back). All of this makes the longbow shoot greater distances with more force. The weapon of choice for raining arrows in fiction.

** Anti-Handling Device: A dirty trick used to kill enemy minesweepers--a second, hidden detonator meant to trigger the mine (or sometimes a separate explosive) if it's opened, dug up, or otherwise disturbed. These can be as simple as wedging a grenade with its pin removed under the mine, so that its safety lever pops out if the mine is shifted.

* GrenadeLauncher: Large bore (usually 40mm in diameter) weapon firing a large, typically explosive projectile (though a variety of payloads exist for most of these devices, such as smoke, incendiary, etcetera). Many are attachments used on other weapons; examples of this type include the M203 and M320 used by American forces and the GP series of Russia. Others, like the Milkor MGL and the M79, are used as standalone weapons systems.
** The earliest versions consisted of a muzzle attachment and special ammunition, used to launch a grenade that was fixed to the barrel of the infantryman's weapon. These ''rifle grenades'' were heavy, awkward, and could physically damage the barrels of the weapons they were used in (making them uselessly inaccurate for practical combat usage), and so they fell out of favour in the decades following World War II, being replaced by either underbarrel or standalone launcher systems, or shoulder-fired weapons.
* Rocket Launcher: Very large, very heavy weapon firing rockets. Usually only used against tough targets like tanks, they can either be reusable or disposable. This type includes the [=AT4=] of [[strike:America]] Sweden, a one shot disposable system; the ubiquitous RPG series of Russia; and the Shoulder Mounted Assault Weapon, or SMAW, of America. Some models (such as the aforementioned [=AT4=]) are actually 'recoilless rifles', which operate a bit more like cannons and offset their recoil by ejecting material from the back of the launching system, but they both serve the same general purpose so the distinction is generally academic in most cases.

* Land Mine: One of the best ways to deter an enemy from chasing you, or to simply deny access to an area (or route, or etc.), land mines are either manually-detonated or sensor-triggered. The most basic version is simply a hand grenade with the pin removed or loosened but the grenade's activation lever held in place by a line or cord under tension. When something disturbs the line, the lever is released and the grenade is free to detonate. Certain types can use pressure plates or other triggers, but the end result is the same. Larger ones might only be triggered by a sufficiently high weight (such as a tank's treads, but not an infantryman's boot) and pack a commensurately powerful charge. Notably illegal under most of UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar, specifically the Ottawa Treaty, as a retreating army rarely has the opportunity (or inclination) to disarm and retrieve their own mines, and they can very easily cause civilian casualties - unfortunately the highest-profile cases often being children. Crude, homemade versions are usually referred to as an "improvized explosive device".

* Combat Knife: Usually kept as ''the'' last resort for any soldier. Short, light, nimble, easy to use and capable of almost anything, although their main use is as tools. One example is the American KA-BAR knife, which used to be in service with the [[SemperFi Marine Corps]].
** Bayonet: A knife you can fit onto the front of your rifle, thereby giving you a short spear. Bayonets have been used for centuries, and were decisive weapons in the days before repeating firearms.

* Axes: Contrary to popular belief, a weapon made for slicing and dicing, not chopping and cleaving. They do it just as well as a sword, for less than half the price, materials, and training (And, consequently, significantly less prestige). Extremely reliable, cheap to fix, and works wonders as a combat hook to trip enemies or control their weapons. May serve double duty as a tool, in some cases. Ranges in size from "throwable" to "this counts as a polearm." Affix the top of the axe with a point for stabbing, and you essentially have a sword that doubles as a hook. Never was actually symmetrical/double bladed, except in one specific case during the Bronze Age known as the Labrys.
** Hatchet, tomahawk, keteriya, boarding axe: Smaller axes made specifically to serve as tools in the off-hours, hunting food, whittling wood, cutting branches or ropes, and skinning animals. Often depicted as being dual wielded, but this was less than practical, although some Native American martial art styles involve dual wielding a tomahawk with a knife. The only axe that still sees limited modern military use, for it's survival utility.
** One-handed axe, Ono, Labrys, Yue: With less prestige than a sword, most regular axes go unnamed. Such is the most common variant, which can only be called one-handed more often than not. Often found accompanying a shield, and the two are extremely effective when combined. Was also extremely useful ''against'' shields; where spears and swords get stuck, an axe breaks wooden shields with gusto.

** [[PistolWhipping Guns.]] If an enemy gets within reach of you, especially when you are trying to reload, your only option might be to [[ImprovisedWeapon club them with your firearm]]. Many military forces train in the use of a rifle as a melee weapon for this reason.

** Fully-automatic Shotgun: Just what it sounds like, a weapon that takes a simple shotgun and turns the [[MoreDakka dakka]] factor UpToEleven. Sadly, this type of weapon didn't quite take off, simply because there aren't enough situations were you'd NEED a full-auto shotgun--unfortunately, you always need your weapon to be cheaper and more reliable, both of which automatic shotguns are less spectacular at compared to their slower firing cousins. Example: USAS-12, AA-12.

* [[ShotgunsAreJustBetter Shotgun]]: Large bore weapon firing buckshot or solid slugs. Generally effective to the same range as [=SMGs=], but have greater spread. Some models are have rifled barrels, but this is uncommon; it doesn't help much with shot (or can even be actively detrimental) even when it does help with slugs. Pump action is the most popular, examples of this type include the Remington 870 Modular Combat Shotgun and Winchester 1200 of America; but semiautomatic models are becoming more popular, examples of this type include the Saiga series of Russia. Their larger caliber allows for more unusual payloads than smaller firearms, such as taser darts, miniaturized grenades, or pyrotechnic 'fire-breathing' rounds, though many of them are of questionable effectiveness and even more questionable aerodynamics.

* Semi-automatic pistol: Magazine-loaded and can be held in one hand. Small and light, but very low power. Usually only good to fifty meters, although given normal human marksmanship, seldom effective past 10M. Examples: TT-33, Makarov PM, Browning Hi-Power, Walther P38, HK USP 9, Sig Sauer P226.
** Machine pistol: A fully-automatic pistol. Pretty much the poster child for AwesomeButImpractical. Of only extremely specialized use. Examples: Stechkin, Vz 68.
* Revolver: For a time, the revolver was the sidearm of choice for many people, used in the times of TheWildWest up to World War II, eventually being replaced by semi-automatic weaponry. Put simply, it features several separate chambers for each bullet, arranged in a circle that can simply rotate to ready the next round. Revolvers have been out of favor with most world militaries for more than a century now, their only real domain being large bore big game handgun hunting.
* GrenadeLauncher: Large bore weapon firing a large, typically explosive projectile (though a variety of payloads exist for most of these devices, such as smoke, incendiary, etcetera). Many are attachments used on other weapons; examples of this type include the M203 and M320 used by American forces and the GP series of Russia. Others, like the Milkor MGL and the M79, are used as standalone weapons systems.
** The earliest versions consisted of a muzzle attachment and special ammunition, used to launch a grenade that was fixed to the barrel of the infantryman's weapon. These ''rifle grenades'' were heavy, awkward, and could physically damage the barrels of the weapons they were used in, and so they fell out of favour in the decades following World War II, being replaced by either underbarrel or standalone launcher systems, or shoulder-fired weapons.

** Missile Launcher: Usually even bigger and heavier than a Rocket Launcher due to the added targeting hardware required, these weapons are used when you need to be sure of a hit. Guided missiles can track targets via several means, with most being either infrared or electro-optically guided. Depending on the design, they can be used against aircraft (such as the FIM-92 Stinger) or against ground targets (such as the FGM-148 Javelin). The largest models consist of a standalone launcher and connected guidance unit, allowing the operators to place the (relatively disposable) launching unit somewhere and then launch from a different location, making it much harder for their enemies to react effectively; even if the enemy figures out where the missile came from, the team who fired it were nowhere near that spot to begin with and are long gone by the time a thorough search can be carried out. More advanced models can also follow an indirect flight path and strike targets in more vulnerable locations such as their weaker top armour, further increasing their anti-tank capabilities.

** Heavy Machinegun: A step up from the general purpose. These things are almost always mounted on vehicles or implacements rather than carried, on account of the lightest of them starting at about 75 pounds before ammo and mounts. These things can destroy cover, men, and lighter armored vehicles from hundreds of meters away. They used calibers such as 12.7x99mm (50 BMG), 12.7x108mm, and 14.5x114mm. Examples: Browning M2, [=DShK=], KPV, Kord, NSV.
* SniperRifle: Extreme range weapons for specialized troops. Many are modified civilian hunting rifles. They are chambered in full power rifle calibers and have optimum ranges of between 600M and 1KM. For longer shots, anti-materiel rifles, which fire HMG rounds, are used.\\
Best at very long range, 1000-2000 meters and beyond. Examples: M24, SV-98, Mosin-Nagant 91/30, Z93, Barret M82.

** Personal Defense Weapon: The PDW is an attempt at giving new life to the SMG by creating new rounds to defeat armor in a bid to appeal to militaries with non-combat personnel who nevertheless might need to fight, such as truck drivers and artillerymen. The PDW concept has been a commercial flop for several reasons. Firstly, compact assault rifles are just better and easier for militaries. Secondly, everything about them is proprietary; proprietary magazines, ammo, parts... Thirdly, PDW rounds (5.7x28 and 4.6x30) are both tiny and lack stopping power. Fourthly, armor-piercing ammunition for the already long-established calibers such as 7.62x25, 9x18, and 9x19, all of which are far more lethal and economical and versatile than the newcomers.
* [[ShotgunsAreJustBetter Shotgun]]: Large bore weapon firing buckshot. Generally effective to the same range as [=SMGs=], but have greater spread. Can be loaded with slugs and rifled for better accuracy, but it's not typical. Pump action is the most popular, examples of this type include the Remington 870 Modular Combat Shotgun and Winchester 1200 of America; but semiautomatic models are becoming more popular, examples of this type include the Saiga series of Russia.

* GrenadeLauncher: Large bore weapon firing an explosive projectile. Many are attachments used on other weapons; examples of this type include the M203 and M320 used by American forces and the GP series of Russia. Others, like the Milkor MGL and the M79, are used as standalone weapons systems.
* Rocket Launcher: Very large, very heavy weapon firing rockets. Usually only used against tough targets. This type includes the [=AT4=] of [[strike:America]] Sweden, a one shot disposable system; the RPG series of Russia; and the Shoulder Mounted Assault Weapon, or SMAW, of America. Some fire homing missiles, like the FIM-92 Stinger, for use against aircraft.
* Hand Grenade: Only goes as far as you can throw it, and [[HoistByHisOwnPetard many can create blast effects much farther than that]] (so TakeCover after you toss). Comes in two types: stick grenades, which are more or less bombs on sticks and can be thrown a fair distance, but have mostly fallen out of service; and regular hand grenades, sometimes referred to as "pineapple" or "lemon" grenades, which can't be thrown as far. Create blast and shrapnel clouds, which can cause injuries at up to fifteen meters. One example is the M67 "pineapple" grenade of America. In the Russian military, standard hand grenades are called "offensive grenades", and heavy hand grenades with a burst radius greater than their throw range are "defensive", meant to be thrown from cover.

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