Half Sword – All Ranks Explained

Your rank in Half Sword is the only thing that stands between you and a gruesome death in this physics-based medieval brawler. Spending hours slashing down enemies in the Gauntlet has made me realize one key thing: rank doesn’t just determine your title. Rising through ranks is the only way to get your hands on historically accurate armor and high-tiered weapons. But be warned, a higher rank also means more and more difficult bosses!

Also Read: Half Sword – How to Get and Use the Crossbow

Half Sword – Ranks Overview

Rank	Armor	Primary Weapons
Beggar	None	Fists or Knives
Peasant	None	Agricultural Tools
Commoner	None	Longswords
Militia	Light	Mixed Arms
Soldier	Medium	Swords and Shields
Veteran	Medium-Heavy	Polearms
Man-at-Arms	Heavy	Plate and Steel
Knight	Full Plate	Elite Arms (like Mace)
The Baron	Elite	Secret Tier Weapons

Half Sword – Ranking System Explained

The Gauntlet is the core of Half Sword’s rank progression system. Higher ranks are earned through winning consecutive victories. Every rank has a point threshold. The starting rank has a point cap of 1, and every subsequent rank has a +1 point cap from the previous rank. Everyone must begin their journey as a Beggar.

Once you reach the point cap of a rank, you will encounter a boss called Grete Champion. You must defeat this rank-specific boss to move up the rank ladder. If you are defeated by this boss, you will be cast into the Abyss. In Abyss, you will have one chance to prove your mettle. You must win the Abyss Redemption duel against the previous rank’s boss to redeem yourself. If you fail in this Abyss Redemption duel, you are permanently dead and will have to start again from the Beggar Rank.

Half Sword – All Ranks Explained

Beggar

This is the starting point for all players. You have absolutely no protection or any weapons. I have found that your survival as a Beggar will depend completely upon the environment and your character’s physical mass. The more mass you have, the more shoving and punching strength you will gain. You will be fighting mostly with your bare hands, but be on the lookout for some collectible weapons, such as broken bottles or small knives that can be scavenged from the arena floor.

Peasant

Even if you move one rank up, you will still be without armor. However, the Peasant rank will grant you access to some agricultural tools. These will grant you some attacks with a good reach. I highly recommend using Pitchfork in this rank. It offers good stabbing distance, which enables you to keep dangerous enemies with swords at bay. However, the enemies start becoming more powerful in this tier, so make sure to keep a safe distance from them.

Commoner

The Commoner is when you actually feel like you are playing. You finally get access to some proper weapons made from steel. While you remain unarmored, you get a Longsword as a commoner, which lets you plan your attacks and do some serious damage. I have noticed that many duels at this stage are intense because both you and your opponent can technically win the duel by one clean and calculated strike. I recommend prioritizing the strategy of your strikes, rather than speed.

Militia and Soldier

Militia and Soldier are both mid-tier ranks in Half Sword. This is where you will finally get some defensive gear or armor. Militia members typically get Gambesons. This armor offers light protection, making you safe from light slashing. Graduating to Soldier offers you Brigandines, as well as Shields. Considering that you have mastered how to kick and block, the Soldier is the best rank to practice your parrying skills, because in this rank, you will finally have enough protective layers to survive any small mistakes. You also get some decent swords in these tiers.

Veteran and Man-at-Arms

In these medium-heavy ranks, you gain access to more sophisticated weaponry. Veterans get their hands on Polearms such as Halbreds. These work great when you want to control both the force of the strike and the distance. Once you move up to Man-at-Arms, you get access to Partial Plate armor. I recommend that you focus on spacing here (similar to starting ranks), as your opponents in this rank will be more skilled and exploit any opening in your defense.

Knight

The Knight is the highest playable rank in the game. Once you become a Knight, you will gain access to a complete steel plate full-body armor set, historically accurate to the ones knights of the 15th century wore. I have noticed that traditional swords prove useless for the enemies at this stage. I recommend using Mace as your primary weapon to create openings in your opponents’ armor and finish them with forceful blows.

The Baron

The Baron is a secretive elite-tier rank in Half Sword. It is reserved for the players who conquer the final boss challenge. You will have to defeat The Baron to gain this rank. You gain access to more elite weapons after you achieve this rank and get some upgrades for your armor.

Best Strategies for Ranking Up

Climbing the ladder of ranks in Half Sword requires more than aggressive slashes and swings. I have put together some key strategies that will help you rise through the ranks:

• In the first three ranks, I recommend using weapons with reach, like Pitchfork or Longswords. If you are just starting, try to keep as much distance between you and your opponent as possible.
• Creating larger character models is beneficial when you are starting. They have more physical momentum, so you can easily shove your opponents in the beggar brawls.
• When facing Knights or Veterans, I highly suggest targeting their necks, armpits, and the back of their knees. The game’s physics engine recognizes the natural gaps in their armor at these places.
• Use the randomization at the start of each rank. You get one of these free with each new rank, so use it wisely and make sure you are not getting stuck with a weapon you dislike.
• Do not ignore your environment. Use the debris or fallen bodies to your advantage. You can trip your opponent over them and create an opening for a strike.
• Focus on movement in the group fights. Try to keep your opponents lined up, so they will end up blocking each other and have a hard time reaching you.
• Manage your stamina carefully. An exhausted dueller can be easily knocked down. Also, keep an eye out for your enemy’s exhaustion, as you can knock them down and execute them quickly.

FAQs

How can I achieve the Baron rank in Half Sword?

You must defeat the final boss to achieve The Baron rank. Complete the Knight tier and the subsequent Ultimate Challenge to unlock The Baron.

Will I lose my rank if I die?

No. You will have a chance to redeem yourself through the Abyss Redemption duel. However, if you lose this duel as well, you will lose your rank and have to start from the Beggar.

Is there any benefit to using gear from previous tiers?

Yes. Using a loadout from the previous tier (such as using Man-at-Arms weapons when you are a Knight) offers a Score Multiplier. I have used this to my advantage to reach the boss fight threshold more easily.

Can I practice defeating high-tiered enemies without losing my progress?

Yes. You can use the Free Mode to play an unlocked rank (with randomized loadouts) to practice weapon proficiency without losing your progress.