Editing Armament (section)

==Weapons==
The weapons carried generally reflect those of the prototype armies and by far the most common is the sword. This is to a very real extent the mark of a soldier and so carried by all, although it may not necessarily be the soldier's primary weapon. 

[[Castle]]-forged weapons are of high quality, generally better than those produced by [[smith]]s in the cities. However, usually only [[knight]]s and nobles can afford them. The rarest and most desired swords are those forged in [[Valyrian Freehold|Old Valyria]], of [[Valyrian steel]]. These swords are stronger, lighter, and sharper than all others (except perhaps for [[Dawn]]), and the steel is typically dark, almost black. The secrets of forging them have been lost and there are perhaps only a couple of hundred of them left in Westeros, mostly as prized heirlooms by noble houses.{{ref|ASOS|32}}

Other weapons are also common. Almost everyone carries a knife or dagger, as they are useful and practical in many circumstances. Effective spears and mauls are relatively cheap to make and are, thus, popular weapons for men-at-arms. A cheap spear can still be a good weapon; the same cannot be said of a cheap sword.{{ref|ADWD|66}}

===Lances===
[[File:Stark Bannerman by graikfaik.jpg|thumb|[[House Stark]] cavalry, by graikfaik ©]]
* A war [[lance]] is a weapon of heavy cavalry, such as [[knight]]s and [[northern cavalry]]. They are often eight feet long, made of turned ash, and banded to prevent splitting. The lance is tipped with a steel point sharpened to drive through plate,{{ref|THK}} and is normally used for a single charge before becoming too unwieldy in close combat.
* [[Tourney]] lances are longer and more fragile than their battlefield cousins. Their tips are blunted to better unhorse an opponent without causing serious harm, and they are unbanded, meaning that they will often break upon impact. A tourney lance is normally twelve feet long.{{ref|THK}}

===Polearms===
* The [[w:halberd|halberd]] has a heavy, cleaver-like blade at the top of a long shaft. It usually has a spike at the top of the shaft and a thorn or a hook opposite to the blade.
* The [[w:pollaxe|poleaxe]] has an axehead opposite to a hammer or a spike, mounted on a shaft.{{ref|TSS}} The shaft usually has a spike on both ends.

===Axes===
* The [[w:battle axe|battle-axe]] is a broad-headed axe used to cleave through armor and shields. It can be wielded in one hand, and some battle-axes are double-bladed.{{Ref|aCoK|23}}
* The hand axe is a warrior’s version of a [[w:hatchet|hatchet]], smaller than a battle-axe and balanced to be thrown. These short-hafted axes are used by the [[ironmen]] to dance the [[finger dance]].{{ref|ACOK|24}}
* The [[w:Dane axe|longaxe]] is a long-hafted version of the battle-axe. The longaxe is light enough to be wielded by one hand.{{Ref|aCoK|22}} A longaxe may have a double-bladed axe head or it may have a spike on one side.{{ref|asos|51}} It is likely that some longaxes are large enough to require two hands, such as the one wielded by [[Areo Hotah]].{{ref|AFFC|21}}
* The woodsman's axe, a tool for chopping and splitting wood, can turn into a deadly weapon. Normally used by [[smallfolk]] and brigands, it is single-bladed and smaller than its martial cousin, the battle-axe.
* Stone axes are proudly used by the [[free folk]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Wildlings}}
* The [[Ibbenese]] are fond of axes.{{ref|ACOK|29}}{{ref|ASOS|3}}

===Swords===
[[File:Bannermen sketch ii by tribemun.jpg|thumb|300px|[[House Tully|Tully]] and [[House Lannister|Lannister]] bannermen sketches by Tribemun ©]]
* The [[longsword]] is a common weapon of [[knight|knights]] throughout [[Westeros]]; these one-handed blades are also known as broadswords or simply "swords". The blades are about three feet in length, double-edged, and mounted on a hilt with a heavy pommel and a sizable crossguard.
* A [[greatsword]] requires two hands to use. It is the largest type of sword.
* A [[bastard sword]] is longer than a longsword but shorter than a greatsword. It is more of a hand-and-a-half weapon than a two-handed sword.{{Ref|aGoT|60}}
* The [[shortsword]] is shorter than a longsword but longer and heavier than a dagger. The shortsword is a one-handed blade generally meant for thrusting.
* The [[falchion]] is a short, cleaver-like sword used for hacking.
* [[Bravo]]s favor slender swords, edged and balanced for the thrust.{{Ref|aGoT|10}} The [[water dancer]]s of [[Braavos]] have made these narrow swords famous, though they can be found throughout the [[Free Cities]].{{ref|ADWD|57}}
* The ''[[arakh]]'' is a long curved sword favored by [[Dothraki]].{{Ref|aGoT|11}}

===Knives===
* A [[w:dagger|dagger]] is a knife used to stab and pierce, often carried as a tool as much as a weapon.
* A [[w:dirk|dirk]] is a dagger designed for combat with a straight, narrow blade, often used in the off-hand to complement a primary weapon.{{Ref|aGoT|Prologue}}
* A [[w:stiletto|stiletto]] is a long, slender dagger used for stabbing. [[Myr]] is known for stilettos.{{ref|ASOS|42}}{{ref|ADWD|19}}

===Clubs===
* [[w:club (weapon)|Clubs]] and cudgels are short weapons fashioned of hard wood or sometimes metal. The [[City Watch of King's Landing]] is armed with iron cudgels.{{ref|ACOK|3}}
* The [[w:Mace (bludgeon)|mace]], a blunt crushing weapon designed to smash armor, consists of a heavy head of stone or metal set upon a wooden or metal shaft. Many warriors wield spiked maces,{{ref|AGOT|71}}{{ref|ACOK|26}}{{ref|THK}} and blunted maces can be used in [[tourney]]s.{{ref|AFFC|9}}

===Flails===
* A [[w:Flail (weapon)|flail]] is a military cousin to the farmer's tool. A warrior's flail is a length of chain attached to a rod. At the end of the chain is a heavy metal head.
* A [[morningstar]] is a spiked ball swung on a chain.{{ref|AGOT|31}}{{ref|AGOT|62}}{{Ref|AFFC|20}}{{ref|THK}} In real life, a [[w:morning star (weapon)|morning star]] is any weapon with a spiked ball, but most commonly refers to the variety of [[w:Mace (bludgeon)|mace]]. The [[w:Flail (weapon)#The military flail|ball-and-chain flail]] is sometimes called a "chain morning star."

===Projectiles===
[[File:T Jedruszek IslandDefenders.jpg|thumb|Island defenders, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
====Bows and Arrows====
* [[w:bow and arrow|Bows]] in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] are made from wood, though bows from other lands may be made from laminated horn or bone.{{Ref|aCoK|68}} Bows are difficult to use while mounted and cannot normally be used with any accuracy if the mount is moving.
* The [[w:longbow|longbow]] is a tall{{ref|ASOS|33}} bow from seasoned wood.{{ref|ASOS|22}} Longbows are used by most armies, and they can be fired more frequently than crossbows.{{ref|ASOS|55}} Great bows of [[goldenheart]] are especially favored.{{ref|AFFC|Prologue}}{{ref|ADWD|61}} The [[Night's Watch]] use great yew longbows.{{ref|ASOS|64}}
* The [[free folk]] use short bows of horn and wood, including [[weirwood]],{{ref|ASOS|15}} but they are outdistanced by longbows.{{ref|ASOS|64}}
* A [[w:recurve bow|recurve bow]] or double-curved bow is usually smaller than a longbow, although double-curved bows of [[dragonbone]] can be tall.{{ref|AGOT|11}} [[Dornishmen]] are skilled with using double-curved bows on horseback.{{ref|ASOS|38}} Bows of bone and sinew are popular in [[Essos]]{{ref|ADWD|61}} and by [[Slavery|slavers]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Summer Isles}}
* The [[Dothraki]] wield great bows.{{ref|ASOS|27}}{{ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}} Even on horseback their bows can outrange those of [[Westeros]].{{ref|AGOT|36}}
* The [[goldenheart]] great bows used by [[Summer Isles|Summer Islanders]] can penetrate plate.{{ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Summer Isles}}
* [[Crossbow]]s are shorter bows that shoot bolts or quarrels. There is a stock attached to the bow with a mechanical assist to draw the bowstring. Due to its shorter draw, the crossbow requires a higher draw weight to give the same amount of energy as a conventional bow. The drawing mechanism can be a stirrup with a winch or a crank. The [[Myr]]ish produce ungainly crossbows capable of firing three quarrels at a time.{{Ref|aCoK|25}} Since crossbows require less training than bows,{{ref|AFFC|20}}{{ref|AFFC|37}} some consider it to be a coward's weapon.{{ref|ASOS|11}}
* Arrowheads are normally available both as broadheads with a sharp cutting edge and barbs at the rear for less protected targets{{Ref|aGoT|37}} and bodkins which will penetrate plate.{{Ref|aSoS|39}}
*[[Crannogmen]] are known to use arrows with [[poison]]ed shafts and arrowheads covered with feces.{{ref|acok|50}}{{ref|AFFC|18}}{{ref|ADWD|20}}

====Other Projectiles====
* Throwing knifes can be used.{{ref|ASOS|74}}{{ref|AFFC|21}}
* [[Dornishmen]] utilize throwing spears.{{ref|ASOS|38}}
* [[w:Sling (weapon)|Slings]] are used to throw projectiles at enemies. [[Northern mountain clans]]men sling stones,{{ref|ADWD|17}} while the [[Tolos]]i are deadly with soft lead balls.{{ref|ADWD|47}}

===Spears===
[[File:111 Spear-Phalanx-Diego-Gisbert-final.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Dornish]] spear phalanx, by Diego Gisbert © Fantasy Flight Games]]
* The [[w:spear|spear]] is a simple weapon used for hunting and combat, comprising a wooden shaft up to ten feet long tipped with a relatively small head of iron or steel.
* A [[w:pike (weapon)|pike]] is a longer spear, normally ten to fifteen feet long. This weapon is used by large bodies of infantry operating together either to push through or over opposing infantry or hold off cavalry.{{Ref|aGoT|53}}
* A [[w:boar spear|boar spear]] is a spear used in the hunting of [[boar]]. While real life boar spears are shorter than standard spears, King [[Robert I Baratheon]] uses a great spear when he hunts.{{ref|AGOT|47}}
*A [[w:trident|trident]] is a three-pronged spear. They are popular in the [[White Harbor]] area.{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|ADWD|19}}
* A frog spear is a trident used by [[crannogmen]]. These slender spears are primarily used for hunting small prey like frogs and fish in the [[Neck]],{{ref|ACOK|28}}{{ref|ASOS|24}}{{ref|ADWD|4}} but crannogmen also use them in combination with a woven [[w:Net (device)|net]] for combat.{{ref|ASOS|9}}

===Other Weapons===
* The [[warhammer]] is usually about the same length as a mace, though they can be much longer. The head is made of hardened steel that has a long spike to one side and a small mace-like counterweight on the other. Warhammers are good for piercing armor, or hooking the enemies' reins or shields.
* [[Whip]]s are used as weapons by some [[Dothraki]]{{ref|AGOT|23}} and [[Dornishmen]].{{ref|AFFC|2}}
* [[w:caltrop|Caltrops]] are sharp items which are placed on the ground to slow an enemy's infantry or cavalry.{{ref|ACOK|34}}{{ref|ACOK|39}} The Night's Watch uses spiked steel caltrops.{{ref|ASOS|64}}

===Special Items===
* [[Dragonglass]] is a volcanic material that can be fractured to create sharp knife blades or arrowheads. The [[children of the forest]] used knives, leaf-shaped spear heads, and arrows made of obsidian.{{ref|AGOT|66}}{{ref|ACOK|34}}{{ref|AFFC|Prologue}}
* [[Dragonbone]] bows are highly sought after as they can fire arrows over a much farther range than normal wooden bows They are especially prized by the Dothraki.{{ref|AGOT|13}}
* [[Weirwood]] is valued because it does not rot,{{ref|ADWD|48}} and [[goldenheart]] is a prized wood from the [[Summer Isles]].{{ref|AFFC|Prologue}}
* Things made of [[Valyrian steel]] are light{{ref|ACOK|13}} and nigh indestructible.{{ref|AFFC|5}} Blades of Valyrian steel are deadly sharp,{{ref|ASOS|59}} but the spell-forged{{ref|AFFC|5}} steel has become rare after the [[Doom of Valyria]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}} Some claim to still know the [[magic|spells]] that must be used to rework Valyrian steel, and some master armorers have revealed their ability to properly reforge it. {{ref|AGOT|27}}{{ref|ASOS|32}} <ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1153/ Producing Valyrian Steel], March 11, 2001</ref>
* [[Wildfire]] is a volatile and flammable liquid.{{ref|ACOK|20}}

===Siege Weapons===
[[File:Ben Zweifel Battering Ram.png|300px|thumb|right|A battering ram, by Ben Zweifel © Fantasy Flight Games]]

* [[w:Escalade|Scaling ladders]] are used by attackers against walls or ramparts.
* Wooden [[w:battering ram|battering rams]] are used to break through gates.{{ref|ASOS|57}} [[Turtle (siege engine)|Turtles]] can be used to protect rams from defenders.
* A [[w:siege tower|siege tower]] is a tall wheeled siege engine which can be protected with rawhide.{{ref|ASOS|22}}{{ref|AFFC|33}}
* [[w:catapult|Catapults]] are ballistic weapons which launch projectiles like stones. They can be used by besiegers to attack fortifications{{ref|ACOK|31}} or by defenders on walls.{{ref|AGOT|19}} They can be placed on the decks of ships.{{ref|ACOK|58}}
* [[Trebuchet]]s are catapults with throwing arms.{{ref|ACOK|49}} [[w:Mangonel|Mangonels]] are a type of trebuchet.{{ref|ACOK|22}}
* [[Scorpion (weapon)|Scorpions]] are wood-and-iron weapons{{ref|ACOK|26}} which can launch heavy stones,{{ref|ACOK|46}} yard-long iron-headed shafts,{{ref|ACOK|57}} and fire spears.{{ref|ASOS|64}} Scorpions can be used from ships.{{ref|ACOK|58}} [[Meraxes]]{{ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon|The Wars of King Aegon I}} and [[Stormcloud]]{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} were [[dragon]]s brought down by scorpion bolts.
* [[Spitfire]]s are devices which expel flame.{{ref|ACOK|58}}
* [[Mantlet]]s are large portable shields used for protection against projectiles.{{ref|ASOS|69}}{{ref|ASOS|71}}
* [[w:barge|Barges]] can be used to transport armies on rivers.{{ref|ACOK|56}}