While it's easy to swing a sword or any other weapon around in Half Sword, learning techniques and mastering mechanics isn't as easy. This is particularly true, seeing as the medieval melee combat game doesn't have a true tutorial, merely listing the controls in an open arena to play around. On top of this, some controls, such as kicking, aren't even mentioned, and other mechanics don't have controls, but instead require players to move their mouse or weapon in certain ways.
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How To Jump In Half Sword
- Hold Spacebar
It's easy to trip over legs and weapons in Half Sword, and so learning how to jump can save your life. Like most games, jumping is done with the Spacebar, but it must be held and released.
How To Kick In Half Sword
- Spacebar
Punching and grappling are a part of Half Sword, and so players would think they'd be able to kick too, but this control isn't listed. Thankfully, it can be done by clicking Spacebar.
How To Spin Kick
For a more advanced move, it's possible to spin kick in Half Sword. The first thing to note is that you'll always kick with the leg that is further back in the stance. To make this stance, hold Shift. Next, press Spacebar to kick, and then swing the mouse to the side of the further back leg.
It's easier to spin kick with a high mouse sensitivity, although for normal swordfighting, a low sensitivity is recommended.
How To Block In Half Sword
There is no set control for blocking in Half Sword, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Instead, as is always the case with physics-based combat in this game, it must be done manually. Essentially, this means positioning your weapon, shield, or hands in the way of a blow.
Blocking With A Sword Or Similar Weapon
Attacks can be blocked physically. Therefore, if you hold your weapon in front and wait for an attack, you can nudge the mouse to the side while holding LMB, and hopefully knock the blow aside.
Blocking With A Half Sword Grip
If the opponent attacks with an overhead blow, the best way to defend it is to quickly adopt the half sword grip by pressing RMB.
Blocking With A Shield
If your character has a shield in their left hand, move this by holding down RMB and moving the shield to where attacks are coming from. This is easier with the Buckler shield, rather than the Pavise, which is somewhat attached to the arm.
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How To Throw Weapons In Half Sword
- E/Q + Swing LMB/RMB
Weapons can be dropped in Half Sword by pressing E or Q, depending on whether it is held in the left or right hand. However, by swinging the weapon before you drop it, it will be thrown. This is done by holding down RMB for weapons in the left hand, or LMB in the right hand. You need to physically swing the mouse.
Throwing isn't recommended too much, as it's highly unreliable, but knowing how to could come in clutch.
How To Get Up From The Ground In Half Sword
- Hold W or S
It's easy to be knocked down or fall over in Half Sword, and getting back up can feel like a struggle. To do so properly, hold down W when on your back.
If you're led on your front, hold S instead.
How To Half Sword In Half Sword
- RMB
To live up to the name of the game, wield a sword with nothing in your off hand and press RMB to enter the half sword grip. You can then hold LMB or RMB and swing the mouse to hit opponents up close with more control. Press RMB again to switch back to a normal grip.
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How To Thrust In Half Sword
- Double-tap LMB
- Hold Alt + LMB + Move Mouse Forward
To thrust in Half Sword, a small thrust can be done quickly by double-tapping LMB while the weapon is held forward. For a bigger thrust and more control, however, hold Alt, which switches to thrusting mode. Then hold LMB to control the swing, but simply move the mouse forward.
Thrusting is one of the best ways to score a quick kill, so don't forget about it.
- Released
- 2026
- Developer(s)
- Half Sword Games
- Publisher(s)
- Game Seer Publishing
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Simulation, Fighting, Hack and Slash
