Beginner’s Guide to Buhurt Weapons

By Mykola Avenirov, Founder of MedievalExtreme

First of all: Skill Beats Steel

The best fighters in Buhurt aren’t the ones with the fanciest axes or the biggest polearms — they’re the ones who know how to use what they have.
Still, if you’re just getting into the sport, understanding different weapon types can help you make smarter choices, avoid common mistakes, and fight more confidently.

Want to improve faster? Learn what most new fighters get wrong: Top 5 Mistakes New Fighters Make

Second: No Stabbing in Buhurt

Thrusting attacks are prohibited. No spears, no stabs. It’s a safety rule. Getting stabbed — even in armor — is dangerous. No one wants to lose an eye.

Dueling Weapons vs. Buhurt Weapons

Dueling Weapons

Light, balanced longswords, thin arming swords, and sleek polearms made for duels do not belong in team Buhurt formats.
They’re made for precision and speed — not chaos and impact.

Blocking a full-force polearm strike with a dueling longsword isn’t just ineffective… It’s heartbreaking (especially for your weapon maker).

Use duel gear for duels. Use Buhurt weapons for team fights.

Buhurt Weapons: Two Styles

You can split most Buhurt weapons into two types: Effective and Fun. Both have their place. And no — fun doesn’t mean fake.

Effective Weapons

Falchions

Classic. Durable. Longer than most axes. Easy to control, with a good balance of striking power and hand speed. Many fighters prefer them because they’re versatile and approved in almost all formats.

Axes

One of the most common weapons in Buhurt. Single-handed axes hit hard and let you hook and drag if you know how to use them. Longer axes are especially useful in group fights — though they’re slightly slower than falchions.

Maces

Short, heavy, and brutal. No need to worry about which edge to hit with — every side works. That’s why they’re great for less experienced fighters. It’s hard to miss with a mace, and very satisfying when you land a clean strike.

Polearms

Long-range and dominant in 5v5+. Most fighters use halberd-like weapons, around 120 cm long. Hafted polearms can be held with both hands, giving you control in grapples.

But there’s a risk: your opponent can grab it too. I’ve done it dozens of times — a quick twist and now they’re unarmed. And by the rules? If you lose your weapon, you can’t do active actions until you run back to the respawn zone.

Pro tip: The longer the polearm, the harder it hits — but the easier it breaks. If you strike with the wrong part of the shaft, block with the haft, or miss clean contact, you’re more likely to snap it. It happens more often than you’d think, especially with longer-than-120 cm weapons.

Fun Weapons (That Still Work)

Two-Handed Falchions

They hit like trucks and feel amazing to swing. While not the most effective in close grapples, they’re fantastic for visibility, intimidation, and sheer enjoyment. If you want to look cool and enjoy yourself — go for it. They’re not toys. Just slightly less versatile.

Grabbing and Grappling with Weapons

Many Buhurt weapons are hafted, meaning you can hold them with both hands. That’s an advantage in clinches and throws. But it’s also a risk — your opponent can grab the shaft, strip it, and leave you defenseless.

Note: Not all leagues allow grabbing your own blade (especially with falchions). Know your rules.

What’s Not Allowed

Stabbing/thrusting
Using the back of the axe head to strike
Weapons not designed for armored combat (stage props, replicas, warhammers)

Also, avoid war hammers (hard no), flails (still no), dual-wielding, and anything that feels like a fantasy mod. Stick to gear that has been tested, proven, and accepted by marshals.

Final Thoughts

Choosing your weapon is part of the journey. But it’s how you train with it — and who you fight alongside — that defines your path. Start with something reliable. Learn how it moves. And once you’ve mastered it, try everything. Buhurt is about adaptation, toughness, and joy.

Helpful Reads after the beginner’s guide to buhurt weapons:

We built MedievalExtreme to support fighters like you — not just with gear, but with clarity. If this helped you make smarter steps, you’re already winning.

Train smart. Ask questions. And I’ll see you in the list.

— Mykola Avenirov
Founder, MedievalExtreme