One of the most popular armaments in history, the sword is arguably the most deadly yet versatile weapon available to a fighter. Comprised of a blade and hilt, the hilt comprising of a pommel for offsetting the weight of the blade, and a grip for holding it straight. Many designs include a guard that protects the fingers and knuckles. The blade itself can either be curved or straight; curved, convex swords like the falchion and the scimitar, are used for slashing attacks, and thus are only sharpened on one side of the blade. The straight, double-edged blades such as the broadsword or the mighty claymore can be used to both thrust and slash. The tip of the blade is usually tapered off to aid in thrusting, but many designs have simple flat ends to aid in balance.
Swords have great variety in range, damage, Attack Rate, and durability. The small dagger is among the weakest weapons in the game, while the largest two-handed swords can rival axes and polearms for dealing massive damage, and having a long reach and plenty of durability as well. As with all melee weapons, the Barbarian is very skillful with a sword, and has a Sword Mastery skill. The other characters are all decent with swords as well, and the Necromancer even has a melee skill that only works with a dagger.
Swords possess nearly every magical modifier you can find on a weapon, and may be socketed as well. There are also numerous unique, Rare, and Set Item swords.
One-Handed Swords
Larger and more damaging than daggers, but smaller than the might two-handed swords. One of the most popular weapons in the game, swords are used by all character types for their fast striking and solid damage. Swords deal no specially high damage to any type of monster, but they are consistently damage to all, and can be found in a very large variety. Barbarians tend to prefer the larger range and damage of two-handed swords, which they can wield one-handed. All other characters have to stick to the one-handed swords if they wish to use a shield at the same time.
- Damage Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. Each 100 points in that stat doubles your weapon's total physical damage. All swords are 100 Str, which means every point in strength adds 1% to your total weapon damage. 100 points in Str doubles the weapon damage.
- Item Level: Used in many in-game calculations. Monsters must be of this level to drop the item, and it factors in when you get to gamble for this item type as well.
- Weapon Speed: A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower, always in increments of 10. Each 10 is equivalent to an SIAS item. Characters are abbreviated to their first letter, with Am = Amazon and As = Assassin.
- Range: Goes from 1 (least) to 5 (most), and is identical for all weapon types. I.E. a 3 sword = a 3 spear = a 3 hammer.
Normal One-Handed Sword
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Short Sword | 2-7 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: None Dex Req: None Item Level: 1 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Scimitar | 2-6 Damage 22 Durability Str Req: None Dex Req: 21 Item Level: 5 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -20 Swing Speed: Very Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Fast: S |
 | Sabre | 3-8 Damage 32 Durability Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 25 Item Level: 8 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Falchion | 7-15 Dmg (9-17) 32 Durability Str Req: 33 Dex Req: None Item Level: 11 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 20 Swing Speed: Normal: As/P Slow: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Crystal Sword | 5-15 Damage 20 Durability Str Req: 43 Dex Req: None Item Level: 11 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Broad Sword | 7-14 Damage 32 Durability Str Req: 48 Dex Req: None Item Level: 15 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Long Sword | 3-19 Damage 44 Durability Str Req: 55 Dex Req: 39 Item Level: 20 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | War Sword | 8-20 Damage 44 Durability Str Req: 71 Dex Req: 45 Item Level: 27 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
Values in () These are values that are changed in the Expansion.
Exceptional One-Handed Sword
Exceptional items can only be found in Nightmare and Hell in Diablo II. In the Expansion they can be found in Acts 4 and 5 of normal as well, depending on the level of the item and the level of the monsters you are killing.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Gladius | 8-22 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: None Dex Req: None Item Level: 30 Clvl Req: 25 (18)* | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Cutlass | 8-21 Damage 22 Durability Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 52 Item Level: 43 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -30 Swing Speed: Very Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P/S |
| | Shamshir | 10-24 Damage 32 Durability Str Req: 58 Dex Req: 58 Item Level: 35 Clvl Req: 25 (23)* | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Tulwar | 16-35 Damage 32 Durability Str Req: 70 Dex Req: None Item Level: 37 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 2 0 Swing Speed: Normal: As/P Slow: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Dimensional Blade | 13-35 Damage 20 Durability Str Req: 85 Dex Req: 60 Item Level: 37 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Battle Sword | 16-34 Damage 32 Durability Str Req: 93 Dex Req: None Item Level: 40 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Rune Sword | 10-42 Dmg 44 Durability Str Req: 103 Dex Req: 79 Item Level: 44 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Ancient Sword | 18-43 Damage 44 Durability Str Req: 127 Dex Req: 88 Item Level: 49 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-3 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
* The values in parentheses are those that are changed in the Expansion.
Elite One-Handed Sword
Elite items are found only in the Expansion. Elite swords will drop in late Nightmare, and then all through hell, depending on the level of the item and the level of the monsters you are killing.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Falcata | 31-59 Dmg 24 Durability Str Req: 150 Dex Req: 88 Item Level: 58 Clvl Req: 50 | Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Ataghan | 26-46 Dmg 22 Durability Str Req: 138 Dex Req: 95 Item Level: 67 Clvl Req: 59 | Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -20 Swing Speed: Very Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Fast: Sorc |
| | Elegant Blade | 33-45 Dmg 32 Durability Str Req: 109 Dex Req: 122 Item Level: 61 Clvl Req: 47 | Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Hydra Edge | 28-68 Dmg 32 Durability Str Req: 142 Dex Req: 105 Item Level: 63 Clvl Req: 51 | Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 20 Swing Speed: Normal: As/P Slow: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Phase Blade | 31-35 Dmg 0 Dur (Indes) Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 136 Item Level: 63 Clvl Req: 54 | Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -30 Swing Speed: V Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P/S |
| | Conquest Sword | 37-53 Dmg 32 Durability Str Req: 142 Dex Req: 112 Item Level: 65 Clvl Req: 57 | Sockets: 1-4 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Cryptic Sword | 5-77 Dmg 44 Durability Str Req: 99 Dex Req: 109 Item Level: 68 Clvl Req: 60 | Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Mythical Sword | 40-50 Dmg 44 Durability Str Req: 147 Dex Req: 124 Item Level: 72 Clvl Req: 64 | Sockets: 1-3 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x3 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
Two-Handed Swords
Two-handed swords, as the name implies, must be wielded with two hands by six of the seven characters, precluding the use of a shield with them. Barbarians are the one exception to the rule, as they can wield all 2H swords in one hand, even dual-wielding them, though the 2H swords do much lower damage when wielding in one-hand only. They have greater range though, and still a quite fast attack rate, and most Barbarians go this route, especially to get the 3 range for their Whirlwind. If your Barbarian is mostly a melee fighter, and doesn't need more range with WW, any sword or mace is usable, with damage and attack speed being the important factors then.
- Damage Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. Each 100 points in that stat doubles your weapon's total physical damage. All swords are 100 Str, which means every point in strength adds 1% to your total weapon damage. 100 points in Str doubles the weapon damage.
- Item Level: Used in many in-game calculations. Monsters must be of this level to drop the item, and it factors in when you get to gamble for this item type as well.
- Weapon Speed: A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower, always in increments of 10. Each 10 is equivalent to an SIAS item. Characters are abbreviated to their first letter, with Am = Amazon and As = Assassin.
- Range: Goes from 1 (least) to 5 (most), and is identical for all weapon types. I.E. a 3 sword = a 3 spear = a 3 hammer.
Normal Two-Handed Sword
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Two-Handed Sword | 2-9 1H Damage 8-17 2H Damage 44 Durability Str Req: 35 Dex Req: 27 Item Level: 10 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-3 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Claymore | 5-12 1H Dmg 13-30 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 47 Dex Req: None Item Level: 17 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Giant Sword | 3-16 1H Damage 9-28 2H Damage 50 Durability Str Req: 56 Dex Req: 34 Item Level: 21 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Bastard Sword | 6-18 1H Dmg (7-19) 20-28 2H Dmg 40 Durability Str Req: 62 Dex Req: None Item Level: 24 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed:10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Flamberge | 9-15 1H Dmg 13-26 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 70 Dex Req: 49 Item Level: 27 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Great Sword | 12-18 1H Dmg (12-20) 25-42 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 100 Dex Req: 60 Item Level: 33 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
Values in () These are values that are changed in the Expansion.
Exceptional Two-Handed Sword
Exceptional items can only be found in Nightmare and Hell in Diablo II. In the Expansion they can be found in Acts 4 and 5 of normal as well, depending on the level of the item and the level of the monsters you are killing.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Espandon | 8-26 1H Dmg 18-40 2H Dmg 44 Durability Str Req: 73 Dex Req: 61 Item Level: 37 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-3 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Dalcian Falx | 13-30 1H Dmg 26-61 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 91 Dex Req: 20 Item Level: 42 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Tusk Sword | 10-37 1H Dmg 19-58 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 104 Dex Req: 71 Item Level: 45 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Gothic Sword | 14-40 1H Dmg 37-58 2H Dmg (39-60) 40 Durability Str Req: 113 Dex Req: 20 Item Level: 48 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Zweihander | 19-35 1H Dmg 26-54 2H Dmg (29-54) 50 Durability Str Req: 125 Dex Req: 94 Item Level: 49 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Executioner Sword | 24-40 1H Dmg 45-80 2H Dmg (47-80) 50 Durability Str Req: 170 Dex Req: 110 Item Level: 54 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
Values in () These are values that are changed in the Expansion.
Elite Two-Handed Sword
Elite items are found only in the Expansion. Elite swords will drop in late Nightmare, and then all through hell, depending on the level of the item and the level of the monsters you are killing.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Attack Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Legend Sword | 22-56 1H Dmg 50-94 2H Dmg 44 Durability Str Req: 175 Dex Req: 100 Item Level: 63 Clvl Req: 44 | Sockets: 1-3 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: -15 Swing Speed: Very Fast: Am/As/B/P Fast: B/D/S |
| | Highland Blade | 22-62 1H Dmg 67-96 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 171 Dex Req: 104 Item Level: 67 Clvl Req: 49 | Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: -5 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P/S |
| | Balrog Blade | 15-75 1H Dmg 55-118 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 185 Dex Req: 87 Item Level: 69 Clvl Req: 53 | Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| | Champion Sword | 24-54 1H Dmg 71-83 2H Dmg 40 Durability Str Req: 163 Dex Req: 103 Item Level: 71 Clvl Req: 63 | Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 1x4 | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Colossus Sword | 26-70 1H Dmg 61-121 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 182 Dex Req: 95 Item Level: 72 Clvl Req: 60 | Sockets: 1-5 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
| | Colossus Blade | 25-65 1H Dmg 58-115 2H Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 189 Dex Req: 110 Item Level: 76 Clvl Req: 68 | Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 | Weapon Speed: 5 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/P Normal: D/N/S |