Melee weapon / Legends Melee weapons , also known as hand - weapons , were the first weapons developed for close combat and are among the simplest weapons of all . Description . Melee weapons generally dealt bludgeoning , slashing , or piercing damage , depending on the design of the weapon . Some special weapons such as the lightsaber dealt energy damage also . Although primarily used as close - combat weapons , some melee weapons such as knives , spears , and axe s were also thrown . Melee weapons came in all shapes and sizes . Some , such as knives , were small enough to be handheld , while other much larger weapons such as the vibro - ax generally required two hands to use . Most melee weapons were simple enough to use without any special training , but some , such as the lightsaber , the ryyk blade , and the amphistaff , had unusual and exotic designs or functions which required training if the weapon was to be used proficiently . Also considered melee weapons were various gloves and gauntlets worn on the hand to increase unarmed combat damage , such as combat gloves and stun gauntlet s . Melee weapons were used by military personnel and law enforcement agencies , but due to their widespread availability , civilians also used them . Some societies and cultures had duels or ceremonial combat that required the use of specific weapons . Not all melee weapons were used exclusively for combat . Some were used to hunt wild game , while others were used as cutting tools for slicing through underbrush or chopping down trees . History . Early weapons such as clubs and spears were made of wood and stone . The development of metallurgy led to melee weapons being made of more durable metals such as durasteel and transparisteel . An important development was the inclusion of cortosis and phrik alloys , which gave weapons a resistance to lightsabers . This made dueling with these weapons possible with the lightsaber wielders prevalent in the Old Republic era . Other advancements in melee weapons produced vibroweapon s , which used ultrasonic vibrations to increase cutting power with less effort by the wielder . There was also the advent of stunning weapons such as the shock stick and stun baton , which were primarily used to disable an opponent with non - lethal force . These weapons typically used an electric charge to incapacitate . Cultural weapons . Some species developed their own favored melee weapons which became a part of their culture . For example , the Tusken Raiders used the gaderffii , a metal pole - like weapon . Wookiees used ryyk blades , which were curved hunting swords . Gamorreans used huge axes called arg ' garoks . Cereans used shyarn s — light , curved swords employed during their ancient honor duels . Gungans used atlatls and cestas , which could also be used to hurl energy balls . The Yuuzhan Vong used the amphistaff , a living weapon that could transform into a spear , a staff , or a whip , and was even able to shoot venom . The Nagai used the tiny but deadly Tehk ' la blade s . Various orders and organizations also had their signature weapon . The most familiar examples included the Jedi and the Sith , who extensively used the lightsaber , one of the most versatile and powerful melee weapons ever known . The ability to cut through virtually anything as well as the ability to deflect and redirect blaster bolts made this weapon extremely deadly in the hands of a trained Force user . Other organizations that made extensive use of the lightsaber were the Jensaarai and the Imperial Knight s . Aside from the lightsaber , the Sith used a variety of other melee weapons . One of these was the Sith sword , a blade imbued with the dark side of the Force using Sith alchemy . The wielder of this weapon would be able to call upon the dark side and channel it into the blade , using it to strike powerful blows . Other weapons used by the Sith included the Sith Tremor Sword and the Sith war sword . Most of these weapons had lightsaber - resistant properties , enabling them to duel effectively with their lightsaber - wielding Jedi enemies . Other Force - using organizations had their own signature melee weapons . The Matukai Adepts used the wan - shen , a large , halberd - like weapon . Those belonging to the Order of Shasa used a curved sword known as a fira . The Felucian shaman s on Felucia used sword - like skullblades .