Ready to go from a disheveled beggar all the way to the Baron? This guide covers the game-changing techniques that will make Half Sword a total breeze. Let's get straight into it.

Stage 1: Master the Knife

For the first stage, stick to two modes: Carnage (usual day in London) or Fist Fight. Skip the third mode entirely – it's horrible.

The Secret Knife Technique

Most players make the mistake of slashing with the knife. Stabbing is 10 times better. Here's the proper way:

🗡️ Rubber Movement Technique

1. One-hand the knife – do NOT two-hand it
2. Before stabbing: Hold Shift + Alt + A + W
3. After stabbing: Switch to Shift + Alt + A + S
4. This creates a devastating rubber movement that kills consistently

First Boss: Two Strategies

There are two ways to beat the first boss:

🏆 Best Strategy: Chandelier

If you get lucky and spot the chandelier (best weapon in the game), grab it immediately. Hold it to your left, then jerk your mouse right as the boss approaches.

🗡️ Reliable Strategy: Center Knife

The knife spawns in the center every time. Go around the boss, grab it, bait out one attack, then use the rubber movement technique.

First boss chandelier strategy — The chandelier is incredibly powerful – grab it if you see it

Run Killer Stages: Pitchfork Mastery

The next two stages are what I call the run killers – the bosses are insanely hard for no reason. The only viable weapon is the pitchfork.

Pitchfork Technique

🔱 Pitchfork Combat

1. Hold left click and keep your mouse to the right
2. When the opponent is in range, click Alt
3. It will stab them every single time

The Dumb But Effective Boss Strategy

This might sound stupid, but: look down at the floor as you approach the boss. When close, press F to adjust your pitchfork, then stab. For some reason, they just don't attack you. It works every time.

Pitchfork boss stabbing technique — Looking down and adjusting makes the pitchfork devastatingly effective

The Hardest Boss: Attack Canceling

I don't know why they put this guy so early in the gauntlet. His attacks are sporadic and unpredictable. But I found a consistent strategy.

The Fence Bait Strategy

⚔️ Attack Canceling Explained

Did you know you can cancel almost any attack in the game?

Simply swing your weapon when the enemy is about to attack. Watch how they back up – that's how you get them to walk into the fence. Once they're against the fence, you get an easy opening for a stab.

Fence bait attack cancel strategy — Bait them into the fence using attack canceling

You Basically Beat the Game

Once you defeat this boss, you've beaten the hardest part. The game becomes a breeze from here thanks to a totally broken weapon.

Yellow Faction: The Broken Spear

Now choose the Yellow faction – it's by far the best because you get more stamina. Then grab the infamous spiky spear. You'll use this weapon for the rest of the game.

Yellow faction spiky spear selection — The spiky spear is your best friend for the remaining bosses

Must-Know Tips: Spear Dodge Mechanics

With this first tip, you're never going to die to spears again.

Dodging Regular Spears

🛡️ Spear Dodge Technique

• Hold Shift + A + W to dodge every stab attack
• Watch out for the guard stance – they stand still and circle you
• In guard stance, they'll hit you every time unless you bait them out
• Use attack canceling (swing your weapon) to break their guard

Fighting Spiky Spear Users

Enemies with the same weapon as you are always in guard stance. Keep attack canceling until they throw a specific attack where their left side is exposed. That's your opening.

Spear dodge movement technique — The Shift+A+W dodge makes you nearly invincible against spear users

Camera Positioning Tip

Keep readjusting your camera to aim just above their head. This helps you land consistent headshots for maximum damage.

Remaining Bosses: Quick Strategies

With everything you've learned, here's how to handle the remaining bosses:

Boss 1 (Spear Dude)

Attack cancel until he exposes his ribs on the left side. Easy.

Boss 2 (Another Spear)

Hold Shift+A+W, strike when he pokes. Two-hand your weapon for this one since you're rushing straight in.

Baldi (Bald Boss)

Keep distance. Use camera positioning for headshots. Don't get close – he'll break your bones.

Armored Spear Guy

Same guy as before but with cake and armor plates. Same strategy: wait for poke, dodge, hit his head.

Pre-Final Boss

Aggressive Baldi that tanks headshots. Keep distance, use rubber movement, be patient.

Final Boss: The Gold Brother

You can smell the throne – you're so close! But first, a shortcut:

Skip the Big Arena

You don't have to play through the big arena. Go to main menu and press "Play the Demo" to get 5 extra points per match. Collect enough points, then go back to main menu and press Play to fight the final boss directly.

Gold Brother Strategy

Use everything you've learned:

Spear dodge (Shift+A+W)
Rubber movement (hit and back off)
Attack canceling to break his guard
Watch out for his overhead swing – it's brutal
Slip past his pokes and aim for the head

Final boss Gold Brother fight — The Gold Brother requires patience and all your combined skills

Patience is the Key

He won't go down from one headshot. Be patient. You've already reached the checkpoint – if you die, you won't restart from the beginning.

⚠️ Critical Tip: Don't Give Up!

If the final boss destroys you, do NOT hold G to give up. If you give up, you'll have to collect points again. But if you die, it just prompts you to fight the boss again immediately.

Congratulations, Baron!

With these techniques, you now have everything you need to conquer Half Sword. Remember the key principles:

🏆 Key Takeaways

🗡️

Rubber Movement

Shift+Alt combos for devastating attacks

⚔️

Attack Canceling

Swing to bait enemies into bad positions

🛡️

Spear Dodge

Shift+A+W to counter all spear attacks

🎯

Headshot Aim

Camera above head for consistent damage

Good luck, and have fun beating the game! ⚔️