Longsword

The longsword is a melee weapon in RimWorld that does a large amount of damage, has a long cooldown, and deals sharp damage.

Acquisition

Longswords can be crafted at any smithy, once the Long Blades research has been completed, from 100 Stuff (Metallic/Woody), and 18,000 ticks (5 mins) of work.

Longswords can be purchased from any outlander and orbital combat suppliers, or obtained from outlander and pirate raiders.

Analysis

The longsword has the highest base DPS out of any melee weapon in Core RimWorld. In the Royalty DLC, they are surpassed by the monosword and other ultratech weapons, though they can't be crafted by your colony.

The longsword a 22.5% higher nominal DPS than the mace, the most powerful blunt weapon that can be crafted. The mace's primary advantage is the blunt damage; sharp damage is heavily resisted by the likes of flak vests and marine armor. Even a humble (uranium) club can do better than the long sword. A plasteel longsword does better than a uranium mace against opponents with Flak jackets, Flak pants, or Plate armor, and reigns supreme against unarmored opponents.

As is the case with any sharp weapon, longsword attacks cause bleeding. However, this has little advantage for the player since melee engagements are usually over long before combat penalties due to blood loss can kick in. It makes it marginally harder to save prisoners, both from the threat of bleeding and the increased chance of infection.

Material table

Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Handle (Poke)					Point (Stab)					Blade (Cut)					HP	Value [ExpandCollapse]
Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value [ExpandCollapse]
Wooden Longsword	3.9	12.18%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	75%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	65	165
Bioferrite Longsword	9.98	36.08%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	25%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	200	235
Golden Longsword	6.2	22.38%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	60	10060
Plasteel Longsword	10.71	30.98%	8.1	1.28s	11.7%	6.33	25%	25.3	1.664s	37.4%	15.2	37.5%	25.3	1.664s	37.4%	15.2	37.5%	280	1045
Silver Longsword	6.9	24.93%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	70	1065
Steel Longsword	7.96	28.75%	9	2s	13%	4.5	25%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	100	255
Uranium Longsword	8.29	32.93%	13.5	2.42s	19.5%	5.58	25%	25.3	3.146s	37.4%	8.04	37.5%	25.3	3.146s	37.4%	8.04	37.5%	250	725

^{Assuming Normal quality, for the effect of other qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Chance for attack to be selected, assuming only the weapon's attack verbs are considered. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder