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, 1000 for SMVs), 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 those can't be crafted by your colony.

Sharp vs Blunt

The longsword is the strongest craftable sharp weapon in the game. The mace is the strongest craftable blunt weapon, at least without the Royalty DLC.

The longsword has a 22.5% higher nominal DPS than the mace. However, most enemies with armor will have much more Sharp armor than Blunt armor. For example, a flak vest has 100% Sharp armor, but only 40% Blunt armor. While the mace has less AP, most enemies have little blunt armor, resulting in an "armor-piercing" effect.

Blunt damage has a few small advantages besides the armor it checks:

Damage spread. Longswords can either Stab or Cut. If a Stab would destroy a body part, then any further damage is wasted. Cut damage has a chance to cleave, which spreads damage equally between body parts. Meanwhile, blunt weapons will always target a single part - and if it destroys a part, then further damage is spread to the parent part (destroying a finger would damage the arm). However, this is not likely to be relevant for weapons below Masterwork quality, as neither weapon will cause much overkill in a single hit.
If a blunt weapon hits the torso or a equivalent body part (a scyther's thorax, a centipede 1st body ring...), then the target has a chance to be stunned for a short time. This is completely independent from EMP and mechanoid adaptation; it can stun regardless of organic status.
This chance to stun is rather small and depends on both the target's health scale and the damage done. A normal uranium mace hitting a human would have a 2.7% chance to stun per hit to the torso.

In contrast, the longsword has a few advantages besides its raw DPS:

The sword's Cut attack has a special bonus - if it cleaves, then the total amount of damage is multiplied by 140%. The sword is less effective at destroying larger body parts, but causes more damage overall, which increases overall pain.
Like any sharp weapon, longswords will 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. This may even be a disadvantage as it makes it harder to save prisoners.

Overall, the most relevant comparison is the type of armor that both weapons check.

Breakpoints for when each weapon is better vary by quality and material. In general, a plasteel longsword beats the same quality uranium mace against unarmored humans and lightly armored humans, such as flak jackets without the corresponding vest. The sword is also better against light mechs like scythers and lancers. The uranium mace would do better against flak vests and all sorts of power armor, as well as larger mechs like centipedes. Similar comparisons can be made between steel longswords vs steel maces.

Attack table

Feature	Toggle
Attacks
Quality

Longsword				Handle (Poke)					Point (Stab)					Blade (Cut)					Human: Left & right fist (Blunt)					HP	Value
Quality	Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value
Awful	Bioferrite	8.1	29.3%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	23.92	2.6s	35.36%	9.2	37.5%	23.92	2.6s	35.36%	9.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	119
Awful	Gold	5.03	18.17%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	13.8	2.6s	20.4%	5.31	37.5%	13.8	2.6s	20.4%	5.31	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	5030
Awful	Plasteel	8.43	25.22%	6.48	1.6s	9.36%	4.05	8.33%	20.24	2.08s	29.92%	9.73	37.5%	20.24	2.08s	29.92%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	520
Awful	Silver	5.59	20.21%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	15.64	2.6s	23.12%	6.02	37.5%	15.64	2.6s	23.12%	6.02	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	530
Awful	Steel	6.44	23.27%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	18.4	2.6s	27.2%	7.08	37.5%	18.4	2.6s	27.2%	7.08	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	127
Awful	Uranium	6.55	25.74%	10.8	2.2s	15.6%	4.91	8.33%	20.24	2.86s	29.92%	7.08	37.5%	20.24	2.86s	29.92%	7.08	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	360
Awful	Wood	3.77	11.59%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	7.36	2.6s	10.88%	2.83	8.33%	7.36	2.6s	10.88%	2.83	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	83
Poor	Bioferrite	9.04	32.71%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	26.91	2.6s	39.78%	10.35	37.5%	26.91	2.6s	39.78%	10.35	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	178
Poor	Gold	5.59	20.19%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	15.53	2.6s	22.95%	5.97	37.5%	15.53	2.6s	22.95%	5.97	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	7545
Poor	Plasteel	9.4	28.12%	7.29	1.6s	10.53%	4.56	8.33%	22.77	2.08s	33.66%	10.95	37.5%	22.77	2.08s	33.66%	10.95	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	780
Poor	Silver	6.22	22.48%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	17.6	2.6s	26.01%	6.77	37.5%	17.6	2.6s	26.01%	6.77	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	800
Poor	Steel	7.17	25.93%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	191
Poor	Uranium	7.31	28.71%	12.15	2.2s	17.55%	5.52	8.33%	22.77	2.86s	33.66%	7.96	37.5%	22.77	2.86s	33.66%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	540
Poor	Wood	3.88	11.92%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	8.28	2.6s	12.24%	3.18	8.33%	8.28	2.6s	12.24%	3.18	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	124
Normal	Bioferrite	9.99	36.13%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	29.9	2.6s	44.2%	11.5	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	235
Normal	Gold	6.14	22.21%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	17.25	2.6s	25.5%	6.63	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	10060
Normal	Plasteel	10.37	31.03%	8.1	1.6s	11.7%	5.06	8.33%	25.3	2.08s	37.4%	12.16	37.5%	25.3	2.08s	37.4%	12.16	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	1045
Normal	Silver	6.85	24.76%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	19.55	2.6s	28.9%	7.52	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1065
Normal	Steel	7.9	28.58%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	23	2.6s	34%	8.85	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	255
Normal	Uranium	8.07	31.68%	13.5	2.2s	19.5%	6.14	8.33%	25.3	2.86s	37.4%	8.85	37.5%	25.3	2.86s	37.4%	8.85	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	725
Normal	Wood	3.92	12.33%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	25%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	9.2	2.6s	13.6%	3.54	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 25%	65	165
Good	Bioferrite	10.98	39.68%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	25%	32.89	2.6s	48.62%	12.65	37.5%	32.89	2.6s	48.62%	12.65	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	295
Good	Gold	6.7	24.23%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	18.98	2.6s	28.05%	7.3	37.5%	18.98	2.6s	28.05%	7.3	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	10560
Good	Plasteel	11.79	34.07%	8.91	1.6s	12.87%	5.57	25%	27.83	2.08s	41.14%	13.38	37.5%	27.83	2.08s	41.14%	13.38	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1305
Good	Silver	7.48	27.03%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	21.51	2.6s	31.79%	8.27	37.5%	21.51	2.6s	31.79%	8.27	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1330
Good	Steel	8.64	31.24%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	25.3	2.6s	37.4%	9.73	37.5%	25.3	2.6s	37.4%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	320
Good	Uranium	8.82	34.64%	14.85	2.2s	21.45%	6.75	8.33%	27.83	2.86s	41.14%	9.73	37.5%	27.83	2.86s	41.14%	9.73	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	905
Good	Wood	4.32	13.02%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	75%	10.12	2.6s	14.96%	3.89	6.25%	10.12	2.6s	14.96%	3.89	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	205
Excellent	Bioferrite	11.98	43.29%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	25%	35.88	2.6s	53.04%	13.8	37.5%	35.88	2.6s	53.04%	13.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	355
Excellent	Gold	7.26	26.25%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	20.7	2.6s	30.6%	7.96	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	11060
Excellent	Plasteel	12.86	37.17%	9.72	1.6s	14.04%	6.08	25%	30.36	2.08s	44.88%	14.6	37.5%	30.36	2.08s	44.88%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1565
Excellent	Silver	8.11	29.31%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	23.46	2.6s	34.68%	9.02	37.5%	23.46	2.6s	34.68%	9.02	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1595
Excellent	Steel	9.37	33.9%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	27.6	2.6s	40.8%	10.62	37.5%	27.6	2.6s	40.8%	10.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	380
Excellent	Uranium	9.58	37.61%	16.2	2.2s	23.4%	7.36	8.33%	30.36	2.86s	44.88%	10.62	37.5%	30.36	2.86s	44.88%	10.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	1085
Excellent	Wood	4.67	14.07%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	75%	11.04	2.6s	16.32%	4.25	6.25%	11.04	2.6s	16.32%	4.25	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	250
Masterwork	Bioferrite	14.47	52.31%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	25%	43.36	2.6s	64.09%	16.68	37.5%	43.36	2.6s	64.09%	16.68	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	590
Masterwork	Gold	8.66	31.3%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	25.01	2.6s	36.98%	9.62	37.5%	25.01	2.6s	36.98%	9.62	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	12060
Masterwork	Plasteel	15.54	44.91%	11.75	1.6s	16.97%	7.34	25%	36.69	2.08s	54.23%	17.64	37.5%	36.69	2.08s	54.23%	17.64	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	2605
Masterwork	Silver	9.68	35%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	28.35	2.6s	41.91%	10.9	37.5%	28.35	2.6s	41.91%	10.9	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	2660
Masterwork	Steel	11.54	41.69%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	25%	33.35	2.6s	49.3%	12.83	37.5%	33.35	2.6s	49.3%	12.83	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	635
Masterwork	Uranium	12.03	47.74%	19.58	2.2s	28.28%	8.9	25%	36.69	2.86s	54.23%	12.83	37.5%	36.69	2.86s	54.23%	12.83	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	1810
Masterwork	Wood	5.54	16.69%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	75%	13.34	2.6s	19.72%	5.13	6.25%	13.34	2.6s	19.72%	5.13	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	415
Legendary	Bioferrite	18.98	72.93%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	0%	49.34	2.6s	72.93%	18.98	50%	49.34	2.6s	72.93%	18.98	50%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	1185
Legendary	Gold	9.78	35.34%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	28.46	2.6s	42.08%	10.95	37.5%	28.46	2.6s	42.08%	10.95	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	13060
Legendary	Plasteel	17.68	51.11%	13.37	1.6s	19.31%	8.35	25%	41.75	2.08s	61.71%	20.07	37.5%	41.75	2.08s	61.71%	20.07	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	4045
Legendary	Silver	10.94	39.55%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	32.26	2.6s	47.69%	12.41	37.5%	32.26	2.6s	47.69%	12.41	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	4065
Legendary	Steel	13.13	47.44%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	25%	37.95	2.6s	56.1%	14.6	37.5%	37.95	2.6s	56.1%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	1275
Legendary	Uranium	13.68	54.33%	22.28	2.2s	32.18%	10.13	25%	41.75	2.86s	61.71%	14.6	37.5%	41.75	2.86s	61.71%	14.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	3615
Legendary	Wood	6.24	18.78%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	75%	15.18	2.6s	22.44%	5.84	6.25%	15.18	2.6s	22.44%	5.84	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	825

^{For the full effects of 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 if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.
↑ Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder