Gladius

The gladius is a melee weapon in RimWorld that does a moderate amount of damage, has a moderate cooldown, and deals sharp damage.

Acquisition

Gladii can be crafted at either a fueled smithy or an electric smithy once the Smithing research has been completed with 50 Stuff (Metallic/Woody, 500 for SMVs) and 12,000 ticks (3.33 mins) of work. It requires a crafting skill of 3 to craft.

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

Analysis

Surprisingly enough, gladii are worse for DPS than a knife of the same quality and material, despite the game stating otherwise. Knives are cheaper and don't require Smithing research. Why is this?

The melee verb selection system, introduced in 1.1. Each weapon has multiple attacks, or verbs, with some better than others. The game's infobox incorrectly calculates the likelihood of each attack (it uses RimWorld 1.0 values). For example, the knife is assumed to use "Bad" attacks more often than it does in practice. With this in mind, knives have a "true" DPS of 7.23, rather than the gladius' 7.13.
The impact of Cut damage type. A gladius is half as likely to do a Cut attack as a knife. Whenever a Cut attack is rolled, it has a chance to cleave. When a weapon cleaves, it deals 140% damage, spread throughout body parts.

While cleaving reduces the chance to destroy body parts, it deals more pain, which gets enemies into pain shock faster. Pain shock is the most common way to disable enemies in combat, much more likely than body part destruction. Even mechanoids, who don't feel pain, can only lose so much HP before dying in combat.

The gladius does have +5% more AP, but this is a tiny value, insignificant in practice. The knife comes out ahead against any realistic enemy you'll fight. Knives also have the advantage of attacking faster, which can train melee skill, and is slightly better for low-accuracy attackers in general.

The plasteel knife you get at the start of the Crashlanded scenario is better than an excellent steel gladius (and below).

Trivia

A gladius is the classic Roman centurion's shortsword. Along with the ranged pilum, it is one of two Roman weapons in the game.

Attack table

Feature	Toggle
Attacks
Quality

Gladius				Handle (Blunt)					Point (Stab)					Edge (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	7.19	21.5%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	16.64	2s	24.96%	8.32	37.5%	16.64	2s	24.96%	8.32	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	73
Awful	Gold	4.58	13.67%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	9.6	2s	14.4%	4.8	37.5%	9.6	2s	14.4%	4.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	2520
Awful	Plasteel	7.48	18.62%	6.48	1.6s	9.36%	4.05	8.33%	14.08	1.6s	21.12%	8.8	37.5%	14.08	1.6s	21.12%	8.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	270
Awful	Silver	5.06	15.11%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	10.88	2s	16.32%	5.44	37.5%	10.88	2s	16.32%	5.44	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	270
Awful	Steel	5.78	17.27%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	8.33%	12.8	2s	19.2%	6.4	37.5%	12.8	2s	19.2%	6.4	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	69
Awful	Uranium	5.92	19.14%	10.8	2.2s	15.6%	4.91	8.33%	14.08	2.2s	21.12%	6.4	37.5%	14.08	2.2s	21.12%	6.4	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	191
Awful	Wood	3.77	11.06%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	8.33%	5.12	2s	7.68%	2.56	8.33%	5.12	2s	7.68%	2.56	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	45
Poor	Bioferrite	8.01	23.94%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	18.72	2s	28.08%	9.36	37.5%	18.72	2s	28.08%	9.36	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	109
Poor	Gold	5.07	15.13%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	10.8	2s	16.2%	5.4	37.5%	10.8	2s	16.2%	5.4	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	3780
Poor	Plasteel	8.31	20.7%	7.29	1.6s	10.53%	4.56	8.33%	15.84	1.6s	23.76%	9.9	37.5%	15.84	1.6s	23.76%	9.9	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	410
Poor	Silver	5.61	16.75%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	12.24	2s	18.36%	6.12	37.5%	12.24	2s	18.36%	6.12	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	405
Poor	Steel	6.42	19.18%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	14.4	2s	21.6%	7.2	37.5%	14.4	2s	21.6%	7.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	104
Poor	Uranium	6.58	21.28%	12.15	2.2s	17.55%	5.52	8.33%	15.84	2.2s	23.76%	7.2	37.5%	15.84	2.2s	23.76%	7.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	285
Poor	Wood	3.86	11.32%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	8.33%	5.76	2s	8.64%	2.88	8.33%	5.76	2s	8.64%	2.88	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	68
Normal	Bioferrite	8.82	26.38%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	8.33%	20.8	2s	31.2%	10.4	37.5%	20.8	2s	31.2%	10.4	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	146
Normal	Gold	5.56	16.58%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	12	2s	18%	6	37.5%	12	2s	18%	6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	5040
Normal	Plasteel	9.15	22.78%	8.1	1.6s	11.7%	5.06	8.33%	17.6	1.6s	26.4%	11	37.5%	17.6	1.6s	26.4%	11	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	545
Normal	Silver	6.16	18.38%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	13.6	2s	20.4%	6.8	37.5%	13.6	2s	20.4%	6.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	545
Normal	Steel	7.06	21.08%	9	2s	13%	4.5	8.33%	16	2s	24%	8	37.5%	16	2s	24%	8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	138
Normal	Uranium	7.24	23.43%	13.5	2.2s	19.5%	6.14	8.33%	17.6	2.2s	26.4%	8	37.5%	17.6	2.2s	26.4%	8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	380
Normal	Wood	3.86	11.33%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	25%	6.4	2s	9.6%	3.2	12.5%	6.4	2s	9.6%	3.2	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 25%	65	90
Good	Bioferrite	9.63	28.81%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	8.33%	22.88	2s	34.32%	11.44	37.5%	22.88	2s	34.32%	11.44	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	182
Good	Gold	6.05	18.04%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	13.2	2s	19.8%	6.6	37.5%	13.2	2s	19.8%	6.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	5540
Good	Plasteel	9.98	24.85%	8.91	1.6s	12.87%	5.57	8.33%	19.36	1.6s	29.04%	12.1	37.5%	19.36	1.6s	29.04%	12.1	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	680
Good	Silver	6.71	20.02%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	14.96	2s	22.44%	7.48	37.5%	14.96	2s	22.44%	7.48	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	680
Good	Steel	7.7	22.99%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	8.33%	17.6	2s	26.4%	8.8	37.5%	17.6	2s	26.4%	8.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	173
Good	Uranium	7.9	25.57%	14.85	2.2s	21.45%	6.75	8.33%	19.36	2.2s	29.04%	8.8	37.5%	19.36	2.2s	29.04%	8.8	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	480
Good	Wood	4.29	12.47%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	75%	7.04	2s	10.56%	3.52	6.25%	7.04	2s	10.56%	3.52	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	113
Excellent	Bioferrite	10.45	31.25%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	8.33%	24.96	2s	37.44%	12.48	37.5%	24.96	2s	37.44%	12.48	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	200	220
Excellent	Gold	6.53	19.5%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	14.4	2s	21.6%	7.2	37.5%	14.4	2s	21.6%	7.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	6040
Excellent	Plasteel	10.81	26.93%	9.72	1.6s	14.04%	6.08	8.33%	21.12	1.6s	31.68%	13.2	37.5%	21.12	1.6s	31.68%	13.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	280	815
Excellent	Silver	7.25	21.66%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	16.32	2s	24.48%	8.16	37.5%	16.32	2s	24.48%	8.16	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	815
Excellent	Steel	8.33	24.9%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	8.33%	19.2	2s	28.8%	9.6	37.5%	19.2	2s	28.8%	9.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	205
Excellent	Uranium	8.56	27.71%	16.2	2.2s	23.4%	7.36	8.33%	21.12	2.2s	31.68%	9.6	37.5%	21.12	2.2s	31.68%	9.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	575
Excellent	Wood	4.64	13.47%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	75%	7.68	2s	11.52%	3.84	6.25%	7.68	2s	11.52%	3.84	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	135
Masterwork	Bioferrite	12.78	38.17%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	25%	30.16	2s	45.24%	15.08	37.5%	30.16	2s	45.24%	15.08	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	365
Masterwork	Gold	7.75	23.15%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	17.4	2s	26.1%	8.7	37.5%	17.4	2s	26.1%	8.7	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	7040
Masterwork	Plasteel	13.8	32.95%	11.75	1.6s	16.97%	7.34	25%	25.52	1.6s	38.28%	15.95	37.5%	25.52	1.6s	38.28%	15.95	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1360
Masterwork	Silver	8.62	25.76%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	19.72	2s	29.58%	9.86	37.5%	19.72	2s	29.58%	9.86	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	1360
Masterwork	Steel	9.93	29.67%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	8.33%	23.2	2s	34.8%	11.6	37.5%	23.2	2s	34.8%	11.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	345
Masterwork	Uranium	10.22	33.07%	19.58	2.2s	28.28%	8.9	8.33%	25.52	2.2s	38.28%	11.6	37.5%	25.52	2.2s	38.28%	11.6	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	250	955
Masterwork	Wood	5.5	15.96%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	75%	9.28	2s	13.92%	4.64	6.25%	9.28	2s	13.92%	4.64	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	225
Legendary	Bioferrite	14.54	43.44%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	25%	34.32	2s	51.48%	17.16	37.5%	34.32	2s	51.48%	17.16	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	725
Legendary	Gold	8.73	26.06%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	19.8	2s	29.7%	9.9	37.5%	19.8	2s	29.7%	9.9	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	60	8040
Legendary	Plasteel	15.7	37.5%	13.37	1.6s	19.31%	8.35	25%	29.04	1.6s	43.56%	18.15	37.5%	29.04	1.6s	43.56%	18.15	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	2725
Legendary	Silver	9.72	29.03%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	22.44	2s	33.66%	11.22	37.5%	22.44	2s	33.66%	11.22	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	70	2715
Legendary	Steel	11.2	33.49%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	8.33%	26.4	2s	39.6%	13.2	37.5%	26.4	2s	39.6%	13.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	100	690
Legendary	Uranium	12.43	40.71%	22.28	2.2s	32.18%	10.13	25%	29.04	2.2s	43.56%	13.2	37.5%	29.04	2.2s	43.56%	13.2	37.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	1910
Legendary	Wood	6.18	17.96%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	75%	10.56	2s	15.84%	5.28	6.25%	10.56	2s	15.84%	5.28	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	65	450

^{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