Iron Shortsword

The Iron Shortsword is an early game metal shortsword. It's stronger than the Copper and Tin Shortsword and has a slightly stronger alternate version known as the Lead Shortsword.

Like all shortswords, this sword has a very limited range and attacks with a horizontal stabbing motion instead of an arc, which makes it almost useless against flying or jumping enemies, although its high attack rate makes it somewhat effective against weaker fighter type enemies.

Unless the player has a good reason to make the Shortsword (like not having very much Iron or for completionist purposes) they are advised to make the Iron Broadsword as it does more damage and can swing in an arc.

Trivia

 * Before 1.3, the sprites of other ore shortswords are actually Iron Shortsword's sprite, recolored. This was changed in 1.3, where every shortsword now has its own texture. The same happened to other types of Pre-Hardmode ore tools, except Demonite, Crimtane and Hellstone ones.

History
铁短剑 Épée Courte en Fer 철 단검 Krótki Miecz z Żelaza Iron Shortsword Железный кинжал