The estoc sword, developed in the late Middle Ages, was designed to pierce through plate armor, revolutionizing battlefield combat. Unlike traditional swords, its long, stiff, and narrow blade had no cutting edges but excelled in thrusting attacks. This made it highly effective against armored opponents, where slashing was futile. Warriors used the estoc to exploit weak points in armor, such as gaps between plates. Its specialized design helped knights and foot soldiers overcome heavily armored foes, leading to battlefield success.