The rapier is the pinnacle of duel weapons, with beautiful, swept hilts and a blade that is very thin but still offers a cutting edge. They don't make for good devastating cuts, but they can offer painful and debilitating slashes with ease due to the great point control. Designed primarily as a civilian dueling weapon, the ability to deliver swift cuts makes duels to "first blood" its primary use.
They are extremely expensive due to them requiring very high quality steel to support the thin and long blade, and are only ever found among nobles who can afford them.