When faced with a vampire, you don’t want to spend precious seconds wondering what weapon will work against it and how to use the weapon. Depending on the species of vampire, some weapons will do nothing more than serve as a deterrent, allowing you only a few desperate moments in which to act. On the plus side, the few moments that you buy can give you enough time to find a hiding place or get a weapon. Or if the vampire has a hostage, a deterrent weapon can be used to force the vampire to release the victim so you have a clear shot.

Stake

Probably the best known, as well as most commonly used, weapon against vampires. It is also the one weapon that is certain to work. The typical use of the stake is to pierce the heart, thus destroying the vampire.

The appropriate length for a stake should be between two and two and a half feet long. One end should be flat for hitting with a hammer, while the other should be sharpened to a point. The best woods to use are ash, juniper, buckthorn, whitethorn and hawthorn.

If possible, the deed should be finished with one stroke of the hammer. Otherwise, the vampire could be angered. In other traditions, one strike with the hammer kills the vampire, while a second revives it.

Fire

Fire is believed to purify and cleanse. In some cultures, fire is the representation of the sun. Because of those associations, most evil spirits fear fire. Fire can severely harm a vampire but it could end up only angering the vampire, since they have the ability to regenerate from their wounds. Fire should only be used if it is certain that the vampire will be destroyed by the flames.

Bottles

The practice of bottling a vampire is a common method of dealing with the creature in Bulgaria. However, the practice should only be committed by a determined sorcerer.

The sorcerer armed with a bottle, an icon, and the means to create a fire. When the vampire rises or appears, the sorcerer ambushes the vampire and begins to drive it away from anything that it can use for shelter. Once the vampire is driven to a spot where it cannot find solace, the sorcerer opens the bottle and forces the vampire into it, using the icon. The bottle is sealed and a piece of the icon is placed on the cap. The sorcerer creates a large fire and throws the bottle into the flames, where it destroys the vampire.

Seeds and Grains

These are used mostly as a deterrent. Throwing seeds at an attacking vampire forces it to stop and count the grains individually. However, the older and more practiced the vampire is, the less time it will take to count the seeds or grains. Don’t use seeds unless you are faced with a very young vampire or if you really need a few seconds of time.

Silver

Silver is the metal of choice to use against vampires. While there is more of a connection between werewolves and silver, the truth is that most evil creatures fear silver. Silver represents purity. Bullets, crosses, knives, and swords that are to be used against vampires should be made of silver.

Swords or Knives

Swords or knives can be used to behead the vampire. They can also be used to chop the corpse to pieces for proper destruction with fire or burial. If the sword or knife is blessed, it can be used in place of a stake.

Silver Bullets

While silver bullets are the choice weapon to deal with werewolves, they can be used on vampires. Silver does inflict damage and pain, serving as a form of deterrent. If the vampire is shot in the head, which damages the brain, it can create a revenant. But if the vampire is shot in the heart, or is shot in a way that severs the spine, the vampire will be destroyed. To get the best effect with the bullets, have them blessed by a priest.

Cross or Crucifix

Crosses and crucifixes made of silver or wood will stop a vampires approach. Touching the cross or crucifix to the vampire causes intense pain. With young vampires, the sight of the cross can cause pain and will often drive the vampire away.

Holy water

Holy water is another deterrent. If the water touches a vampire, it acts as acid would to humans. Thrown into the eyes and face will give you a chance to get away.

Garlic

The smell of garlic will drive a vampire away. Throwing crushed garlic mixed with water, will temporarily blind a vampire. This will give you a few seconds to do what you need to do.

Animals

The best creature to use to find a vampire is a horse. The horse must be pure white or pure black and be virginal. When the horse stops at a spot and will not pass, then a vampire is near. Black dogs, white wolves, and crows are the natural enemy of a vampire. They will attack a vampire if it comes near them. So if these animals begin to turn up dead, it’s because of a vampire infestation.

Hands

Knowledge of karate or other physical fight training is a definite bonus when dealing with vampires. Your best chance at that point is to break the vampire’s neck.

Mirrors

There are several beliefs for the aversion between vampires and mirrors. One of the main beliefs concerning mirrors is that it reflects the person’s soul. Many people believe that because vampires do not have souls, nothing will appear in the surface of the glass. Another belief is that if a vampire looks in the mirror, their demonic soul will appear. Other people believe that the reason for the lack of a reflection is that vampires live in two different realms: the realm of the living and the realm of the dead.

Rope or knots

A rope filled with knots is another weapon that can be used to fight vampires. The vampire, when faced with such a rope, is filled with a compulsion to untie the knots. This gives you time to flee, or to destroy the vampire while it’s distracted.

Blood

One of the best tools to use in a fight with a vampire is the thing that it wants most: blood. If you find yourself losing the fight, and dawn is approaching, it may be necessary to give the vampire what it wants. This means to let it feed on you until full sunrise. They will be so consumed with their thirst that they won’t pay attention to the time: especially after a long fight. Once the sun is up, all you have to do is drive the vampire into the sun.

The good news of this tactic is that a vampire bite is treatable by sunlight and treatments of holy water. Though, the treatments will be excruciating.

Conclusion

If you decide to fight a vampire, or have a vampire stalking you and decide to defend yourself, you have several options. Combining some of these weapons is the best way to challenge and defeat vampires. Form a battle plan, though, or the best weapons could end up causing more problems. And always remember to have a backup plan.