As most experienced fighters know, when facing an opponent you need to take into account the weapon style your opponent is wielding. In fact, there are some weapon styles that are more effective against other weapon styles. Here are the weapons I use when facing a particular style. Obviously personal ability comes into play on this topic. Your own ideas may vary (and feel free to post about them in the Comments), but I believe the following are good ways to deal with the variety of weapons you may encounter in a tourney field or on a battlefield.
Florentine: 5'. A 5’ will give you reach and still allow you to move your weapon when your opponent looks to bind it or move it out of the way. Your opponent will absolutely try and use one weapon to force your weapon away and then move in on you. You will need to maintain your distance at all times. Counteracting your opponents florentine set with your own florentine weapons is a good second choice.
Sword & Shield: Florentine. Longer weapons have a harder time getting around a shield but a shieldman is using a shorter weapon meaning you are already within weapon range of them with a florentine set. Florentine allows you to use one weapon to tie up/block their weapon and to use the other to hit them.
5’: Two handed. You have reach but your opponent will find it difficult to muscle your weapon out of the way. Maintain your distance and you should win.
Two-handed: Sword and shield. Longer weapons are all about maintaining distance, but a shield will allow you to cover that distance safely. Once you are within their thrust area of attack you will be safe from their attacks.
5’ > Florentine > Shield > Two-handed > 5’
