diff --git a/src/components.rs b/src/components.rs
index dc14ee4..84afd8a 100644
--- a/src/components.rs
+++ b/src/components.rs
@@ -165,3 +165,13 @@ pub struct Equipped {
     pub owner: Entity,
     pub slot: EquipmentSlot,
 }
+
+#[derive(Component, ConvertSaveload, Clone)]
+pub struct MeleePowerBonus {
+    pub power: i32,
+}
+
+#[derive(Component, ConvertSaveload, Clone)]
+pub struct DefenseBonus {
+    pub defense: i32,
+}
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 4b10a4a..ff48ea6 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -402,6 +402,9 @@ fn main() -> rltk::BError {
         SimpleMarker<SerializeMe>,
         SerializationHelper,
         Equippable,
+        Equipped,
+        MeleePowerBonus,
+        DefenseBonus,
     );
 
     gs.ecs.insert(SimpleMarkerAllocator::<SerializeMe>::new());
diff --git a/src/melee_combat_system.rs b/src/melee_combat_system.rs
index 68ad684..7114085 100644
--- a/src/melee_combat_system.rs
+++ b/src/melee_combat_system.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use crate::{game_log::GameLog, CombatStats, Name, SufferDamage, WantsToMelee};
+use crate::components::{
+    CombatStats, DefenseBonus, Equipped, MeleePowerBonus, Name, SufferDamage, WantsToMelee,
+};
+use crate::game_log::GameLog;
 use specs::prelude::*;
 
 pub struct MeleeCombatSystem {}
@@ -11,19 +14,54 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for MeleeCombatSystem {
         ReadStorage<'a, Name>,
         ReadStorage<'a, CombatStats>,
         WriteStorage<'a, SufferDamage>,
+        ReadStorage<'a, MeleePowerBonus>,
+        ReadStorage<'a, DefenseBonus>,
+        ReadStorage<'a, Equipped>,
     );
 
     fn run(&mut self, data: Self::SystemData) {
-        let (entities, mut log, mut wants_melee, names, combat_stats, mut inflict_damage) = data;
+        let (
+            entities,
+            mut log,
+            mut wants_melee,
+            names,
+            combat_stats,
+            mut inflict_damage,
+            melee_power_bonuses,
+            defense_bonuses,
+            equipped,
+        ) = data;
 
-        for (_entity, wants_melee, name, stats) in
+        for (entity, wants_melee, name, stats) in
             (&entities, &wants_melee, &names, &combat_stats).join()
         {
             if stats.hp > 0 {
+                let mut offensive_bonus = 0;
+                for (_item_entity, power_bonus, equipped_by) in
+                    (&entities, &melee_power_bonuses, &equipped).join()
+                {
+                    if equipped_by.owner == entity {
+                        offensive_bonus += power_bonus.power;
+                    }
+                }
+
                 let target_stats = combat_stats.get(wants_melee.target).unwrap();
                 if target_stats.hp > 0 {
                     let target_name = names.get(wants_melee.target).unwrap();
-                    let damage = i32::max(0, stats.power - target_stats.defense);
+
+                    let mut defensive_bonus = 0;
+                    for (_item_entity, defense_bonus, equipped_by) in
+                        (&entities, &defense_bonuses, &equipped).join()
+                    {
+                        if equipped_by.owner == wants_melee.target {
+                            defensive_bonus += defense_bonus.defense;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    let damage = i32::max(
+                        0,
+                        (stats.power + offensive_bonus) - (target_stats.defense + defensive_bonus),
+                    );
 
                     if damage == 0 {
                         log.entries.push(format!(
diff --git a/src/spawner.rs b/src/spawner.rs
index 7eab31c..62d71f9 100644
--- a/src/spawner.rs
+++ b/src/spawner.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::components::{
-    AreaOfEffect, BlocksTile, CombatStats, Confusion, Consumable, EquipmentSlot, Equippable,
-    InflictsDamage, Item, Monster, Name, Player, Position, ProvidesHealing, Ranged, Renderable,
-    SerializeMe, Viewshed,
+    AreaOfEffect, BlocksTile, CombatStats, Confusion, Consumable, DefenseBonus, EquipmentSlot,
+    Equippable, InflictsDamage, Item, MeleePowerBonus, Monster, Name, Player, Position,
+    ProvidesHealing, Ranged, Renderable, SerializeMe, Viewshed,
 };
 use crate::{random_table::RandomTable, Rect, MAP_WIDTH};
 use rltk::{RandomNumberGenerator, RGB};
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ fn dagger(ecs: &mut World, x: i32, y: i32) {
         .with(Equippable {
             slot: EquipmentSlot::Melee,
         })
+        .with(MeleePowerBonus { power: 2 })
         .marked::<SimpleMarker<SerializeMe>>()
         .build();
 }
@@ -232,6 +233,7 @@ fn shield(ecs: &mut World, x: i32, y: i32) {
         .with(Equippable {
             slot: EquipmentSlot::Shield,
         })
+        .with(DefenseBonus { defense: 1 })
         .marked::<SimpleMarker<SerializeMe>>()
         .build();
 }