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Soup Spitter
Nov Member 2020

Soup Spitter

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You literally cannot swordfight in rp because every man, woman, and child (and everything in between) decides they're a professional MMA wrestler, and just uses fists even when both fighters have swords.

20-Aug-2014 12:49:50 - Last edited on 20-Aug-2014 12:51:10 by Soup Spitter

heretic hary

heretic hary

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KDF-Luth said :
I see little bits of inspiration from the German School of Fencing.

Yes, I'm part German, and like Liechtenauer. Also have a bit of the Italian school, though I prefer German overall.

Soup Spitter said :
You literally cannot swordfight in rp because every man, woman, and child (and everything in between) decides they're a professional MMA wrestler, and just uses fists even when both fighters have swords.

With swords, here's the thing: you already have a much better reach than the person with fists. Provided you have a clue about footwork, it's possible to attack someone without them being able to attack you, unless they get closer.

Pay close attention to the techniques, and you'll notice that the point of a sword is often kept aimed at the opponent to make a sudden thrust if they try rushing. But if someone's already using fists, then you know they will try to get very close, so you don't have room for full strokes, and will try keeping the point from being aimed at them. In this case, since it's rather obvious that would be their choice, you do what medieval knights did in those cases: if someone wanted to wrestle, they'd be half-swording or morte-striking, turning the use of the sword into an advantage: bone-shattering strikes and insanely fast, accurate slices and thrusts.

And, you shouldn't be making the mistake of relying on a weapon entirely in the first place: if a sudden elbow strike will force the opponent's arm aside and mess up their attack so you can land one of your own, go for it! Parrying their sword by smacking the flat of it with the leather vambrace on your forearm with a bloody, bladed follow-up? Sure.

Most of what I said, simply applies to the longsword, other parts of it applying to other swords. In the event of larger swords such as the greatsword, claymore, zweihander, etc. a step back with a swing is going to wreck someone trying to rush with--

21-Aug-2014 17:51:05

heretic hary

heretic hary

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--fists. Even with thick metal bracers (hefty fist)*, there's the issue of the bracers being pushed aside, and still letting the rest of the blade strike the torso. (Actually, don't step straight back, but towards the left or right as well, to avoid re-setting the situation to the same as before.

With even smaller swords such as imitations of the Roman Gladius, someone getting close isn't a problem - the Romans designed that sword for that sort of combat, with the leaf-bladed design delivering punchy stabs that didn't care for armor, or the human torso.

Remember this: But if he gets close, then wrestle. -Johannes Liechtenauer. The Germans knew that you didn't try fighting someone who was at the distance to be hugging you, and were certainly prepared for that. Knives, morte-striking, half-swording, using the sword as a wrestling tool, all these viable answers to that problem.

*Personally, I don't recommend the hefty fist bracers as those encourage static, not kinetic, parries.

21-Aug-2014 18:06:49

Doc Doctor

Doc Doctor

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I have a few things to say on the subject of hefty fist bracers Vs. blades.

First of all, although Gonad may IC'ly state that there is no greater weapon than the human body, that is just his own little opinion, and I freely admit that outside of roleplay a style is only limited by the user's skill and creativity.

Hefty fist bracers are primarily used by those strong of body, who favor a fast-paced and aggressive approach. Contrary to what some may believe, the bracers are not the fighter's main weapon. They are merely a tool used to help get the fighter into close proximity, whereupon they may utilize the full extent of their bodily arsenal. The bracers are meant to create openings above all else. Furthermore, they are mainly used by brutal martial artists, and little else. It is a versatile item pertaining to a very specific style.

Swords, on the other hand, are supreme for a great balance of offense and defence. Nearly anyone can learn to use a sword with great skill, and it is compatible with many different styles. I wish I could say more on the matter, but I honestly don't know squat about the intricacies of true swordplay.

But, summed up... Bracers are ideal for close-range, swords for mid-range, and with enough skill either weapon may cross the boundaries and limits of the other.
“Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.”

03-Oct-2014 18:08:38 - Last edited on 03-Oct-2014 18:18:58 by Doc Doctor

I Castigo I

I Castigo I

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heretic hary said :

Remember this: But if he gets close, then wrestle. -Johannes Liechtenauer. The Germans knew that you didn't try fighting someone who was at the distance to be hugging you, and were certainly prepared for that. Knives, morte-striking, half-swording, using the sword as a wrestling tool, all these viable answers to that problem.


One real advantage you have with a longer weapon such as a sword in a wrestling scenario is that it can easily be used as bait; that is, you can redirect a wrestling opponent's motions at will by moving a certain way with your weapon. People tend to avoid or parry the sword. This can be used advantageously or against you, depending on the circumstances and how practiced you are. If, for example, you were to strike high with a horizontal stroke of the blade and aimed to connect the weak of your blade with the upper portion of his torso, and your opponent was determined to close with you, he might be more inclined to go low even though he may have originally intended to go for your mid/upper torso. This then opens a new spectrum of techniques your opponent may or may not have been prepared for. Thus you can alter and manipulate the way an unarmed opponent moves against you more thoroughly because you have a sword. Though with enough practice one can alter the way your opponent moves with any weapon, it is most advantageous to do so when your opponent is unarmed. People tend to avoid or parry the sword. Cause your opponent to move in a way that makes your opponent believe they are moving away from something dangerous and not into danger, and you have gained a key advantage in the fight. author of 3 fake books and 1 real book <_>

03-Oct-2014 20:33:55

heretic hary

heretic hary

Posts: 3,137 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I Castigo I said :
heretic hary said :

Remember this: But if he gets close, then wrestle. -Johannes Liechtenauer. The Germans knew that you didn't try fighting someone who was at the distance to be hugging you, and were certainly prepared for that. Knives, morte-striking, half-swording, using the sword as a wrestling tool, all these viable answers to that problem.


One real advantage you have with a longer weapon such as a sword in a wrestling scenario is that it can easily be used as bait; that is, you can redirect a wrestling opponent's motions at will by moving a certain way with your weapon. People tend to avoid or parry the sword. This can be used advantageously or against you, depending on the circumstances and how practiced you are. If, for example, you were to strike high with a horizontal stroke of the blade and aimed to connect the weak of your blade with the upper portion of his torso, and your opponent was determined to close with you, he might be more inclined to go low even though he may have originally intended to go for your mid/upper torso. This then opens a new spectrum of techniques your opponent may or may not have been prepared for. Thus you can alter and manipulate the way an unarmed opponent moves against you more thoroughly because you have a sword. Though with enough practice one can alter the way your opponent moves with any weapon, it is most advantageous to do so when your opponent is unarmed. People tend to avoid or parry the sword. Cause your opponent to move in a way that makes your opponent believe they are moving away from something dangerous and not into danger, and you have gained a key advantage in the fight.

ie, the high cut from the ox guard with the pass forward and un-crossing the hands to extend into a thrust.

17-Oct-2014 12:40:06

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