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weapon skill question/complaint (attn: HEMA practitioners!)


Beoferret

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4 hours ago, Shiningbrow said:

Interesting that your examples are used fairly similarly.

But what about kopesh or rapier? Somewhat less similar...

That's a matter of how you slice the categories, rather than the basic principle of how harsh a penalty to apply. Well, the two go hand in hand. If you want to get really crunchy, then maybe you need a node map of weapons, and apply a scaling penalty based on how many nodes apart they are.

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16 hours ago, Beoferret said:

Baron Wulfraed and Rob's points about the physical particularities of each weapon and how it's used/trained (how a particular style is embodied, as Rob put it) seem pretty important to keep in mind and a good reason to stick with RAW.  It's still very tempting to switch to skill in category (e.g., 1-H sword, 2-H axe, etc.) for gaming ease. Gotta think this over a bit more. Thanks again all.

Strangely, it is in the Oriental styles (at least as seen in many over-blown movies) where I could see skills carrying over... But I'm talking a similarity between a 2H spear and a long staff! Both are often seen being used in sweeping moves, at a bit of a distance -- not close in "poke, poke, poke". Sure, the spear may take off a head, while the staff may at best break the neck -- but the attack is really the same move.

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18 hours ago, Rodney Dangerduck said:

Why the need to use closely related weapons at character creation?  In general,

1. Pick a one handed weapon. 

2. Pick a missile weapon. 

3. Maybe pick a two handed weapon or lance or dagger. 

Done.

A need? I suppose none, aside from my weakened, but continuing feeling that the 1/2 skill penalty of going from a broadsword to a shortsword is a bit much. That aside, I'd say that any character from an occupation that could reasonably be called on to fight (if only in the tribal militia) should have at least a little training in:

1. Spear (either 1-H or 2-H) - that's going to be the most common weapon all around, regardless of cult weapon affinities 

2. At least one of trained skill with some type of sword, mace, or axe (more room for cult and cultural specialization here)

3. Shield 

4. a missile weapon, like you suggest

5. Dagger

6. At least one unarmed fighting skill - wrestling would probably be the most common, at least among Sartarites.

 

Even if they're all at low levels, these seem like they're pretty necessary (and justified) for most characters, let alone ones who are combat specialists.

 

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15 hours ago, PhilHibbs said:

That's a matter of how you slice the categories, rather than the basic principle of how harsh a penalty to apply. Well, the two go hand in hand. If you want to get really crunchy, then maybe you need a node map of weapons, and apply a scaling penalty based on how many nodes apart they are.

That's an interesting idea. 

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7 hours ago, Baron Wulfraed said:

Strangely, it is in the Oriental styles (at least as seen in many over-blown movies) where I could see skills carrying over... But I'm talking a similarity between a 2H spear and a long staff! Both are often seen being used in sweeping moves, at a bit of a distance -- not close in "poke, poke, poke". Sure, the spear may take off a head, while the staff may at best break the neck -- but the attack is really the same move.

I have a friend who teaches Wing Chun kung fu and who knows staff work. I'll ask him what he thinks. My only martial arts training has been kendo. Been jonesing to learn some longsword and/or sword and buckler! Not enough time though and no one near me with whom I could practice.

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14 hours ago, Beoferret said:

I have a friend who teaches Wing Chun kung fu and who knows staff work. I'll ask him what he thinks. My only martial arts training has been kendo. Been jonesing to learn some longsword and/or sword and buckler! Not enough time though and no one near me with whom I could practice.

I am now envious... I'd never been situated where I could find a Wing Chun school and now, as a greymuzzle undergoing chemo sessions, am too old to start. I have, over time, collected about 12 books on the style, and I think I have a few DVDs stored away.

 

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On 9/22/2021 at 10:09 AM, Baron Wulfraed said:

I am now envious... I'd never been situated where I could find a Wing Chun school and now, as a greymuzzle undergoing chemo sessions, am too old to start. I have, over time, collected about 12 books on the style, and I think I have a few DVDs stored away.

 

We're just far enough apart that doing any sort of regular training isn't going to work (though I did practice a few times with my buddy when we lived in the same town.) At the risk of sounding trite, Wulfraed, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. I sincerely hope the chemo works in the end and that it's not too hard on ya in the meantime. I'm a devout atheist, but times like this make me wish we really did have access to a Chalana Arroy-type force.

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