01-31-2011, 08:47 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brasil
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shortsword vs broadsword
Is there any reason why i should choose a shortsword over a broadsword? (other than having a low ST or being $100 poorer)?
What are the advantages of the shortsword? I think that, in hystory , it was used for very close range encounters or to fight in tight conditions (ex: a roman legion). But in gurps i dont know any rule that whould make it better than a broadsword for that. |
01-31-2011, 08:50 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
Well, to be honest there is none... I also never saw a char using a shortsword if broadswords were available...
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01-31-2011, 08:54 AM | #3 | |
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
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You'd use a shortsword if:
If you're using GURPS Martial Arts and using A Matter Of Inches, a shortsword generally draws faster than a broadsword
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My Blog: Mailanka's Musing. Currently Playing: Psi-Wars, a step-by-step exploration of building your own Space Opera setting, inspired by Star Wars. |
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01-31-2011, 09:01 AM | #4 | |||
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Charlotte, North Caroline, United States of America, Earth?
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
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In my own campaigns, I've done away with the short sword skill entirely. I use Knife, One Handed Sword, and Two-handed sword. If the weapon is smaller than 24" in overall length, it's a knife. If it's longer than that, and used in one handed, it's a sword. I use familiarity penalties for melee weapons(something most folk dont) based on hilt( Cruciform vs Round Hilt vs. "S-shell" hilt), Blade typology(long, short, broad, distal-tip, curved, straight, for example) and weight. A swordsman who has trained with short-bladed sword with a round hilt, if he picks up a knightly sword that has a cruciform hilt and a long, narrow blade, he gets -4 to his sword skill until he has familiarized himself. For example, a roman legionaire who uses a mainz pattern gladius("short sword"), but picks up a Spatha from an auxilary, would be at a -2 to skill(short vs. long blade, same hilt) untill he practiced with the weapon for a while. The shortsword has typically been a weapon of common people, the poor, a secondary weapon for support troops, or a back-up weapon. Longer blades have been in vogue for a very long time, and served alongside short swords in many classes, gradually displacing them from the primary arm. I'd hazard the guess that this could mean that short swords didn't stand up to the test of the battlefield as well.
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01-31-2011, 09:11 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
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01-31-2011, 09:26 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brasil
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
i just think that there should be a penalty for figthing with a large sword in a tight place or formation.
Or maybe give a shortsword less penalty to stab in close combat.. |
01-31-2011, 09:36 AM | #7 |
Dog of Lysdexics
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
There already is When use a Reach 1, or Reach 1-2, but not for Reach C,1 or C
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01-31-2011, 09:45 AM | #8 | ||
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Charlotte, North Caroline, United States of America, Earth?
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
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People who fought in dense formations appear to have preferred spears, which allow them to fight far more effectively. Quote:
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01-31-2011, 10:24 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
Extrapolating, I'd probably say it's -1 for 12-17", -2 for 18-23", -3 for 24-29", -4 for 30-35", etc, which would put shortswords at -2 or -3, broadswords and sabres at -4, bastard swords and rapiers at -5.
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01-31-2011, 10:29 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Torino, Italy
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Re: shortsword vs broadsword
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= To Fast Draw and Quick-Sheath a shortsword you get +2. (conversely, you could get -2 to fast-draw longswords and bastard swords). = Reduce close combat penalty to -2 = Discount shortswords to $300 = When a fight is very crowded, the ceiling somewhat low or similar situation, give to broadswords an environmental penalty of -1, but rule that shortswords and shorter weapons are immune from this penalty. (if you use an hex map, you could say that an hex is considered "crowded" if 4 of his adjacent hexes are occupied by characters, obstacles or walls). = Raise the broadsword MinST to 11. This will make little difference to PCs inclined for combat and typical NPC thugs, but it will make a shortsword more wieldy for "civilians" ST 9-10.
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Tags |
sword, swords, weapons |
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