Katana Thrust

[Badmash]

I'm curious why the (Basic Set) Katana has a reach of 1,2 swinging and a reach of 1 thrusting.

As far as I can tell, every other sword has a thrusting reach that matches its swinging reach or is longer. Some weapons optimized for thrusting, mostly fencing weapons, can be used either for a shorter or a longer thrust. The Katana seems to be unique in that its thrusting reach is shorter than its swinging reach.

So why is the Katana's thrusting reach relatively short?

[vierasmarius]

I suspect this is because of the Katana's curved blade, which makes the thrusting motion a little awkward. Also, because of the curvature, the Katana can slice relatively efficiently with tip of the blade, which maximizes reach on swinging attacks. Compared to that, the Jian is generally limited to drawing cuts and tip slashes, but can thrust very efficiently.

[DanHoward]

Yep. Unlike a "broadsword" the katana cuts best when using the last 1/3 of the blade which takes it out to Reach 2. A thrust actually requires you to "thrust", not just touch him with the tip. Once the blade goes in far enough to cause injury you have shortened the Reach to 1.

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Yep. Unlike a "broadsword" the katana cuts best when using the last 1/3 of the blade which takes it out to Reach 2. A thrust actually requires you to "thrust", not just touch him with the tip. Once the blade goes in far enough to cause injury you have shortened the Reach to 1.

So in a way, you could almost say that the katana would be a Reach 1 weapon if not for the mechanics of the curved blade.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by RyanW

So in a way, you could almost say that the katana would be a Reach 1 weapon if not for the mechanics of the curved blade.

Meh. Reach 2 for most katana's is generous. They're usually 40" long (give or take), with 9-12" of handle, leaving a blade of 27-31". Not enough to really get into reach 2, though it will certainly reach the entirety of the adjacent hex. If you figure in a foot and a half of lean, or you assume that many attacks partially enter, but don't remain, in an adjacent hex, you can wiggle your fingers at it and claim Reach 2 easily enough.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

Meh. Reach 2 for most katana's is generous. They're usually 40" long (give or take), with 9-12" of handle, leaving a blade of 27-31". Not enough to really get into reach 2, though it will certainly reach the entirety of the adjacent hex.

This is why there was a "Late Katana" invented for Martial Arts to represent the common modern replica and probably the late period blades they were based on. Those were probably shortened for ease of carry and iai-jutsu by samurai who almost never fought in armor or in stand-up battlefield engagements.

Persons seeing similarities to the development of Western fencing swords win a level one kewpie doll.

It's sort of a recursive proof but for the Basic Katana to have the stats it does which are very similar to the Basic Bastard Sword, the Basic Katana needs to be a blade very similar in overall dimensions. Probaly with a blade of around 40" of the type that would usually be called a "nodachi" in modern parlance.

Since nodachi is normally translated as "field sword" you're being given a clue that it's a true battlefield weapon and presumably being distinguished from some other Japanese sword.

[DanHoward]

I consider the generic GURPS katana to be more like the earlier tachi. As Fred said, more recent Japanese sabres have their own stats in MA (Late Katana).

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Yep. Unlike a "broadsword" the katana cuts best when using the last 1/3 of the blade which takes it out to Reach 2. A thrust actually requires you to "thrust", not just touch him with the tip. Once the blade goes in far enough to cause injury you have shortened the Reach to 1.

How does it happen that the Main-Gauche or Sai thrusts at Reach 1 then? (Also: how deep an attack has to be to count as an impaling thrust?)

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

How does it happen that the Main-Gauche or Sai thrusts at Reach 1 then? (Also: how deep an attack has to be to count as an impaling thrust?)

All sharp penetrations are imp. blunt penetrations are piercing.

not cuts that break skin are slices not penetration in this context

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

All sharp penetrations are imp. blunt penetrations are piercing.

not cuts that break skin are slices not penetration in this context

And yet an attempt to thrust with the tip of the katana is not. *shrug*

(For the record, things like short shield spikes are sometimes deemed +cr even though they are sharpened, because they are too small.)