Help with Elven Blades

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Varyon

I'll admit, it is a bit odd that a hilted baton gets a better Parry than a hilted sword

Maybe because the baton doesn't have an orientation? It's round all the way around, rather than flat and thin, with an edge to worry about protecting or fears of it turning in your grip. (Though engineering of beams suggests you'd rather parry with the thin edge than the wide flat; the blade is stronger that way.) I don't have any idea whether that actually matters in combat terms, but it's a difference in the weapons, anyway.

But that's probably inventing an explanation for a game stat that doesn't need one because it isn't even necessarily accurate in the first place.

[pawsplay]

Well, a baton can definitely be used better for blocking than a sword -- which, in GURPS, is still covered by a Parry roll.

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by pawsplay

Well, a baton can definitely be used better for blocking than a sword

Why is that?

[pawsplay]

Originally Posted by corwyn

Why is that?

Because you can use any part of it to stop a blow, completely. Do that with a blade and you'll lose slivers of metal, not to mention a narrower blocking surface on the edge makes it harder to dissipate a blow. Which is easier to block with, a shield or a knife?

[night-hunter]

I have a replica of Hadafang. It is more of a sabre than either broadsword or rapier and I would therefore assign it Sabre skill for use. HOWEVER, the angle of the hilt and length of the hilt make it VERY awkward/unbalanced to wield either one handed or two handed. Looks good on the fireplace mantle, but it is not what I would choose in a real battle.

[Alden Loveshade]

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

2) I would lean toward shortsword, although realistically I'm not sure that design would be very practical. I think it would be hard to control and get much force in the swing. (I know, who cares; it's a fantasy weapon.)

Originally Posted by night-hunter

I have a replica of Hadafang. It is more of a sabre than either broadsword or rapier and I would therefore assign it Sabre skill for use. HOWEVER, the angle of the hilt and length of the hilt make it VERY awkward/unbalanced to wield either one handed or two handed. Looks good on the fireplace mantle, but it is not what I would choose in a real battle.

Thanks. I only saw the picture, but I suspected it wouldn't be very practical as a weapon. Thanks for confirming that.