Quote:
Originally Posted by Polydamas
I strongly encourage making the defaults between Melee Weapon skills less punitive (either -2 or -3 between Broadsword and Two-Handed Sword).
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Based on my experience using medieval-style melee weapons and watching others use them, I'd allow defaults between most weapons at -2. Closely related weapons (e.g., Knife to Shortsword, Shortsword to Broadsword, Broadsword to 2-H Sword) should be -1. Defaults between more different weapons should be at -3.
Additionally, Boxing or Karate should default to melee weapon skills at -5 because you understand things like striking range, proper stance, and tradeoffs between attack and defense. I've seen a black belt karateka with no prior weapons experience strap on armor, pick up a sword and shield for the first time and perform credibly in practice.
That said, the GURPS melee weapon rules have been around since Man to Man and work extremely well, so there's not a whole lot of reason to change them.