On Swords, Blades and the Song of Swords

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Ze'Manel Cunha

The two-handed jians with 30"-36" blades are clearly long enough for Reach 1,2. The one handed jians with 28"+ blades are also long enough, I'd say the 20"-24" bladed jians are clearly not.

Personally I'd probably say that any sword with a 28"+ blade can be Reach 1,2.

Assuming that Reach doesn't actually vary by the individual*, any weapon capable of attacking at Reach 2 needs to be long enough so that it's blade length + 30"-32" is enough to reach well into said hex.

Remember, punches are Reach C, so the blade really needs to add more than a yard to what a normal punch can reach.

Full-extension lunges or jabs are All-Out Attack (Long) or Extra Effort: Great Lunge.

Originally Posted by Ze'Manel Cunha

After all, aren't most katanas under 28" in blade? and they're Reach 1,2 with Broadsword skill.

No, they aren't. Most katanas are, in GURPS terms, Late Katana.

The Reach 1,2 example that weights 3.33 lbs. from the Basic Set is a nodachi or something very close to it. 36"+ inches in length.

*i.e. that Reach is listed for an 'average' arm length and significant variation from this is worth points.