Beats Suck(?)

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by Gef

Regarding the game mechanic, I concur with your conclusion, Mailanka.

In my fencing experience, though, "beats" work better than this. You don't have to parry first, ...

I suspect that's a result of the rules being generic. A lot of guard positions keep the weapon somewhere out of reach of the opponent, to keep the weapon arm safe, avoid beats, and cock the body for a powerful strike or parry. While some styles with some weapons favour guards with the weapon extended out in front where it could be Beaten, trying to figure out whether a fighter was in one type of position or another would be a lot of complication for not much benefit. Whereas after a Parry or Block you know both weapons are out in front somewhere close together.

Beats have never come up in my games, so I don't have a strong opinion on the rules. Icelander has posted some house rules somewhere.