Fencing is just Sword Expertise

[larsdangly]

My ruling is that Fencing Expertise and Mastery cover all weapon combinations that are classics from the age of cut-and-thrust swordsmanship (rapier and main gauche, case of rapiers, etc.). That provides it a bit more breadth of application that I'd say makes it on par with the other equivalent talents.

[David Bofinger]

Originally Posted by larsdangly

My ruling is that Fencing Expertise and Mastery cover all weapon combinations that are classics from the age of cut-and-thrust swordsmanship (rapier and main gauche, case of rapiers, etc.).

Can you give an example of a weapon that isn't covered? I would have said the gladius, for instance, was from a literally classical age of cut and thrust - well, mostly thrust - swordsmanship. Maybe you mean something else.

But it seems funny to me to say a talent covers weapons from a particular historical era. You might as well have a talent for gladiatorial weapons, or weapons of the stone age.

[hcobb]

Note that beginner level characters do NOT have Sword Expertise, as this does not cover anything lighter than the Shortsword.

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Note that beginner level characters do NOT have Sword Expertise, as this does not cover anything lighter than the Shortsword.

Rapiers and Sabers are clearly placed onto the Sword table on ITL page 109.

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

Rapiers and Sabers are clearly placed onto the Sword table on ITL page 109.

"does not include fencing weapons, which have their own Expertise (see below)." -ITL 41

So you can use Sword with Rapier, but not Sword Expertise.

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by hcobb

"does not include fencing weapons, which have their own Expertise (see below)." -ITL 41

So you can use Sword with Rapier, but not Sword Expertise.

I interpret rapiers and sabers to be swords per the weapons table. If one doesn't interpret them that way, then I can see why some would want to dump the fencing talent.

I do limit Fencing talent to fencing weapons but I don't exclude swords like the rapier and saber from sword expertise. To exclude them makes as much sense as Unarmed Combat Talents not allowing anything at all to be in the PCs hands.