Striking with the flat of the blade

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

There really is zero reason cutting damage will be reduced against skeletons. Remember, it's piercing and impaling that fail horribly against skeletons, not axes!

Creatures with Vulnerability (Crushing). As mentioned, skeletons. But also some birdlike creatures, among other things.

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

That said, reality (and history) allows for holding your sword by the blade and bashing some skulls with the guard.

Do note that this is likely to change the skill required to Axe/Mace due to making the weapon Unbalanced (U-Parry).

[Anthony]

Realistically, striking with the flat of your blade should result in a substantial reduction in damage; swords are not meant to be used that way.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Realistically, striking with the flat of your blade should result in a substantial reduction in damage; swords are not meant to be used that way.

That seems to amount to 1-2 points of damage on a normal sword (the amount that can be attributed to sharpness of a sword as opposed to just its mass×velocity; compare to a stick of a similar mass, with no edge).

[Anders]

Yeah, I'm gonna reduce the damage by a point or two.

[Ji ji]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Do note that this is likely to change the skill required to Axe/Mace due to making the weapon Unbalanced (U-Parry).

This is how it is managed in Martial Arts. Swords held by the blade are two-hand round maces.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Anders

S... against skeletons and they'll want to do crushing damage. Can they strike with the flat of the blade or the back of the axe to do this?

B401, box "Subduing a Foe", paragraph Turn your blade.

[Donny Brook]

Originally Posted by Anders

So my players are about to go up against skeletons and they'll want to do crushing damage. Can they strike with the flat of the blade or the back of the axe to do this? I seem to remember something about this in Campaigns but I can't find it.

Realistically, cutting damage should be no worse than crushing damage against skeletons except that there's no reason to apply the cutting wounding modifier.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

Realistically, cutting damage should be no worse than crushing damage against skeletons except that there's no reason to apply the cutting wounding modifier.

The template for skeletons includes Vulnerability (Crushing) in this case. Thus, crushing damage is preferred.

[Donny Brook]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

The template for skeletons includes Vulnerability (Crushing) in this case. Thus, crushing damage is preferred.

It's an unfortunate artifact in the template. They should have advantages that reduce wounding instead.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

It's an unfortunate artifact in the template. They should have advantages that reduce wounding instead.

They (should) have an Injury Tolerance, making piercing and impaling quite ineffective.