Lvl20wizard
Sage
I thought to start this thread because I haven't seen any other threads about this topic. I read the thread about swords but saw mostly discussions about the crafting.
Here in Denmark I have been fortunate enough to be picked up by a gang of steelswinging hooligans and medieval enthusiasts who have actually introduced me to the arts of European swordplay/martial arts. Been with them on and off for about a year now. Quite a few illusions about the art (mostly originated from Hollywood, games and various fiction) got shattered. Some of them were:
1) Pivoting to create kinetic power behind a swing. The first and last time I tried that I got thoroughly smacked in the back and butt. Which makes sense. Why would you ever turn your back on a foe even for a split second?
2) An expert can take on at least five goons. Not very likely! Only if they are severely demoralised or dumb enough to come one at a time (they are in the movies). If the hooligan theorists are to be believed, there actually were certain techniques to kill another man in such a horrible fashion so as to aspire adequate fear in his companions. This was especially favored by German mercenaries in quelling rebelling peasants, skewering out the poor sod's entrails only to step on them and get a good scream out of him (hope I won't see that in the increasingly grimdark movies though).
3) You must first learn to parry before you swing. You know the old saying: the best defense is an offense. From what I have experianced, it is true to an extent. On my first few days I asked of course: when do we learn to parry? My red bearded, tattooed hulk of a master answered: "You don't parry. You counter attack." I have found it to be quite true (at least if I wanna win), because there is actually little sense in parrying unless you mean to follow it up with an attack. Oh, of course it happens in the chaos and frantic panic of trying to avoid getting your head split, but teaching a guy to focus on parrying makes his fights a prolonged loss. On the other hand, counter attacks can be very effective, since you can drive his blade away and get a brief hole where you can stab him.
I probably have more ammo for this kind of rant but suffice to say, ever since I have started on this I have gotten increasingly distracted from the story in movies and books when I see these kind of things happen. So what I wanna know: does anyone feel the same or are most of you ok with these kind of things? Do you mind the hero pivots to finish his foe or dispatches dozens of enemies at the same time, or is it fine with you since it's only fictional entertainment?
Here in Denmark I have been fortunate enough to be picked up by a gang of steelswinging hooligans and medieval enthusiasts who have actually introduced me to the arts of European swordplay/martial arts. Been with them on and off for about a year now. Quite a few illusions about the art (mostly originated from Hollywood, games and various fiction) got shattered. Some of them were:
1) Pivoting to create kinetic power behind a swing. The first and last time I tried that I got thoroughly smacked in the back and butt. Which makes sense. Why would you ever turn your back on a foe even for a split second?
2) An expert can take on at least five goons. Not very likely! Only if they are severely demoralised or dumb enough to come one at a time (they are in the movies). If the hooligan theorists are to be believed, there actually were certain techniques to kill another man in such a horrible fashion so as to aspire adequate fear in his companions. This was especially favored by German mercenaries in quelling rebelling peasants, skewering out the poor sod's entrails only to step on them and get a good scream out of him (hope I won't see that in the increasingly grimdark movies though).
3) You must first learn to parry before you swing. You know the old saying: the best defense is an offense. From what I have experianced, it is true to an extent. On my first few days I asked of course: when do we learn to parry? My red bearded, tattooed hulk of a master answered: "You don't parry. You counter attack." I have found it to be quite true (at least if I wanna win), because there is actually little sense in parrying unless you mean to follow it up with an attack. Oh, of course it happens in the chaos and frantic panic of trying to avoid getting your head split, but teaching a guy to focus on parrying makes his fights a prolonged loss. On the other hand, counter attacks can be very effective, since you can drive his blade away and get a brief hole where you can stab him.
I probably have more ammo for this kind of rant but suffice to say, ever since I have started on this I have gotten increasingly distracted from the story in movies and books when I see these kind of things happen. So what I wanna know: does anyone feel the same or are most of you ok with these kind of things? Do you mind the hero pivots to finish his foe or dispatches dozens of enemies at the same time, or is it fine with you since it's only fictional entertainment?
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