Fencer Archive

There's often disagreement about whether fencers should be based on the historicalfencer that would have roamed the cities of Europe centuries ago, the modern Olympic style fencer, or the cinematic "Errol Flynn" style fencer.

Now, we know that the Fencer of SWG isn't really based on any of these. There was an existing category of one-handed weapons and the term "fencer" just seemed to fit. But with titles like "Swashbuckler" and and the rather thin-looking swords in the fencericon to the left of this post, there seems to be some influence one way or the other.

However, I will say that the idea of the swashbuckler with the flimsy sword is a popular image for many people due to a long tradition of stage combat and swashbuckler movies. AndI thinkStar Wars is often more concerned with cinematic versions of history rather than the actual history.

As an analogy, look at Han Solo. He wears his blaster in a holster low on his hip that tends to suggest a Western gunfighter. But in reality, actual gunfighters woretheir pistols rather high up ontheir waist. The low holster was more of a Hollywood convention. But Han'sgunbelt is meant to make you think of aHollywoodcowboy-- this visual image provides more information aboutthat characterat a single glance than you couldget if they had spent five minutes talking about him.

So what's more important? --a historical reality, or a more memorable cinematic image?

I guess a better question for this forum would be,whichstylewould be more appealing to people-- the realistic urban duelist, or the more flamboyant swashbuckler? I'm not really arguing one way or the other, but I think there's plenty of room for both, it might be a good idea if future weapon designs accomodated both styles.

Just a thought I've had.I'm well aware that Star Wars is Star Wars, and not necessarily related to history or cinema, but I think referencing history and movies and other culturesis really what Star Wars is all about.

I know it's been a long post, but I'm hoping people will throw in their opinions. If the developers decide to make something like a "vibrofoil" or an "electrofoil," it might not go over so well if the player base hates foils.

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received: from unknown (swg.eclipse.daigoro)

well, historic reality tends to not be as intruiging or exciting as hollywood stuff, simply because those guys know how get people hooked.

I like a lot of our profession how it is, but i do think we need to start using swords more than sticks. even flimsy swashbuckler swords

besides, the gaderiffi baton the tuskens used in sw4 was like 6 feet long, they should have made it a pikeman weapon

yeah i don't see myself raising it over my head with 2 hands to shake it an a fallen enemy.

Vanima Tholcrist-Chilastra
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Roogah Heeveah : Starsider, Alien Master of the Force : Roleplayer
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"Cast aside your preconceptions and you will be delivered from this sin of assumption."

I definitely think there's a place for the batons. The gaderiffi and the ryyk blade are both weapons of cultures that exist within the SW continuity.

I think the stun baton is very useful, not just in the hands of players, but also for NPCs. I really like the fact that Dark Troopers bring out Stun Batons when they go melee. It seems believable. I reallydislike it when Imperial Officers bring out polearms, or when Death Watch mercs use Teras Kasi, it just doesn't seem too credible.

But I agree, I think the fact that we often have to rely so heavily on the gaderiffi is a problem. It has some role-playing value, an underworld type might decide to use one. But I think a formally trained fencer would choose a sword. I for one have replaced the gaderiffi with rancor-tooth curved swords and ryyk blades despite the HAM costs and high damage variance.

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received: from unknown (swg.eclipse.daigoro)

Ikhnaton
Master Doctor
Killer of Wayward Hermits