The Unofficial Guide to Combat
Sept 11, 2010 2:47:56 GMT -6
Post by Mavick on Sept 11, 2010 2:47:56 GMT -6
(You don't want to know how many hours I slaved over this.)
I will keep the introductory paragraph brief. You are searching for knowledge on the workings of combat. I have written this tome to provide you with such knowledge. I have served as a tactician for over thirty years now. I’ve fought wars, I’ve won battles, I know what I’m talking about. Now that we’ve restated the obvious and confirmed my validity to this knowledge, I’m going to end this pointless introduction and give you what you are here for.
Weaponry is, of course, the most vital tool an army has. Armor is a close second, but it’s easier to survive without armor than it is to win without weapons. There are four basic types of weaponry: Axes, lances, swords, and bows. Let’s focus on the first three for now.
Axes consist of a shaft typically as long as the distance between a man’s shoulder and wrist, and a large crescent blade jutting out from the side of the shaft. Axes are fairly common tools, with ridiculously repetitive motions regardless of the purpose. You see, they can only be used to hack. As such, they are ludicrously easy to use, but also incredibly powerful due to sheer weight.
Lances consist of a shaft typically as long as a grown man is tall, with a sharpened point of metal at the tip. The exception to this is the throwing spear, which is similar to an axe shaft in length. Spears, like axes, have a rather typical function. They stab. However, the length of the spear can be used as a weapon as well as the tip. Yet, in retaliation, the length makes it harder to use. Spears are often considered the most balanced of all weapons.
Swords are much different than axes or lances. A swords shaft is typically only long enough to accommodate one or both of a man’s hands. The shaft typically widens out in a guard, in which a long, sharpened piece of metal is set. Swords are sharp on both the tip and edges, making them ridiculously versatile. Swords are typically light, but as a result weaker than other weapons. However, they possess two variations: The typical sword, which is slimmer and lighter, and the blade, which is larger and heavier. Swords are therefore weaker but faster, and blades more powerful, but slower. The terms blade and sword are often intermixed, but for the sake of clarity, they will be referred to by their proper names here.
Axes, lances, and swords have a connection between them. Axes, due to their broad arcs and the focus of the attack being at the end of the weapon, are favorably against lances, who are most effective at mid-ranged, thrusting in a straight line. Lances, due to their distance, are favorable against swords, which unlike axes are primarily focused near the center of the blade, lacking the sweeping arcs of the axe. Swords, however, due to their versatility and short recovery time, easily overcome the slower, more repetitive axe. This cycle is typically referred to as the Weapon Triangle.
The fourth weapon is the Bow. While the bow was traditionally made of wood, blacksmiths have learned to temper metal to fit the requirements. As such, almost all bows, with rare exceptions, are made of metal. Bows are used at a range, and are typically very dangerous. However, it takes time to reload, making it a poor choice for close combat. The Bow, for obvious reasons, is not included in the Weapon Triangle.
Now that we’ve gone over basic weaponry, we will discuss the metals used. There are three metals used in making weapons: Iron, Steel, and Silver. Iron is the cheapest of all metals. However, it is also the most durable. Steel is more expensive, and less durable, but due to the finer quality of the metal, more effective in combat. Silver, that is to say tempered silver, is the least durable of combat-approved metals. However, silver weapons are prided for their amazing capabilities in battle.
The enemy of weaponry is armor. Armor is designed to hinder a weapon. Of course, men have worked to maneuver around this flaw. There are three types of armor breaking weapons, one to coincide with each of the three basic melee weapons.
The first is the oldest known armor breaking weapon: The war hammer. War hammers are similar to axes in that they are set in a shaft the length of a man’s arm. At the end of the shaft is a double faced hammer. One end is flat, the other narrowed to a point. One edge is used for smashing and denting, the other for piercing.
The second is the heavy spear. Quite literally, a heavy spear. The spear is large, heavy, and tipped with a large, barbed chunk of sharpened metal. The objective here is obvious: Thrust it at the enemy, and the sheer weight of the thing should break through.
The third is a sword known as the armor slayer. It is similar to the spear in its methods: It is a single edged, slightly curved sword made from a large, rather heavy piece of metal that has simply been sharpened on one end and shoved into a hilt. The idea is to move your weight into the sweeping motion, and cleave through the armor. I recommend using two hands.
Calvary and Wyverns have long been a problem in combat.. This, too, have been compensensed by blacksmiths.
The first is the Horse Slayer. The Horse Slayer is made longer than the average lance (It is, in fact, a pike.) in order to pierce horses and fell riders.
The second is the Halberd. It is similar to a lance in its length and that there is a tip, but it’s main weapon is the axe blade on the side. It, like the Horse Slayer, provides the range needed to fell a horse and rider before they get within range.
The third is the Long Sword. Interestingly, this sword comes in two variants: A double edged blade and a single edged curved sword. Both possess the same function: To cut the horse down using the blades length.
To combat wyverns, Blacksmiths have hollowed out weapons to harbor a poison only deadly to the dragon-kin. These weapons are the Dragon Axe, Dragon Spear, and Wyrm Slayer.
There is one other type of weapon worth noting: The Infamous ‘Killing’ Weapons. Of course, all weapons are designed to be able to kill, but these weapons were made specifically, and irrefutably, for that purpose and none other. There are five ‘killing’ weapons in Elibe, and all but one are recognized by the blood red sheen of the metal, symbolic of the weapons purpose.
The first is the Killer Axe. This axe is larger than a normal axe, though smaller than a battle axe. Like the battle axe, it possesses a large blade on one end and a smaller one on the other. The Killer Axe has been curved to an almost ridiculous angle. This is so that, one the axe strikes, it can simply continue going through its victim and easily slide out the other side, as opposed to having to yank it out.
The second is the killer lance. This red spear is tipped with a copper toned metal tip that is adorned with very small barbs. It easily and cleanly enters its target, but has to be violently ripped out of them.
The third is the Killer Bow. The ends of the bow have been adorned in metal ‘feathers’, to add to its intimidation. The bow is shorter than most bows, and made of metal, increasing its killing ratio. A similar bow is the short bow. Made of wood, it is similar to the Killer Bow in that it is short, but lacks the power of the metal shaft, and is not considered a ‘killing’ weapon.
The fourth is the Killing Edge. This is a single edged sword with a notable curve in the blade, designed for maximum effect when slashing or stabbing. Its purpose is to disembowel the enemy with one fluid strike.
The fifth is a Sacaen blade known as the ‘Wo Dao’, which translates as ‘Eastern Blade’, reflecting its Sacaen heritage. The weapon is notably shorter than others: the entire thing, hilt and blade together, are made to be only as long as it's users arm. It is of a single edged design like the killing edge, but not as profound. In the hands of a normal person, this blade isn't any more useful than a mere iron sword. In the hands of one trained in the Sacaen arts of sword fighting, however, it is even more deadly than it's red-colored cousin.
I will keep the introductory paragraph brief. You are searching for knowledge on the workings of combat. I have written this tome to provide you with such knowledge. I have served as a tactician for over thirty years now. I’ve fought wars, I’ve won battles, I know what I’m talking about. Now that we’ve restated the obvious and confirmed my validity to this knowledge, I’m going to end this pointless introduction and give you what you are here for.
Weaponry is, of course, the most vital tool an army has. Armor is a close second, but it’s easier to survive without armor than it is to win without weapons. There are four basic types of weaponry: Axes, lances, swords, and bows. Let’s focus on the first three for now.
Axes consist of a shaft typically as long as the distance between a man’s shoulder and wrist, and a large crescent blade jutting out from the side of the shaft. Axes are fairly common tools, with ridiculously repetitive motions regardless of the purpose. You see, they can only be used to hack. As such, they are ludicrously easy to use, but also incredibly powerful due to sheer weight.
Lances consist of a shaft typically as long as a grown man is tall, with a sharpened point of metal at the tip. The exception to this is the throwing spear, which is similar to an axe shaft in length. Spears, like axes, have a rather typical function. They stab. However, the length of the spear can be used as a weapon as well as the tip. Yet, in retaliation, the length makes it harder to use. Spears are often considered the most balanced of all weapons.
Swords are much different than axes or lances. A swords shaft is typically only long enough to accommodate one or both of a man’s hands. The shaft typically widens out in a guard, in which a long, sharpened piece of metal is set. Swords are sharp on both the tip and edges, making them ridiculously versatile. Swords are typically light, but as a result weaker than other weapons. However, they possess two variations: The typical sword, which is slimmer and lighter, and the blade, which is larger and heavier. Swords are therefore weaker but faster, and blades more powerful, but slower. The terms blade and sword are often intermixed, but for the sake of clarity, they will be referred to by their proper names here.
Axes, lances, and swords have a connection between them. Axes, due to their broad arcs and the focus of the attack being at the end of the weapon, are favorably against lances, who are most effective at mid-ranged, thrusting in a straight line. Lances, due to their distance, are favorable against swords, which unlike axes are primarily focused near the center of the blade, lacking the sweeping arcs of the axe. Swords, however, due to their versatility and short recovery time, easily overcome the slower, more repetitive axe. This cycle is typically referred to as the Weapon Triangle.
The fourth weapon is the Bow. While the bow was traditionally made of wood, blacksmiths have learned to temper metal to fit the requirements. As such, almost all bows, with rare exceptions, are made of metal. Bows are used at a range, and are typically very dangerous. However, it takes time to reload, making it a poor choice for close combat. The Bow, for obvious reasons, is not included in the Weapon Triangle.
Now that we’ve gone over basic weaponry, we will discuss the metals used. There are three metals used in making weapons: Iron, Steel, and Silver. Iron is the cheapest of all metals. However, it is also the most durable. Steel is more expensive, and less durable, but due to the finer quality of the metal, more effective in combat. Silver, that is to say tempered silver, is the least durable of combat-approved metals. However, silver weapons are prided for their amazing capabilities in battle.
The enemy of weaponry is armor. Armor is designed to hinder a weapon. Of course, men have worked to maneuver around this flaw. There are three types of armor breaking weapons, one to coincide with each of the three basic melee weapons.
The first is the oldest known armor breaking weapon: The war hammer. War hammers are similar to axes in that they are set in a shaft the length of a man’s arm. At the end of the shaft is a double faced hammer. One end is flat, the other narrowed to a point. One edge is used for smashing and denting, the other for piercing.
The second is the heavy spear. Quite literally, a heavy spear. The spear is large, heavy, and tipped with a large, barbed chunk of sharpened metal. The objective here is obvious: Thrust it at the enemy, and the sheer weight of the thing should break through.
The third is a sword known as the armor slayer. It is similar to the spear in its methods: It is a single edged, slightly curved sword made from a large, rather heavy piece of metal that has simply been sharpened on one end and shoved into a hilt. The idea is to move your weight into the sweeping motion, and cleave through the armor. I recommend using two hands.
Calvary and Wyverns have long been a problem in combat.. This, too, have been compensensed by blacksmiths.
The first is the Horse Slayer. The Horse Slayer is made longer than the average lance (It is, in fact, a pike.) in order to pierce horses and fell riders.
The second is the Halberd. It is similar to a lance in its length and that there is a tip, but it’s main weapon is the axe blade on the side. It, like the Horse Slayer, provides the range needed to fell a horse and rider before they get within range.
The third is the Long Sword. Interestingly, this sword comes in two variants: A double edged blade and a single edged curved sword. Both possess the same function: To cut the horse down using the blades length.
To combat wyverns, Blacksmiths have hollowed out weapons to harbor a poison only deadly to the dragon-kin. These weapons are the Dragon Axe, Dragon Spear, and Wyrm Slayer.
There is one other type of weapon worth noting: The Infamous ‘Killing’ Weapons. Of course, all weapons are designed to be able to kill, but these weapons were made specifically, and irrefutably, for that purpose and none other. There are five ‘killing’ weapons in Elibe, and all but one are recognized by the blood red sheen of the metal, symbolic of the weapons purpose.
The first is the Killer Axe. This axe is larger than a normal axe, though smaller than a battle axe. Like the battle axe, it possesses a large blade on one end and a smaller one on the other. The Killer Axe has been curved to an almost ridiculous angle. This is so that, one the axe strikes, it can simply continue going through its victim and easily slide out the other side, as opposed to having to yank it out.
The second is the killer lance. This red spear is tipped with a copper toned metal tip that is adorned with very small barbs. It easily and cleanly enters its target, but has to be violently ripped out of them.
The third is the Killer Bow. The ends of the bow have been adorned in metal ‘feathers’, to add to its intimidation. The bow is shorter than most bows, and made of metal, increasing its killing ratio. A similar bow is the short bow. Made of wood, it is similar to the Killer Bow in that it is short, but lacks the power of the metal shaft, and is not considered a ‘killing’ weapon.
The fourth is the Killing Edge. This is a single edged sword with a notable curve in the blade, designed for maximum effect when slashing or stabbing. Its purpose is to disembowel the enemy with one fluid strike.
The fifth is a Sacaen blade known as the ‘Wo Dao’, which translates as ‘Eastern Blade’, reflecting its Sacaen heritage. The weapon is notably shorter than others: the entire thing, hilt and blade together, are made to be only as long as it's users arm. It is of a single edged design like the killing edge, but not as profound. In the hands of a normal person, this blade isn't any more useful than a mere iron sword. In the hands of one trained in the Sacaen arts of sword fighting, however, it is even more deadly than it's red-colored cousin.
