Is the katana too overused?

Discussion in 'Setting Development' started by A J Phillips, Jul 12, 2015.

  1. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    But is a spear really the best weapon for multiple attackers? I would think a sword would be quicker. Not to derail the thread...
     
  2. Aaron DC

    Aaron DC Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Messages:
    2,605
    Likes Received:
    1,320
    Location:
    At my keyboard
    Naginata? Spear with a blade on the end?
     
  3. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY

    Nah it takes to long to use a spear. If you want something bad ass, duel wield these.

    [​IMG]
     
    Daemon Wolf likes this.
  4. Jack Asher

    Jack Asher Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2013
    Messages:
    3,545
    Likes Received:
    2,083
    Location:
    Denver
    [​IMG]
     
  5. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    Might be good for the samurai theme. Still kind of a bad weapon because if the blade gets caught in the zombie's head, you need to take the time to pull it out, and every millisecond is valuable in a fight. Iron bo-staffs are probably more effective.

    It might be a good idea though, to have different members of these futuristic samurais use different weapons. So there could be katanas, but also nun-chucks, chain scythes, etc.
     
  6. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY

    Like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
     
  7. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    Actually no. The sword is slower in its swing arc, while a spear is a jab weapon. Its quicker and easier to avoid attacks.

    An axe is the best of both worlds, and is cheaper and easier to produce. But pole arm weapons are easier to use overall. And easier to mass equip overall. Everyone has an axe. It is a slashing weapon, the sword is a jab weapon and a slashing weapon. It is not always the best weapon to use in all circumstances, in quarters where it is open and you have to face multiple opponents yes it would be better, but in alley or a tight corridor it is harder to use. A spear would be easier to usse..

    Wait what?

    Your just stabbing and pulling out, a sword is a slash weapon and is heavier than a spear meaning the weapon is harder to use and noticeably slower.
     
  8. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    What are you going to do when an adversary gets to close to use the spear? Then you are always backing up, and then you get cornered and you're fucked.
     
  9. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    A spear is kind of long though, and so harder to wield. Not to say I am biased towards swords. My bias is toward nun-chucks.
     
  10. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    With nun-chucks, what are you going to do if you go up against a race that can only be killed if you cut off their heads?
     
  11. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    Your charging someone with a spear. Whats going to stop them from standing still and holding up. The best thing about spearmen is that there are usually ten or thirty of them. Spearmen are usually veterans, the roman legions had these badasses who had spears and javelins and they would run around and beat the opponents with spears. Gladius's were not standard equipment. In terms of actual armed combat spears were used more often. The sword would slow down while the spear can stab and has reach. The swordsmen is disadvantaged by their reach. Swords are not the be all end all of melee weaponry.
     
  12. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    Spear men were put on the front lines to be the first line of defense and worked well against fighters on horse back, BUT once the attackers were in close, the spear men would eventually open up their shield wall and allow some attackers to come through so that the next line of men using swords could kill them. So your argument is flawed.
     
  13. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    So is the use of only swords. Swords do not have reach, charging someone with a spear is suicide.

    I am going to stick to that point. Medevil combat had warhammers which were extremely interesting weapons, I am wondering no heroes ever use it. I mean a warhammer is pretty cool. You slam it down on someone and crack their bones and they wont be able to move at all, along with anyone with a sword. Trying to block a warhammer is like trying to stop a car. Its going to do too much damage so avoid it. warhammers do a ton of damage, swords can stab and slice, but they are heavier.
     
  14. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    Like with nun-chucks, what are you going to do if you are fighting against a race that you can only kill by cutting off their heads like in the movie, "Highlander."
     
  15. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    What about smashing their heads? I mean a spoonton (A sword on a stick) is used might be similar and just as useful
     
  16. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    How about a scythe? If you are so big on having a long weapon.
     
    Daemon Wolf likes this.
  17. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    Thats a swinging weapon Scythes are incredibly hard to use. You need a ton of space to swipe and swing or cleave. It would you leave you largely open to attack.

    A warhammer is pretty small compared to a spear/scythe/sword. Warhammers are puncturing weapons. and can smash and batter people easily. There is a sharp end at one end that you can easily switch to. Which is meant to bash through someones skull.

    A warhammer is as big as an axe. And smashes armor and heavy equipment pretty easily. Maces smash basically anything but are extremely heavy.
     
  18. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY
    Here are some different pole arms.

    [​IMG]
     
    Daemon Wolf and AsherianCommand like this.
  19. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    Bash their heads in. Surely that could work too.
     
  20. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2012
    Messages:
    7,676
    Likes Received:
    3,056
    Location:
    Williamsburg, KY

    I don't think nun-chucks really have the weight to bash anyone's head in. A large hammer maybe or a club, but definitely not nun-chucks.
     
  21. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    Only one missing is the Glaive and the Spoonton

    Spoonton
    http://kultofathena.com/images%5CXH2036_l.jpg

    Glaive
    http://www.outfit4events.com/runtime/cache/images/productFull/mo_3552-01.JPG

    warhammer
    http://medieval.stormthecastle.com/images/warhammers/warhammer-large.jpg

    various spears
    http://www.beerandbattle.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DNDWeapons3rdEd1.jpg

    various weapons
    http://i40.tinypic.com/2ep7kgx.jpg
     
  22. Gawler

    Gawler Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    155
    Location:
    Australia via Hawaii via Australia via England
    A katana is still a lot more useful than a gun for other purposes.
     
  23. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    Iron nun-chucks?
     
  24. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    BTW I saw on one episode of Deadliest Warrior that samurai also used big ass clubs. It was Viking vs Samurai and the viking tried his shield, but it was quickly crushed by this samurai club thing. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
     
  25. Daemon Wolf

    Daemon Wolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    396
    Likes Received:
    136
    The Kanabo?
    [​IMG]
     
    AsherianCommand and Lewdog like this.
  26. TheApprentice

    TheApprentice Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2013
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    155
    Could have sworn it was bigger in the show. but that could be it.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice