While I can't contribute with a suggestion I would still like to ask if you could specify what you actually seek. Dueling rules (2 guys fighting each other in a arena/controlled environment) or fencing rules (2 guys fighting each other without armor with sabers or rapiers like used by Zorro)?
Best fencing rules?
howandwhy99
Adventurer
I think there were some fencing rules in early Judges' Guild or may be Harn that were very good. This is 1970s stuff. Designers were hardcore wargamers, so it gets pretty detailed but they try for accuracy. These rules are very situational however and not really extensible like D&D's combat rules. Dueling really is a mini-game for two duelers.
From what I can remember:
1. Initiative was simultaneous, players revealed all their choices for the round at the same time then resolved consequences.
2. Movement wasn't a big deal, stance was huge though. A 3x3x3 cube with 27 options was used for categorizing stances.
2a. PCs could choose to jump, duck, move forward or back, left or right all in one movement.
3. Basics like parry, thrust, feint, and so on were weapon use options.
There were definitely more complicated traditional fencing actions available too and sequences of attacks, which determined some of the above for you. It was quick, but complex and every action had both advantages and disadvantages. Actually, Harn's very early combat rules are similar enough something simpler could be cobbled out. It depends on what your goals are.
From what I can remember:
1. Initiative was simultaneous, players revealed all their choices for the round at the same time then resolved consequences.
2. Movement wasn't a big deal, stance was huge though. A 3x3x3 cube with 27 options was used for categorizing stances.
2a. PCs could choose to jump, duck, move forward or back, left or right all in one movement.
3. Basics like parry, thrust, feint, and so on were weapon use options.
There were definitely more complicated traditional fencing actions available too and sequences of attacks, which determined some of the above for you. It was quick, but complex and every action had both advantages and disadvantages. Actually, Harn's very early combat rules are similar enough something simpler could be cobbled out. It depends on what your goals are.
GlassEye
Adventurer
There is also Codex Martialis. I never picked up the rules but my understanding is they tried to do historical combat using a dice pool usable for attacks and defenses.
Hyper-Man
First Post
Another idea to consider would be the HERO System.
HERO System Martial Arts has descriptions of dozens of different real world martial arts including swordfight based ones like Fencing and Kenjutsu.
The benefit of this approach is that you could also introduce non-weapon based martial arts maneuvers into your combats. And yes, there are weapon length rules so an unarmed combatant facing one with a sword will face penalties.
HERO System Martial Arts has descriptions of dozens of different real world martial arts including swordfight based ones like Fencing and Kenjutsu.
The benefit of this approach is that you could also introduce non-weapon based martial arts maneuvers into your combats. And yes, there are weapon length rules so an unarmed combatant facing one with a sword will face penalties.
Baron Greystone
Explorer
It's been a few years, but Fading Suns (I was playing 2nd edition) had fencing rules.
I am doubly disappointed.
1) I was beaten to the HERO punch by Hyper-Man.
2) every jokester went for the obvious, and nobody said anything about getting rid of stolen goods...
NI!
1) I was beaten to the HERO punch by Hyper-Man.
2) every jokester went for the obvious, and nobody said anything about getting rid of stolen goods...
NI!
Clearly the best fencing implementation must be the one in Monkey Island!
Balesir
Adventurer
I am unsure whether you are talking about post-rennaissance style "fencing" or medieval style "swordfighting", here? Assuming the latter, these might both be interesting to you:
Audatia - a new (Indiegogo-ed) card game using Fiori dei Liberi's system of longsword combat (late medieval).
The Riddle of Steel - ARMA endorsed roleplaying rules. I think they may be OOP, though, so might be a bit difficult to find? I have a copy, so I haven't really looked...
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Supposedly good fences make good neighbors, but if so why do the sirens next door keep waking me up at night?
Could you come up with a good set of fencing rules based on Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock?
Could you come up with a good set of fencing rules based on Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock?
RangerWickett
Legend
Not quite 'fencing' or 'swashbuckling.' More like "sword-fighting where you have to do things more precise than just 'make an attack' and 'do damage.'"
What I kind of envision is a game going like this:
Allar has a scimitar and is wearing leather armor. Broman has a bastard sword and a shield, and is wearing chainmail.
Round one: Allar starts on the defensive, trying to get a read of his opponent's style. Broman aggressively attacks, but Allar manages to deflect and dodge.
Round two: Broman's overextended himself so he'll have a hard time defending, but he does have a shield protecting one side. Allar scrambles to attack from the opposite direction, and is fast enough to land a blow, but Broman's armor keeps it from doing any real harm. Broman continues to attack without taking any time to recover, so his attack is wild and Allar again manages to block it.
Round three: Knowing he can't easily get through Broman's armor, Allar feigns an opening. Broman obliges and goes all-out on an attack, leaving himself completely unable to defend. Allar blocks the attack but still strains under the force of the strike.
Round four: Broman has to take a moment to regain his balance. Allar steps inside Broman's reach and stabs upward with the tip of his scimitar. He could go for an easy jab to the gut, but he risks trying to get into Broman's armpit, where there's less armor. The attack hits and disable's Broman's sword arm.
Round five: Disarmed, Broman resorts to a clumsy grab with his shield arm, hoping to keep Allar from using his great maneuverability. Allar gets caught and scrambles to try to get out, since he can't effectively attack with his sword in a clinch, but he fails.
Round six: Broman knees Allar in the kidney a few times. Allar responds by drawing a knife with his off hand and slashing at Broman's side, but he only manages to slash Broman's thigh a bit, not deal any serious damage.
Round seven: Broman keeps kneeing Allar, and manages to stagger him with pain. Allar just reels and can't act.
Round eight: Broman shoves Allar away and awkwardly uses his crippled sword arm to undo the straps of his shield. Allar hacks at Broman, who chooses to block with his already injured arm, since another wound won't incapacitate him any more. The heavy chop cuts through the armor and completely debilitates Broman's sword arm.
Round nine: Broman ducks and grabs his dropped sword with his remaining arm. He can't parry yet, but he does manage to dodge well enough to keep Allar from getting through his armor again.
Round ten: Allar takes a moment to regain his footing and assess the situation. Broman does too, and they circle, trying to figure out what weakness of their opponent they can take advantage of.
Round eleven: Slow blood loss is weakening Broman, so he knows he can't wait. He puts everything he can into a heavy hack at Allar's leg, hoping to slow him down. Allar tries to step in close again and slip through Broman's armor to deliver a killing blow. Neither bothers with defense. Allar's leg gets slashed in half at the knee, but not before he manages to drive his sword into Broman's belly.
Round twelve: Broman starts to stagger away, hoping he can find someone to tend to him before he bleeds out. Allar lies on the ground, writhing, then passes out and probably dies.
What I kind of envision is a game going like this:
Allar has a scimitar and is wearing leather armor. Broman has a bastard sword and a shield, and is wearing chainmail.
Round one: Allar starts on the defensive, trying to get a read of his opponent's style. Broman aggressively attacks, but Allar manages to deflect and dodge.
Round two: Broman's overextended himself so he'll have a hard time defending, but he does have a shield protecting one side. Allar scrambles to attack from the opposite direction, and is fast enough to land a blow, but Broman's armor keeps it from doing any real harm. Broman continues to attack without taking any time to recover, so his attack is wild and Allar again manages to block it.
Round three: Knowing he can't easily get through Broman's armor, Allar feigns an opening. Broman obliges and goes all-out on an attack, leaving himself completely unable to defend. Allar blocks the attack but still strains under the force of the strike.
Round four: Broman has to take a moment to regain his balance. Allar steps inside Broman's reach and stabs upward with the tip of his scimitar. He could go for an easy jab to the gut, but he risks trying to get into Broman's armpit, where there's less armor. The attack hits and disable's Broman's sword arm.
Round five: Disarmed, Broman resorts to a clumsy grab with his shield arm, hoping to keep Allar from using his great maneuverability. Allar gets caught and scrambles to try to get out, since he can't effectively attack with his sword in a clinch, but he fails.
Round six: Broman knees Allar in the kidney a few times. Allar responds by drawing a knife with his off hand and slashing at Broman's side, but he only manages to slash Broman's thigh a bit, not deal any serious damage.
Round seven: Broman keeps kneeing Allar, and manages to stagger him with pain. Allar just reels and can't act.
Round eight: Broman shoves Allar away and awkwardly uses his crippled sword arm to undo the straps of his shield. Allar hacks at Broman, who chooses to block with his already injured arm, since another wound won't incapacitate him any more. The heavy chop cuts through the armor and completely debilitates Broman's sword arm.
Round nine: Broman ducks and grabs his dropped sword with his remaining arm. He can't parry yet, but he does manage to dodge well enough to keep Allar from getting through his armor again.
Round ten: Allar takes a moment to regain his footing and assess the situation. Broman does too, and they circle, trying to figure out what weakness of their opponent they can take advantage of.
Round eleven: Slow blood loss is weakening Broman, so he knows he can't wait. He puts everything he can into a heavy hack at Allar's leg, hoping to slow him down. Allar tries to step in close again and slip through Broman's armor to deliver a killing blow. Neither bothers with defense. Allar's leg gets slashed in half at the knee, but not before he manages to drive his sword into Broman's belly.
Round twelve: Broman starts to stagger away, hoping he can find someone to tend to him before he bleeds out. Allar lies on the ground, writhing, then passes out and probably dies.
Last edited:
Similar Threads
