D&D General D&D Archetypes that spread out to other settings and media

[Not a Decepticon]

Or, you know, every crusader.

The notion that sword and shield as a combo somehow originated as a D&Dism is simply laughable.

I mean, maybe it's too much Darkest Dungeon, but in my head image of Crusader is an armored guy with a two-handed sword, so this is soemthing that didn't even occured tome.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

One example in history of literal sword and board fighting as standard (as opposed to the sword being a secondary weapon for a mounted knight) were the highlanders of the Jacobite rebellion (1745). So that would be my ancestors! Basket hilted highland broadsword and targe to be specific.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

One example in history of literal sword and board fighting as standard (as opposed to the sword being a secondary weapon for a mounted knight) were the highlanders of the Jacobite rebellion (1745). So that would be my ancestors! Basket hilted highland broadsword and targe to be specific.
View attachment 429189

There's also the famed "Rodeleros" or "Sword and Buckler Men" who were the famed footsoldiers of the conquistadores.

Rodeleros - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Not a Decepticon]

I do have question about all these examples of historical "sword & board" - can you honestly say they're the main source of inspiration for this archetype in modern gaming or media? Because I often would not give benefit of doubt that people who use this archetype know of such historical examples like Rodeleros

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

I do have question about all these examples of historical "sword & board" - can you honestly say they're the main source of inspiration for this archetype in modern gaming or media? Because I often would not give benefit of doubt that people who use this archetype know of such historical examples like Rodeleros

Remember that D&D was made by wargame nerds.

 

[Not a Decepticon]

Remember that D&D was made by wargame nerds.

Okay, but do we have proof it is not similiar case as with the Lich - D&D taking multiple sources of inspirations and codifying them into one image of "sword & board fighter" that then spread to other media? Especially since this archetype doesn't seem to be directly any way more Beowulf or Roland or Crusader or Rodelero or a Highlander than any other of these inspriations.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

Okay, but do we have proof it is not similiar case as with the Lich - D&D taking multiple sources of inspirations and codifying them into one image of "sword & board fighter" that then spread to other media? Especially since this archetype doesn't seem to be directly any way more Beowulf or Roland or Crusader or Rodelero or a Highlander than any other of these inspriations.

I think far more people have seen Sleeping Beauty than have played D&D, which is why I provided an example of that earlier. My point being that the "sword and board" image is both tied to fantasy fiction outside of D&D and has plenty of historical precedence.

 

[Tonguez]

I think far more people have seen Sleeping Beauty than have played D&D, which is why I provided an example of that earlier. My point being that the "sword and board" image is both tied to fantasy fiction outside of D&D and has plenty of historical precedence.

Prince Phillips Sword of Truth and Shield of Virtue is a really good example, and one that I'd actually forgotten about. That really goes to the point though that sword and board is so ubiquitous that its unremarkable and thus invisible, Other characters (like Conan) are called out for using two handed weapons or bows but when you have a fighter with a sword in literature, the fact that he also has a shield is taken for granted, at least until it isn't...

 

[Reynard]

Okay, but do we have proof it is not similiar case as with the Lich - D&D taking multiple sources of inspirations and codifying them into one image of "sword & board fighter" that then spread to other media? Especially since this archetype doesn't seem to be directly any way more Beowulf or Roland or Crusader or Rodelero or a Highlander than any other of these inspriations.

I am confused at your resistance to this basic, obvious thing. Why don't you show us before and after and explain why you think D&D specifically created the "sword and board" fighter.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I think far more people have seen Sleeping Beauty than have played D&D, which is why I provided an example of that earlier. My point being that the "sword and board" image is both tied to fantasy fiction outside of D&D and has plenty of historical precedence.

We had the like of the 1950s British TV series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot using sword and board. That archetype was undoubtedly around long before D&D.