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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pawsplay" data-source="post: 4981119" data-attributes="member: 15538">Oh, yes. I've fought boffer combat as well as SCA armored combat. I'm also familiar with such texts as Burton's Book of the Sword as well as Talhoffer, etc.It is just not that relevant in this particular instance. A flanged mace was not designed to kill a baby seal, yet I assure you it will do the job. Simply because the greatsword was designed primarily for its reach does not mean it does not also benefit from its weight and leverage.I disagree, although the nature of our disagreement is not what you think it is. I will note that sword of all varieties were used in armored combat, hopefully not a point of controversy.Agreed. However, that is equally true for the longsword. For a heavily armored foe, the prime targets are the face-grille, the armpit, the wrists, the elbows, the knees, and the bend in the waist. A longer weapon allows a wider selection of targets, and when striking against a vulnerable joint, the greatsword, just as the longsword, would be grasped firmly, probably using an alternate grip, and stabbed forward much as a spear. It would clearly be superior for striking at the vulnerable wrists or an exposed neck because of its length and weight. Furthermore, although unlikely to cleave plate, the blade or pommel can still be used for effective striking, hoping to stun or unbalance a foe. The only circumstance in which the longsword would be superior would be the classic grapple-and-neckstab, a maneuver that it ouside the realm of a "basic strike" in most RPGs but which you are free to mark in the longsword's favor.Furthermore, not all foes are wearing full plate. Against mail, brigandines, or leather of all varieties, the greatsword has greater capability than the longsword to pierce armor. And, clearly, against an unarmored foe, the greatsword is more likely to kill in one blow. Although slightly less agile and certainly not as good for close-quarters, the greatsword clearly does more damage in every way a traditional RPG measures it, against foes in heavy armor, medium armor, or mostly unarmored.I find myself wondering why I am debating historical weapon in a thread about a fantasy game which does not suppose to be historical, based on a spy game in which the katana is described as always a masterwork weapon. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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