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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Willie the Duck" data-source="post: 9050728" data-attributes="member: 6799660">Did you really just try to explain to me what a longsword is? Would you also like to explain to me that studded leather is ahistoric  and that plate 'mail' is a misnomer? Now, again  -- amongst the many different types of swords which fall into the longsword category*, a katana does not seem like a solid candidate for the one and only which should gain the finesse quality. If all longswords were to get finesse (particularly if wielded in two hands, as has been suggested) I could understand the logic and accept the argument. However, there is nothing about the katana which should make it the finesse option out of all the longswords -- it's relatively short, thick-bladed, slash-centric, with a center of balance relatively towards the blade. It doesn't stand out as a nimble option or 'dexterous-person's weapon' amongst them. At least unless there's some other argument about when finesse ought be applied. In which case I would love to hear that argument, which is that for which I was asking.*which is not a clear categorization, but generally a sword which --unlike a greatsword/bidenhander/spadone/montana-- can realistically be wielded in one hand (at least from horseback); and also one which -- unlike a shortsword/hanger/fascine knife/gladius/etc.-- would gain some practical benefit from a second hand.Personally, I might argue for something like GURPS does where all weapons use Dex to to-hit and Str for damage (and maybe minimum strength to effectively use). Even relatively brute force weapons like maces or mauls (or big-ol' ogre greatclubs) use strength mostly in being able to control the weapon, but then skill and basic coordination to make them land. (Also something of a staple of fiction for the giant or ogre swinging that terrible club around and man do you not want to be hit by it, but the nimble protagonist survives because them actually landing a hit with the thing against a moving target is a rare event). </blockquote>

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