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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Diirk" data-source="post: 2282032" data-attributes="member: 14476">I have no idea on the accuracy, but <a href="http://mu.ranter.net/theory/weapons.html" target="_blank">http://mu.ranter.net/theory/weapons.html</a> is an interesting read. From there:"The nigh-universal image of the fantasy warrior with a greatsword is of a brawny hulk swinging a gigantic piece of metal around his head, cleaving hapless foes in two.  The UO animation for halberds is of someone holding the head over his shoulder and swinging it into the target.  As a result, these weapons have traditionally been assigned very high damage ratings because of the momentum that must have been imparted by such herculean swings, and very low speed ratings because of the effort it must have taken to lob around a giant piece of metal.Long weapons like the greatsword and polearms were used because they offered the same advantage as a spear:  that of reach.  The greatsword in particular often lacked cutting edges altogether, and was used as a stabbing weapon.  The proper techniques associated with the use of polearms typically involved extension toward the enemy and some sort of use of the head, with relatively little movement.  The halberd, arguably the most successful of the ornate polearms, had no less than 3 distinct functions, including stabbing like a spear, hamstringing enemies like a scythe, and dismounting knights like a bill hook.  Among its purposes was not to be swung like a giant battleaxe."I can't remember where atm, but I did find a website that talked about the very large two handed swords either... swords that were as big as the wielder, like you see in computer games... they look ridiculous, but they really existed ! Mostly as execution blades to be sure, but one was used as a mounted weapon in some asian country I think... I forget the name of it.</blockquote>

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