Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ancalagon" data-source="post: 6859266" data-attributes="member: 23">As someone who's used a number of swords (I'm no expert, but I have the proficiency <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=":)" /> ), there are clearly limitations on what you can do effectively with a large sword.There are arming swords - think a viking sword, a knightly sword etc.  These have a short grip that fits one hand and that is it (btw, this makes the sword harder to disarm - a long handle sticking out can be a weakness).  IMO this is a D&D longsword that isn't versatile. Then there is the "hand and a half sword" - a sword with a slightly longer blade (inch or two at most) and a slightly longer handle. It can be swung with one hand quite well but the handle can accommodate a second hand fairly well, although frequently this hand will grasp the *pommel* to get superior leverage.  This specific sword is the one I'm most familiar with and used fairly frequently:  <a href="http://casiberia.com/product/albrecht-ii-hand-and-a-half-sword/sh2034" target="_blank">http://casiberia.com/product/albrecht-ii-hand-and-a-half-sword/sh2034</a> (I have the "practical" version of this which is very blunt for safety reasons).another example:<a href="http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-mercenary-xva.htm" target="_blank">http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-mercenary-xva.htm</a>  (would *looove* this one).I think hand and a half sword really represents the D&D longsword.After that... well what is a greatsword?  Well that gets complicated.You have the "historical" longsword, which is a lot like a hand an a half sword except the blade is a few inch longer, but the main difference is the handle is a lot longer.  This allows the user to put in a *lot* of torque (ie leverage) and deliver powerful and *very fast* blows.  It's also an excellent defensive weapon.<a href="http://casiberia.com/product/tinker-longsword-sharp/sh2394" target="_blank">http://casiberia.com/product/tinker-longsword-sharp/sh2394</a><a href="http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-munich-xviiib.htm" target="_blank">http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-munich-xviiib.htm</a>As far as I know, Dd&D doesn't have this specific weapon.Can this weapon be used one handed?  Yes!  But not as well as an arming word or a hand and a half sword.  While the hand and a half is made to optimize both style of fighting (ie, the "bastard" sword), the longsword is clearly optimized for 2 handed use.  Still the blade is not so long or heavy that a one handed strike is impossible.  Finally, we have the D&D "greatsword", an enormous blade that just is too big for 1 handed use.  This includes things like the larger claymores, the zweihanders etc...  <a href="http://casiberia.com/product/lowlander-sword/sh2065" target="_blank">http://casiberia.com/product/lowlander-sword/sh2065</a>This beast was owned by a friend of mine who was *huge* - he was 6'5" and very strong.  I can't even handle a blade this size.   Even for him, swinging it one handed would have been almost impossible.  I believe that such weapons were designed for very large/strong menSO.  Based on this, greatsword swinging is impossible (and we really miss the "proper" longsword)... BUT.... well historically sword produced were on a spectrum.   What about a two handed sword not for my giant friend but for a slightly tall guy like me (5'11")?  Like a more reasonable claymore? <a href="http://casiberia.com/product/claymore-antiqued/sh2060n" target="_blank">http://casiberia.com/product/claymore-antiqued/sh2060n</a>or something like<a href="http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-2hander-archduke.htm" target="_blank">http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-2hander-archduke.htm</a>I could use this two handed (although not with the speed of a longsword).  Should it have the stats of a greatsword?  Probably.  Is it swingable with one hand?  I don't know...</blockquote>

Verification