Why Are Warrior Women Never Ugly?

[Sejs]

So, for example, if you were a fighter and suddenly found yourself faced with this twin sword wielding opponent, it would be safe to say that she would be very distracting to you?

Only in that I might have a hard time choosing from any of the overabundance of unprotected bodily locations that will end the fight to choose from. Femoral artery, hamstring, collarbone, elbow, armpit, solar plexus, the list just keeps going. Either she's supremely skilled and thus pulling the armor equivalent of fighting with just your off-hand, such that I probably don't even stand a chance to begin with, or she's about to find things going poorly for her in very short order.

The whole 'distraction of the female form' line just doesn't hold water. If someone is trying to kill you, the last thing that's going through your mind is "Golly! Boobies!"

 

[Sledge]

I also won't be buying the FatDragon pdf. And since that is one of my prime purchasing categories, it is indeed a true loss of a sale. However I'm sure that FatDragon won't lose any sleep over this.

 

[Conaill]

So, for example, if you were a fighter and suddenly found yourself faced with this twin sword wielding opponent, it would be safe to say that she would be very distracting to you?

Actually, I happen to think that "blue lady" up above is dressed entirely approriately!

Entirely appropriate for a gladiator, that is.

The main reason why gladiator armor looks so outlandish is that it is meant for *show*. Not only is it meant to look good (which it obviously does, on her), but it is also designed to NOT stop the galdiator from getting wounded - because that would be boring for the bloodthursty audience - while at the same time prolonging the fight by protecting key areas, so the gladiator can keep fighting even while losing pints of blood. Hence the seemingly nonsensical outfits that would only protect the sword arm, head and part of the legs, for example.

Clearly "blue lady" is dressed perfectly to be killed in as gruesome and bloody way possible in an arena - and look good doing it!

 

[The Shaman]

The whole 'distraction of the female form' line just doesn't hold water. If someone is trying to kill you, the last thing that's going through your mind is "Golly! Boobies!"

And if that is what you're thinking, it likely will be the last thing going through your mind!

 

[Nuclear Platypus]

No, no, no, folks are all missing the Truth! There are plenty of ugly heros out there:

You can't tell the difference between man or woman, ugly or handsome, when they're wearing heavy armor and a full helm! Remember "A Paladin in Hell"? Who's to say it isn't a ugly woman in the tin can?

And we won't even talk about dwarves....

Or Samus Aran from the end of the first Metroid? Beat the game and she took off her armor. She had the body of a Venus. Lord, imagine my surprise - dude looks like a lady!

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

In the 2nd D&D movie, the 'tank' is a female barbarian.

But the main spellcaster (wizard) is a woman, too. The cleric and rogue are male, tho, as is the 'hero'.

Bye
Thanee

Well, it's the DnD movie, though. It's so bad I don't want to see it, though I doubt the shapeliness of the female star (or lack thereof) has anything to do with the movie's quality.

 

[Aeson]

It sounds as if this is confined to D&D, or to fantasy, or to geeks. How many movies, in whatever genre, have an ugly female lead?

Movies with Drew Barrymore in the lead.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Movies with Drew Barrymore in the lead.

... Them's fightin' words.

 

[Banshee16]

In truth the huge bodybuilder types aren't even that strong and have next to zero stamina, for real strength look to powerlifters (who often have a big gut as well as the muscles), track and field athletes (especially decathletes or javelin throwers) or penathletes (who actually do a sport which most closely matches what a RPG hero might do - fencing (so sword fighting with a rapier), shooting, running, swimming and horse riding).

I'd say it's not that the heroines always look like that, but if the artist wants to avoid beheading they'll paint them like that, remember the proverbial description of someone as being 'no oil painting'.

Or gymnasts or competitive swimmers.....

A problem with big muscles is it makes it harder to turn your head to notice the guy with the sword on your side...

Banshee

 

[ssampier]

So, for example, if you were a fighter and suddenly found yourself faced with this twin sword wielding opponent, it would be safe to say that she would be very distracting to you?

Artwork by Bruce Colero

I first notice the blue skin, then the horns. I barely notice the boobs.

I notice the eyes first, then the boobs. Sad but true.
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