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But everyone knows katanas are just better, right?

Personally I'm a short-sword guy. Rapiers to me seem too flashy and regal to be used to actually fight anybody, other than in some classy duel. If a blade isn't practical, it doesn't matter how fancy it looks. I'm not saying a rapier is useless, but it is useful in a lot fewer situations than a good ol' sturdy short-sword.

I normally like fairly plain, but functional swords/knives, but I'm a sucker for holes in the blade or hilt, as far as display goes.

I can find nothing wrong with the katana in terms of functionality, I simply don't find them as beautiful as a European-styled sword.

Considering the rise of the Rapier was to replace the antiquated larger Medieval weaponry, I find your statement kind of awkward :/ Plus, the actual style of combat with a Rapier should be beating out typical shorter sword use anyway, just due to how they're wielded.

Not that I don't agree that there's something more beautiful/fascinating in swords over a rapier in terms of the actual blade.

Slightly relevant?

It did look to me that the rapier user had the edge, if this video is anything to go by. They both have their pros and cons, I guess.

Well, the Rapier is a defensive art in practical training these days due to the range and footwork for it; it's more for parrying away blades and stepping into openings than lunging right into the fray of things. Liken it to the idea of controlling space in Jujutsu, for instance. Sheer power can break the parrying of it, but the deftness of the wielder comes into play for it beyond that.

...really, that's what it comes down to like 99% of the time anyway. The skill of the wielder.

The katana as a weapon has something of an overblown reputation, its perceived quality is mostly due to Japanese social creations.

Diatribe below.

who needs katanas when you got spears bows and muskets/cannons which the samurai used more





although at the point of the latter im pretty sure most katana wielders probably didnt even know how to use them




and fuck your blades mace + shield master race here

Dude, if you have a spear, a swordsman can't do shit, especially if he has no sheild

That video is a bit silly. That is no way to measure anything.

Rapiers are so much lighter, can fit between plates of armour and the links of chain mail, and there is much less commitment when swinging it, making a main gauche more reliable (which is not saying much with the lesser-exposed fighting stances). Basically, in an actual scenario where you need to carry a weapon and avoid injury or death, it is a bit more attractive.

In general my weapon love list favours the shield above all. Send your foe off balance. Crack their skull. Attempt a safer disarm. Oh, and I suppose it can also be used to protect yourself.

As far as actual weapons go, spears are cool.

@Not knowing how to use a katana: Members of the samurai class were still expected to know sword play after the introduction of gunnery. If anything they were better at that, guns remained very scarce until the end of Tokugawa

@Maces: Cracking skulls and breaking bones is pretty effective, and Maces are useful even through armor.

@Spears: There's a reason spears were a staple weapon in every army until the gun came about. Cheap, self explanatory, and useful.

@Shields: Exactly as Rosel says. As most pre-gunpowder battles were simply pushing matches, a shield is enormously useful as more than just a defensive tool. In a pitched battle they can be just as, if not more useful, than a sword.

@Rapiers: Mobility is pretty much everything in a fight. That and luck.

Not a fan of rapiers.


I must admit, I'm a sucker for the stereotypical sword & shield. I like versatile equipment that can adequately handle a variety of different situations. So probably a short/longsword with a mid-weight (maybe kite) shield. I dislike small bucklers as well as heavy tower shields. My choice of a kite shield is due to it being moderately lightweight while still providing substantial body coverage.



Spears have an 80% chance of crit VS cavalry, but users take double damage from arrows :V

Then again, spears are kinda unwieldy to take with you on the bus..