Weapons II

Last post, I covered the common weapons. So, now I should give an overview of the uncommon and complex.

Sword and Bucker- egad, this looks fun and painful. I've got no idea about the guards, except I recognise a few as tricky and deceitful, depriving your opponent of a measurement of their risk. The few bouts I have witnessed (mostly on youtube) come across as fast, vaguely confusing and relying on decent strategy so your flinch reactions don't end up killing you.

Pollaxe- It's an axe, a hammer and a spear all in one. I would call this the swiss army knife of weapons, but that makes it sound pansy. Far from it, this is more like the anti-tank gun of the medieval era.

Scythes... Yes there are sources out there that describe scythe fighting. Proper two handed big scythes.

Quarterstaff- Nothing like the Robin Hood stuff. The extra reach granted by holding it by the near quarter gives enough range that a talented staffman can take on multiple swordmen.

16th century dutch barroom brawling- still valid now, except for the chapters on throwing people by their hair and what to do when someone is trying to stab you with their eating knife.

Umbrella and bowler hat fighting. Eat your heart out Mr Steed. Someone was actually doing that on the streets of London.

And the best thing? The list is almost endless. If you master one, you have several more to learn, maybe you will be lucky enough to get your hands on a 'new' old manuscript that gives novel instructions for a known weapon. They're out there.. Somewhere. (and I have opinions about the new Fiore furore.. but that is for a later date)

Europe has been at war in one way or another since one tribe found another. Even at peace, there have been civilian ways to kill each other.