Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wishfullthinkng]

so, if you had a trained expert wielding a non-projectile, non-mechanical weapon (basically no guns, things that use propellants or explosives, or anything modern), which hand weapon do you think would be the best and why?

longsword? axe? morningstar? pike? hammer?

your thoughts?

[Underwaterbob]

The best for what?

[DejaVu]

Clearly a spear...

Short-range/Long-range/Defense.

[zenger]

All armies in the past issued Swords because they are versatile and deadly.

[Steelrails]

I'll give the wussy answer of "Depends on the reason".

Am I a normal person? Am I on some medieval battlefield? Do I have to kill someone or is it self defense? Is it the 21st century or the 16th? Am I fighting alone or am I part of a unit? What do my enemies arm themselves with? Do I know who my enemies are? etc. etc.

I'd imagine in the 21st century, where I'm a normal person, the best thing to know how to fight with would be something like a stick or a staff or possibly a knife- whatever translates into an improvised weapon. That and whatever wouldn't get me arrested.

If I was an 18th century gentleman of leisure, I'd imagine either a bow (to impress) or the sabre if I had to fight duel.

If it was a medieval battlefield it would really depend on what my adversaries were armed with and what their tactics were.

[Dave Chance]

Japanese katana vs. European broadsword

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkoj932YFo

[goreality]

The reason so many different weapons were invented is because there is no real answer to that question.
Spears are great for defending particularly in large tight groups. Japanese swords are good for running into combat against other swordsmen for single hand combat.
It really depends how your opponent is armed, how aggressive or mobile you are, how many people you have beside you and what they are armed with...

[Steelrails]

I forgot the obvious answer is whatever weapon does the most damage (d4/d6/d8/d10/d12) for the encumbrance it requires in proportion to the loss of armor class required by wielding a two-handed weapon.

Of course we must remember that if one is a druid or a cleric, certain weapons are forbidden.

[wishfullthinkng]

hmm. let's clarify the situation. the best for foot-based combat over a wide range of terrain. the scenarios: a castle raid. you are with others fighting a group whom you do not know. you don't know what kind of armaments they have either. you will first storm the castle and then defend/maim/kill once inside. you will probably also have to run up and down stairs, fight on level ground, etc.

and again, any non-modern weapon from any region that doesn't use explosives, propellants, projectiles or mechanics and you can only choose one to use. what and why?

[comm]

[zenger]

[fermentation]

[Emark]

The 6 month old and rancid kimchi fart.

[fosterman]

[Steelrails]