Swords and stuff.

[melchi]

I'll admit it, I'm in the camp that stories with genius swordsplay leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I get the swordsmanship is romanticized and fits well in a lot of fancy protags.

However, I'm kinda over it. Any weapon besides a sword is a breath of fresh air in an fantasy story at this point. I get that a lot of scenes one could just cross out sword and put (mace / spear / salt shaker) and the story wouldn't really need to adapt that much but still. Not using a sword is always +1 in my book.

/Rant

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I don't know. I feel like spear is also overused, same as barehand in all sorts of cultivation novels. Meanwhile I rarely see axes, and almost never a mace.

 

[BearlyAlive]

Yeah, swords were pretty much idolized in most cultures, even if they're just megalomanical knives.

 

[RepresentingPride]

I don't know. I feel like spear is also overused, same as barehand in all sorts of cultivation novels. Meanwhile I rarely see axes, and almost never a mace.

Yes, spears and scythes become overused these last few years. While axe or mace are rarely used or never used, I didn't read any with it, but for me, they have fewer techniques that can be done with them, but maybe it's just my thoughts about them that are biased, and I just didn't read one that proves me wrong.

 

[SirDogeTheFirst]

I don't know. I feel like spear is also overused, same as barehand in all sorts of cultivation novels. Meanwhile I rarely see axes, and almost never a mace.

But spears being overused is understandable. After all, a spear is the perfect evolutionary form of any weapon, just like a crab is the ideal living organism. We first had small sharp pokey sticks, then made long bronze ones, then metal ones, and for a while, comedically long metal ones, and weapons kept evolving around the idea of having the best pocky stick around. Polearms? Pocky sticks with extra stuff. Swords? Pocky sticks that can also poke multiple spots at the same time on a line. Bows? Long distance pocky stick. Crossbows? Easy to use long-distance pocky stick. Guns? What if we just used the pocky end of the stick, but fired it very fast. ICBMs? I want to pocky that one guy on the other side of the world pocky stick.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Yes, spears and scythes become overused these last few years. While axe or mace are rarely used or never used, I didn't read any with it, but for me, they have fewer techniques that can be done with them, but maybe it's just my thoughts about them that are biased, and I just didn't read one that proves me wrong.

Yes, they have less tecnhiques. But it's not always about technique, after all it is fiction made to entertain. I think MC who uses a tower shield and a mace can be pretty entertaining. At the very least it can be unique. While everyone do sword dances, this guy just mowes and flatten you, all while opening up plate armors like cans with his or her Pernach.

But spears being overused is understandable. After all, a spear is the perfect evolutionary form of any weapon, just like a crab is the ideal living organism. We first had small sharp pokey sticks, then made long bronze ones, then metal ones, and for a while, comedically long metal ones, and weapons kept evolving around the idea of having the best pocky stick around. Polearms? Pocky sticks with extra stuff. Swords? Pocky sticks that can also poke multiple spots at the same time on a line. Bows? Long distance pocky stick. Crossbows? Easy to use long-distance pocky stick. Guns? What if we just used the pocky end of the stick, but fired it very fast. ICBMs? I want to pocky that one guy on the other side of the world pocky stick.

Sure, but I think it is beside the point? Are they overused? Yes. It's not like every work is reaslitic. You can spare some reaslism to make the story more entertaining. And I don't say you can't enjoy it, or they are bad either. I only say spears are overused in fiction.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

I'll admit it, I'm in the camp that stories with genius swordsplay leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I get the swordsmanship is romanticized and fits well in a lot of fancy protags.

However, I'm kinda over it. Any weapon besides a sword is a breath of fresh air in an fantasy story at this point. I get that a lot of scenes one could just cross out sword and put (mace / spear / salt shaker) and the story wouldn't really need to adapt that much but still. Not using a sword is always +1 in my book.

/Rant

Swords are the most conductive proper weapons in my story for magic, so they are widely used among practitioners.

 

[georgelee5786]

Yes, swords were important weapons used by knights and other important people

 

[Bartun]

Lots of axes in my novel, but also lots of swords.

Some barefist too, and a few claws and tail for good measure. ?
Swords just happen to be one of the most versatile weapons historically speaking.

 

[melchi]

Swords are the most conductive proper weapons in my story for magic, so they are widely used among practitioners.

Even so, there is always room for creativity. Like in the LN the magic in this world is too far behind the MC used a sword. But he didn't actually have a sword that he carried around, just a jar of mercury that he would turn into a sword when he needed to stabibity stab stab.

 

[GlassRose]

I don't know. I feel like spear is also overused, same as barehand in all sorts of cultivation novels. Meanwhile I rarely see axes, and almost never a mace.

How can you overuse spears, they were the battlefield weapon, absolutely fundamental. They are tough to just carry around and use for things like self defense.

Axes and maces are specialized weapons, and difficult to carry/draw quickly.

Bludgeoning weapons like maces are specifically anti-armor, they are less versatile because of that, and thus less suited for a weapon that you just carry around all the time.

Axes are powerful, but less nimble than a sword, and unless it's two-handed, usually worse reach as well. They are bad defensively on their own, which means they need to be paired with either a shield or armor to be viable.

Swords are extremely prevalent for very practical reasons. They're easy to carry, quick to draw, they have good reach and speed allowing you to defend yourself easily if you're attacked off the battlefield. They are ideal self-defense weapons, a weapon you can just carry around everywhere for any situation, that can keep you safe when you're not wearing armor.

On the battlefield, as a main weapon they fall behind spears and polearms, but they remain excellent sidearms in those scenarios for when the ranks become too tight-knit for effective usage of those longer weapons. Of course, axes will be better at handling shields and lightly armored foes, and maces and picks better at handling plate and brigandine, so you may want one of those instead, depending on what you're up against.

Essentially, swords are everywhere, because they can be used everywhere. Not as effectively as a specialized weapon, sure, but the versatility all in one weapon means the convenience is enough. So of course that means they stick in the public consciousness more than other weapons, and thus have been romanticized and you see them more in literature.

 

[RepresentingSilence]

I just want to read stories with fights like this

 

[RepresentingWrath]

How can you overuse spears, they were the battlefield weapon, absolutely fundamental. They are tough to just carry around and use for things like self defense.

Axes and maces are specialized weapons, and difficult to carry/draw quickly.

Bludgeoning weapons like maces are specifically anti-armor, they are less versatile because of that, and thus less suited for a weapon that you just carry around all the time.

Axes are powerful, but less nimble than a sword, and unless it's two-handed, usually worse reach as well. They are bad defensively on their own, which means they need to be paired with either a shield or armor to be viable.

Swords are extremely prevalent for very practical reasons. They're easy to carry, quick to draw, they have good reach and speed allowing you to defend yourself easily if you're attacked off the battlefield. They are ideal self-defense weapons, a weapon you can just carry around everywhere for any situation, that can keep you safe when you're not wearing armor.

On the battlefield, as a main weapon they fall behind spears and polearms, but they remain excellent sidearms in those scenarios for when the ranks become too tight-knit for effective usage of those longer weapons. Of course, axes will be better at handling shields and lightly armored foes, and maces and picks better at handling plate and brigandine, so you may want one of those instead, depending on what you're up against.

Essentially, swords are everywhere, because they can be used everywhere. Not as effectively as a specialized weapon, sure, but the versatility all in one weapon means the convenience is enough. So of course that means they stick in the public consciousness more than other weapons, and thus have been romanticized and you see them more in literature.

How can you overuse them? By making them a primary weapon of MC in a novel, manga, or webtoon about 1v1 battles. Again, 1v1 battles. Not army vs army, not kingdom building, not anything like that. You make a cultivation novel, where they fight 1v1 almost all the time, and you give your MC a spear. You make a wuxia novel, where they might fight in an army, but 90% of the story it is 1v1 battles, or 1 versus small group battles.

There are a lot of such works. Thus spear is overused.

Lastly, don't confuse "overused" with "worse." I have not said that spears are worse than maces or axes. More than that, I know that maces and axes are specialized weapons. But I see no reason why MC can't use mace instead of scythe. Scythe isn't even realistic, at least not that kind of scythe they use. Yet they use them anyway. Why? Because usually they are used in novels where people have superhuman strength, there are materials better than steel(mithril and shit), and they are primarily about 1v1 battles. And usually they are there for cool factor.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

Even so, there is always room for creativity. Like in the LN the magic in this world is too far behind the MC used a sword. But he didn't actually have a sword that he carried around, just a jar of mercury that he would turn into a sword when he needed to stabibity stab stab.

As said, there are practical reasons. The magical systems works with tools to channel your mana. You don't need them, but they help to increase your performance. The thing is that metal exhibits the best magical properties, being the best conductor by far. Unlike the wooden shafts of spears for example. But whom I am talking to. You know the story.

 

[RepresentingPride]

Just go with a twin blade for the win!!

How can you overuse spears, they were the battlefield weapon, absolutely fundamental. They are tough to just carry around and use for things like self defense.

Axes and maces are specialized weapons, and difficult to carry/draw quickly.

Bludgeoning weapons like maces are specifically anti-armor, they are less versatile because of that, and thus less suited for a weapon that you just carry around all the time.

Axes are powerful, but less nimble than a sword, and unless it's two-handed, usually worse reach as well. They are bad defensively on their own, which means they need to be paired with either a shield or armor to be viable.

Swords are extremely prevalent for very practical reasons. They're easy to carry, quick to draw, they have good reach and speed allowing you to defend yourself easily if you're attacked off the battlefield. They are ideal self-defense weapons, a weapon you can just carry around everywhere for any situation, that can keep you safe when you're not wearing armor.

On the battlefield, as a main weapon they fall behind spears and polearms, but they remain excellent sidearms in those scenarios for when the ranks become too tight-knit for effective usage of those longer weapons. Of course, axes will be better at handling shields and lightly armored foes, and maces and picks better at handling plate and brigandine, so you may want one of those instead, depending on what you're up against.

Essentially, swords are everywhere, because they can be used everywhere. Not as effectively as a specialized weapon, sure, but the versatility all in one weapon means the convenience is enough. So of course that means they stick in the public consciousness more than other weapons, and thus have been romanticized and you see them more in literature.

If it's a fantasy story, there is no need to talk about carrying a weapon or drawing it cause it can be easy with any spatial object to carry and draw them as easily as a sword.
Again, in fantasy, a lot can be added to Axes and Maces to defend and be versatile, like a sword.

For me, it's just the movement that is bland to read. Again, I might be biased because I haven't read any story with that type of weapon.

Ps:
Hell even a boomerang is good as a weapon!

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

How can you overuse spears, they were the battlefield weapon, absolutely fundamental. They are tough to just carry around and use for things like self defense.

Axes and maces are specialized weapons, and difficult to carry/draw quickly.

Bludgeoning weapons like maces are specifically anti-armor, they are less versatile because of that, and thus less suited for a weapon that you just carry around all the time.

Axes are powerful, but less nimble than a sword, and unless it's two-handed, usually worse reach as well. They are bad defensively on their own, which means they need to be paired with either a shield or armor to be viable.

Swords are extremely prevalent for very practical reasons. They're easy to carry, quick to draw, they have good reach and speed allowing you to defend yourself easily if you're attacked off the battlefield. They are ideal self-defense weapons, a weapon you can just carry around everywhere for any situation, that can keep you safe when you're not wearing armor.

On the battlefield, as a main weapon they fall behind spears and polearms, but they remain excellent sidearms in those scenarios for when the ranks become too tight-knit for effective usage of those longer weapons. Of course, axes will be better at handling shields and lightly armored foes, and maces and picks better at handling plate and brigandine, so you may want one of those instead, depending on what you're up against.

Essentially, swords are everywhere, because they can be used everywhere. Not as effectively as a specialized weapon, sure, but the versatility all in one weapon means the convenience is enough. So of course that means they stick in the public consciousness more than other weapons, and thus have been romanticized and you see them more in literature.

The European medieval battlefield was dominated by the charge of the heavy cavalry. Not by spears or infantry in general. Sieges had their own rules, but the infantry is a quite late medieval invention.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

Swords are the best personal defense weapon in a historical medieval setting. It is easy to carry, and the most fatal against unarmored opponents. In a low fantasy story it makes sense for a character to carry a sword in most occasions.

Swords are a status symbol. Not only are swords comparatively difficult to forge as apposed to a spear or mace, they also require lots of expensive maintenance. Most medieval fantasy stories are told from the view of characters of noble birth.

In a high fantasy typical Korean/jp novel setting it’s not uncommon for someone to be able to slice through stone or solid metal. In such cases having a weapon with a larger blade would be ideal, and the need for dedicated anti armor weapons is significantly reduced.

Though realistically the best option in my opinion is to just have a character that can proficiently use any melee weapon. I imagine if you went up to a medieval knight and told them ‘I’m a spear knight, I only fight using a spear’ you’d get laughed off the tourney grounds. There is simply no reason (even in high fantasy jp/korean settings) that a sword user should only train in a single weapon.

 

[melchi]

I'm not saying that there are not good reasons to use swords. There defiantly are but having something odd really makes that character stick out. That is why I'm dogging on swords not because they make sense, they do, but in fiction, something fancy is nice.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

Fun fact: When the British heavy cavalry charged at Waterloo, they got subsequently slaughtered by the French lancers. because of the longer reach and also because the British cavalry wasn't really good, to be honest. They complained bitterly about the unfairness and unsportmanship like behaviour of them using lances instead of sabres. Bery unfair.

 

[BouncyCactus]

Not me making my MC proficient with the staff, which can easily translated to a spear, iron-capped staff-mace thingie, halberd, and polearms, all of which can be derived from his own school of staffwork...

But hey, there is a certain romance about the sword, especially their lesser-mentioned cousin the sabers and falchions and war-knives.