Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cytokinesis 12-27-05, 07:38 PM	Please keep in mind that this is not supposed to be based on what does more damage or has a higher threat range or ecetera. Also that the weapon does not have to be strictly from a game, real life is better. With that in mind I have a character, that is supposed to be very fast, with only slightly above average strength. He has devoted much of his life just to mastering fighting with a sword. He fights unarmored. He is very empathetic and intelligent, fighting with his mind (not in the literal sense) as well as his body. Incapatitating his opponent is a better option then killing his opponent. Based on this what type of sword would you recomend he wield?
Fithero 12-27-05, 08:29 PM	Id say any sword that you can take weapon finesse for, slight and quick (rapier/scimitar come to mind). The character fights without armor, howcome? In any case, if he/she isnt going to wear armor then they should take advantage of their high dex. Later
Joe Outside 12-27-05, 08:49 PM	At the risk of sounding cliche--rapier, sabre or cutlass are the prime "no armor high finesse" swords that match your listed concept, including the whole training for perfection thing. That said, using that concept with a greatsword would be really, really cool, maybe something like a flamberge claymore?
Fox Lee 12-27-05, 08:59 PM	Yup, I'd say rapier too - it's a great weapon for the "thinking" swordfighter. Cutlass also gets points, because, well, pirates. If you want something more unusual, I like the idea of dual-weilding punch-daggers for the kind of rat-cunning clever fighter who doesn't mind being a sneaky b*stard. I don't know if those would be acceptable as "swords" or not, though ^_^; It would be "quirky" and "unusual" to use a big, heavy weapon, but not a very productive choice. It's not really a case of choosing a better weapon in a metagaming sense, but more a question of whether or not your character would choose to actively disadvantage himself - since it would be clear to any skilled fighter that certain types of weapons better befit certain types of individuals. A fighter who chooses a weapon which is sub-par when matched with his talents and abilities would certainly not be very intelligent ^^;
braindead345 12-28-05, 12:37 AM	Sabre gets my vote, but that is only a longsword with a fancy name (unless you are using some variant books). Depending on race and class, you might want to consider other weapons such as a chain-and-dagger, a bladed gauntlet, butterfly sword, or a tripple dagger. I also suggest considering non-bladed weapons such as a morningstar, a tonfa, a 3-sectional-staff, or a quarterstaff. Polearms are bulky and noticable, but they do offer compensations.
Pandaemoni 12-28-05, 12:45 AM	I agree with the above, the rapier is a weapon of finesse. Not the feat, just the plain English meaning of "finesse." Modern foil and épée fencing is largely derived from rapier styles as Europeans regarded rapier duels as the height of the martial sophistication in sword use until the 17th century (when the rapier morphed into the small-sword, a lighter and smaller version of the rapier).
Sosthenes 12-28-05, 04:16 AM	I'd say it depends on what "fighting with his mind" means to you. If you view it as general "mind over matter", entering a state of mind where your reactions are superior, than I'd recommend a weapon with a certain symbolic value. For western cultures, that would be the longsword (well, the weapon D&D calls a longsword). If he's of a more modern sort, analyzing moves and trying to find the perfect technique, I'd recommend either the greatsword or the rapier. Both had fencing schools attached to them, depending on what time period you look. Look up Talhoffer or spanish circle fencing. The latter is almost mathematical in its approach to combat.
Dex 01-18-06, 05:49 AM	Dude, get a lightsaber... :D No, seriously, I'd go cutlass, though there are several versions out there. The cutlass I'd recommend is a 1d6, 18-20/x2, useable with finesse, one handed and the basket hilt can be used interchangeably as a gauntlet (from the Shadow of the Spider Moon spelljammer supplement on the back of Dungeon 92). This'd fit with your character (less damage means less chance of killing them, and a few punches thown in with your full attack is always a laugh). Unless you really can get a lightsaber :D
BadCatMan 01-18-06, 07:38 AM	Shortsword or Rapier: for a Swashbuckler / whatever / Duelist Longsword: for a Monk with the Whirling Steel Strike feat from Eberron CS. Both of these are armourless sword fighters who make good use of their mental stats. (ECS has similar feats for the longspear and two-bladed sword.) If you're interested, here's a character of mine - an intelligent and wise monk/paladin who fights with a longsword, goes unarmoured and fights smart and wisely. He's powered entirely by wisdom. A thinking man's warrior. Final build is at the bottom. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7288305#post7288305
Pan_Ai_Khan 01-18-06, 08:31 AM	I've seen a character somewhere that uses a unique pair of single-edged knives or shortswords. They are styled after Tonfa (the grip is 3/4 along the length of the weapon, and is mounted perpendicular to the cutting edge). The weapons can be used as piercing (with the blade extending past the end of the arm) or slashing (with the blade lying along the length of the forearm) just by rotating the grip in your hand, and are good for parrying too.
dutchmason 01-18-06, 08:36 AM	Two words, Gnome Quickrazor... maybe just as back ub but man is that a wicked weapon.
Morka 01-18-06, 09:55 AM	You could slightly alter your fighting style. You could be a barbarian using a reach weapon with special abilities like guisarme, ranseur or spiked chain. Get the feat Combat Expertise (need intelligence 13), Improved Trip, Improved Disarm. Once your opponent is on his butt and without weapon, you can try to Intimidate him to flee the battle. This allow you to incapacitate your opponent instead of killing him.