Matt Jennings writes: >>===== Original Message From Joshua Kronengold <mneme at io.com> ===== >>Matt Jennings writes: >>>Vlad uses the 'modern' side stance, which exposes little of his body. This >>>means he can parry/attack with one hand while using his other to do >>>his little tricks. (throw knives, shurikens, etc...) >> >>>Khaavren et al use a full-face stance, meaning they usually need a poinard >to >>>defend that side of their body. >> >>It actually goes the other way -- smallsword fencers tend to use a somewhat >>more extreme stance, since the smallsword is fast enough that fencing >>tends to get a bit linear (and in 18th century duels, off-hand weapons ><big snip> >I am really only referring to how the styles are described in the books (I >don't have nearly the knowledge you have). Understood. >But I always thought the general idea of 'modern' fencing (stance and >all) is also based on having a good length to the sword in >combination with the side stance, gives a excellent range to the >attack. Kinda there are a bunch of things combining here: The ability to make a vigorous attack can be very powerful, and a fully sideways stance allows a lunge of maximal power and distance (and decreases the visible target). However, it makes it harder to get the off-hand into play without contorting the body, and the off-hand can also be very powerful, and makes diagonal and circular movement somewhat more awkward. With a light enough blade, it becomes less necessary to step away from an attacking blow (to gain time) as -well- as defend against the blow the hand is faster enough than the foot that you can parry and riposte in the same time (or faster) that you can take a single step. So the main reasons for circular and diagonal movement (to act as a secondary defense against a blow) lower in prominence, rendering things more linear (and therefore also giving more of an advantage to a linear stance, since you're less likely to face an attack from other angles). Control of distance, since to an extent, things are 1-dimensional (along a line), rather than 2-dimensional, becomes much more important [not that it wasn't important before; it's just even more important] -- the balestra, the lunge, the patanando (quick step+lunge) and so on are all intended to control distance. Another (minor) thing to remember is that fencing blows aren't really "thrown" so much as "placed" -- a blow (thrust or cut) can be certainly be made with vigor...but a sequence like "thrust, partial parry, deception of the parry, counter into the attack, deception of the counter, replacing the point" as what is effectively a single action (with minor adjustments throughout) isn't all -that- unusual; the fact that you can, with one action, lunge into your opponent's distance doesn't mean they can't side-step and hit you in the middle of your lunge (in fact, that's the ideal Spanish (well, La Veda Destreza) response to an over-committed lunge). I'm not sure if I answered your question above; feel free to restate if not. :) >(Which is why Vlad does fine against the Dragerans >larger swords.) Vlad's control of distance and timing is clearly masterful...but I think at least as much of it is that he's using an unfamiliar style...and that he tends to go for easy targets rather than trying a deep lunge (most of the time), plus the fact that with a lighter and smaller weapon, he can often deceive his opponent's blades (one reason the smallsword, in expert hands, is often more deadly than a rapier). Frex, he could convince them to move one way and quickly disengage (and attack along their blades with opposition, though I don't remember this type of maneuver being described). >>Hmm. I need to re-read 500 years after. >I just read it again recently. It so rocks. Oh, yeah. I actually need to re-read both the historical, preparatory to the new release. -- Joshua Kronengold (mneme at io.com) "I've been teaching |\ _,,,--,,_ ,) --^--him...to live, to breathe, to walk, to sample the /,`.-'`' -, ;-;;' /\\joy on each road, and the sorrow at each turning. |,4- ) )-,_ ) /\ /-\\\I'm sorry if I kept him out too late"--Vlad Taltos '---''(_/--' (_/-'