systlin:

an-avaar-skald-and-bearsark:

systlin:

an-avaar-skald-and-bearsark:

renniequeer:

renniequeer:

Actually, while I’m talking about medieval combat pet peeves:

Shields aren’t just defensive, they are their own category of weapon. I’ve been using a shield for a couple of years now, and have even spent some time as a shield trainer, and I can tell you with full confidence that using a weapon and shield is equivalent to two-weapon fighting.

You can slap, punch, and just fuckin’ charge-and-slam. Shields can deal devastating damage, and every single fight I choreograph with my shield, I explicitly work in moves where I use my shield to attack.

I’ve actually done multiple fights where I get disarmed partway through, and go on to finish (and win) with just my shield. And yeah, stage combat has a certain amount of dramatic flair that you wouldn’t have in a real fight, but I’ve also used shields in SCA heavy combat, and the philosophy is the same. That shit’s a second weapon.

also you can just beat the shit out of someone with them in a pinch

[ID: Two stage combat fighters on the living chessboard at a renaissance faire. One of them is on the ground, and one of them (me!) has a viking-style round shield raised in both hands, preparing to hit their opponent with it.]

I’m a 120lb weed and I can throw an effective shield bash. You just have to throw acceleration behind it. And it is fun. Not so fun being hit by one mind you….

WAIT

YOU’RE SAYING I COULD BENCH PRESS YOU???

Oh probably. My fighting style is based off speed and savagery and only works cause no one expects a 5'7" twig to come at them like a pissed-off wolverine.

Very fair. I approve.

I’m more a dex-based fighter myself, but I make a habit of lifting large heavy things enough to make sure that I’m no slouch in strength based checks either.