Artofswordmaking by Maciej Kopciuch
Renaissance weapons: rapiers, epées and backswords. Musketeers’ Baroque weapons for the Thirty Years’ War. These swords are made from high carbon spring steel (54SiCr6) , and usually tempered to a hardness of 52 – 54 HRC.
Falchion
Falchions, Scottish Swords, Other and Fantasy Swords. Here we sell cutlasses (falchions), Scottish broadswords (Claymore) and other unclassified cold weapons (Katzbalger, katana, film replicas). Our swords are made from high carbon spring steel (54SiCr6) and usually tempered to a hardness of 52 – 54 HRC.
Falchions, Scottish Swords, Other and Fantasy Swords. Here we sell cutlasses (falchions), Scottish broadswords (Claymore) and other unclassified cold weapons (Katzbalger, katana, film replicas). Our swords are made from high carbon spring steel (54SiCr6) and usually tempered to a hardness of 52 – 54 HRC., page 2
A falchion ( Old French: fauchon; Latin: falx, "sickle") is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin. Falchions are found in different forms from around the 13th century up to and including the 16th century. In some versions, the falchion looks like the seax and later the sabre, and in other versions, it is more like a machete with a cross guard.
Equipped with a wide variety of close combat and ranged weapons, Grey Knight Paladins are the boldest, most noble warriors in the Grey Knights Chapter. These Grey Knights Paladin models feature an array of staggering detail, from the rich iconography of the Grey Knights, books and skulls through to elegant purity seals, chains, rippled garments, and the personal heraldry upon their shoulder. Their armour-style, whilst clearly that of a Space Marine, suggests a more ancient design influence, and their wide-standing poses indicates the immense power of the Grey Knights. This multi-part plastic boxed set contains 153 components and five 40mm round bases with which to make either a Grey Knight Paladin Squad or Grey Knight Terminator Squad. There is an array of weaponry and unit upgrades including Nemesis falchions, Nemesis force halberds, a Nemesis Daemon hammer, a Nemesis warding stave, a psycannon, a psilencer and an incinerator. This kit is unpainted and requires assembly - we recommend using Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Paints.
Strike Squads often form the vanguard of a Grey Knights strike force. Equipped with lighter armour than the main Terminator Squads, these veterans strike swiftly and surely, and are able to slip through gaps in the enemy line. At the onset of battle, a Grey Knights commander will invariably task one or more Strike Squads with the capture of vital locations and key objectives, deploying via fixed teleporter to ensure the rapid seizure of isolated or inaccessible locations. These Squads are essential – without their reconnaissance and preparation, the Terminator Squads would be a hammer swung blindly in the darkness. This multi-part plastic kit contains ten Grey Knights with Nemesis force swords, one of which can be built as the unit leader, a Justicar. The models are covered in the inscriptions, purity seals and other details you would expect from this army, and the Justicar features a unique helmetless head. There is an array of weaponry and unit upgrades including Nemesis falchions, Nemesis force halberds, a Nemesis Daemon hammer, a Nemesis warding stave, two psycannons, a psilencer and an incinerator. This multi-part plastic boxed set contains 236 components and 10 Citadel 32mm Round bases with which to make a Grey Knight Strike Squad. Please note: these miniatures can also be assembled as a Grey Knight Interceptor Squad, a Grey Knight Purifier Squad or a Grey Knight Purgation Squad.
After a lot of thinking of how I could go about doing this I felt the approuch of "Bring solutions, not problems" was kind of the way I wanted to do this. I practice Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), this puts me in the position of probably knowing about things such as sword guards and the body mechanics behind it than many others, which makes me also notice when things are just in a sense "wrong". But instead of complaining about it and telling you how "wrong" this or that animation or pose I thought it would be better to just provide you with resources. Pictures, videos and text about the subject that ppl that know about being an artist and making games far better than me can hopefully gain some inspiration and maybe guidance in what they do for this subject. So what I will do for you quite simply is just post some pics and videos with content pretaining to melee combat. I hope these will help you guys at VR out somewhat at least. I will try and order/categorize them a little for ya also. Cheers!Most (maybe all) videos are of so caller flourishes/drills. Where one person goes through cuts, thrusts and sometimes parries of different kinds.Two-handed sword/Greatsword/Bastard Sword (Commonly known as longsword in HEMA)Pictures: Guards Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnu8q1Axj4Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgDcCNNaIRYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXGiSP29VFA (A really good video of a very basic cut with a lot of added information that is usefull)These are of the sword called montante, also known as (more popularly) zweihander. Basically "damn big sword". Sometimes reffered to as Greatsword in HEMAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB5v6lPBsyEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjZdaH22Zwshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ1MQ3CJGIwLinks:These two articles go through the German and Italian guards for longsword, with pictures :)http://www.swordschool.com/wiki/index.php/The_12_guardshttp://www.thearma.org/essays/StancesIntro.htm#.WEtEU1zHmUk One-handed Sword/Broadsword (Commonly known as Arming Sword or Side Sword in HEMA)note: most of these 1-handed guards can be done with a shield or buckler in the other hand streched out in front of you.Pictures: Guards Videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INuThjaKPgc&t=3shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9tkq1yzcg0 (A korean sword dance)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgzm1DC6uTE (Korean swordplay display of single, double and big two handed sword. Can't speak of its validity(All the spinning leaves me a bit skeptical and I know nothing about korean sword arts) but it is damn cool.) Links: Sword+BucklerPictures: Videos: Links:http://www.salvatorfabris.org/BologneseGuards.shtml Sword+ShieldPictures: Videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtBLsw56-3Y Links: Staff/PolearmPictures: Some ideas on Spear+Shield, the normal under-arm hold and the less commonly used over-arm, something which might be interesting. Videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR7H93TY-Lg (A flow drill with polaxe) Links:https://grauenwolf.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/meyers-quarterstaff-guards/ Rapier Pictures: Videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRFb1hilp3s (A video about the mechanics of the iconic lunge) Links: Bow Pictures: Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcu-8GvaqFk (old footage showing of kyujutsu. You can do more than just stand and shoot)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEG-ly9tQGk (Shooting of Lars Andersen, bold claims to be taken with a grain of salt. Awesome nonetheless. Linked by Sevens) Links: Other stuff:Going to add this as I think it is something important as I have had many discussions about this and I feel like it is a pretty misunderstood topic, the gentleman in the video is Matt Easton, a HEMA instructor and a very respected guy within the community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgq1wiPKzzI (About the differences of sword/mace/axe and more) Another thing I would like to add is that of movement, and the movement when it comes between the relation of the hands and feet, but first let's take a look what the old masters said :) "Heavy arms do not go quickly to the step,Light ones go and come like an arrow in a bow. The sword is placed in her care,So measure blows and steps togetherSo Science keeps you safe." - Filippo di Vadi (translation: MARCO RUBBOLI, LUCA CESARI) "Again I say to you, that in teaching your students the principles of the edged weapons, that withthe targa, & rotella, & brochiero larga, & single sword, & sword and cape, sword & dagger, & oftwo swords, & of many other strong weapons that you use, remember always the standards ofmovement, from guard to guard, forward, as behind, & from the side, & for deviousness, & inevery way that it is possible, & to teach them to accompany the hand with the foot, & the footwith the hand, otherwise you would not do well, so that if you that teach walk over such a signyou will teach it in place, where others are not that you did not teach. Otherwise, you upset thefoundation with those you teach.” -Achille Marrozo (translation: William E. Wilson) So what I hope you can understand what these are saying, and if not let me explain. The hands move at the same time or before the feet. But let me link you a video with the wonderful HEMA instructor Roland Warzecha that takes time to explain this in more detail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0LpsnO0E4U . Footwork of longsword but can be applied to most medieval weaponry. The "triangle step" at 3.27 might be of interest for animation for it is a step which does not move one much but allows for smooth cuts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1tTDcakB0w&t=195s Another suggestion and consideration for animation of strikes and footwork is that the fighter does not need to necessarily be moving forwards, every strike can be done with a passing forwards AND backwards, making it possible for animation of taking some steps forwards and some backwards again to the original position making it so the character does not have to move away while striking. Not directly related but this gentleman does some of the most excellent videos regarding armour, it's shaping and anatomy of it. https://www.youtube.com/user/neosonic66/featured very educational and hopefully something that can help when creating armour in the game.More Armour stuff, this time a project from Lumecluster where they made a fantasy armour inspired by practical and historical design.http://lumecluster.com/making-of-sovereign-armor/I also want to mention two more resources for when it comes to that of sword design, theses are the Oakeshott Typology for double edged medieval swords and the Elmslie Typology for single edged medieval swords (Here is a picture of the basic Elmslie Typology , I suggest watching Shediversity's video series on Falchions, Messers and the typology here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWklwxMTl4szgOkBBVjaSJeqd25uHAnl4), I am not saying that you should only keep to this or anything along those lines, but I hope these are good for inspiration and to show that there are more historical blade and hilt types than just the straight cross-guard with a parallel running blade. (Picture of Elmslie and Oakeshott together, including pommels and quillons https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/30/56/fc/3056fc0078601467652abc8b42b800ee.jpg) NOTE TO KILSIN/VR: I am unable to edit links and make them look pretty in editing tool, I can go in to the source and HTML it in manually but it would be nice to have the button that is there when you make a Reply/Post also in the Edit version. I hope these things were of help to you at VR or anyone else for that matter.You can ask any question and I will do my answer it, I am not an expert but I will do my best.Thank you for your time.//Voices of Terminus' Youmu/Svartie The official Player Portal for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, an exciting and challenging upcoming group-play MMORPG from Visionary Realms, Inc.
