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You want to know one of the greatest sins RPGs have inflicted on the world?
Making swords strength-based weapons.
And bows dexterity-based weapons.
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Making swords strength-based weapons.
And bows dexterity-based weapons.
/1
You do need strength to carry and wield a sword.
But once you have that strength, MOAR strength isn't necessary. It could even be counterintuitive.
Sword work demands precision, timing, body mechanics, footwork, angulation...
In other words: dexterity.
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But once you have that strength, MOAR strength isn't necessary. It could even be counterintuitive.
Sword work demands precision, timing, body mechanics, footwork, angulation...
In other words: dexterity.
/2
With a sword, you do not use strength to cut.
If the sword were sharp, it cuts effortlessly.
But only if you know how to cut correctly.
Cutting is a complex motion, and to do it right, you need to coordinate your entire body, from your foot to your fingers.
/3
If the sword were sharp, it cuts effortlessly.
But only if you know how to cut correctly.
Cutting is a complex motion, and to do it right, you need to coordinate your entire body, from your foot to your fingers.
/3
Conversely, you do need dexterity to nock, aim and loose a bow.
But you know what a bow does?
It takes the power of your body and transfers it to the arrow, sending it in flight.
To use a bow, you need raw strength. /4
But you know what a bow does?
It takes the power of your body and transfers it to the arrow, sending it in flight.
To use a bow, you need raw strength. /4
The force of a bow is measured in draw weight: how much force is needed to draw the bow to an anchor position.
Historical war bows have draw weights ranging from 100 - 180 lbs.
The archer must be able to exert, and stabilize, that much force on the bow. /5
Historical war bows have draw weights ranging from 100 - 180 lbs.
The archer must be able to exert, and stabilize, that much force on the bow. /5
English longbowmen can be identified by spinal and finger bone deformations caused by a lifetime of drawing and loosing powerful bows.
You need prodigious strength and endurance to do that.
Without the strength to draw a bow, dexterity won't help much. /6
You need prodigious strength and endurance to do that.
Without the strength to draw a bow, dexterity won't help much. /6
Why do games make swords a strength weapon and bows a dexterity weapon?
Balance.
Character class builds.
These are mechanical reasons, not biological reasons.
You can NOT apply RPG gaming logic to other fields: writing, films, most of all, THE REAL WORLD. /7
Balance.
Character class builds.
These are mechanical reasons, not biological reasons.
You can NOT apply RPG gaming logic to other fields: writing, films, most of all, THE REAL WORLD. /7
Do you really want to design 'realistic' STR/DEX-based weaponry?
Swords scale with strength AND dexterity, but scale better with dexterity.
Bows scale with strength AND dexterity, but scale better with strength.
/8
Swords scale with strength AND dexterity, but scale better with dexterity.
Bows scale with strength AND dexterity, but scale better with strength.
/8
And, place hard limits on what the weapons can do.
First, to account for material quality, weapon design, etc.
And second...
To give players loot and rewards.
/9
First, to account for material quality, weapon design, etc.
And second...
To give players loot and rewards.
/9
But if you're not designing an RPG...
Do your research.
And remember: RPG game mechanics do not translate to other media!
/end
Do your research.
And remember: RPG game mechanics do not translate to other media!
/end
