Mar 2021
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seiggrainhart
Mar '21

More-so addressing the issue at hand then discussing it, I'd probably have to say there's two main reasons why so many series seem to use such default weapons. Well, one really...
Because bows and swords are mainstream, there isn't exactly a lot of research that needs to go into it, therefor artists for comics/animation, don't need to study all that much and can just take a basic shape, and add a bit of flare to it, and boom, you've got yourself a 'fantasy weapon.' Same thing as with prop studios for live-action stuff.

On the other hand, more 'work' would go into making something like a Chakram, or a morning-star. Due to that, it would take more time, and thus cost more to get that drawn/animated, or made by the prop department. So, time is really the biggest factor.

Time, and swords/bows are just far too mainstream.

djourner
Mar '21

I agree that more exotic weapons should be in media;
I kind of love the elegance of a good sword fight (not the anime rapidslash nonsense), and there is a reason why historically swords are just more common... They are pretty much the best weapon to kill people with until heavy armor and firearms became a thing.

That being said, I do believe we should diversify weapons in stories to include more practical things... Like you mentioned, crossbows were a lot better and easier to use (not depending on your arms to keep tension helps keep the focus in a fight), and a hammer is a very versatile weapon as well, as it basically doesn't care how many layers of armor you put over yourself (Not to mention being easier to make look badass without sacrificing usefullness, which can't be said for swords.)
And god i'd love me some more quarterstaff wielders... That shit is dope as hell and you can do so many cool things with it!}

The ONLY weapon I have a serious bias against is SCYTHES!! (And i know i'm about to catch flak for this)
As a fan of good fight coreography I hate scythes... They are overdone in media and often don't come out interesting because nobody knows how to be effective with a weapon that leaves you open 90% of the time... The closest i've see anyone be good with one was zasalamel from the soul calibur, or Ruby from Rwby, and even then there are not that many cool moves because of the scythe per se, just the acrobatics which would have worked with any other weapon that featured something to hold onto.
Sorry for spewing hate.. I do like the looks of them... it's just that when I see a chracter wielding scythes I know it's just gonna look bland.

I blame shadiversity for making me look into these things too much xD

Kaydreamer
Mar '21

A lot of my Elven characters typically use quarterstaffs, for the exact reason that they tend to be more versatile than swords. (These characters are also immensely magical, so weapons are for when they need to keep said magic hidden.) I also think they look awesome.

Neverseen
Mar '21
seiggrainhart

I know that but like a club is quite literally the simplest weapon. If it was complexity that was the issue one could easily use the two hundred different club variants from around the world. I've never animated but wouldn't the motion to swing something be about the same sword or not?

Neverseen
Mar '21
djourner

If it was the look, one could always use horseman pick's or war scythes that were an option. I have to agree though that in practicality the only time you should be using a non magical scythe(farming style) is as a last resort.

Neverseen
Mar '21
Kaydreamer

Very true. Great for self defense and can be reinforced, simply made. Bo is a great fighting style using the staff and there are tons of references for it.

seiggrainhart
Mar '21
Neverseen

That's kind of why I mentioned the 'mainstream' part as well. If it was just simply ease of use in art/animation, then yeah I'm sure EVERY main character would use something like a club of sorts, but Clubs aren't mainstream. You can blame things like Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire on why swords and bows are so popular, since all the main characters use either of those two things, mostly swords though. Same thing with Arthurian Legends, though to a lesser extent than the two things I mentioned prior.

Swords and Bows are EXTREMELY mainstream, so everyone and their mother will know how to draw them, even as concept art for a prop. Thus, time isn't needed for research into viable designs, historical or otherwise.

Neverseen
Mar '21

Tolkien at least made his magical though. Today research into weapons is literally a trip to Wikipedia. I click on clubs and it will have a list of historical weapons. I mean lord of the rings made literal miles of chain mail and designed new weapons so the idea of a different weapon type isn't too far out. Like I said Wikipedia makes it easy to find references and names of the weapons. Then if you really felt like it you could research cultural connotations.

N1ghtm4r3
Mar '21
summermcallen

i like scythes myself , one of my MC uses a scythe , i mostly think of how it can be used a bit like a bo staff and war picks

Neverseen
Mar '21

Some experts aren't a fan because the way the blade functions in combat. Its only one sided so it leaves you very vulnerable as you have to reach past your enemy making you very exposed.

N1ghtm4r3
Mar '21

but on the other hand tit can be a tricky weapon as you can set traps to get your opponents

Neverseen
Mar '21

Explain? How can you trap someone? I mean I guess you could trip them but in real life that would be hard to do.

CosmicLeon
Mar '21

what weapon i really want to see is the kusarigama. They are sooo cool, and really obscure in popular media. I don't think i have actually seen one in any media so far. They are made to tangle swords, to throw, garrote, and more. Its a very versatile ninja weapon.

Neverseen
Mar '21

Do they actually work? I mean a scythe on the end of a chain seems like fun but is there techniques that actually function with the weapon?

arxianfall
Mar '21

The chain might be for the weight on the other end.
Grapple, pull, sickle! Like Scorpion.

@N1ghtm4r3 I've tried to cut grass with a scythe (not sickle). Just from handling one you discover it's not great for combat at all. The ones who used them angled the blade in a way that made it into a spear or polearm.

Just like coke or pepsi. There's a reason some weapons are a lot more popular than others. Cool factor is a big reason. But the other big reason is that they are great for their task.

You might notice that exotic weapons are many times tied to a culture or area.
Like the dacian falx for example.

Neverseen
Mar '21

The falx was awesome. Even if the chain was for pulling and such wouldn't it be easy to tangle?

a.g.meade
Mar '21

Oh my gosh, it's true that while swords and axes are always reliable, there are so many other types of weapons and armor out there. Let's see... Here, one of my main characters wears a gambeson, and the other's weapon of choice is a halberd! Here's to less-used weapons and armor! :smiley:

Neverseen
Mar '21

Oh the chain is on top. I thought it was wielded from the weight and swung