Defense & Giant Swords
Patrick Baldwin
how to provide for defense? Parrying seems
less good, as the sword doesn't really lend
itself to that. Just being damn tough would
be in theme for the character, but no Artifact
armor if I get the Grand Daiklaive due to ST
limits on starting Artifact dots. Charms to
be tough seem to have a serious disadvantage
compared to Dodge or Melee based defenses,
as there's no persistent defense.
Maybe just buy a lot of Ox Body?
~P.
Richard Clayton
Remember that a grand daiklave may look heavy and awkward, but in the
hands of an Exalt attuned to it, it feels comparatively light and swift.
He may be swinging a 15 kilogram blade around, but in his hand it feels
like only 3-5 kilograms: that is comparable to real-world two-handed
swords. Lightning-quick parries are still possible, assuming you feel
your character is strong enough to pull them off.
If fast, nimble parries aren't really your character's style, then
remember that parrying isn't just about putting the weapon between
yourself and your opponent. Good swordplay also involves moving so that
you are behind your weapon from the opponent's point of view. A daiklave
is an inch-thick, foot-wide strip of orichalcalloy steel— much better
than any mortal warrior's shield. Your character could use careful,
deliberate movements, swinging his sword in wide arcs that always seem
to keep it between himself and his enemies.
Finally, never underestimate the raw power of an oversized,
gods-blessed magical weapon forged by superhumans! Real-world parries
don't generally involve the flashy blade-on-blade clashes that you see
in the movies, as real weapons simply aren't strong enough. But Exalted
is a fantasy game with a strong emphasis on coolness, and artifact
weapons are unbreakable anyway. So your parries could rely on simply
swatting your enemy's weapon away from you, with slow but irresistibly
powerful strokes.
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Richard Clayton
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." — Optimus Prime