Also, why do you "have" to be one or the other? Is it really an either/or situation here? Or are you constraining yourself to game mechanics?
Think about it from a story perspective more than a game one. As a fighter, no matter what type, wouldn't it be a good idea to know how to throw a punch? And lots of martial arts also include fighting with weapons. So, there's not too much of a stretch to believe that someone could know how to both swing a big ol' sword and throw a good punch or kick if needed (such as when they're disarmed, perhaps? Or caught without their weapon?).
Heck, if you need a mechanical link... isn't DRK's... Low Blow or whatever it's called a kick to the gut? Pugilism! In an RP fight, you could block a blow with your blade and then, in that brief window, let go with one hand to sock the other guy in the jaw!
In RP, there really isn't a set "tank/dps/healer" meta. That's basically a game constraint and mechanic for the PvE/PvP side of things. If you're just roleplaying, then there's no real reason to confine yourself to one of those roles. Just as long as you can explain why your character can do those things - and, as I mentioned, a fighting person knowing how to throw a punch is certainly one of the least outlandish ideas I've seen thrown about.
Think about it from a story perspective more than a game one. As a fighter, no matter what type, wouldn't it be a good idea to know how to throw a punch? And lots of martial arts also include fighting with weapons. So, there's not too much of a stretch to believe that someone could know how to both swing a big ol' sword and throw a good punch or kick if needed (such as when they're disarmed, perhaps? Or caught without their weapon?).
Heck, if you need a mechanical link... isn't DRK's... Low Blow or whatever it's called a kick to the gut? Pugilism! In an RP fight, you could block a blow with your blade and then, in that brief window, let go with one hand to sock the other guy in the jaw!
In RP, there really isn't a set "tank/dps/healer" meta. That's basically a game constraint and mechanic for the PvE/PvP side of things. If you're just roleplaying, then there's no real reason to confine yourself to one of those roles. Just as long as you can explain why your character can do those things - and, as I mentioned, a fighting person knowing how to throw a punch is certainly one of the least outlandish ideas I've seen thrown about.