Fighting Techniques -- Inspiration and referencing!

[GloryRhodes]

Basically Spahro:

 

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So, you know, BJJ.

[Caspar]

For Khyros, I would have to say a heavy inspiration is thematically Wuxia films and the like, and more realistically, Baji Quan (Or Eight Extremes Fist, which sounds WAY cooler), which I admit I am surprised to see was mentioned earlier in the thread as well! A style that utilizes sword, great spear, and saber, as well as close combat heavily involving elbow strikes of various angles and intent, body slams, and arrow-like thrusting punches. The source of the explosive power of the style comes from the legs as mentioned, since you strike the ground as you strike the opponent to increase force. This video is a rather good example. (The loud slapping noises are his foot hitting the ground like a whipcrack, obviously.)

 

 

 

Hehe, good choice.

You can never go wrong with a style that was made famous by someone as insane as Li Shu Wen, you know!

Ah yes, Mr. "I never hit a man twice."

[Aduu Avagnar]

But there are of course times when this greatsword style just has to be used.... you will remain invincible!

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[Knight Kat]

Most of the stuff I use for Kiht, I draw from the in-game style combined with the very scarce information I get from videos made by guys who practice HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). However, most of these guys are more fond of swords and knives. There is very little material they provide about spears or pole-arms.

 

 

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The videos are great, but rather basic in that they cover only a few simple techniques. The one demo video I put in the spoiler above actually has a guy who looks like he knows what he is doing.

 

However, most of the demo videos I find when it comes to pole-arms are the Wushu demonstrations (which doesn't give me an idea of how to use any of all that dancing and twirling in actual combat), or amateurs with sticks trying to jab at each other.

 

Of course, this makes RP combat feel kinda lacking for Kiht sometimes, but usually I do the best I can. Kiht typically uses guisarmes which are like fancy bill-hooks. They have a hook, a thrusting spike and a chopping spike. She will usually try to keep her enemy at a distance until she sees an opportunity to move in and either hook their limbs, or spike them in an opening. Alas, my search for more inspiration for pole-arm combat continues.

 

I think pole-arms are just underrated, and under-practiced in this day and age. Below is a sort of choreographed fantasy inspiration I recently found.

 

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OwKWJB88-E&list=WL&index=43

 

 

 

Edit: That link from TheLastCandle is gold, so I will re-link it: http://www.thortrains.com/getright/Medieval%20Combat.htm

[Aduu Avagnar]

However, most of the demo videos I find when it comes to pole-arms are the Wushu demonstrations (which doesn't give me an idea of how to use any of all that dancing and twirling in actual combat), or amateurs with sticks trying to jab at each other.

Wushu is a collection of different Chinese Martial Arts, and most of them have a point of being acrobatic, aesthetic styles.

 

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Almost /all/ of the moves in this form have a purpose in combat, despite looking dancy.

 

Easiest way to analyse it for use in combat, is to look at where the strikes are going, you have strikes to the head, to the gut, overhead swings to use concusive force rather than stabbing, sweeps to take out the oponents feet, blocks, etc. When she spins it in a small circle and is moving around, that is usually attemping to wrap an opponents weapon, though it can also be used for misdirection. you'll notice as well during a lot of strikes the spear spins a little, that is to get the spear around the opponents weapon.

[Briggs]

Rough Nomad is pretty much a personification of the "Hey, You!" Haymaker and Combat Pragmatist. 

 

 

His fighting form blends savate (emphasized kickboxing) and reversed blade strikes or slashes with modern streetfighting. He's not a stranger to turning what could be a missed sideslash into a strong uppercut. He also happens to know a mudra or two, but he isn't by any means an expert with them.

[Vysce the Lad]

"Alls y'gotta do is tussle wiff yer mitts! 1-2, 1-2! Sock 'em in th'face until y'knock 'is lights out! Woo-ha!"

 

 

"J-jus' no tail-yankin', awright? That's no-fair."

[Zelmanov]

When it comes to hand to hand I draw upon my experience in Aikido and Jujitsu, Orrin grapples and locks arms and breaks bone, he doesn't strike or kick as often unless armored. 

 

I've been having issue describing lance or spear combat in any interesting manner other than stabs and thrusts so I tend to lean more towards the absurd acrobatics akin to FF games when it comes to armed vs armed combat.

[Zetchryn]

Like the above poster, I use techniques from Aikido as well, adapting a few staff techniques for spearwork, and then the rest just being hand to hand.

 

All my sword work is self-taught/made up/I don't know what my training is called.

[C'kayah Polaali]

Most of the stuff I use for Kiht, I draw from the in-game style combined with the very scarce information I get from videos made by guys who practice HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). However, most of these guys are more fond of swords and knives. There is very little material they provide about spears or pole-arms.

 

Here's something from my old fencing school you might get a kick out of.

 

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Amusingly, the two spear fencers are a couple

[Zetchryn]

Oh I heard of that school, up in Seattle right? I should have gone back when I lived in that area

[C'kayah Polaali]

Yeah, it's associated with a few others that all derive from the Rhodes tradition (Martinez Academy in NY, etc).

[Knight Kat]

 

 

Here's something from my old fencing school you might get a kick out of.

 

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Amusingly, the two spear fencers are a couple

 

Nice find C! They do very much seem to know what they are doing.

 

Also, I have been taking a closer look at the wushu spear styles. When demonstrated it just seems more like a staff style than a spear or pole-arm style. However, I watched this video that has me thinking.

 

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This is choreographed fighting, but I see elements of practicality in there. I am also keen on the fact that the performers are seemingly smallish women. My character is small, so this fast and agile type of style might be a great fit for her.

 

After all, no reason I can't have her use elements of both HEMA fencing and wushu in her style. The game actually has many weapons inspired from many IRL cultures. Many of the pole-arms are European in style while many of the Lancer/Dragoon abilities are wushu-like. I think this thread has helped me a lot!

[Aduu Avagnar]

I also think it presents the most likely outcome of someone with dual swords facing an attack on multiple sides.