Weapons are obviously a big part of fantasy-whether real or inspired. For the fantasy authors out there, how do you go about researching how a weapon is used? I know many of us have committed the common fantasy sin of writing fantasy combat based on what we've seen on TV or in RPG games, but there are is a real art and science behind weapon use and creation. Even if we are dealing with a fantasy light sword or arrows made from a stone that doesn't exist, the use of the weapon needs to be "forged" with some reality:
My quick questions are:
1. What are your favorite resources for acquiring knowledge on a type of weapon/combat use? Books? Online resources? Videos? Friend or Teacher?
2. Describe a fantasy book or movie scene/moment where you could tell the author knew what they were talking about or the combat/weapon use seemed natural and accurate.
3. Describe a fantasy book or movie scene/moment where you where something was off about the weapon use/combat scene. (The RPGs in which very small or thin characters effortlessly wield gigantic swords come to mind...)
4. Have you ever written a combat scene/weapon use the wrong way/missed important details etc. (in your earlier works)?
5. Have you ever read a fantasy book/seen a movie/played a game in which two characters in the same party used the same weapon or combat?
I loved the scene from the latest GoTG movie when Star Lord gets upset when Gampora is using the same weapon as him. But really, it's always a sword, axe, arrow, scepter, etc. Are there ever teams where there are like 3 characters (not counting soldiers from the same military) using the same type of sword?
My quick questions are:
1. What are your favorite resources for acquiring knowledge on a type of weapon/combat use? Books? Online resources? Videos? Friend or Teacher?
2. Describe a fantasy book or movie scene/moment where you could tell the author knew what they were talking about or the combat/weapon use seemed natural and accurate.
3. Describe a fantasy book or movie scene/moment where you where something was off about the weapon use/combat scene. (The RPGs in which very small or thin characters effortlessly wield gigantic swords come to mind...)
4. Have you ever written a combat scene/weapon use the wrong way/missed important details etc. (in your earlier works)?
5. Have you ever read a fantasy book/seen a movie/played a game in which two characters in the same party used the same weapon or combat?
I loved the scene from the latest GoTG movie when Star Lord gets upset when Gampora is using the same weapon as him. But really, it's always a sword, axe, arrow, scepter, etc. Are there ever teams where there are like 3 characters (not counting soldiers from the same military) using the same type of sword?
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