Why do current RPGs not have scythes?

[Canid117]

Has anyone noticed that most rpgs don't have scythes as a weapon choice? (None modded games) It sort of annoys me because almost everyone loves a scythe as a weapon. So I was wondering what do you think the reasons for the lack of scythes is?

Because they actually make terrible weapons?

 

[klipton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djQh-7b0Fn8
Sorry if someone else posted it, but looks like a pretty neat weapon to me.
OT: no idea, maybe because they are not really common weapons, especially in the western, and the jrpg`s seems to be more and more "westernized".

 

[tlozoot]

Final Fantasy XI Dark Knight was all about the scythe.

 

[open trap]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.70517-Scythes#694172
The real question is why do RPGs neglect polearms and axes? Historically they were the most commonly used melee weapons. Swords were the equivalent of an officers pistol.

I am pretty sure swords (short swords to be exact) were a main weapon for cqc of the Greek and Roman armies, used after they had lost there spear after throwing it or it breaking, but please correct me if im wrong.

 

[Dexiro]

why do axes often get categorized as blunt weapons? Can someone explain this to me?

Probably just a bad habit for game developers. It started off that way for whatever reason and they stuck with it, people are used to the idea. Gives the "blunt weapons" catalog more variety i suppose.

Axes are probably sharper than most swords in reality, there's less blade to maintain at least. Though i wouldn't really know anything about that.

I'd like to see a funkier variety of weapons in games, some of the have scythes hidden around in the "sword" or "axe" categories, or purely as farming tools which i guess is their proper use. I'd like to see more of them as their own category of weapon though ^_^

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.70517-Scythes#694172
The real question is why do RPGs neglect polearms and axes? Historically they were the most commonly used melee weapons. Swords were the equivalent of an officers pistol.

Damn it. Stole the words right out of my mouth.
Honestly: How the hell do you fight with a scythe? It's impractical as hell!

 

[Arcanite Ripper]

How many RPG heroes are going to go grain-harvesting?

Record of Agarest War does.

Oh. One of THOSE scythes.

I don't know; It seems like an offbeat choice since it's not incredibly practical compared to your other choices (A spear has a point for keeping the baddies at bay; Some sort of gigantic axe has a bigger blade. I am such a weapon expert, guys!!). and while it does look bad-ass going into war with the Grim Reaper's Harvester, I imagine he'd be even more angry for each person that totally rips off his style.

Other then that, I have no idea.

 

[nothinghere]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.70517-Scythes#694172
The real question is why do RPGs neglect polearms and axes? Historically they were the most commonly used melee weapons. Swords were the equivalent of an officers pistol.

The people wielding a scythe's would be incredibly strong, especially if their in a JRPG, you know when they swing weapons designed to take down horses and would require three people just to pick up and with the amount of moment if they changed the scythe to have a blade down the side then it would slice someone in half in one hit, you'd just need to plan your moves and attack them before they notice you.

 

[MMETEORAGA1994]

really the only game I've seen where a character used a Scythe was Chrono Trigger. It's not commonplace because it's not a normal weapon

 

[2xDouble]

Snippity. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naginata] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaive]. What about against armored opponents?

Those are polearms not scythes.

Aren't they?

ahem; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_scythe

Also... the Kusarigama is not even close to a polearm. It may be small, but it's still a sickle scythe.

 

[Signa]

Final Fantasy XI and .hack//G.U. both use scythes as weapons.
I, too, am miffed about a lack of polearms and axes as weapons in games. They're rather fun. But, why do axes often get categorized as blunt weapons? Can someone explain this to me?

That's Bethesda being lazy and not putting in an Axe skill in Oblivion. I guess maintaining a strict 3-skill-per-governing-attribute game design was more important than making the game right.

I was reading a book in Oblivion the other day and there was a reference to a spear of legendary power(I'm forgetting its name right now). Basically, the book was outlining all the best unique weapons and artifacts in the game, but given that there were no spears in the game, you could tell several of the artifacts got cut.

 

[Czargent Sane]

a scythe is not usually a weapon, so it would not exactly be something you pick up from the local blacksmith and take to the dragon's lair. not a scythe fit for battle anyway. if crafted correctly, it could certainly make a very feasible weapon, but it would need its own unique animations for its use, as it does not really fit into any other category in terms of how it would be wielded.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

Our idea of a scythe is a rather horrible weapon.

Just try to imagine using it. First, because the blade is towards you, you would have to have a target inside the blade, meaning you have nothing to defend yourself with. Just to swing the blade, you would need to make a wide arc and leave yourself perfectly exposed to being stabbed.

Unlike a regular polearm, you would have no way of keeping anyone away from you because the sharp end is pointed towards you. A person could easily knock the blade out of the way from the blunt side, rush up, and stab you.

Cutting people would be awkward at best because instead of bringing the blade directly down as that would mean you only hit a person with the stick part and not the knifey bit.

 

[technoted]

Thank god for NeverWinter Nights having scythes eh?

 

[Kurokasumi]

I'm guessing you would be referring to scythes like the ones in Ninja Gaiden 2 and Dante's Inferno.
I think the reason being is scythes are not a practical weapon for combat, They're weight is way too unbalanced and flimsy to be used as a weapon for cutting and slashing, it would take a small breeze or tiny miscalculation to flip it over sideways and even if you swung correctly, it would be incredibly easy to get stuck in the ground.
I personally thought Scythes make really badass weapons for a while, but then I thought about and realized they are actually a bit ridiculous.

 

[Judgement101]

The argument "it's a tool" won't work. Pitchforks can be weapons so why not a scythe?

 

[SilverUchiha]

THANK YOU! I love scythes! It's a bizarre weapon and I use it all the time in D&D. The x3 Critical hits is just awesome!

And for those who don't like the ideas of scythes as weapons... I just got one thing for ya:

Best scythe fighter I've ever seen... in anime at least.