Why do current RPGs not have scythes?

[martin's a madman]

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.

Um.. I'm going to have to say that you're incorrect.

Polearms were for the auxillary armies of most civilisations, and became very popular after the invention of basic firearms but spearmen and axemen did not make up the majority of the arms in major armies.

In the Iron and middle ages Swords were the most popular Melee weapon.

 

[sanezombie]

I always thought using a scythe was awesome in games. I hope they do come back sometime, as for the people saying their just not good weapons imagine what has been used as a weapon;a megaphone, a hair ribbon, a gunblade,tarot cards, a hammergun, tamporines, dolls.

It's about what looks cool not what's logical. Video games arn't the best at portraying useful weapons.

 

[Chamale]

Point is, they'd most likely be impractical in a fight one against many as you have in your typical RPG.

Au contraire.

Spoiler

The scythe, because of its usefulness against grain fields, became the weapon of choice for Death to use against masses of people.

As an weapon for a normal person to use, it's far more effective and practical than the inevitable gunsword, or Oblivion's 70-pound claymores. In a world where regular-size humans can effectively wield swords that weigh more than 5 pounds, a scythe is a perfectly reasonable weapon.

 

[Miumaru]

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

Spoiler: Is that so?

Not watching all 7 minutes...but Im going to guess...she died.

 

[King Kupofried]

I'd imagine it's because they're hard to animate. I suppose there's also the possibility that some dumbass will take offense, since it's the weapon of the Reaper and thusly must be satanic of some such bullshit.

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

The Grim Reaper kinda never got the memo...and he's got a pretty perfect KDR as of late.

It's not a weapon for him though, it's still a tool. D= The Grim Reaper doesn't fight the souls of the living any more than a farmer fights his fields of grain.

 

[Judgement101]

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

Spoiler: Is that so?

Not watching all 7 minutes...but Im going to guess...she died.

Yep, but it was a good fight....thats a lie she died easily.

 

[Judgement101]

I'd imagine it's because they're hard to animate. I suppose there's also the possibility that some dumbass will take offense, since it's the weapon of the Reaper and thusly must be satanic of some such bullshit.

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

The Grim Reaper kinda never got the memo...and he's got a pretty perfect KDR as of late.

It's not a weapon for him though, it's still a tool. D= The Grim Reaper doesn't fight the souls of the living any more than a farmer fights his fields of grain.

Watch the anime "Soul Eater" near the end of the season they have Death with a scythe fighting a guy.

 

[migo]

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.

You mean like death is an idiot? And like how nunchaks are farming tools and only an idiot would use them?

 

[rsvp42]

Ninja Gaiden 2 has a scythe and its awesome so why cant they be more popular in gaming. I mean who cares if its impractical most of the melee weapons in L4D2 are impractical i mean who would use a frying pan or a crowbar to fight zombies?!?!? Besides its a game its not reality if i want reality in my games ill go outside!

I don't know if anyone responded to this already, but crowbars are actually great against zombies. They're lightweight, durable bludgeons that can also be used for stabbing through the eye socket into the brain. What's more they're still crowbars and can pry open doors and do everything else they were meant to do in the first place. Actually, a much more impractical weapon in L4D2 was the guitar.

That's why in that Zack Snyder Dawn of the Dead, I always face-palm when the one guy drops his crowbar for a croquet mallet... sigh.

 

[Judgement101]

Please just let this thread die. Then Death can take it because he can actually appreciate scythes.

 

[King Kupofried]

I'd imagine it's because they're hard to animate. I suppose there's also the possibility that some dumbass will take offense, since it's the weapon of the Reaper and thusly must be satanic of some such bullshit.

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

The Grim Reaper kinda never got the memo...and he's got a pretty perfect KDR as of late.

It's not a weapon for him though, it's still a tool. D= The Grim Reaper doesn't fight the souls of the living any more than a farmer fights his fields of grain.

Watch the anime "Soul Eater" near the end of the season they have Death with a scythe fighting a guy.

That is true, but with the amount of magical powers and outright weird stuff that goes on in there, it's not exactly Death vs. Normal human being.

 

[Judgement101]

I'd imagine it's because they're hard to animate. I suppose there's also the possibility that some dumbass will take offense, since it's the weapon of the Reaper and thusly must be satanic of some such bullshit.

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

The Grim Reaper kinda never got the memo...and he's got a pretty perfect KDR as of late.

It's not a weapon for him though, it's still a tool. D= The Grim Reaper doesn't fight the souls of the living any more than a farmer fights his fields of grain.

Watch the anime "Soul Eater" near the end of the season they have Death with a scythe fighting a guy.

That is true, but with the amount of magical powers and outright weird stuff that goes on in there, it's not exactly Death vs. Normal human being.

So Death v.s. Evil thing doesn't count?

 

[Mercsenary]

The Scythe I think is a pretty hard weapon to use properly. the freaking sharp edge is on the INSIDE!

Besides scythes are a farming tool. In other words the poor man's fighting equipment. Sickles plows knives.

 

[Judgement101]

Besides scythes are a farming tool.

I already said this isn't a valid argument. Pitchforks are weapons.

 

[rsvp42]

What about this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqAw5svabfk

I never played the game myself, but this seems like a pretty effective use of the scythe in a video game. A nice feature is that the blade locks into different positions depending on what's needed. The simple fact of the matter is that most weapons in RPGs or whatever genre simply involve swinging and hitting. It doesn't matter what the actual effectiveness is, it all boils down to a character swinging and an enemy getting hurt. For that, a scythe is great. It looks cool and has a blade, end of story.

However, there is another use of scythes. I know in WoW, warlocks can wield a scythe, but it's really more of a stand-in for a casting staff. That works though! Don't worry OP, I don't think the scythe is going anywhere and any sufficiently robust fantasy RPG will probably have it in some form or fashion.

 

[Souplex]

Please just let this thread die. Then Death can take it because he can actually appreciate scythes.

By bumping this thread you revived it.

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.

You mean like death is an idiot? And like how nunchaks are farming tools and only an idiot would use them?

Death doesn't fight, he harvests. There is a reason nunchucks weren't used on the battlefield, and that's because they're thoroughly useless.

 

[Judgement101]

What about this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqAw5svabfk

I never played the game myself, but this seems like a pretty effective use of the scythe in a video game. A nice feature is that the blade locks into different positions depending on what's needed. The simple fact of the matter is that most weapons in RPGs or whatever genre simply involve swinging and hitting. It doesn't matter what the actual effectiveness is, it all boils down to a character swinging and an enemy getting hurt. For that, a scythe is great. It looks cool and has a blade, end of story.

However, there is another use of scythes. I know in WoW, warlocks can wield a scythe, but it's really more of a stand-in for a casting staff. That works though! Don't worry OP, I don't think the scythe is going anywhere and any sufficiently robust RPG will probably have it in some form or fashion.

Wow that made Death look like a whiny *****.

 

[King Kupofried]

I'd imagine it's because they're hard to animate. I suppose there's also the possibility that some dumbass will take offense, since it's the weapon of the Reaper and thusly must be satanic of some such bullshit.

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

The Grim Reaper kinda never got the memo...and he's got a pretty perfect KDR as of late.

It's not a weapon for him though, it's still a tool. D= The Grim Reaper doesn't fight the souls of the living any more than a farmer fights his fields of grain.

Watch the anime "Soul Eater" near the end of the season they have Death with a scythe fighting a guy.

That is true, but with the amount of magical powers and outright weird stuff that goes on in there, it's not exactly Death vs. Normal human being.

So Death v.s. Evil thing doesn't count?

With the consideration that my point was that Death reaps people like a farmer reaps grain and not fight them, and from what I know most people do not possess evil magical powers, I'm going to have go with no.

 

[Judgement101]

Please just let this thread die. Then Death can take it because he can actually appreciate scythes.

By bumping this thread you revived it.

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.

You mean like death is an idiot? And like how nunchaks are farming tools and only an idiot would use them?

Death doesn't fight, he harvests. There is a reason nunchucks weren't used on the battlefield, and that's because they're thoroughly useless.

Actually I didn't mean to bump it, I origionally quoted someone but it failed so I had to wing it.