Why do current RPGs not have scythes?

[natster43]

I was going to say because it was a farming tool but people beat me to it. Also I don't really see any type of polearm in most RPGs.

 

[Judgement101]

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?

You have a point. Why are axes considered blunt? I cut myself on one yesterday.

It's because the method you would hit someone with it is extremely similar to the method you would hit someone with a giant hammer.

As has been said previously scythes aren't practical. If you're willing to go from "Scythe" to "Sickle" then a Harpe might fit the bill. It's a fusion of a sickle and sword. It's how Theseus killed Medusa. Mythology is fun!

You use a sword in the same manor you use an axe.

OT:When I say scythe I mean grim reaper scythe/farmer scythe. Not war scythe or sickle.

No, no you do NOT use a sword the same way you use an axe. If you would take the time to learn about weapons such as these, you would learn that.

I meant they have the same styles of attacks. You can swipe,chop, and swing.

 

[DocBalance]

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.

Because of this attitude. Everyone looks down at the bare efficiency of a weapon, not the psychological aspects behind it. Think about it: You have someone come at you with a scythe, you can assume one of two things: They are either an idiot, or they are a bloody genius. Why the latter? Because the only person who could use such a weapon competently in combat is someone who is trained with it. Someone who knows dozens of ways to kill with it, and someone who chose it specifically for some sort of tactical advantage. An advantage You. Don't. Know. That's the most deadly weapon of all: The Unknown. That's the ridiculous thing about RPG combat, everyone thinks about the soldiers weapons, the generalities. Polearms, axes, crossbows, guns, even swords. Things that everyone used.

But that's not what made a man dangerous, the most dangerous warriors were the ones using weapons you didn't understand. How do you think net and trident gladiators even survived to begin with? That's not a common style of combat in the field of war, so it gave them an edge despite being strategically infeasible. If, and only if, you understood the combat style, it was easy to defeat, depending on what the net and trident are made of. But you face someone like that for the first time, and they actually know what they are doing? You are going to die. That's why education and knowledge are always your strongest weapons when fighting.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I wish more RPGs did have scythes. Realism aside, they're awesome-looking as weapons.

Hell, you want realism? Make an RPG with a Polish war-scythe. They look more like inverted naginatas, granted (needed to do something to make them viable as weapons), but they're still cool.

 

[Judgement101]

Maybe if you looked into the background of the weapon you call a "scythe," you would realize it is a tool used for farming. In some games scythes are present, but are used as a spear or pole arm.

The only reason for that is because it's attacked to a pole.....wow I feel simpleminded

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Why do current RPGs suck?
/B

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?

Weapon class simplification falls into either slashing,piercing or blunt/hacking. Hacking is rarely its own class of attack as its a mix of blunt(50%)/slashing(30%)/pierce(20%) so for the ake of quick and easy they go with blunt.

 

[Judgement101]

I wish more RPGs did have scythes. Realism aside, they're awesome-looking as weapons.

Finally someone who understands why games should have them.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

I wish more RPGs did have scythes. Realism aside, they're awesome-looking as weapons.

Hell, you want realism? Make an RPG with a Polish war-scythe. They look more like inverted naginatas, granted (needed to do something to make them viable as weapons), but they're still cool.

Super human strength when applied to a weaopn class is can make anything awesome in a fight.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

To people who are countering with "It doesn't have to be realistic!":
Gunblades aren't realistic, but that doesn't stop them form being stupid.

But scythes aren't stupid. Hmmmmmm gunblade+scythe......Gunscythe.....awesomeness!

GGrrrr Gunblades are a deviation of vibro blades so get off my internet dammit

PS
Cyberninja had the most awesomeness of gun swords! too!!

 

[Firoth]

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?

They're sort of placed in between blunt and edged weapons. In the middle ages, European weapons were not the sharp bits of steel in most RPGs, they were usually dull and made of iron. You could cut skin, but doing damage required smashing the weapon through the enemy. Axes are remembered this way, while RPG swords come from the Far East, where the guy making the sword was a valued artisan, rather than the village blacksmith.
A guess on the reason of sword-heavy RPGs. Swords took more metal and were harder to make than most other weapons. This meant that rich people tended to have the swords, and no one wants to play an RPG as the peasant.

Ok, I can see that. But, how often do you play an RPG as a rich person? I mean before you start amassing wealth from pots and monsters carrying loose change.

 

[thahat]

A scythe is a profoundly stupid weapon, that's why they abandoned them.

untrue! but they werent used as sweeping weapons like you see in some anime's or movies, the blade would have been turned 'upward' as in making the stick even longer, and it would end up being a sort of proto-polearm able to hook someone with. the problem with it was that it wasent verry controllable and you could just as well stab your friends as allies XD

 

[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
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.

Because of this attitude. Everyone looks down at the bare efficiency of a weapon, not the psychological aspects behind it. Think about it: You have someone come at you with a scythe, you can assume one of two things: They are either an idiot, or they are a bloody genius. Why the latter? Because the only person who could use such a weapon competently in combat is someone who is trained with it. Someone who knows dozens of ways to kill with it, and someone who chose it specifically for some sort of tactical advantage. An advantage You. Don't. Know. That's the most deadly weapon of all: The Unknown. That's the ridiculous thing about RPG combat, everyone thinks about the soldiers weapons, the generalities. Polearms, axes, crossbows, guns, even swords. Things that everyone used.

But that's not what made a man dangerous, the most dangerous warriors were the ones using weapons you didn't understand. How do you think net and trident gladiators even survived to begin with? That's not a common style of combat in the field of war, so it gave them an edge despite being strategically infeasible. If, and only if, you understood the combat style, it was easy to defeat, depending on what the net and trident are made of. But you face someone like that for the first time, and they actually know what they are doing? You are going to die. That's why education and knowledge are always your strongest weapons when fighting.

Before going into war with a scythe you also must wear a black hooded robe and hide your face so people will freak out and just run. See scythes are perfect for psycological warfare.

 

[Judgement101]

A scythe is a profoundly stupid weapon, that's why they abandoned them.

untrue! but they werent used as sweeping weapons like you see in some anime's or movies, the blade would have been turned 'upward' as in making the stick even longer, and it would end up being a sort of proto-polearm able to hook someone with. the problem with it was that it wasent verry controllable and you could just as well stab your friends as allies XD

But if you are surrounded by enemies just spin in a circle.

 

[SultanP]

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

Exactly, why go into a fight with scythe, a FARMING tool, when you could use... oh lets say a halberd, you know something thats actually made to be used as a weapon?

-snip- Also, knives were cooking tools and are considered weapons.

You might want to consider that knives designed for cooking and knives designed for combat are very different from one another.
Scythes are very unwieldy weapons in that if you want to hit people with the tip or edge, you have to get it just right, as putting the blade at that angle and distance from you severely limits your options in how to use it.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Hmmmmmm gunblade+scythe......Gunscythe.....awesomeness!

...considering how gunblades are supposed to work (they're more like gunpowder-driven vibroblades), seems like that would be superfluous on a scythe. If you've already pierced someone, they're completely at your mercy already.

Super human strength when applied to a weaopn class is can make anything awesome in a fight.

Damn straight!

 

[Ertol]

Because even fantasy RPG games still have a small amount of realism. Their weapons are largly used for the purpose they were meant to be used for. A 2h axe is going to deal a lot of damage if it connects, but a dagger can be used much quicker. Scythes just aren't a very ideal weapon. Even if you did just throw realism out, you still have to deal with the fact a regular Scythe curves inward. I'd rather see more polearms and spears. They aren't shown very well in games, and they are legit weapons.

 

[Judgement101]

Hmmmmmm gunblade+scythe......Gunscythe.....awesomeness!

...considering how gunblades are supposed to work (they're more like gunpowder-driven vibroblades), seems like that would be superfluous on a scythe. If you've already pierced someone, they're completely at your mercy already.

Super human strength when applied to a weaopn class is can make anything awesome in a fight.

Damn straight!

I meant the gun barrel would be the pole of the scythe. You could shoot at someone and when the dodge you chage up and stab them. (bullet comes from the top of the pole near the blade)

 

[xXAsherahXx]

I like scythes, they are a tool for farmers, but they are metals. I wish I could use a scythe in many of my games.

They might not be in any because they weren't the type of weapon used in the medieval times.

 

[Judgement101]

Because even fantasy RPG games still have a small amount of realism. Their weapons are largly used for the purpose they were meant to be used for. A 2h axe is going to deal a lot of damage if it connects, but a dagger can be used much quicker. Scythes just aren't a very ideal weapon. Even if you did just throw realism out, you still have to deal with the fact a regular Scythe curves inward. I'd rather see more polearms and spears. They aren't shown very well in games, and they are legit weapons.

Ok I get the whole blade on the wrong side aspect but the end of the blace is still pointed and sharp so it would cause internal damage if you hit them with the end/point.