Bastard sword

The bastard sword, often called a hand-and-a-half sword, is a weapon that is large enough to be used with both hands, but small enough to be effectively used in a single hand. To use the weapon one-handed, the character only needs to train in Edged Weapons, unlike the katana, which requires training in both Edged Weapons and Two-Handed Weapons to use in a single hand. Switching between one-handed and two-handed requires the use of the GRIP verb. The bastard sword, when used two-handed, does the most raw damage per a minute out of all the two-handed weapons.

The term, Bastard sword, in modern use, and in the context of GemStone IV, refers to a specific kind of longsword, one that is a compromise between a one-handed arming sword and a two-handed sword.

Construction

The bastard sword is similar in construction to the broadsword, except with a longer, heavier blade, and a lengthened handle that can easily accomodate two hands.

Other Names

Espadon

The term, "Espadon," roots from spanish, the original word for sword being, "Espada." An Espadon, specifically, is a spanish-crafted heavy two-handed, dual-edged sword. It was often used by foot-soldiers and executioners.

Game Mechanics

Weapon	AG	Cloth	Leather				Scale				Chain				Plate				RT	Min RT	Damage Type	STR/DU
	AsG	1	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
Bastard sword	DF	.450	.325				.275				.250				.180				6	4	Slash/Crush	75/200
	AvD	30	31	30	29	28	31	29	27	25	32	28	24	20	31	25	19	13
Bastard sword, two-handed	DF	.550	.400				.375				.300				.225				6	4	Slash/Crush	75/200
	AvD	42	45	44	43	42	41	39	37	35	44	40	36	32	43	37	31	25

Related Articles

• Forging
• Edged Weapons
• Two-Handed Weapons