Bastard sword
The bastard sword, often called a hand-and-a-half sword[1], is a weapon that is large enough to be used with both hands, but small enough to be effectively used in a single hand.[2] 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. [1]
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.[3]
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 | |||||