Final Fantasy Tactics Monk
When it comes to fantasy combat, you think swords, lances, axes, armor, crossbow, and clubs. It’s rare that a character will be known for martial arts unless they use a weapon connected to the style. Dariana doesn’t do anything like this. Her powers do give her a physical edge, but she still needs to factor in the facts that swords cut flesh and armor isn’t very kind to fists. So, what tips would she have to a person who wants to go hand-to-blade in Windemere?
- Dodging is your friend. Blocking a sword with your arm is a one-time trick that tends to fail. Stay out of reach, duck the swings, sidestep the jabs, and wait for an opening that you can strike at. Preferably the head to rattle the brain and make future dodges a lot easier.
- Patience is an essential part of #1. The chance of getting a clear shot at the beginning is very low, so you keep ducking and weaving until you know you can land a blow. Move in too early and you can get hit by something that you’d normally avoid if you were more careful.
- There is a pro and con when fighting someone with armor. The downside is that you can really hurt your knuckles and feet on platemail. You have to find the gaps or try to strip your enemy. If not that then knock them down and throw fair fight rules out the window. On the plus side of things, an armored opponent is slower than you as long as you aren’t in similar clothing.
- Using the landscape to your advantage helps when you’re facing a stronger opponent. If they have a weapon in hand then they can’t grab whatever is around. Get them to focus ahead or above, so they never see what will trip them from below. Areas where you can hide, escape, and come around from another direction should be sought out if you can choose the battlefield.
- Always remember that your leg has a longer reach than your arm, so learn a few kicks for emergencies. For some people, their legs are even stronger and there is also the benefit of a larger swing arc. There is a danger here since this leaves more space for the weapon to strike and you have to perfect your balance. Very few things can get you killed faster than trying to kick and falling on your back.
Legends of Windemere 
Fast reaction speed and using distracting moves to help you get close to your armed opponent (inside their weapon swing arc), then putting them face down on the ground is key.
Once down, use your full weight to keep them there (target landing spot between the shoulder blades) while you search for the weaknesses in their armour (usually where the neck and shoulders join)
Proceed to insert your own weapon, or if unarmed, use the pressure points on their neck to knock them out or temporarily paralyse them prior to deciding whether or not to ‘terminate’ or disarm them.
🤼♂️🤸♀️🤺
Alternatively, always have an easily accessible loaded pistol (or small hand held crossbow) secreted about your person – and use it with accuracy (Indiana Jones Style 😄)
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The hidden weapon definitely helps especially with confidence. What would you suggest if you’re smaller than your armed opponent and can’t get them on the ground?
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Bolas (Boleadoras)
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If unarmed, grab below their knees and let their swing momentum carry them forward over you 😃
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And pray they don’t have magical equipment. 😉
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If they had, they’d not be swinging swords around instead of fireballs and hexes 😄
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Depends on the enchantment. Some spells are emitted close range from the body to handle people getting too close. Eye gouges and throat shots could counter that.
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🤔 Or a small magical mirror to reflect the spells, etc, back at the caster 🤢
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It worked in Spaceballs.
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👍😃
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I’m with Chris. Getting inside is key. I used to take martial arts a million years ago. It’s hard to punch someone who’s chest to chest with you. Swinging a sword would be nearly impossible. That’s where the pommel punch and crossguard to the eyes comes into play.
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Knee to groin or a foot stomp can work too if you have your arms busy. At least that’s what my friends and I did when sparring like idiots.
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True. Hands over eyes, elbow to the chin, etc.
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There are plenty of stun and pain moves that authors overlook for death blows.
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Still like the Mel Gibson ones from his cop shows. Two in the chest and one in the head works well.
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Works for guns and blades. Not sure about fists.
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Oh yeah, your world. How about a psionic attack of some kind?
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Telepathic stun usually works.
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Does it require concentration that mele would prevent?
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Depends on the telepath. Usually requires some focus that would force fighting on the defensive or getting a break. Some stun attacks can be triggered by contact too. All depends on the author and system.
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Sounds like all adventurers should know how to stomp a foot or throw a fist, even if it’s only backup.
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I think most do. Even if not at first, they learn quickly.
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Had to laugh at the knuckle damage on armor. I also like the advice of the leg longer than arm. I think this could be called the T-Rex memorial lesson.
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I have to admit to measuring my limbs before writing it. One of the manga I read also mentioned that legs can be stronger than arms.
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Yes. I think a kick would be a little more devastating than a punch.
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I wouldn’t be surprised. We use our legs more than our arms due to walking.
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🙂
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These are some good insights!! I always have trouble with fight scenes, trying to make them more than he did this, she did that type stuff.
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They’re tough. I watch action movies with extended fight scenes to get an idea of moves. Taking it one move at a time helps too.
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I’ve read a lot of instructions for fight scenes that advice not to concentrate on moves so that it’s he did this, she did that type scenario. I hope to iron that stuff out when I edit, lol.
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The hard part with fight scenes is that you need some back and forth. Otherwise you don’t get much action or the winner is too obvious. Might be different for present tense writing.
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I’m nervous about mine, but I’m still early in editing, so hopefully, I’ll get some good reactions from betas when it’s time. Or at least, find where to fix it.
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Betas definitely help there. Even when I reread, I try to go fast on the action scene to see if everything makes sense. If I can’t figure out what’s going on without a lot of thought then a reader definitely can’t.
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Thanks for the tip!!
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