By that I mean incorporates the vast variety of sword types throughout history and accounts for their various advantages, disadvantages, and tactics without turning the game into a mind-numbing Phoenix-command numbercrunchapolooza?

Quote from: TristramEvans;641625By that I mean incorporates the vast variety of sword types throughout history and accounts for their various advantages, disadvantages, and tactics without turning the game into a mind-numbing Phoenix-command numbercrunchapolooza?

The Riddle of Steel?

Mind I don't actually know the game but its reputation certainly lies in that direction.

Palladium book of weapons, castles and armour has lots of swords with damages etc. Maybe not 'tactics' so much.

As someone who knows nothing about swords, what are some examples of distinguishing features that a sword might have? The only ones I can think of are sharpness and reach.

Quote from: Piestrio;641627The Riddle of Steel?

Mind I don't actually know the game but its reputation certainly lies in that direction.

I own that one, and while its touted as having the mostest realistic combat rules, it actually does very little in the way of distinguishing melee weapons from what I've found. And unfortunately the system's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness, in that realistic combat is usually very whiffy, arbitrary, and as much about luck as anything.

Quote from: Monster Manuel;641629As someone who knows nothing about swords, what are some examples of distinguishing features that a sword might have? The only ones I can think of are sharpness and reach.

Well, just as a few examples, Khopesh-type swords were sickle-shaped with only the outer blade sharpened, the "hook" used to disarm and trip opponents, whereas the gladius and spatha were designed as thrusting weapons primarily as opposed to Scimitars and sabres, which were designed for slashing and tended to be more effective used from horseback. the alternate devlopements in armour technologies in the west and east meant that the Katana was perfectly suited to  combat between wicker-armoured Samurai but would have been all but useless against a Knight in plate armour, for which long, thing, piercing swords like the epoc were developed (later evolving into the modern fencing-type weapons). Whereas the broadswords such as the Scottish Claymore or German Zweihander were designed to use the momentum of a spinning attacker and could slice up to three heads off with a single blow, but parrying was out of the question.

Quote from: Monster Manuel;641629As someone who knows nothing about swords, what are some examples of distinguishing features that a sword might have? The only ones I can think of are sharpness and reach.

Obviously there are a lot of different sword designs. There is more to it than sharpness or reach. Some are designed for stabbing, or cutting. Some are for both. There are big heavy swords meant for max damage, or against horsemen. But are slow in use. Others are quick, meant for multiple quick attacks. Some are meant to parry, some are not. Lots of different options and tactics to go along with them.

Quote from: Bloody Stupid Johnson;641628Palladium book of weapons, castles and armour has lots of swords with damages etc. Maybe not 'tactics' so much.

Great for reference, but I don't find the Palladium system ..."optimal" for my gaming needs , as it were.

Quote from: TristramEvans;641631Well, just as a few examples, Khopesh-type swords were sickle-shaped with only the outer blade sharpened, the "hook" used to disarm and trip opponents, whereas the gladius and spatha were designed as thrusting weapons primarily as opposed to Scimitars and sabres, which were designed for slashing and tended to be more effective used from horseback. the alternate devlopements in armour technologies in the west and east meant that the Katana was perfectly suited to  combat between wicker-armoured Samurai but would have been all but useless against a Knight in plate armour, for which long, thing, piercing swords like the epoc were developed (later evolving into the modern fencing-type weapons). Whereas the broadswords such as the Scottish Claymore or German Zweihander were designed to use the momentum of a spinning attacker and could slice up to three heads off with a single blow, but parrying was out of the question.

The more recent versions of RuneQuest come to mind - MRQ2, RQ6. At least, they're the only systems I'm familiar with that are close to what you're looking for. I don't think they'll cover all the bases, though.

For example: RQ6 has Traits for melee weapons as well as Special Effects. Traits include: "Flexible" for flails and ball & chain weapons - limiting the effect of parries; "Barbed" weapons, "Entrapping" weapons, etc. Special Affects include: Impaling, Stunning Location, Bashing, Bleeding. And the type of weapon determines which Special Effects it can perform.

EDIT: There are other weapon characteristics in RQ6 as well: reach, and size (for parrying purposes)

Hm, weapon traits is similar to what I've been thinking, something where a player can customize their blades depending on their style of attack.

Might try Harnmaster, although really the level of detail you're looking for is very hard to simulate, especially when you're talking about very disparate weapon types.

Quote from: TristramEvans;641631...the alternate devlopements in armour technologies in the west and east meant that the Katana was perfectly suited to  combat between wicker-armoured Samurai but would have been all but useless against a Knight in plate armour ...

.... This youtube clip seems to have a different opinon on that:
the last test is against metal armor ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkoj932YFo

Quote from: Catelf;641661.... This youtube clip seems to have a different opinon on that:
the last test is against metal armor ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkoj932YFo

Cant view youtube clips till I get home from work, but my reference on that one is:

http://www.thearma.org/essays/knightvs.htm

Quote from: Elliot Wilen;641651Might try Harnmaster, although really the level of detail you're looking for is very hard to simulate, especially when you're talking about very disparate weapon types.

I'm familair with the Harn setting but know very little about the system. Are there any games you'd compare it to?

Quote from: Catelf;641661.... This youtube clip seems to have a different opinon on that:
the last test is against metal armor ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkoj932YFo

One should never get into a KATANA!-dicussion on the internet. Common knowledge.
But that video is utter crap!