Is having two characters fighting with swords too old in style?
by 
sephythura
ANSWERS: 11
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Do you remember the movie Highlander?
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It depends on the location and time of the setting of your story. If you have it set in the present, it would be OK, as long as the characters fitted the culture they were set it...
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Not if their using light sabers.
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No, it's not too old, it's classic.
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It depends upon the environment of the story! Even a Modern day hero MIGHT use an old fashioned sword...but is it handy? Does he or she KNOW how to use one? How do they come by this knowledge...did they take fencing, or did the knowledge suddenly just come unlooked for to them as they grasped the weapon? Did picking up the sword suddenly transport them to another place and time? My current book is set in the 1400 - 1600, of course they use swords! (and Magic too!) You can slip the sword, old metal, or light saber into your story, as long as you tie it to the tale, and make it BELONG to the situation in some manner. Character is in a museum, or at Grandfather's house, grandfather is rich or collects swords...Character picks up a walking stick...belonging to his Aunt..suddenly it changes into a glimmering SWORD, character is stunned but begins to wave it about somewhat clumsily at first...and so on.
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Historically, fighting with two swords was rare. It's more practical to use a sword and dagger or sword and buckler. Some rapierists were skilled at it, but it's definitely not a "normal" thing to do. It does however, imply a specific time period (the Renaissance) which might be useful for the tale. Also, having a free hand (assuming a one-handed sword) is useful for blade grabs from a bind, throws and disarms. Someone with two swords is generally thought to be at a disadvantage against someone with a sword and shield. The shield is a weapon in and of itself. I personally like using the edge of a buckler for strikes in close. :)
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Not necessarily it depends apon the setting. In modern day you could make it a fencing duel.
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I prefer a short-sword/dagger combination, personally, but no, I don't see any reason you couldn't use it in your story. Swordfighting is a much more civilized form of warfare than drive-by shootings and the like. It's much more dramatic if one must look in his opponent's eyes and watch him die.
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Sword fighting is still one of the coolest thing around. Nothing wrong with it at all. Sword fighting is also much more attractive and tense than a gun fight.
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i've always loved sword fights in stories. i find them...i guess chivalrous in a way. i don't want to sound weird (lol) but a sword fight always seems like more bravery, strength, talent, and time is involved than in, say, a gun fight. sword fights are a little old fashioned, but i like old fashioned things in my storie, just because of how much it makes the characters seem more, i guess valiant. as long as it fits in with the characters' attitudes and the location (and probably time period), i think a sword fight would be great.
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i hope not, people fight with swords in my book all the time. i really dont like guns.
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