Fighting Tutorials

Shield and Weapon

Colloquially, "sword and board" refers to the style in which a fighter uses a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other. No matter where one travel through the lands of Dagorhir there will be warbands comprised of shieldmen and women. Ubiquitous and versatile, a majority of players will choose to own at least one shield. Due to the protective qualities offered in-game shields are perhaps the single most useful equipment next to a one-handed weapon. Shields are ideal for blocking arrows, spears, and one-handed weapons. Two-handed red weapons present a challenge as they can destroy shields, however the usefulness of the shield in tourneys and melees remains unparalleled.

Stance

From either sword or shield foot forward stance, with a careful step a fighter can switch to the other. An effective stance is one in which you are stable yet nimble. For most people this means the feet are about shoulder width apart and one foot is forward of your centerline while the other foot is just behind centerline.

Sword foot forward

A sword foot forward stance lends itself to a slightly more exposed fighting style and longer reach. A solid sword-side defense is beneficial, as using ones shield to intercept on-side attacks will close off lines of attack while exposing the off-side shield shoulder.

Shield foot forward

A shield foot forward stance allows for more defensive coverage at the expense of reach. This is an oldschool style that works well in formation, but can be static and vulnerable to shoulder snipes and deep wraps.

Upper Body

In the majority of situations shoulders squared to the opponent is preferred over presenting a side angle. While traditional martial arts thought would lend to the idea keeping the body oblong to the opponent would be better, in sword shield fighting, if the sword hand is set back, it is less available for defensive actions as well as taking longer for offensive shots.

Shots

On-side/Off-side

On-sides or Off-sides refers to which side from centerline a blow is delivered on an opponent. A sword wielded in the right hand, swung into an opponents left side is an On-side strike. When swung into thier right side, it is an Off-side strike. It is helpful to differentiate between the two because the body mechanics necessary for delivering sufficient force from either side varries. It is also a useful tool when discussing specific strikes and thier anatomy. The following techniques are meant to be a general overview of the basic movements involved in fighting weapon & shield. Changing angles of attack, stance, timing, and incorporating feints are the bread-and-butter of a sword n' boarder.

• Wrap
• Moulinet

Footwork

Footwork comprises how one closes distance or creates space between an opponent in an engagement.

Gathering/Passing Step

A gathering or passing step refers to a step in which the rear foot is lifted, landing forward of your centerline. This looks like a normal walking step and is a good way to advance on your opponent. Running obviously will get you there faster. This sort of straight forward motion opens angles of attack toward your leading leg and foot, but covers the most distance in the least amount of time.

Compass Step

A compass step refers to a step with the leading leg around a centerpoint that is your opponent. This sort of step opens oblique angles on your opponent that force them to adjust thier stance in response. This can be put to practice in order to bait and switch or snipe a loose defense.

External Links

• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials 1: Equipment and Stance [1]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 2A: Attacking Shield Side [2]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 2B: Attacking Shield Side [3]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 3: Attacking Sword Side [4]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 4: Defensive Shieldwork [5]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 5A: Fighting Lefties [6]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 5B: Fighting Lefties [7]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 6A: Aggressive Shieldwork [8]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 6B: Aggressive Shieldwork [9]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 7: Basic Footwork [10]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 8: Shield Kicks [11]
• Magnus' Fighting Tutorials Episode 9: Ground Fighting [12]
• SKBC Advanced Sword & Board 1 [13]
• SKBC Advanced Sword & Board 2 [14]
• SKBC Advanced Sword & Board 3 [15]

Spear Fighting

Use of the spear dates back to prehistoric times and it's significance has remained relevant even in boffer and reenactment sports today. In Dagorhir combat there are mainly two types of spears used in a hand-to-hand context: shorter spears used primarily in one hand, and longer spears used with both hands. While recent weapon construction tech has elevated the effectiveness of short spears, long spears maintain range dominance of the battlefield and a veteran spearman or woman will frequently be able to dictate the flow of combat as well as rack up considerable kills.

Long Spear

Long spears are typically from 8-12 feet in total length, are green/stabbing only, and are somewhat beefier than short spears with less core flex.

• Grumio's Spear Fighting 101 [16]
• Grumio's Spear Fighting 102 [17]
• Grumio's Spear Fighting 103 [18]
• Grumio's Spear Fighting 104 [19]
• Grumio's Spear Fighting 105 [20]
• Grumio's Spear Fighting 106 [21]
• BftR 7 Spear Class [22]

Short Spear

Short spears are generally 5-7 feet in total length, are green/stabbing only, and held either over or under handed. They can strike at an intermediate distance and can land between small gaps which make them ideal for line fighting.

• Brett Down Spear Basics [23]
• Repelling boardmen with downspear [24]
• Git Gud: Sword and Downspear with Sir Monkey and Sir Aiolos, SKBC 2017 [25]

Red Weapons

Two handed weapons over 48 inches are [red weapons] capable of destroying shields and cleaving through armor. This style is vulnerable to missile weapons as well as spears, but a skilled red user can destroy whole sections of a shieldwall and eliminate high profile targets if left unchecked. Popular sub-styles include longswords (48" length), great sword (72"), and glaive (102").

• Dagorhir Longsword Stances by Adkan [26]
• Fools Guard by Danny Mclane [27]
• Red Sword Tips [28]
• Ragnarok Advanced Red Weapon Class [29]
• Red Weapon Class [30]
• Red Wep Theory Ep 1 Hammers [31]
• Red Wep Theory Ep 2 Defense [32]
• Red Wep Theory Ep 3 and 4 Weapon Physics/Knowledge and Forms [33]
• Red Wep Theory Episode 6 [34]

Florentine

Two-weapon style, anachronistically referred to as "Florentine" is a popular style in Dagorhir, although mastery of it demands ambidexterity and a steep learning curve. While it's use is limited in melee situations, it remains a staple of tourney combat and is perhaps the flashiest and most enjoyable style to watch.

• Florentine Basics, 04-05-2015 Pt 1 [35]
• Peter the Quick and Sho - Advanced Two-Sword SKBC 2015 [36]

Single Sword

Single weapon style is at first glance not particularly exciting or advantageous. However, it is a popular choice for training purposes as well as tournament formats. Mastery of single sword combat transfers to many other weapon styles and can be a very enjoyable challenge on it's own.

• Intermediate Single Sword - Peter the Quick (Part 1) [37]
• Intermediate Single Sword - Peter the Quick (Part 2) [38]
• Warlord Weekly: Basic Single Sword with Warlord Brett [39]