Fight Outside Your Comfort Zone by David “Callin” Dolph

Photo by Hepsik

For a variety of reasons people tend to stick with one weapon type/style. Perhaps it is because of a weapon restriction due to spell casting. Sometimes it is because the weapon is what they first trained in. Sometimes they just feel as if their chosen weapon is the best one for them. Whatever the reason, there are a lot of good reasons to break out of using the same weapon type all the time.

Here are 5 good reasons why you should practice with other weapon types:

You will become better with your chosen weapon. Different weapon combinations require different fighting techniques. Fighting against a florentine set is different than fighting against a polearm. One of best ways to figure out how to defeat an opponent using a variety of weapons is to fight with those weapons yourself. Every weapon style has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. By practicing with different weapons you will learn those strengths and weaknesses, which you can use against your opponent when you are again using your usual chosen weapon at an event.

You will become a better fighter. By this I mean something different than simply being a good or great fighter. As an example of what I mean: I once knew a great fighter. He was very good with his chosen weapon style, one of the best. However, take away his chosen weapon style and he was not as good, even mediocre. He never truly attained the top of the fighter world simply because he never developed his other weapon skills. The best fighters in the Realms are those who are also the most well-rounded. They can win a fight no matter the weapon style being used. Its one thing to be known as the best sword and shield fighter, but it is better to be known as the best fighter.

You will gain versatility. There may come a day when you have to pick up that magic dagger in order to kill the big bad guy. There may come a day you decide you are done being a spellcaster and want to move up to bigger weapons (or maybe plot forces this on you). There may come a day you decide to put down the bigger weapons and take up spells, and their shorter weapon allotments. By practicing with different weapons such a transition will be a lot smoother.

You will become a better NPC. If all you can use is a dagger then your value as an NPC is limited. Often some roles are identified by the weapons they use, so by having a wide knowledge of weapon usage an event-holder can assign you different roles and know you are safe and competent with the weapon style of any chosen NPC.

You will not get lazy. One thing that happens to people who only stick to one weapon type is that eventually they get stale and lazy. There are plateaus of fighting skill with weapons and it is too easy to stay at one level. People start to feel they have peaked with their chosen weapon type and they stop trying. By mixing up your weapon styles, you keep on the cutting edge and are continually striving to get better. This will carry over to your chosen weapon type.

Practices are generally out-of-character and thus an excellent time to use other weapon types. They are also places where people understand if you are not fighting at peak efficiency; there is nothing on the line at a practice. So, the next time you have an opportunity to mix it up and try out a weapon you haven’t used before, do it. In the long run, it will only make you a better player in the Realms.