by Aiden » Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:06 pm
Have you fought in other combat systems before? If not, then I'd suggest choosing a blue sword or axe as your first time weapon in combination with a round shield. The reason why I would advise against you using some other weapon (ie barrel mace, flail, etc) is that as a newer fighter it is important to learn to control your swings and learn to strike edge first. After you've gotten the edge accuracy/control down I'd say move on to whatever you want, or stay with the axe/sword.
Advantages of an axe? Hmm, they can be alot faster and as others have already said they can give that extra inch or so to strike a torso hiding behind a shield. Also, axes are quite useful for hooking/prying shields and weapons around or even out of peoples hands. My brother goes florentine axes occasionally, but watching him trap a spear or sword with one axe and hacking the attacker down with the other is quite the sight. (Note: The axes aren't special and aren't designed to trap weapons, the angle that distinguishes an axe from other weapons is all that is used in the hooking process).
Oh and don't worry about counter-balancing the axe, unless you really want to. Axes are naturally heavy-ended, its what gave them their strength in the real world (some would argue in this world).
Albion
Fightin' in the Carolinas!