Fencing Weapons

Fencing weapons (DX/Average) are agile blades that benefit from fancy footwork. Fencing Weapons all have the "F" on their Parry stat -- they have half the usual penalty for multiple parries (-2 instead of -4) and gain improved parries when retreating (+3 instead of +1). As such, these are excellent weapons for agile melee-fighters, like swashbucklers! They have a downside, however, and will get a penalty equal to one's encumbrance level (-3 for Heavy, for instance).

Note that fencing weapon skills default to other fencing weapon skills at -3.

Fencing Weapons by Skill

Skill	Description	Defaults
Main-Gauche	Knife-sized weapons used in the off-hand, often with a large basket hilt and broad crosspiece. This skill includes the traditional French/Italian main-gauche as well as juttes, sais, and all sorts of "parrying knives". Attacks using main-gauche are at -4.	DX-5, Jitte/Sai-4, Knife-4, Rapier-3, Saber-3, or Smallsword-3
Smallsword	Light fencing weapons around 1 yard long. While useful for the fencing weapon of the same name, Smallsword can also be used for sticks, canes, and thin batons. Popular with gentlefolk and crimefighters.	DX-5, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Saber-3, or Shortsword-4
Saber	Light cut-and-thrust weapons. This is a weird one -- see Trivia.	DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Shortsword-4, or Smallsword-3)
Rapier	The fencing skill you probably think of when you hear "fencing". Rapiers are primarily thrusting weapons, but can have edges (such as edged rapiers and even jians). They tend to be fairly expensive compared to broadswords, but their fencing bonuses and reach can be a lifesaver.	DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Saber-3, or Smallsword-3

Trivia

• The Saber skill may simply be a remnant from earlier editions that wasn't consolidated into Rapier. Most weapons that could be "sabers" are already covered by Rapier (the Light Edged Rapier is nearly identical). Heavier, non-fencing weapons like Cavalry Sabers and Katanas use Broadsword, while the basket-hilted Cutlass uses Shortsword.

Notes

• Main-Gauches are meant to be used in the off-hand (just as a shield or cloak might be used). As such, they don't receive penalties for being in the off-hand -- they're penalized if being used in the dominant hand!
  • Main-Gauche uses daggers specifically for parrying. As such, they get a -4 penalty when being used for attacks. If your main hand or arm is disarmed (or crippled) in combat, you may need to rely on this! You'll need to get close to an opponent, so mobility is key.
  • If a fighter has a high enough Knife skill, they may use that to strike instead. Being ambidextrous can help, as well as simply buying up off-hand weapon training.

Weaknesses

• Fencing Weapons have a penalty from encumbrance (hence swashbucklers often using quick-release backpacks for when things get messy)
• By default, Fencing Weapons cannot parry Flails. This can be worked around with a Cross Parry (if you have two weapons) or Defensive Grip (if you have a a spare hand) Defensive Grip requires a Ready maneuver -- if you see a flail, get ready!
  • By rules-as-written, Cross Parry is more streamlined (allowing defense at -4), while Defensive Grip requires a Ready maneuver.
  • Most fencing-based characters will be fairly agile, so you might be better off simply dodging instead!

Advantages

• "All Fencing Weapons" count as a "small class of weapons" for the purpose of Weapon Master, 30 points.
  • For pair of weapons, such as rapier and main-gauche, Weapon Master is only 25 points.