Is This A Cavalry Sabre Or A Rapier?

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Was discussing this with someone today - the non-magical 'rapier' in BG3 in some ways resembles a sabre more than a rapier (particularly the guard).

I can't actually tell if the blade is single or double edged, since it's a video game and I can't hold the blade up to my eyes to inspect it.

But sabres are almost always curved, and the 'rapier' in BG3 isn't (there are examples of sabres, however, that aren't curved, like the Hutton sabre).

So what do you think, is BG3's "rapier" more of a sabre, or more of a rapier?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pac7qIIE4es

[Ram979]

It's more like a backsword or saber than a rapier. I think they were aiming for cutlass rather than rapier.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by Ram979:

It's more like a backsword or saber than a rapier. I think they were aiming for cutlass rather than rapier.

Sabres and cutlasses are typically curved though.

The blade looks distinctly rapier-ish to me, although the guard could be found on a sabre I suppose.

[Ram979]

Originally posted by Pan Darius Kairos:

Originally posted by Ram979:

It's more like a backsword or saber than a rapier. I think they were aiming for cutlass rather than rapier.

Sabres and cutlasses are typically curved though.

The blade looks distinctly rapier-ish to me, although the guard could be found on a sabre I suppose.

Most sabers in the modern period were straight, might be more accurate to call it a backsword in fairness. It has the diskguard and knucklebow. It's definitely a weird amalgamation of saber and backsword but it's too short and thick to be called a rapier.

[Ram979]

Also, just loaded up my modded swashbuckler and the edge of the blade curves outwards ever so slightly as it comes to a point. No rapier has that, definitely not a traditional representation of a rapier.

[pyton357ru]

It's blade is single-edged with pretty distinct cutting edge, and handle looks way more suited for hammer grip and hacking, then for fine point control. So, yes -- it's way more similar to broadsword (like this https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/andrewbek_1974/78542193/5286718/5286718_original.jpg ) then to rapier (https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/andrewbek_1974/78542193/7654001/7654001_original.jpg for example).

[.Master Jiren, The Strongest]

Sword names barely matter. People disagree on categorization of swords all the time, just look up arguments about claymore vs bast sword vs greatsword. And everyone will give you a list of differences, and then others come in saying they are all basically the same because some languages so on and so forth.

my point is. It is whatever you say it is. Theres really only 3 designations
Short sword
Longsowrd
Greatsword.

Its one of those. I'm almost positive.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

I'm not convinced however that it's a single edged blade.

The guard is reminiscent of a sabre's guard, but the blade itself looks pretty much like a rapier blade to me.

[Ram979]

Originally posted by Jiren, The Strongest:

Sword names barely matter. People disagree on categorization of swords all the time, just look up arguments about claymore vs bast sword vs greatsword. And everyone will give you a list of differences, and then others come in saying they are all basically the same because some languages so on and so forth.

my point is. It is whatever you say it is. Theres really only 3 designations
Short sword
Longsowrd
Greatsword.

Its one of those. I'm almost positive.

Respectfully, that's rubbish.

Shortsword, Longsword and Greatsword are completely modern inventions. Longsword can apply to a rapier and a bastard sword equally. Manuscripts on rapier fencing often refer to rapiers as 'longswords.'

There a definitive differences between rapier and saber just the same as there are definitive differences between a scimitar and a messer.

[Rhapsody]

Aye, you could even say that the type of guard or whether the blade is single or dual edged plays much greater role in how the weapon is handled and how it performs than just the size or length of the weapon. I think the actual weapon types in the game just fine as they are, there's enough detail, but not too much. I think some weapon type abilities could use another look though.

[pyton357ru]

Originally posted by Pan Darius Kairos:

I'm not convinced however that it's a single edged blade.

The guard is reminiscent of a sabre's guard, but the blade itself looks pretty much like a rapier blade to me.

Definitely remember it looking single-edged, but will make a few screenshots on week-end.

[Quillithe]

Originally posted by Ram979:

Originally posted by Jiren, The Strongest:

Sword names barely matter. People disagree on categorization of swords all the time, just look up arguments about claymore vs bast sword vs greatsword. And everyone will give you a list of differences, and then others come in saying they are all basically the same because some languages so on and so forth.

my point is. It is whatever you say it is. Theres really only 3 designations
Short sword
Longsowrd
Greatsword.

Its one of those. I'm almost positive.

Respectfully, that's rubbish.

Shortsword, Longsword and Greatsword are completely modern inventions. Longsword can apply to a rapier and a bastard sword equally. Manuscripts on rapier fencing often refer to rapiers as 'longswords.'

There a definitive differences between rapier and saber just the same as there are definitive differences between a scimitar and a messer.

Yeah any sort of classification that doesn't leave any room for curvature or even 1/2 edged blades seems like a terrible one.

Can't even distinguish between a jian and a dao

[dolby]

it's classic backsword it's not rapier at all... but shs don't say anything it's fine i prefer backsword :)

[pyton357ru]

Pyton promised -- Pyton delivers!

https://imgur.com/a/zSXoR4h

First rapier my drow cleric managed to lay her cute hands on :) Hope the model is standart.

Unfortunately -- point is always in the dark in "examine" window (you can see it being asymmetrical with straight spine, but that's it.), but you can spot pronounced bevels making "true" cutting edge and (if you squint well enough :) ) a fuller near the spine. Not something many Earth rapiers have (single-edged blades, I mean, not fullers) -- but I can imagine Faerun fencers sticking to thick-spined single-edged blade, to have both rigidity and at least some ability to cut. Will make the weapon more of a "Side-sword", then a "Rapier", but let's not split hairs.

The handle and guard -- that what makes this model completely un-rapiery.

"Fencing" presumes "Fine point control", and I just do not see this design offering any. Handle is bulky, and seems to be made with plain hammer grip in mind. Good for hacking, not so good for precise thrusts and maneures,

And guard... yes, it will protect the hand all right. But it has no quillons to put index finger over, no protective rings or cup. It would not help you to control the long blade and point. Just look at the rapier Astarion has in his hand in title image -- this is what rapier handle is supposed to look like -- and there are good reasons for it!

[WeenerTuck813]

I’m no sword expert, came to post that I thought sabers were curved but you already addressed that in your OP. May wanna message Larian about if you find a discrepancy and get the model changed of the rapiers

[Hex]

The biggest issue with rapier in DnD is, that they are not a "light" weapon at all, or shouldn't be. A real rapier weighs as much as a longsword.