In a story that I'm trying to plan out, I'm thinking of having one of the characters use either a rapier or a spell that acts like one. Now I know that the use of a katana in any HP story is like Full Metal Alchemist: it's AUTOFAIL; but I was wondering if one of the characters were to use a rapier (which is a superior weapon to a katana and was used in roughly the same region as the story) would it be automatic fail? Thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

I think the only way it wouldn't fail would be if he knew how to use it for duelling purposes. For strict one on one sword duels. Of course I don't think such a thing would happen.

 

Katana > Rapier

Katana is fail because of the Japancrap. Rapier is the same, but more advanced in the Japancrap. So... no, it probably won't fly.

 

Rapier is good for one-on-one duels with another guy who has a rapier, or for running through an untrained peasant while looking oh-so-upper class. Attempting to use one for serious combat makes you an emo French pedophile.

 

If you relly want a sword in your story have a look at this site there is a huge selection to choose from
http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/Swords.aspx

 

I would say that most people complain about swords in general in HP fanfiction, simply because magic makes swords a moot point. I mean, sure, we have Gryffindor's sword, but it's more like a longsword, not a rapier; so, even if Harry could fence, he would find Gryffindor's sword unweildly for fencing.

 

Why do people always pick the pansy weapons to give to Harry.
Katanas, Rapiers, etc.

Give Harry a fucking battleaxe.
I would read a story with that in it.

Edit: This, except maybe bigger and heavier.

Think Viking!Harry.

 

IMO, if you use a sword, of any type, you need to make sure that the person using it is realistic. I noticed you said "one of the characters" but I'll use Harry as an example. Harry using a sword is auto-fail because Harry doesn't know how to use a sword, plain and simple. But if Harry were to use it as an untrained character... he picks it up and stabs someone already on the ground and helpless, or hacks away in a bloody rage at someone with no thought as to offense, defence, etc. then it would be okay.

If it were Character X, who is a Swedish metalsmith and has devoted much of his life using and learning how to fight with the sword, if it's his primary weapon, then it's okay for you to have it.

No magical sword that has an intelligence of its own that teaches Harry how to fight in ten minutes or less. Nothing that is "an extension" of Harry's arm that you can fight with with no experience.

Nevelle does not have a secret smithy in the basement of his manor where he created his own sword and secretly trained with the greatest swordsman in the world for a decade. That explanation will be promptly laughed at.

But if Harry stunned Bellatrix Lestrange and Nevelle saw a nice broadsword on display as part of a 'family coat of arms', took it and hacked and slashed at her body... well then WIN! Maybe he can keep the sword and hang it over the fireplace as a conversation piece.

The plan here is to be realistic, not fanboyish.

 

Like with any story, focusing on a single talent or plot device will inevitably lead to a shitty story - rapier, katana, magical trunk training, sekret super library, etc. If the presence of swordplay will make/break your story, you're probably not focused on a real plot IMO.

 

There is some fic around that has Harry using one. "24 Hours To Live" I think is the name. The update rate is horrendously slow though.

Swords or guns have no real use in Harry Potter. Aside from Gryffindors Sword, I see little reason to have one or the other unless some plot device prevents the usage of magic. Like in Amersion's "Lost Time", where Harry is basically a squib, the usage of a sword/weapon wouldn't be as out of place as it otherwise would be.

Still, if the usage is justified satisfactorily (Heather Sinclair's new fic), weapons can work.

 

Yeah, I read that one. It's really good by the way. Harry uses a hand axe though, and he pretty much uses it in the way that I wish all stories would imitate.

Anyway, my point was, that if an author is asking us to suspend belief, and presume that swords/etc are useful, then I would like a more entertaining story with Harry wildly hacking enemies with an axe.

Further off topic, I recall that a very good author on this site did 1-2 paragraphs of Harry with a broadsword, but I've lost track of it. It might have been on another weapons discussion thread.

Anyone remember this?

 

I am BEOWU er HARRY POTTER!

 

Harry uses a sword twice in my last longer story, but shows absolutely no skill for it. While I've been told often my story is "fail," I don't think it's because "sword=instafail".

From the few times I've had someone try to teach me to use a sword, I've come to the conclusion that swords are very difficult to use well. I agree with Heather_Sinclair: if you do use a sword in your fic, make sure it's realistic. No Harry = Rand Al'Thor Ta'vern "turn into an expert swordsman in a matter of seconds." (I dropped Wheel of Time right there; meh. Good thing it was early in the series).

[Off topic: It's good to see the banana replaced with "Fap".]

 

A Rapier isn't fail if Harry Conjured it to stab random people

 

It's all about context, give us more information and we'll be able to tell you if it will work or not.

 

In the story that I'm still planning out, I'm redoing the TWT with new tasks. One of those would be a duel, and I was going to have Krum either summon a rapier, or conjure some ice and having that serve as the blade for his improvised weapon. I remember that in some German schools in the 1800's the students would constantly get in duels and scar each other. That was my excuse for why Krum would know it.

I was also basing this on the idea that mages fight from a distance, and thus, are weak to physical attacks.

 

Yeah, that's not a good idea. While it makes sense that wizards might not be too good in a sword fight without proper experience - that's true of anyone - they do have spells which cast physical projectiles, and there is battle transfiguration, and so on - a competent duelist is perfectly capable of shielding against physical attack.

And given that using a standard weapon would likely impair the use of a wand, that would just be counter-productive.

That said, Krum being able to use a sword of any type would be a nice addition to add depth of character as long as you don't do something stupid that sounds like something out of a RPG. Just a little tip: being able to do magic doesn't make you absent-minded, deprive you of common sense, or make you unable to use or defend yourself against non-magical attacks.

Narion

 

Don't use a rapier then; since Krum hails from Bulgaria have him use a weapon traditional to the Bulgars, such as a long spear or saber.

 

Saying katanas are fail while asking if rapiers are A-OK is pretty fucking retarded. You might as well be saying Snape buggering Harry is fail but is Harry buggering Snape A-OK?

As for swords, and whether they're fail or a welcome addition, I'm inclined to think it boils down to the author's opinion of swords. Does the author think swords are cool and/or a nifty way to duel? If yes, then they fucking suck.

But if the author just wants to cut something, stab someone, or hack some creature up, then they can be okay. If you're specific about what type of blade, heft, balance, curvature, when to use what grip, etc., anything beyond pointy, sharp, or shiny basically = fanboy who cares too much. Also known as the creepy guy in the mall who works at a booth with the name 'dragon' in it.

The fact that you're differentiating between a rapier and katana tells me your use is probably going to be fail.

 

I think you should use magic. Because, you know, it's Harry Potter.