The Wield ST of a weapon is an important part of [Weapon Design], but is also important for figuing out if you can acually use that huge sword (or bow, or club, or whatever) you just picked up.

When using a weapon, first determine your strength for wielding the weapon.  This is equal to your [Load ST] for one-handed weapons, [Load ST] x 1.5 for 2-handed weapons gripped on one end (like a claymore), and [Load ST] x 2 for 2-handed weapons with a wide grip near the middle (like a staff or a spear).  Then, compair it to the weight of the weapon.

o *If this is more than 5 x the weight of the weapon, you may use the weapon to fence if it is balanced and one-handed.  Remember, use of the fencing skill requires you to be at light encumberance or less.*

o If this is equal to or more than 3 x the weight of the weapon, it may be used normally.

o If this is between 2 and 3 x the weight of the weapon, the weapon may be a bit slow.  Multiply the ready delay by 1.5 for melee weapons (this is perfectly normal for many), and bow users add +1 to SS and halve Acc.

o If this is between 1.5 and 2 x the weight of the weapon, take -2 to skill.  Melee weapons multiply ready delay by 2, bow users add +2 SS and have no Acc.

o If this is between 1 and 1.5 x the weight of the weapon, take -4 to skill.  Melee weapons multiply ready delay by 3, bows add +4 to SS have have no Acc.

o If this is less than the weight of the weapon, you cannot use it.

For more about SS and Acc, see [Bow].  For more about Melee Weapon Design, see [Melee Weapon].  [Melee Weapon] also contains information on what it means to be a balanced weapon, and what ready delay is.

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From the numbers above, an average human wants to use a 2-lb fencing foil.  A ST 13 human can fence with a broadsword, and ST 16 ork can fence with a bastard sword, and a troll uses  wat a human would call a greatsword for a fencing foil, without even modifying the grip...it's made for two hands, and one of his is that large.  That may want to be revised.


No, because the Fencing skill can only be used at Light encumbrance, which a Troll can never reach.  Orkish "cavalry sabers" are still going to be frightening, but that's OK, they're supposed to be.  --bts