Click the link to learn more. The katana especially as you need to really understand how to . dachi (Greatsword) referred to its massive size, and Nodachi (Field Sword) referred to its role on the battlefield as you pointed out. Kensai: Katana or Longsword jukaga Posts: 49 November 2013 After having a great Kensai run in BG1 with Scimitars I am regretting my choice as in BG2 there doesn't seem to be anything better than a +3 Scimitar. This is a good post. The sword is the axis of the world and its power is absolute. I personally for a rogue, would think 1d8 slashing, 1d6 Piercing finesse. I actually developed the passion because of the very, very loooonnng lists of weapons back in 2e. Considered by some to the finest cutting weapon ever designed, the Katana wins hands-down here. During this time the popularity of the longsword began to wane as firearms and gunpowder started becoming more common on the battlefield. Knowing he might have only seconds to live, Ryota pushed to his feet, wincing at the pain Gavin heard the arrows whizzing over his head from the archers in the rear and saw the line of horseman charging toward him. I do appreciate your knowledge of swords, but this also doesn't resolve the issue of how this plays out in DnD. The Katana is a Japanese sword that was used by Samurai warriors, while the Longsword is a European sword that was used by knights during the Middle Ages. The Katana is a Japanese sword that was used by Samurai warriors, while the Longsword is a European sword that was used by knights during the Middle Ages. The longsword features a lot more variations and was less standardized than the katana, but it never strayed away from its primary purpose. (Maintenance Guide), Ninja Swords: Everything You Didnt Think You Needed To Know. Since the relative weight of the katana and longsword were almost equal, the differences all go down to both swords' geometry of how each of these can be utilized and moved: curved blades that are shorter can quickly slash a target whereas a longer, straighter, and narrow blade can instead, thrust faster. However, if you need a weapon that is better suited for thrusting and parrying, the longsword may be the way to go. It was used as a military weapon until the end of the Edo period, in 1868. The katana and longsword, while separated by geography and time, share a common thread as iconic symbols of martial skill and cultural identity. Page 41 of the DMG: An alternative name changes none of the weapons properties as they are described in the Players Handbook. The sword featured a single-edged curved blade that was generally around 23.6 inches long (60 cm). As swords in Europe were more often used as primary weapons, their length could be longer without encumbering the bearer. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, and in this case its Japanesey. The katana is a specific sword design. You can bend them over and over and simply push them back to their original shape. The katana, a long sword, is designed for general outdoor combat and is best wielded with both hands. Although these two iconic swords bear a few similarities in terms of their function, they also feature several differences, so its best to look at their characteristics individually when comparing them. A swords ability to perform strong cleaving and cutting blows is the primary function of most blades. The katana originated in Japan during the Heian period, approximately the 9th century CE. The traditional Samurai sword used for policing the streets was really more like a longsword. The ultimate KATANA vs LONGSWORD analysis Shadiversity 1.54M subscribers 36K 1.4M views 6 years ago Every video I have watched that tries to compare the Japanese Katana to Medieval European. The first longswords were used by knights and mounted warriors that needed a weapon that could be effectively used from horseback. Japanese Samurai carried Katanas as sidearms, similar to how officers in the West often carried swords, even after the event of firearms. During this time, the production of the Japanese katana was strictly controlled by the shogunate. It's an intermediary between the standard katana and the standard Wakizashi length wise. Today. Privacy Policy. The longsword is one of the most popular weapons in the Medieval period. EDIT: Looked it up for the OP. Real scimitars or rather the middle eastern and North African swords Scimitars are based on are way bigger than Wakizashis , and Ninjato's are always longer than Wakazashis (the quality was more functional than art form, and very easily replaceable)but just as light or lighter. In this contest, the Longswords won 3-1. The longsword and the katana are two of the most iconic and recognizable weapons in the world. Therefore, throughout all of its variations, its design remained as a cut-and-thrust sword, with the balance of the sword focused on the tip of the blade for additional thrusting power. The longsword has been utilized since the ancient times where fencers during the mid-sixteenth century displayed that straight weapons were able to execute quicker thrusts in a more deceptive manner compared to semi-curved or curved blades. Perhaps the shift towards close-combat warfare helped, or maybe it was just their preference for the more powerful weapons at their disposal. One of the most distinctive swords in history is the Japanese katana and the European longsword. The centuries-old techniques that are used to produce the katana made it resilient and able to withstand cracking and chipping when delivering powerful blows. I didn't intend to snip at you, sorry if you took it that way. The Scimitar as a lighter form of a katana is problematic because Katanas do piercing damage and can be welded two handed. They had an advantage over their opponents because the katana allowed them to draw their swords faster than any other swords made from the previous generations of blades. In order to be able to answer that question, we need to assess the discernable factors which are present in any blade. Keep in mind that the specific blade length is less relevant when it comes tohow things fit into D&D because all of the weapons represent general umbrella categories more than specific, exact things. Differential hardening is done by heating the material and then quenching it or by cooling the material and then reheating it. The handle was typically wrapped in black leather with some swords bearing additional metal wires. So for swords, generally speaking anything with a blade up to 12 inches long is a dagger, anything that could be used with either one of two hands and has a blade 2 feet or longer is a longsword, anything in between is a shortsword or scimitar, anything with a blade around 2 ft long but strictly one-handed is a rapier, anything that requires two hands is a greatsword. I am going to change my 5* mastery to either Katanas or Longswords in EEkeeper tonight. Both swords were good at parrying. The most popular, iconic, and recognizable weapons in history have always been the European longsword and the Japanese katana both having great designs that have evolved and developed to efficiently face the numerous challenges that were present in the battlefield. Thoughts? On the other hand,the 14th century saw the emergence of the longsword in Europe as a military steel weapon. One of the biggest vulnerabilities in swordfighting is the hands and forearm. Start changing your life today! It is used for thrusting, cutting, and chopping. They nourish the Samurai lifestyle with fresh harvests and well-balanced meals. My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Spells | Magic Items | FeatsNeed help with Homebrew? a lot like pitbull for various bully breads. Additionally, both swords are often decorated with ornate designs and patterns, which are used to showcase the skill of the swordsmith who created the weapon. The thin sharp blade is ideal for piercing allowing you to very easily pierce flesh without much strength - in fact, you actually shouldn't use too much strength, as if you go in too strong you decrease accuracy and attacking strongly but at a wrong angle can easily damage the blade. The katana was designed to address the tachis limitations and with its shorter, curved, single-edged blade it allowed for more agile and versatile techniques. The samurai sword, or katana, was originally designed for use by mounted warriors, but it later evolved into a weapon that could be wielded on foot. The horses rider jumped off and drew his weapon. There is a lengthy ongoing discussion of that exact question right here:https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/9988-1d8-damage-versatile-with-finesse. As the man took one last step toward him, Rytoa drew his Katana in one smooth motion while stepping forward and to the mans left side. Mobility in Medieval Plate Armor. It's also logical, if you assume a renaissance period view of swords, where the rapier and two handed sword would be considered long, and in comparison, an arming sword would be short. In addition, the fact that the balance of the longsword is focused on the tip of the blade means that it requires much less movement. Additionally, the Longsword is typically heavier than the Katana, which can make it more difficult to wield effectively. The katana is typically around 40 inches long and weighs between 2.5 and 4 pounds. In these articles the Odachi is compared to a longsword or a claymore but really for DnD purposes it's more like a great sword. For the purposes for which they were designed and where they were used, each weapon was superior in its own environment. The tanto is basically a dagger as a backup or when in very tight spaces. The techniques used to wield the katana and longsword are also quite different. These two weapons have a long and storied history and have been used in countless battles and duels over the centuries. With a major passion for swords, fantasy, and history, Viktor loves discovering and learning about both ancient and fictional swords alike, their legendary wielders, and the stories they hold. Soldiers in Europe faced a very different situation. So reading through this the one problem I have is that everyone assumes Katanas are one thing. It is held with the edge facing down and is used for cutting and slicing. Therefore, it only featured fittings at the end of the tsuka that mostly served the purpose of keeping the handle and wrappings together. Touch device users, explore by touch or . The katana, with its exceptionally hard and sharp edge, is supreme in the one-directional cut department, while the longsword, with its dual tapering edges and cruciform hilt with pommel, is superbly adept at a diversity of striking actions. That and the crossguard difference means for a 1v1 unarmored duel a longsword is much better. The Katana is a Japanese longsword that is designed for close combat situations, while the Longsword is a European sword that is better suited for thrusting attacks from a distance. In this website, youll find swords tips, how-to-guides, recommended gear, anime and comics guides, and more. Which is why I say in DnD comparison, it is more accurate to compare it to a scimitar (real North African Swords are longer than what in DnD is a Short Sword). It's something that I sincerely hope is corrected in 6e. Cerberusarms 510K subscribers Join Subscribe 3.7M views 6 months ago #funny. Now that we've introduced both the katana and longsword, let's compare them to determine which is the better weapon. What the longsword lacks in its cutting abilities, it more than makes up for it with its thrusting abilities. It's not finesse when you do so though. Therefore, the katana was developed by Japanese swordsmiths in the late 14th century as a response to the evolving necessities in combat at the time. I think 5e went a little too far with handing out the finesse property on weapons, and it's made a lot of people feel entitled to finesse weapons. Each weapon, with its unique design and combat style, has left a lasting impact on the world of martial arts and popular culture. The "ninja" katana you are referring to is a chokuto, a straight-blade short-sword designed for piercing/stabbing. It's not Op a rapier does 1d8 piercing and a Scimitar does 1d6 Slashing but really a ninja Katana is just a bit more versatile than both at the same weight and it's design is better for slashing but can still pierce due to the tip design. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong. The longer reach of its blade creates a natural area of defense and even if that distance was to be closed, its extended quillons provide much better protection than the katanas tsuba. In combat, the ability to stay out of range of ones opponent while still being able to hit themgives a massive advantage. It is /not/ a longsword as that both IRL and in 5e (not previous editions) allows for a 2h grip (versatile). As he continued riding, his horse stepped in a pit in the ground and threw Ryota into the mass of soldiers colliding at the boundary of the two armies. So would the same logic apply in katana vs longsword as well? Soldiers in Japan wore uniforms that were made mostly of cloth or leather, with not much metal, at least until the introduction of guns. I think you might be viewing the idea of a D&D Scimitar a bit too narrowly as that weapon is also meant to encompass a falchion/messer which rely heavily on edge alignment and therefore would require a degree of hand-eye coordination which is why Dex is important (ergo finesse). The longsword is a type of European sword with a long, straight blade. But for lighter slashing weapons that require those quick realignments mid swing (like a falchion/messer/saber) are okay with Dex. Another, more generic word for swords of that size isDait, which directly translates as Longsword.Yes, Katanadid also vary somewhat from blade to blade, but so did European Longswords, but they are still comparable.. I get butthurt every time I see someone trying to min-max better finesse weapons as if dex was not already the master combat stat. A rapier is a thin and light blade that is designed to require less strength to use, focusing more on accuracy. It blew my mind. Part of me is a little sad that some kids today wont get just as interested in history because of D&D. . The katana was a sword used by the samurai in Japan. Longsword VS Katana - Who Will Win? How do I care for my sword? I said a Tant could be either a dagger or Shortsword because it is technically a sword from a design/construction standpoint, but it was basically a dagger in size and use.. The longsword is a longer, heavier sword with more stopping power, while the katana is a shorter, lighter sword with a stronger cutting edge. But on the other hand, I know that a much less bloated list is a lot better for the game in a lot of ways. The Tant would either count as a shortsword or a Dagger in D&D, depending on whether one considers its length or its use respectively. It works like puff pastry, except puff is tri-fold, so with 7 folds you can achieve 2,187layers. Comparing the katana to the longsword is like comparing apples to oranges. There's nothing magical or mystical about 1000 times folded tamahagane steel. Although it didnt feature any elaborate designs, the addition of the extended quillons provided additional means of protection. The katana is a better all-around weapon than the longsword, which is designed to destroy and deal massive damage against an armored knight. The Renaissance marked a turning point in Europe, including weapons and warfare. Its one of the oldest metal-working techniques and it produces some of the most impressive weapons of all time. However, if they made non-finesse versions of the same weapons nobody would use them as they would be redundant. The weapons list has a weapon representative of this: Longsword. One of the most noticeable differences is the way the swords are held. This grip allows the Samurai warrior to use the sword effectively in close combat situations. Yea there is a KATANA. But if the hand-and-a-half grip is a sticking point for you, make it a versatile Shortsword, then itll be 1d6/1d8 with finesse. Please enable JavaScript to get the best experience from this site. Can be considered a Katana/Longsword finesse or Rapier finesse? (Its the same reason we dont have an Arming Sword as it would be a Rapier without finesse, or a Longsword without versatile so they would just take up space in the book and never get used.). Katana VS Longsword. Now, a Katana was two handed back in the day, but normally they were a bit shorter than the are now in modern media. It was a weapon that anyone could easily identify with during the period of about 1350 to 1550 because of its intimidating blade length. Additionally, when these weapons are wielded correctly, both swords possess a specific core of gravity as well as inherent balance. The longsword was mainly used for slicing and cutting. But two important and often neglected factors are that the environments in which they were developed and the circumstances in which they were used were very different. link to How To Hold a Katana Like a Real Pro (In 4 Easy Steps). Plus,an Arming sword could slide in at1d10 to give theRapiera run for its money. Its believed that the sword was initially used by knights for close-quarters hand-to-hand combat and to cut through plate armors. In addition, their opponents were more likely to be heavily armored, making cutting less effective and thrusts more advantageous, as it was easier to aim for the weak points in an opponents armor. The katana has a curved blade, which distinguishes it from the longsword. The katana and the longsword are often compared because they were both designed with long blades and comparison is unavoidable since each sword represents both opposite sides of the globe. It wasnt until the end of the 10th century, when Japan cut its cultural ties with China that the first curved swords were introduced. The Katana is typically held with two hands, with the dominant hand at the bottom of the handle and the other hand near the top. Ultimately, both the katana and longsword are formidable weapons that have stood the test of time and have proven their worth in battle. It typically has a straight blade that is between 33-43 inches long and a handle that is around 10-15 inches long. Simply swinging a longsword with precision won't do much (finesse are about precision, not speed and why they do piercing not slashing *). The longsword originated in the 13th century, evolving from the war swords and great swords of that time period. The Muromachi era is characterized by violence and turbulence, due to the rise of the centuries-long Warring States Period within this era. But even then, i don't see how this matters if the Longsword user can just easily Zwerch-copter with the double edge. Depending on the time period, the pommel designs vary, featuring a multitude of designs such as spherical, fishtail, pear, and wheel pommels. However, due to the fact that the katana was relatively short for a two-handed sword, it required less counterbalance. But the katana (not even the Nodachi) is compared to 2 hand slot weapons and can stand it's ground. So the better question is, which is the best sword, the katana or the longsword?What are each design's strengths and weakness, and just how different are they even really? Made of harder steel, the Katana flexes less than a Longsword and can hold a sharper edge, allowing more force to be applied consistently across a smaller surface area. When looking at both swords, the most obvious distinction can be seen in the design of the blade. The longswords only advantage is its reach. I love everything about Swords, Katanas, Medieval Weapons, Anime, and much much more! I did a scimitar with versatility for a Ninja-to and find it is neither game breaking or un reasonable. Swordsmiths were required to report to the government and abide by strict regulations regarding the quality and craftsmanship of their sword. Regardless, the longsword remained a prominent weapon and served as a symbol of honor and chivalry, much like during the days when knights were revered. The first step involves quenching the sword from a high temperature (above 1000 C.) to a coolant and then a second step where the material is heated again to the original temperature and allowed to cool. A) The european longsword is a heck of a lot more heavy than a katana The word katana was originally a Chinese word kun'yomi that literally translates as single-edged blade, so saying that katana come in many shapes, lengths, and sizes is absolutely true, and no less accurate than saying swords come in many shapes, lengths, and sizes. However, while it originally referred to single-edged swords of any length, that is not what it means today, nor has it for around 1,300 years since the Japanese added it to their vocabulary. Because of this, Katanaswere used mainly against lightly armored or unarmored opponents, and their design reflected that. Who would win between the two is really a 50/50 IMO. Wakazashis are Longer than daggers and Tantos as a short sword is pushing it a bit, but I know they can vary. A Longsword or Katana (or an actual historical Scimitar) has more weight behind the swing so power (Str) is more important. Both are made of bloomery iron and steel, folded to remove slag and to homogenise it. All 3 are curved blades for slashing. Thats because the smaller surface of the curvature is able to generate more pressure for a given force than the longer, more spread out surface of a straight blade. When comparing a katana to a longsword, I was able to learn something new about these two weapons. https://www.japanbyweb.com/ninja-museum-of-igaryu/. The crossguard of the longsword on its own offered the same advantages as the katanas tsuba. Pressing the advantage, Gavin slashed at the mans hands, causing the man to jerk them away from the hilt. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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