What do you think about Dual Wield Scythes?

[fireflyege]

But not kamas, actual huge scythes that are dual wield.

I do not think it is really possible to comfortably fight with them, but a part of me says it is possible.

 

[Milennin]

Lol, it doesn't really matter. If it looks cool and you can make a skill set for it, it'll work out somehow.

 

[Frogboy]

I see Sickles as one handed Scythes. I don't really see the point of having dual wielding Scythes unless it's some rare monkey grip type ability that's designed to break the normal rules of the game.

 

[Philosophus Vagus]

Clarification request: I am assuming you are referring to the farm implement that most people think of as a scythe, and not the type of polearm that they were historically reforged as in my answer below. Though I suppose I can just cover both at once.

Not only is it impractical to duel-wield a scythe in reality it is impractical to use a scythe as-is as a single weapon. Aside from the obvious that the shape and position of the blade requires you to leave yourself exposed to anyone who makes it past the arc of your sweep and the fact that you can only sweep towards yourself (making the few effective movements you can make extremely predictable) but the severe angle of the blade means that it is extremely likely that the blade would break free from the shaft any time you make contact with enough force to actually hurt a person with it.

The thing is that although there is a historical precedent for people using scythes as weapons of war when they lacked the capability to obtain more traditional arms, the half of history that most people overlook is that at those times blacksmiths were the heart and soul of any village, and that upwards of ninety percent of those times the war scythes referred to historically were reforged at a ninety degree angle and heavily modified from the farming implement used to cut wheat into more of a modified polearm with an elongated, brittle blade. Such as the below example.


Considering that scythes used in battle are essentially polearms jerry-rigged from available materials by people who had in most cases spent their lives forging farm implements and horseshoes the practicality of attempting to wield two of them at one time is in a word; comical. That isn't to say you couldn't have someone who does it in game like Milennin says but if you want to stay somewhat within the realms of reality (as inferred by the fact you even ask if it is feasible) then the answer is emphatically a no.

 

[trouble time]

Yeah, regular scythes are poor melee weapons anyway, one of my characters has one, but it's because it's ritual significance as a symbol of death makes it better than a staff for casting spells. Basically what I'm saying is that scythes are already impractical as weapons (as mentioned above), so for me you might as well dual wield them, some people won't think it's cool, but for people that see regualr scythes as cool they may see two as even cooler, or it might just be so ridiculous that people end up loving it (like my current relationship with the band Gloryhammer.)

 

[CleanWater]

I remember seeing a movie with a guy fighting with an actual Death's Scythe. He was quite a challenge for everyone. I can't remember the name now... T_T

 

[Pine Towers]

What do you think about Dual Wield Scythes?

It doubles the edge

Spoiler

 

[Raijinn]

I think it's unrealistic and would be impractical in real life. But since we ARE talking about rpgs here, I think it's cool.

 

[Kino]

I'd make some sickles that look like really cool scythes and attach a chain to them for extra chain combos! Honestly, I think the scythe is more about the cool factor.

 

[sabao]

The scythe as a traditional farming implement is a horrible weapon. The version of the scythe most often depicted in fiction with the straight haft and more hook-like blade appear to have traditional martial arts built around it, but require the use of both hands. I can't imagine the need for using two of those at once. Maneuvering one with a single hand would be awkward, balance would be annoying depending on the size of the blade and length of the haft, and you'll look like an OC by a teenager from the early oughts.

 

[KayZaman]

@fireflyege You mean like dis?

Spoiler: Darksider 2

http://cdn.pcwallart.com/images/darksiders-2-scythes-wallpaper-5.jpg

 

[CleanWater]

I remember seeing a movie with a guy fighting with an actual Death's Scythe. He was quite a challenge for everyone. I can't remember the name now... T_T

I remember now... It was not a movie, but a game! XD

 

[Rhaeami]

If you're going for any hint of realism, avoid this idea like the plague. If you've got a non-realistic fantasy environment, then it wouldn't be the most ridiculous thing ever: Xaldin from Kingdom Hearts triple-wields spears, and Zoro from One Piece triple-wields katanas. Both are quite popular, but neither would even remotely work in real life.

For extra justification, hold one of your scythes in a different manner as an option/parry weapon rather than a duplicate. If you want to be really fancy, hook them together at the hilt for whirlwind attacks. For bonus plausibility points, give them to a character who has some ritualistic purpose for them, and base their battle prowess on something other than the tactical viability of the weapon - like, say, infusing them with magic.

 

[fireflyege]

@KayZaman double the size of each of them.

The character that was supposed to dual wield scythes was the blood mage which also can use claws, so it is dual wield or not but I decided not to, so I replaced her offhand with a slot for skulls from powerful enemies. Each character of mine has a unique offhand so I thoght that would be fitting for a vampire blood mage.

So I also thought dual wielding scythes would seem stupid in a semi realistic world unless you enchant them to make them levitate.

 

[Philosophus Vagus]

@KayZaman Those are actually Kamas, as mentioned in the opening post.

...vampire blood mage.
So I also thought dual wielding scythes would seem stupid in a semi realistic world unless you enchant them to make them levitate.

Okay so I'm now picturing makeshift polearms flying through the air to skewer (or at least trip up and panic) enemy horses at twenty yards and throw their riders, who are then pounced on and drained of blood in preparation for magical rituals to destroy the remaining cavalry charging on with their attack on the "now exposed" caster.

And just like that, I'm a supporter of the dual-wielding scythes idea. Maybe even make the scythes a semi-cheap item that is consumed with each attack and explain the reason that the mage throws modified farming implements instead of more conventional spears as the fact that said weapons are essentially giant arrows for them and it's just not worth the investment.

If I didn't want to make a modern to slightly futuristic game I'd blatantly steal your idea now. Seriously, if the character in question is already a vampire mage then why even question the feasibility of such a combat style, lacking the need to stay true to reality to such an extent seriously shifts the tone of the idea from "comical" as I claimed earlier into completely badass territory.

 

[fireflyege]

@Philosophus Vagus you can steal the idea, I wouldn't mind. ^^

The main reason I thought she would be dual wielding scythes is because claws are mainly dual wield, but the character can either dual wield or it can not, I could not even make a weapon like Ritual Dagger (Athame) because the Witch already can use that weapon.

Each of my characters have 2 different weapon types, each doing different things for example the Vampress having claws to apply statuses with her physical attacks and such she needs to get close and personal when draining life, sucking blood with wounding people is more effective than calling the blood slowly so the claws will provide additional utility when doing so, and scythes apply pure magic damage. For other characters it is different for example for the Ranger she can prefer bows for speed or crossbows for higher critical chance.

I think I will include Dual Wield aspect on the Claw weapon itself, and if you use a Scythe, you can use your offhand slot, the skulls. The skull is not really that important but skulls of powerful enemies can be used as a locus and I think a blood mage would appreciate that.

I am thinking the claw weapon not fitting the character though so I may quite likely change it to make her a full deathbringer. I never designed the character to actually rely on close combat.

What you picture in your mind about her fighting style is correct though, her battle style is like this. Considering she approaches when she has health, she will first use her blood to throw a volley of blood at you, attempting to wound you and building her might. When she is fired up, she automatically lets her dark instincts take over, embracing her true form with enlarged wings and skin pale white. She then proceeds to get close and personal, harvesting the blood from your wounds while you get captivated by fear.

But I must admit a storm of scythes coming at people would also be awesome. It is just that you are supposed to get Death Sickle and other thematically important scythes and they are meant to support magic.

 

[Lonewulf123]

Like many have said, impractical in real life, but that's why we play video games right?

If you can make it practical in your game, then why not do it? Rule of cool.