Tactical Disadvatages

So after the loss of The Ronin, I thought it was time we talked about what to do when you're in a losing situation.
First, is you have to make some assumptions your world after zombies:

1. Zombies should be feared. I know this has been said before, but this will kill so many people it's not even funny. "Oh, look they're slow." Too bad the other fifty where sneaking up behind you while that one just lumbers slowly. They are single-minded killing machines, that means they're better at killing you than the other way around.
2. The world around you will change. Unless you have some construction workers and janitors that just happen to continue their jobs unaffected by the zombies; the man made structures are going to deteriorate. After some time, the place you call home may crumble around you just because the ground shifted, and then the zombies will eat you. (cue Kermit the frog:) Yaaaaaaay!
3. Things will go wrong. This is another thing we've said before, but if you live by Murphy's Law (whatever can go wrong will go wrong) then you have a much higher chance of survival. Don't just have faith in your skills and stuff, assume that you will fail. On a more positive note, you should still fight like you're going to win, morale is important too.
4. You will die. Meaning: when you're totally fucked, what do you do? The Rogue plans on having explosives on her so she can take as many of them with her. Myself, I'll probably be swinging my sword until the last minute. (Yeah, my way hurts more, but it's kind of epic.)

All things being awesome, I hope you're either smarter than these or they just don't happen to you, but again, don't just have faith. Anyway, hope this helps.

Stay safe kids,
The Tactician

R.I.Pieces

The Ronin 2009-2010

Have fun being zombie meat!

Love, The Team of WeComePrepared

Melee combat 2

Keep in mind that this was written with armed, human opponents in mind.
and unlike human opponents, Zombies can be counted upon to always take the offensive initiative.

Chapter 2
Initiative
In melee combat, “initiative” refers to how the combatants time their maneuvers in relationship to each other. Perceiving the initiative of a fight is essential to survival, to say nothing of victory. When combatants confront each other, one must eventually make an attack upon the other. If no-one attacks the other, then there isn’t really a swordfight in the first place and there probably should not be one anyways. Initiative is primarily a matter of which combatant chooses to make the first strike
A combatant has two options: He may make the first strike and hope to succeed in defeating the opponent. This is the offensive initiative. Or, he may wait to be attacked and attempt to defend then counter-attack. This is the defensive initiative. Typically, the defender has the advantage.
Sometimes, both combatants will choose the same initiative. This is called a mutual initiative. If two combatants choose to attack at the same time, the result is frequently a mutual slaying or wounding. Alternately, if both combatants refuse to make the first strike and wait for the opportunity to counter, then an intense stand-off results.
Whether it is better to attack or defend is the subject of much debate. Personally, I prefer the defensive initiative. Taking the offensive against an opponent who is aware of you and waiting is extremely difficult to do well. The attacker is confronted with the choice between making a safer, less committed maneuver, such as striking at the opponent’s weapon in hope of provoking a reaction, or he may commit to an earnest attack which will provide a genuine threat. But an earnest offensive will inevitable leave the attacker open to a counter. I also prefer the resulting standoff of a mutual defensive initiative, to the results of a poorly timed mutual offense; a mutual slaying. If both parties choose a defensive initiative and stick to it, then it is entirely likely that neither combatant wants very much to hurt the other, and violence may yet be avoided altogether.
However, it may be impossible to win a fight without taking the offensive. It is best to be capable of taking either initiative as necessary.
A melee confrontation is typically a series of initiatives, taken until one party gains victory. When combatants face each other, they regard each other and maneuver with weapons in hand. Eventually, one combatant will choose to take the offensive initiative. The offending party will either make a non-committed maneuver such as a feint, or close the distance for an actual attack. This initial maneuver is extremely disadvantaged and frequently is not the maneuver which ends the fight. Cunning, controlled aggression, strength, velocity, timing and focus may still allow an initial attack to succeed. The defender will typically foil the initial attack and will have a window of opportunity to make an effective counter-attack.
At this point, both combatants will be in range of each other’s attacks. When fighters have closed the distance, an intense back-and-forth of strike and parry may result. In this sort of clash, both combatants are on an equal initiative. This back-and-forth will last until an attack gets through or the combatants move away from each other. This sort of equal-initiative back and forth rarely last for more than a few seconds until one fighter wins or disengages from the clash.
After the fighters have moved out of range of each other and are on balance again, they will be able to begin a new initiative.

melee combat 1

The Cultural Analyst here.

This is the first chapter from the book I've been writing about melee combat.
Shout out to The Tactician, whose help and advice turned me into a decent swordsman.

Since my youngest days, I have always loved the study of melee combat and weaponry. Though I am a peaceful person, the practice of weaponry, especially the use of the sword, has always appealed to me.
In a world ruled by gunpowder weaponry and automated explosives, the love of antiquated weaponry is the mark of a scholar or hobbyist rather than a warrior. As a result, the finer points of melee combat have become rather arcane, and even more difficult to learn. Even the sword, once a mark of station, honor and power, much to be feared, has become a curiosity sometimes seen in museums and movies. Melee combat has become an art rather than a craft, practiced for personal gratification rather than for violence.
Whether the world has been improved or harmed by the obsolescence of melee combat is a point to be debated. Yet still, the poetry of blades lays graven upon the spirits of many people, and I am one such.
This is my love letter to swordsmanship

Chapter 1
Directionality
A certain understanding of motion and force is fundamental to the use of melee weapons. Every strike, attack, parry and maneuver in a swordfight has a certain qualities of direction and momentum. Every motion has what I call a “directionality.” Directionality refers to the momentum, path, shape of motion, and direction of force in the motion.
In all maneuvers there are two types of motion: Linear motion and circular motion. A slashing attack is an example of a circular motion, while a thrust is a linear motion. A circular motion orbits it point of origin. A linear motion pushes and pulls from its point of origin. The “point of origin” may refer to the person making the maneuver, a part of that person’s body, or point of reference as applicable.
When blades cross, an understanding of the mechanics of circular versus linear attacks is vitally important to using your weapon to its strengths and taking advantage of your opponent.
Three vital observations on circular and linear motion:
1. A circular motion is countered or defeated by a linear motion. A linear motion is countered or defeated by a circular motion. Understanding this is vital to blocking, countering and feinting effectively. For instance, you would be forced to make a sweeping, circular motion in order to parry a thrust. Or if someone pushed into you, you might pivot in a circular motion to unbalance your attacker. On the other side of the equation; if you made an earnest slash at someone, they could quickly stab at you or your arm and beat you to the punch. A thrusting motion typically reaches farther than a slashing attack in as much or less time. In a way, a thrust is effectively faster than a cut. Yet linear force is easily checked or knocked out of path as compared to a circular force.
2. Circular motions can be changed into linear motions and linear motions can be changed to a circular motion. Understanding this allows a fighter to quickly flow from one maneuver into another or quickly accelerate into a maneuver. If you thrust, your arm will be extended. Rather than stopping and making another linear motion to pull back your arm, you could let the motion follow into a curving path to your next maneuver. Or more simply, if you have fully extended your arm, you can move it up, down, left or right so that it describes a curved path. Similarly, circular motions can be converted into linear motions. If you swing a weight around your head in a circle and let it go, the weight will travel in a linear fashion even though it was accelerated by a circular force. Similarly, a circular movement can be used to accelerate a blade into a linear motion.
3. Because we exist in three dimensions (spatially speaking) and a line or circle can be described in two dimensions, a maneuver can have both a linear and a circular aspect. Understanding this is a huge advantage in creating effective attacks which your opponent will be hard-pressed to understand and defend against. It is possible to combine linear and circular motion into an attack which is far more dangerous than a simple slash or thrust.
Though I have attempted to describe them, these principles are meaningless unless you understand them by feel. Only when you begin to perform techniques which depend upon these principles, and physically feel the nature of the motions, will you begin to really understand the application of these principles.

A Funny Story

So I’m in my apartment playing Borderlands on my roommate’s X-Box 360. And this man walks directly passed my window. I only caught a glimpse of him and it sounded like he was dragging something though the leaves outside. My first thought, no joke, is “That could have been a Zombie!” It was several moments later he lumbered by again almost without warning wearing a surgical mask. Almost as if he was worried about some disease. Again my zombie worries spiked. I then created a plan right there and then. Because if he had noticed me; he would come thought that big window in the living room. I decided that if I was attacked I’d drop my game controller and grab my roommates broadsword that was less than 5 feet away. It was made for him, and my roommate’s like twice my size, so it’s a big and heavy broadsword. Now I could have stopped there with my plan of how to deal with this possible zombie, but years of practice has taught me that I need to know each of my moves before I strike. So I thought of the most efficient way to kill it. Assuming it comes though the window I could get at an angle and bring the sword down on its arms or head if I’m lucky, then I could thrust though it’s middle or just shove it back outside. Doing so would give me time to go get my lighter sword that is made more for my combat style. And to put on my chainmail. However, it turned out the man that scared me was just a landscaper spraying chemicals on the plants. Thankfully not a zombie/infected!

Two things you can learn from this: One, you should always use a weapon you’re comfortable with; anyone can swing a sword, but not everyone can use it with skill. Second, I chose armor; chainmail makes it very difficult to me bitten, clawed, or pierced by anything. I also chose it because it’s decently light and maneuverable. The only disadvantage I would have is I’d be unable to wear my glasses with the chainmail, however I have so much practice fighting without my glasses, that I wouldn’t be slowed by it.

So to paraphrase: practice with a weapon, have some armor (even makeshift), and practice situations where everything that can go wrong does (i.e. not being able to see). So be prepared.

Keep safe, kids.
The Tactician

Hack 'n' Slash

Hello, reader and welcome to Hack 'n' Slash.

On this blog, we will teach you basic weapons training as well as other fighting skills that can and WILL come in handy in any situation during the zombie apocalypse. We will also help you gain a few points in improvised weaponry with the help of The Rogue.

We'll keep you posted.

Stay safe, kids.
The Tactician
The Ronin