Why do current RPGs not have scythes?

[greendrag13]

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A guess on the reason of sword-heavy RPGs. Swords took more metal and were harder to make than most other weapons. This meant that rich people tended to have the swords, and no one wants to play an RPG as the peasant.

Ok, I can see that. But, how often do you play an RPG as a rich person? I mean before you start amassing wealth from pots and monsters carrying loose change.

RPGs tend to treat you special, on account of you being a hero. Most tend to keep you perfectly cleaned and groomed, and it's amazing how many people rely on you to do things for them. Check out the local poor in your next RPG, how many beggars or farmers have swords?

 

[traineesword]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.70517-Scythes#694172
The real question is why do RPGs neglect polearms and axes? Historically they were the most commonly used melee weapons. Swords were the equivalent of an officers pistol.

Because of this attitude. Everyone looks down at the bare efficiency of a weapon, not the psychological aspects behind it. Think about it: You have someone come at you with a scythe, you can assume one of two things: They are either an idiot, or they are a bloody genius. Why the latter? Because the only person who could use such a weapon competently in combat is someone who is trained with it. Someone who knows dozens of ways to kill with it, and someone who chose it specifically for some sort of tactical advantage. An advantage You. Don't. Know. That's the most deadly weapon of all: The Unknown. That's the ridiculous thing about RPG combat, everyone thinks about the soldiers weapons, the generalities. Polearms, axes, crossbows, guns, even swords. Things that everyone used.

But that's not what made a man dangerous, the most dangerous warriors were the ones using weapons you didn't understand. How do you think net and trident gladiators even survived to begin with? That's not a common style of combat in the field of war, so it gave them an edge despite being strategically infeasible. If, and only if, you understood the combat style, it was easy to defeat, depending on what the net and trident are made of. But you face someone like that for the first time, and they actually know what they are doing? You are going to die. That's why education and knowledge are always your strongest weapons when fighting.

By that logic I should just beat people to death with a giant dildo. After all; someone coming at you with a giant dildo must be an idiot, or a master warrior who can actually defeat you with said giant dildo.

no, you are misinterpreting the logic. That would only work if you are genuinly a master warrior with massive skill in the usage of a giant didlo as a weapon... which you aren't. or well, by that logic, you would be an idiot with a giant dildo and nothing more, only being able to slowly swing it down and upwards, not utilizing its full power as a weapon.

 

[Lunar Shadow]

Hmmmmmm gunblade+scythe......Gunscythe.....awesomeness!

...considering how gunblades are supposed to work (they're more like gunpowder-driven vibroblades), seems like that would be superfluous on a scythe. If you've already pierced someone, they're completely at your mercy already.

Super human strength when applied to a weaopn class is can make anything awesome in a fight.

Damn straight!

I meant the gun barrel would be the pole of the scythe. You could shoot at someone and when the dodge you chage up and stab them. (bullet comes from the top of the pole near the blade)

They have those, it's called a long rifle with a bayonet on it. (Though it is more of a short spear)

But the bayonet would have to be curved and stick out

Nevermind, for some reason I read "spear" instead of "scythe"

 

[SoldieroFortune]

To people who are countering with "It doesn't have to be realistic!":
Gunblades aren't realistic, but that doesn't stop them form being stupid.

Spoiler: So stupid...

I have a gunblade ...

Spoiler

 

[tehroc]

The only farming tool that works as a weapon is the mythical Hoe of Destruction from Ultima 7. Insane mage got tired of enchanting swords and other proper martial weapons.

 

[Judgement101]

To people who are countering with "It doesn't have to be realistic!":
Gunblades aren't realistic, but that doesn't stop them form being stupid.

Spoiler: So stupid...

I have a gunblade ...

Spoiler

Actually that seems like a pretty good idea to me.

 

[archvile93]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.

Exactly, why go into a fight with scythe, a FARMING tool, when you could use... oh lets say a halberd, you know something thats actually made to be used as a weapon?

It's sharp and can cut stuff. Sound like a perfect weapon. Also, knives were cooking tools and are considered weapons.

Take into consideration weight and balance. Yes it can cut but only with slashing motions, and like an axe all the weight is in the blade so it's poorly balanced and unweildy to use in even the most experienced fighter's hands. A sythe was designed for very simple sweeping motions which even the stupidest soldier could deflect and perry (spelling?). Also, Knives used for fighting are specifically designed for such.

 

[Hobo Joe]

I've never really thought about that; though now that it comes to mind there is a very distinct lack of any two-handed weapons entirely!

 

[Therumancer]

Has anyone noticed that most rpgs don't have scythes as a weapon choice? (None modded games) It sort of annoys me because almost everyone loves a scythe as a weapon. So I was wondering what do you think the reasons for the lack of scythes is?

Plenty do, "Record Of Agarest War" has Scythes as a weapon class, and the final character you can recruit in "Trinity Universe" uses a Scythe as a weapon.

The trademark character from Spectral Souls "Hiro" also uses a Scythe as her primary weapon. She was in "Chaos Wars" back in like 2008 (PS-2 release), and I believe is unlockable with a lot of gymnastics as a character in "Spectral Force 3".

I could probably think of others given time, it seems like it's not an uncommon weapon to run into in RPGs to be entirely honest.

 

[DocBalance]

Because scythes aren't weapons. They're farming tools. Only an idiot would fight with a scythe.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.70517-Scythes#694172
The real question is why do RPGs neglect polearms and axes? Historically they were the most commonly used melee weapons. Swords were the equivalent of an officers pistol.

Because of this attitude. Everyone looks down at the bare efficiency of a weapon, not the psychological aspects behind it. Think about it: You have someone come at you with a scythe, you can assume one of two things: They are either an idiot, or they are a bloody genius. Why the latter? Because the only person who could use such a weapon competently in combat is someone who is trained with it. Someone who knows dozens of ways to kill with it, and someone who chose it specifically for some sort of tactical advantage. An advantage You. Don't. Know. That's the most deadly weapon of all: The Unknown. That's the ridiculous thing about RPG combat, everyone thinks about the soldiers weapons, the generalities. Polearms, axes, crossbows, guns, even swords. Things that everyone used.

But that's not what made a man dangerous, the most dangerous warriors were the ones using weapons you didn't understand. How do you think net and trident gladiators even survived to begin with? That's not a common style of combat in the field of war, so it gave them an edge despite being strategically infeasible. If, and only if, you understood the combat style, it was easy to defeat, depending on what the net and trident are made of. But you face someone like that for the first time, and they actually know what they are doing? You are going to die. That's why education and knowledge are always your strongest weapons when fighting.

By that logic I should just beat people to death with a giant dildo. After all; someone coming at you with a giant dildo must be an idiot, or a master warrior who can actually defeat you with said giant dildo.

Dude, if you can turn a giant dildo into a deadly weapon, go for it. Then video-tape that shit, I wanna see this.

 

[masseyguy911]

There are many reasons designers wouldn't want a scythe as a weapon. First and foremost, it's not a weapon. Yes, things like knives can be both tools and weapons, but that's because cutting food and cutting foes require similar cutting motion. A scythe has a specific method to be used, and swinging it like a staff or axe makes no more sense than using a fishing rod as a sword. On the other hand, designers can get pretty creative and liberal when it comes to combat; I've seen weirder things used as primary weapons: string instruments, footwear, wrenches.

It's possible that the designers simply feel uncomfortable giving the good guy a scythe. As we all know, the scythe is usually a religious symbol for death, or the "Grim Reaper", and some designers might equate that to wielding Satan's pitchfork or something.

Another reason could be artistic. I remember once I was browsing some mods for TES4: Oblivion that added user-made weapons to the game. The blades and maces came in hundreds of different shapes, styles, and sizes. Then some of the modders tried including scythes, but every single scythe looked the same. Why is this?

Here's my theory: Designers like swords, axes, hammers, and staffs because there are various ways to design them. There are nigh-infinite ways to draw swords: lightsabers, the Master sword, Soul Edge, a katana. All swords. Think of all the ways you could visualize a staff. Visual artists resort to these weapon types because they're general and there's multiple ways to draw them. Having different visual styles for a single weapon type adds flavor and variety to a game. But, the scythe has a very certain shape and fixed curvature. The scythe in one game would look just like the scythe in the next game, and would be pretty boring.

You know... I like your theory, I got to admit it makes more sense than mine.
The visual design theory makes the most since, when you think of a scythe, you pretty much think of the same looking thing, unlike swords and such.

 

[Judgement101]

There are many reasons designers wouldn't want a scythe as a weapon. First and foremost, it's not a weapon. Yes, things like knives can be both tools and weapons, but that's because cutting food and cutting foes require similar cutting motion. A scythe has a specific method to be used, and swinging it like a staff or axe makes no more sense than using a fishing rod as a sword. On the other hand, designers can get pretty creative and liberal when it comes to combat; I've seen weirder things used as primary weapons: string instruments, footwear, wrenches.

It's possible that the designers simply feel uncomfortable giving the good guy a scythe. As we all know, the scythe is usually a religious symbol for death, or the "Grim Reaper", and some designers might equate that to wielding Satan's pitchfork or something.

Another reason could be artistic. I remember once I was browsing some mods for TES4: Oblivion that added user-made weapons to the game. The blades and maces came in hundreds of different shapes, styles, and sizes. Then some of the modders tried including scythes, but every single scythe looked the same. Why is this?

Here's my theory: Designers like swords, axes, hammers, and staffs because there are various ways to design them. There are nigh-infinite ways to draw swords: lightsabers, the Master sword, Soul Edge, a katana. All swords. Think of all the ways you could visualize a staff. Visual artists resort to these weapon types because they're general and there's multiple ways to draw them. Having different visual styles for a single weapon type adds flavor and variety to a game. But, the scythe has a very certain shape and fixed curvature. The scythe in one game would look just like the scythe in the next game, and would be pretty boring.

You know... I like your theory, I got to admit it makes more sense than mine.
The visual design theory makes the most since, when you think of a scythe, you pretty much think of the same looking thing, unlike swords and such.

You can design scythes to look different. Make the blade larger/smaller, pole longer/shorter, and the color of the blade different.

 

[masseyguy911]

There are many reasons designers wouldn't want a scythe as a weapon. First and foremost, it's not a weapon. Yes, things like knives can be both tools and weapons, but that's because cutting food and cutting foes require similar cutting motion. A scythe has a specific method to be used, and swinging it like a staff or axe makes no more sense than using a fishing rod as a sword. On the other hand, designers can get pretty creative and liberal when it comes to combat; I've seen weirder things used as primary weapons: string instruments, footwear, wrenches.

It's possible that the designers simply feel uncomfortable giving the good guy a scythe. As we all know, the scythe is usually a religious symbol for death, or the "Grim Reaper", and some designers might equate that to wielding Satan's pitchfork or something.

Another reason could be artistic. I remember once I was browsing some mods for TES4: Oblivion that added user-made weapons to the game. The blades and maces came in hundreds of different shapes, styles, and sizes. Then some of the modders tried including scythes, but every single scythe looked the same. Why is this?

Here's my theory: Designers like swords, axes, hammers, and staffs because there are various ways to design them. There are nigh-infinite ways to draw swords: lightsabers, the Master sword, Soul Edge, a katana. All swords. Think of all the ways you could visualize a staff. Visual artists resort to these weapon types because they're general and there's multiple ways to draw them. Having different visual styles for a single weapon type adds flavor and variety to a game. But, the scythe has a very certain shape and fixed curvature. The scythe in one game would look just like the scythe in the next game, and would be pretty boring.

You know... I like your theory, I got to admit it makes more sense than mine.
The visual design theory makes the most since, when you think of a scythe, you pretty much think of the same looking thing, unlike swords and such.

You can design scythes to look different. Make the blade larger/smaller, pole longer/shorter, and the color of the blade different.

And thats it, make it a bit longer, and maybe a different color. It just seems like you really want scythe in your games don't you, and no amount of logic will satisfy you as to why they just aren't in games...

 

[The_ModeRazor]

Because scythes are not weapons.
Now the real question is, why are there no people with the AK-47 as their signature weapon?

 

[Avayu]

But having the hero in shining armour using a scythe would completely break my immersion.

...I know you're a troper, so I'll just point out that Your Mileage May Vary. Having a protagonist using a Sinister Scythe (and subsequently subverting the expectation by proving that Dark Is Not Evil) would be totally sweet.

Your Mileage May Vary indeed. The way you say that it sounds good. In a suitably fantastic setting that might work. But most (western) RPGs operate in a medieval fantasy setting, where the scythe simply doesn't fit in.
Sorry, too late for me to think of the fitting tropes.

 

[Judgement101]

There are many reasons designers wouldn't want a scythe as a weapon. First and foremost, it's not a weapon. Yes, things like knives can be both tools and weapons, but that's because cutting food and cutting foes require similar cutting motion. A scythe has a specific method to be used, and swinging it like a staff or axe makes no more sense than using a fishing rod as a sword. On the other hand, designers can get pretty creative and liberal when it comes to combat; I've seen weirder things used as primary weapons: string instruments, footwear, wrenches.

It's possible that the designers simply feel uncomfortable giving the good guy a scythe. As we all know, the scythe is usually a religious symbol for death, or the "Grim Reaper", and some designers might equate that to wielding Satan's pitchfork or something.

Another reason could be artistic. I remember once I was browsing some mods for TES4: Oblivion that added user-made weapons to the game. The blades and maces came in hundreds of different shapes, styles, and sizes. Then some of the modders tried including scythes, but every single scythe looked the same. Why is this?

Here's my theory: Designers like swords, axes, hammers, and staffs because there are various ways to design them. There are nigh-infinite ways to draw swords: lightsabers, the Master sword, Soul Edge, a katana. All swords. Think of all the ways you could visualize a staff. Visual artists resort to these weapon types because they're general and there's multiple ways to draw them. Having different visual styles for a single weapon type adds flavor and variety to a game. But, the scythe has a very certain shape and fixed curvature. The scythe in one game would look just like the scythe in the next game, and would be pretty boring.

You know... I like your theory, I got to admit it makes more sense than mine.
The visual design theory makes the most since, when you think of a scythe, you pretty much think of the same looking thing, unlike swords and such.

You can design scythes to look different. Make the blade larger/smaller, pole longer/shorter, and the color of the blade different.

And thats it, make it a bit longer, and maybe a different color. It just seems like you really want scythe in your games don't you, and no amount of logic will satisfy you as to why they just aren't in games...

You hit the nail right on the head.

 

[masseyguy911]

There are many reasons designers wouldn't want a scythe as a weapon. First and foremost, it's not a weapon. Yes, things like knives can be both tools and weapons, but that's because cutting food and cutting foes require similar cutting motion. A scythe has a specific method to be used, and swinging it like a staff or axe makes no more sense than using a fishing rod as a sword. On the other hand, designers can get pretty creative and liberal when it comes to combat; I've seen weirder things used as primary weapons: string instruments, footwear, wrenches.

It's possible that the designers simply feel uncomfortable giving the good guy a scythe. As we all know, the scythe is usually a religious symbol for death, or the "Grim Reaper", and some designers might equate that to wielding Satan's pitchfork or something.

Another reason could be artistic. I remember once I was browsing some mods for TES4: Oblivion that added user-made weapons to the game. The blades and maces came in hundreds of different shapes, styles, and sizes. Then some of the modders tried including scythes, but every single scythe looked the same. Why is this?

Here's my theory: Designers like swords, axes, hammers, and staffs because there are various ways to design them. There are nigh-infinite ways to draw swords: lightsabers, the Master sword, Soul Edge, a katana. All swords. Think of all the ways you could visualize a staff. Visual artists resort to these weapon types because they're general and there's multiple ways to draw them. Having different visual styles for a single weapon type adds flavor and variety to a game. But, the scythe has a very certain shape and fixed curvature. The scythe in one game would look just like the scythe in the next game, and would be pretty boring.

You know... I like your theory, I got to admit it makes more sense than mine.
The visual design theory makes the most since, when you think of a scythe, you pretty much think of the same looking thing, unlike swords and such.

You can design scythes to look different. Make the blade larger/smaller, pole longer/shorter, and the color of the blade different.

And thats it, make it a bit longer, and maybe a different color. It just seems like you really want scythe in your games don't you, and no amount of logic will satisfy you as to why they just aren't in games...

You hit the nail right on the head.

Well thats all fine that you want them in games, but honestly there are so many reasons why they are not in any modern RPGs. Really, the only reason why one be would be because they look cool, which admittedly they do.

 

[Kiju]

As it has been stated already, scythes are a farming implement and only used as a weapon as a last resort, usually when farmers are rallied up to become a militia. Even then they're usually given some rudimentary training in a different kind of weapon.

They aren't a bad weapon, but their purpose does not include killing people.

Most 'war scythes' are just voulges or naginatas.

 

[twaddle]

scythes can make good weapon but that seriously depends on certain factors

a traditional scythe is sharp on the bottom side of the blade and dull on top. The tool requires you to reach or swing the blade behind the object and pull to deliver damage. Swing down is a stabbing motion is impractical because the blade is curve and mostly the dull side of the blade would hit since the blade is curve inward.

Now a modified or war scythe can do more. If both sides of the blade are sharpened then you can also deliver a thrusting motion like a spear and you can swing downward to deliver damage as well.
This can be even futher modified if the blade extends over the edge of the butt of the staff and and their is a bladed tip at the bottom of the staff. A truely practical fantasy war staff can be seen in the game kingdom hearts CoM.

see how the staff is blade on all ends instead of like the scythe. even the top of the scythe is sharped.
now for some practical aplication.

see how effectively he uses his scythe at the beginning of the battle. (sadly he is defeated by a cheap shot from goofy)

 

[RobfromtheGulag]

Xenosaga [1] had one for KOS-MOS, and try as I might I could not make it worthwhile. Shame too because it looked really cool. If I recall rightly, it was average when you got it (assuming you got it at the earliest possible point) but it's damage scaled terribly.