An example: In the “The Demon Cycle” series, by Peter V. Brett, there exists an elite fighting style, practiced by only a select group. While I like the theme, story and characters of the book, this is just immersion breaking.
It’s a scorpion kick is a horrible hand to hand, or rather foot to face, method of close quarters combat. The user bends forward, extends a leg above their own, arched spine and whacks their enemy in the head.
I cannot imagine how lowering your head to knee height, leaving your back exposed and completely blocking your vision, is beneficial. It’s slow, easily dodged and leaves you completely open for counter attacks.
What are some of your examples, for combat that defies all reason?
by Frazzledragon
8 Comments
well there are fighters and there are fighters. a friend of mine from high sch was an awesome fighter as no one could get near him because of his wicked [tkd trained] round house kick, close quarters never happened.
perhaps the parable is that a well placed kick can end a fight before it starts?
Pretty much everything you’ve ever seen in popular media and martial arts.
Assuming the opponent knows what they’re doing. Otherwise a lot of those things are quite effective.
Probably easier to list the fighting methods that actually would work in real life. I feel like most books would have our hero get instantly shot, surprised, or outnumbered if they were at all realistic.
Traditional martial arts don’t work anymore
The toad style is immensely strong and immune to nearly any weapon. When it’s properly used it’s almost invincible
Most older styles went out of vogue because they were countered.
Some were countered by pistols. You can be very good at blocking punches and a bullet will still hurt you.
From sport karate experience, high kicks are always slower than low kicks.
Any sword (or lightsaber) fighting that involves a lot of “look how cool I look doing twirlies and cool poses” style.