From the first point in time, where someone used a stick to extend their arm, or picked up a stone to throw at something, the range of attack and defense of individuals was extended. Even so, there is a large philosophical difference between how you use a sword as an attack and defense extender depending on the context.

Consider the difference between a poniard – in essence a sharp stick about 150 mm in extension length (not including the handle) to 300 mm – versus a claymore, both a pointy stick and an implement with a sharp edge that extends your attack and defense range around 1500 mm. The tactics for how you would use these vary significantly due to range, the existence of two edges on the claymore, and the setting you are likely to find yourself in battle. If you took your poniard as your main weapon to a conflict with the English army, you would have a glorious but short battle. If you took your claymore, you are more likely to take some English with you.

A longer sword gives you greater range – where you can keep your opponent at a range where you can tag them, but they may not be able to tag you. Closing the distance takes time, which allows you more space to make mental and physical calculations. Additionally the object itself has more mass, and will take longer to shift around, which is offset by the additional range the item gives you. Since speed is likely compromised, it is generally worth increasing your armour. So a large weapon will often be a ranged game with stronger armour. While this will be a common trend, it is not absolute.

A shorter blade brings the range of attack closer, which increases the speed. Often that is because of less reaction time, less mass in the item and a secondary effect of less armour. A person with a short item against a person with a longer item needs to close the distance, past the circle of first contact for the long item to the short itemed person (where the long item can do damage but the short item can’t), past a distance of risk to the person wielding the short item until the person with the short item can do some kind of response to the person with the long item. The wielder of the long item effectively has two free attacks in this time of closing, and should then be at a distinct disadvantage of speed and range once closed.

Adding an edge to the item allows for missed thrusts (point attacks) to still be useful, as cutting with the side of the item gives a second chance attack. Once you have an edge to your item, you may deprioritise the thrust attack and start implementing edge attacks, hacking instead of thrusting. For example, you could hack at your opponent, requiring them to block you or perish. You can then orient your sword to follow up with a thrust, or another cut.

Mobility is a factor to consider. A poniard on a chariot is not a good choice for combat against another chariot, but is great against the chariot driver you have just hijacked. Mounted on a horse is a different idea again, where your sword needs to be long enough to reach opponents as you ride by, but not likely to become stuck in your opponent, or get knocked out of your hands upon a speedy contact. If you are on foot, do you provide a static target, or a moving one? How well do you use voids to ignore your opponent’s device such that you get a free attack, or do you use a shield to block freeing up your sword, or is your sword your primary defence?

Take a look at your chosen weapon and armour. Consider the weapons properties. What are its properties in regards to reach, speed, point and edge? What range is optimal for you to fight in, and how can you adjust that? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your armour in combat? What mobility do you use, and how will that affect all of the above? Now consider your opponent. What weapon do they use and what are its properties? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their armour and their mobility? What advantages can you find in the meeting of yours and theirs?

Now take a look at what hand they hold their items in. Is it the default biggest item in their right hand, or is it in fact in their left hand? Do they hold their grip well, or are they clutching or grasping their item? A confident leftie against a confident rightie has a distinct advantage, in that left handed people are well experienced fighting right handed people, while righties are not as practiced fighting lefties.

These are the considerations that I have upon selecting my devices and walking into combat with my opponent. These thoughts run through my mind before I close range and before “lay on” are called