Technology!

[VeloZer0]

That and the fact that human beings don't have super strength or speed makes this whole argument a bit silly (despite the fact that I'm actually kind of enjoying anyway).

This originally started about guns in RPGs, and I think we can agree that all characters are on a super-human level. If we weren't talking about super-humans then I wouldn't even have brought up swords as a weapon of choice.

I've actually got to see someone with military training shooting guns with some of my friends who have shot fire arms for years. The difference in performance was embarrassing.

Oh, I know the difference training makes on just about any activity you can imagine. I was envisioning someone being superbly skilled in both.

With super human speed it could be feasible to use a sword similar to what we see Cloud do in FFVII AC, however, that same super human speed could be applied to fire arms. The ability to move, aim, and shot faster would increase just as the ability to swing, block, and stab with a sword will. There's also the advantage still of having greater range. A lot of people don't understand or don't know but range is a big factor in fighting and war, it always has been. Even before fire arms people tried to make weapons that would allow them to kill people out side of their opponents reach if they could.

Range is a definite advantage to the gun, even in an AC like scenario. However the sword would offer a definite stopping power advantage. Judging from Cloud's reaction to being shot in the head in the opening bike scene it would take several dozen shots to bring him down.

For the record I am imagining a scenario where the two were on par effectiveness wise, not one where the sword is superior.

You also brought up another important factor, the durability of the weapons. Swords break when in the hands of normal people, the frequency for this depends and the quality of the weapon and how well the owner takes care of it (because just like anything swords require maintenance), but they can break. I imagine you would have to manufacture some pretty tough swords to hold up to some one with super human speed and strength.

I'm assuming they would use some sort of magic forging method. In addition to technology we also have magic to consider Guns would also be more durable, but that would benefit them less than it would a sword.

[the AJman]

This originally started about guns in RPGs, and I think we can agree that all characters are on a super-human level. If we weren't talking about super-humans then I wouldn't even have brought up swords as a weapon of choice.

This is obviously another example of me misinterpreting what I'm debating. Apparently I've been the one taking this way too seriously; you'll have to forgive me.

One that note, I wouldn't say that all RPG characters are super-human, but I'd say pretty darn near close. I felt that despite the quickenings and their ability to learn magic spells the characters in XII were fairly normal physically. Normal at least compared to characters from the games in the series.

Range is a definite advantage to the gun, even in an AC like scenario. However the sword would offer a definite stopping power advantage. Judging from Cloud's reaction to being shot in the head in the opening bike scene it would take several dozen shots to bring him down.

Given the right circumstances (super-human abilities) the sword would certainly have a power advantage, at least on any practical level. you could increase the amount of powder in the cartridge and have a larger projectile to increase damage, but there is only so far you could probably go with that and still have it practical to use.

Judging how easy the bullet from Yazoo's gun went through Cloud's shoulder at the end of AC I just assumed that the sunglasses is what protected Cloud from having a bullet in his cranium. Of course that's just as unrealistic as his big noggin just deflecting the shot with his skull so I don't know. Than again Cloud does survive getting stabbed in one shoulder, shot in the other, survived an explosion point blank, and falling from the top of the ruins of the Shinra Building and in to the Church. So Cloud can certainly take a beating.

I'm assuming they would use some sort of magic forging method. In addition to technology we also have magic to consider Guns would also be more durable, but that would benefit them less than it would a sword.

Yea, magic would certainly change the game quite a bit. I also agree that guns would benefit less than swords from being more durable.

In RPGs and in games in general, heck just entertainment in general I've always like swords more and probably always will.

[VeloZer0]

This is obviously another example of me misinterpreting what I'm debating. Apparently I've been the one taking this way too seriously; you'll have to forgive me.

I prefer a more involved back and forth as opposed to a thread where everyone posts their thoughts and doesn't comment on others. I've quite enjoyed this exchange.

In RPGs and in games in general, heck just entertainment in general I've always like swords more and probably always will.

Oh yeah. Katana's are where it's at for me.

And of course if you were really smart you would just carry one of each

[the AJman]

This is obviously another example of me misinterpreting what I'm debating. Apparently I've been the one taking this way too seriously; you'll have to forgive me.

I prefer a more involved back and forth as opposed to a thread where everyone posts their thoughts and doesn't comment on others. I've quite enjoyed this exchange.

In RPGs and in games in general, heck just entertainment in general I've always like swords more and probably always will.

Oh yeah. Katana's are where it's at for me.

And of course if you were really smart you would just carry one of each

I've enjoyed the debate myself despite the fact that I may not have been on the right page.

I'm more a medieval sword guy, though medieval sword a pretty broad spectrum. Katanas are very good swords (though, there were different variations of the katana as well). My only gripe about is that popular belief and modern pop culture have blown the capabilities of the samurai sword way out of proportion.