The Armour Archive

Taking a cue from a discussion we had after practise today, what do you think makes an opponent entertaining? What qualities do you find in opponents that you enjoy fighting?

Movement. I like a fast flowing fight. I don't enjoy guys who just sit back defensive and just wait you out.

Uric

Hartmann wrote:What qualities do you find in opponents that you enjoy fighting?

Joy. If they are having fun, it infects the fight. They don't have to be laughing or talking; it just needs to come across that they are into it for the sheer joy of the encounter.

Discipline. Even if they are not particularly skilled, they know enough to stay within their limitations and bring the best fight they can. Otherwise, they risk flailing, falling down, hitting light, and striking low -- or any combination thereof.

Franchise. Given their resources, their kit will be identifiable from a time and place, helping everyone involved suspend disbelief and capture a fleeting moment of the Romantic Ideal we pursue.

With thanks for the topic...

Alfred of Carlyle

For single combat, the smallest shield they can effectively wield. Fighting small shields is a joy and war sized ones a chore in singles. The action is fast, furious and crisp. You either win or lose big.

Regards,

Avery

Opponents with courteous attitudes and big smiles.

Any fight where the action is fast, hard, clean,brutal and technical and we both look at each other afterward and say "Damn that was good!" Winning or losing at the point really doesn't matter.

Havoc

No whining.

HauoctheWild wrote:Any fight where the action is fast, hard, clean,brutal and technical and we both look at each other afterward and say "Damn that was good!" Winning or losing at the point really doesn't matter.

Havoc

What he said

Someone who can school me with integrity and a grace, as well as someone who will congratulate me when I lay down an ass whoopin'. haha.

No shot "convincing." "Are you sure that was light?" "How was the (insert body part) shot?"

I believe firmly in giving my opponent the honor of not having to question my shots. I also enjoy not having any doubt about theirs. An active, moving fight is my favorite.

Joy. At it's best, for me, stepping up against someone else in armor is sheer joy. Winning or losing doesn't matter - what matters most to me is the test of arms against someone else who feels the same, who gets the same emotional charge from the challenge of facing my blows that I get from facing theirs.

Things I care for: movement, imagination, joy (like several posters commented, I think you know it when your opponent is enjoying himself), hard hitting (so there's no doubt when I'm hit), risk-taking, consistent calibration.

Things I don't care for: barn-doors, staring games, whining.

Some opponents over the years had had the uncanny ability to often get me to fight my best, Duke Elfin, Prince Frans, and my squires William and Cei comes to mind, and probably some others I have forgotten.

Put me down for the joy part.

Nothing sucks worse than a fight with someone who is being a snot.