Fencing

Fencing is a form of swordplay that involves both footwork, and a quick hand to get past an opponent's guard and strike. Typically, it involves the use of one of four styles of blades, a rapier, an epee, a saber, or a foil.

A foil is a light thrusting weapon used to typically pierce parts of the oponent's torso.

A saber is a weapon that is used primarily for cutting, and will target the entire body above the waste for ideal performance.

An epee is a heavy thrusting weapon that targets the entire body.

A rapier is a light needle like sword used for cutting and thrusting, it can target wherever the user desires, though it typically ideal for piercing the torso area.

These weapons make up but one part of fencing, the second part involves the typical techniques, though when fighting in an actual combat situation, many of the typicaly fencing rules (when played as a sport) are abolished.

For example, an advance is typically stepping forward with a lunge, then actually moving. While an advance in combat would simply be to advance whilst thrusting.

A parry is a typical swordplay move, but is best used in fencing due to the blade's lightweight and aerodynamic design.

The major downfalls with using weapons designed for fencing are:

-The weapons are thin, and provide little room to block, parries are typically the only option.

-The latter two of the four weapons tend to break easily due to their structure, though surprisingly, a rapier will not break easily. Yet it has the thinnest form.