Matching weapon choice with character archtypes

[Alex Heartnet]

One can infer a lot about a character by looking at what weapon he uses. Or rather, one should be able too. Think back to different TV shows/movies/comic books/video games/whatever. Certain character archtypes tend to use certain weapons, right? But occasionally I see a character/weapon combo that comes out as just tacky (like, say, a Paladin of Torm with a Scythe.) So I made out this list to make the process easier.

Swords: The main hero in any given work ALWAYS uses a sword (the handgun is the modern equivalent). Just think back to how many RPG's start you our with a sword. Exceptions are few and far between.
Rapiers: These tend to go to swashbuckers and foppish characters.
Short Swords: There's a very good reason why rogues can use short swords. Short blades are usually preferred by assassins/ninjas/other sneaky types, after all.
Daggers: See above, but it's humiliating to lose to a weapon the size of your palm.
Greatswords: Often used by those trying too hard to be heroic. Within NWN they have acquired a reputation as a psycho's weapon. A lot of female PC's tend to gravitate to large weapons like this one for some reason.
Kukris: These are often used by characters who live in the wild, as they would be of great use in the wilderness. Being a short, curved blade, they are also used by the odd psycho.
Scimitar: See above, but can also give a nice 'evil' look to many characters. Also the default weapon for any character that comes from a region where scimitars are commonly used.
Katana: The default weapon of any samurai. Also often seen in the hands of fighters trying too hard to be cool.

Axes: Any kind of proud warrior race (dwarves in this case) tend to use axes. Axes are also commonly found in the hands of less-then-sane characters.
Greataxes: These are ALWAYS used by the insane, usually by aggressive barbarians.

Blunt Weapons: These are frequently wielded only for the sake of doing a different damage type. Big and brash characters are often depicted as using these, though. Smaller, more manageable versions are often used by priests that frown on the idea of shedding blood. This originated with a medieval papal mandate to discourage bloodshed between Christian nations (although blunt weapons still do shed plenty of blood). revived this idea.
Maces: Usually found in the hands of said priests.
Clubs: The clubs available in NWN sadly do not come in 'large' size. As such, they are usually only used by characters that lack the proficiencies to use better.
Hammers: Dwarves love these almost as much as axes. A fighter who is trying too hard to be cute might use a large one.
Quarterstaffs: The archtypical weapon for spellcasters, or anyone who desires a weapon that is less impressive-looking then the blades normally used.
Fists: Either used by those skilled enough to not need a weapon, or by those overconfident enough to think that they don't need one.
Flails/Morningstars: These are rather intimidating-looking! As such, they are used by equally intimidating characters.

Bows: These are generally used by those with a composed personality (such as most elves).

Slings: These are usually seen in the hands of peasants, children, halflings and primitive tribesman. They are usually depicted as not being very effective weapons (David and Goliath aside)

Polearms: There are a handful of polearms that are commonly referenced in fantasy works, and many that aren't at all. Good luck finding a cool reference to a weapon such as a glaive. Polearms are usually found in the hands of hapless rank-and-file soldiers or those with cool, collected personalities.
Spears: These have all sorts of cool connotations with being ancient. Also, they are perfect for guarding a room or portal, as you can use them to block entry.
Halberds: Arguably the most effective polearm ever devised, as they can be used to slash, stab, thump, or trip.
Tridents: Usually associated with anyone with an affinity with water. Pitchforks are also a common sight among angry mobs. This weapon is notable for being a very rare sight among PC's
Naginata: Well-known japanese polearm that is strongly associated with woman. Within NWN, this is a halberd with its appearance changed (CEP only)
Scythes: Far removed from their farming origins, these are very strongly associated with death, or those that command it.

Duel-wielding/Double Weapons: Generally used by those trying too hard to be cool.

[elysiumfields]

Instead on focusing on labeling players as being tacky, too cool for school or overtly generic you can also look at the trades and careers and preferred weapons of the character's deity of choice that the player is using on the whole to flesh out their role playing experience.

[thefeyjester]

I have to agree with ElysiumFields...

Instead of simply looking at a character and instantly deciding what they are and labeling them... try to focus on the reasons as to why different characters are using the weapons they are.

[simon1981]

Agreed. It's rather offensive to suggest that someone is trying too hard to be cool just because they use a particular weapon type.

[perspicacity]

My character, Nicos Aporos, wields a greatsword quite without any sense of psychosis, wears humility as part of his panoply and will discuss, ad nauseaum, the tactical advantages and disadvantages of the weapon as part of a detailed 'soldier's' background. I'm not certain of the intent of the original post, with the sweeping editorial generalizations. Perhaps satire? I, myself, tend, often to gravitate toward less common weapon choices solely for the reason of being less common, but usually incorporate that choice into the character's background. That being said, I have to agree with the other respondents, I don't think that reinforcing the stereotypes in a judgmental manner is very useful.

[Lady Frost]

This is obviously just one person's opinion. I don't think anyone should be taking offense to this post or feeling the need to defend their weapon choice.

[Spirit of a Phoenix]

Personally, I base a lot of the weapons for my characters based on the weapon their god uses. Though a good amount of my characters do have daggers on them for pocket-knife like purposes.

Kiki for example uses a whip as her melee weapon due to the fact that Sune's favored weapon is a whip. However, due to her not being a melee based character, she does use her bow more.

My character Terra uses a scythe as her main weapon. Reason being that she follows the Graingoddess (Chauntea), who's favored weapon is the scythe. The scythe is a farming tool used commonly to harvest grain. Most of us aren't farmers, so we tend to associate the scythe with mythology, rather than working out in the fields. The most common thought is the grim reaper, who is seen as a creature that -harvests- the souls of the living.

I could go on, but generally some characters will just use weapons that they think will give them favor with their patron deity.

As an added note, I second Lady Frost. The player who made the original post, was simply giving their opinion. If anything can be taken from the post, it's that players should put thought into the weapons they have their characters use. I don't believe she meant to offend anyone.

[elysiumfields]

I thought the op was made with the intent for humour, which is how I took it. I should probably have said so before adding my two cents, but it was well past my bed time and I was a touch groggy.

Apologies if it sounded like a knock.

[Deleted]

I laughed Dr. Pepper out of my nose when i read this (though the replies only brought a derisive chuckle!)

Cheers for the laugh mate!!

Mkable

[Razgriz]

For me nothing beats the elegance, style and simplicity of the always reliable longsword. But here is what I keep thinking when I see the bladed weapons in-game.

Longsword: Paladins, Kings, good warriors, guards and wizards fighting demons.
Bastardsword: Blackguards and vampires. (Seriously, the Bloodletter screams Blackguard!)
Greatsword: Barbarians or fighters clad in full plate armor.
Shortsword: Rangers, archers, drow and Halflings fighting oversized spiders.
Dagger: Evil mages and assassins.
Scimitar: Pirates and desert warriors.
Rapier: Duelists, 3musketeers, rogues and nobles.
Katana: Weapons masters, samurais and vengeful women.
Kukri: Rangers, weapon masters, rogues, exotic fighters.
Two bladed sword: Red faced guy dressed in black robes ;D


To many weapons lol!