Straight Swords for Samurai?

[RamKat]

The phrasing is weird but I'm assuming what

Please refrain from sharing your artworks publicly until the winners are announced, in order to protect your Entry.

is getting at is don't post it online while the contest is ongoing...? Submissions are closed now, though, and I've seen people post theirs on social media already, so I think it's fine...? Scratch that, looks like they deleted their tweet.

Based on reading the rules, it seems to me that there isn't a restriction, just a suggestion to avoid posting for our own benefit. I'm guessing they are worried about people trying to steal the art or claim later it was their own art that was stolen etc...

If you look at the portion this appears in all of the other bullets say "must" instead of please. BUT with that said, I have seen a few people post, but most have either deleted or were erring on the side of caution to begin with by avoiding posting.

I will say tho, I saw one person post 4 different submissions that all appeared to be for straight Samurai swords! Although I don't see it now so I'm guessing they deleted as well.

[Theodric_Thorne]

I’m not gonna post my design in case it gets me disqualified, but it is a straight cruciform sword like you describe because I had the same thought. A little variety couldn’t hurt. It’s the only 2h sword DPS in the game, it should have more options than just katanas and a handful of sabers. Hopefully some other people submitted something similar and one of them gets picked.

My character is a knight-errant from Ishgard who trained as a Samurai after leaving to explore the outside world following the conclusion of the Dragonsong War. I could totally see him forging a new custom sword to adapt the techniques he learned, sort of like an estoc sword but designed for both slashing and thrusting attacks. Like how Happy Gilmore putts with a hockey stick.

[_Koneko_]

I'm not sure straight swords make a lot sense for a class that heavily uses Iaijutsu

[Theodric_Thorne]

I'm not sure straight swords make a lot sense for a class that heavily uses Iaijutsu

Is there some reason a non-katana sword for SAM can’t be drawn from a scabbard? I’m not sure what you mean. It’s not like the rest of the swords in the game just float exposed on your character’s hip or back because they’re supposed to. They just don’t have models. I wish they did. But it’s not like the animation for Iaijutsu won’t work just because a blade isn’t curved.

[Tsiron]

Iai techniques can still work fine, it's just the motion is smoother with a curved blade.

Counterpoint, SAM has skills where the animation is a thrust, even though katana were not optimal for thrusting. Doesn't invalidate the whole thing does it?

[_Koneko_]

Iaijutsu or speed draw is a technique that relays heavily on the sword being curved it's one of the reasons a katana is shaped like that i'm not saying i'm against straight swords but it don't really make sense for Samurai who is a Iaijutsu user to use one

and as you say your self while it's not optimal for thrusting its fully serviceable at that

[Misutoraru]

The misconception have to stop
The curve blade is purely result of quenching process
The curvature is so small it have almost no effect on nukitsuke, it is mostly on the skill of the samurai.

[RamKat]

Iaijutsu or speed draw is a technique that relays heavily on the sword being curved it's one of the reasons a katana is shaped like that i'm not saying i'm against straight swords but it don't really make sense for Samurai who is a Iaijutsu user to use one

and as you say your self while it's not optimal for thrusting its fully serviceable at that

You've uh... seen the Golden Saucer weapons I take it? Or some of the numerous designs that defy logic and common sense alike?

You're really going to say a lack of curve in a sword is just a step to far to believe?

[TheMightyMollusk]

All of the swords covered in spikes and ridges and jagged edges have already thrown any concept of realistic iaijutsu out the window. All of that junk would jam the blade in the sheath. Just remember the MST3K mantra and roll with it.

[Ultaniku]

I mean I enjoy the curve to a katana myself, but just throwing this out there. Asbel Lhant in tales of graces uses Iai techniques and he wields straight edged swords. It is feasible.