[OB] Weapons for Windrunners/Fused

[Sariel he/him]

So, I recently encountered this video, which asks what weapons will flying humanoid creatures (specifically, angels) would use.

So I thought, what weapons would windrunners use, or flying fused, for that matter.

They would probably use different weapons to fight flying enemies vs grounded enemies, but I'd like to consider both options.

Here's my thoughts: (most of it is summarized from the video, with my additions for Roshar)

Spears/Pikes (Kaladin's favorite weapon):

Firstly, against grounded enemies the worst thing you could do is give up your height advantage and get close to them. But against flying enemies the reach may help. I don't think it would be much different from ground combat, except it is easier to gain momentum so it might improve stabbing damage. Kaladin uses this weapon mainly because he is trained with it, because it's useful for foot soldiers.

Bows (Obvious ranged weapon):

This may seem like the first choice for a ranged weapon, but with longbows you actually shoot from the side of your body, to get a bigger draw. It may not be so comfortable while flying, but I'm not sure how it will work with lashing. Alternatively, you may use a short bow which is harder to draw, to get the same power with a smaller draw and be able to shoot from the front.

Crossbows:

Do they even have crossbows on Roshar? This may work, but they have a long reload time. They can use fabriels to shorten it, though!

Throwing Knives:

Against grounded enemies, and especially a unit of spearmen or similar closed-together troops, those can work wonders. Simply hover above your enemies, out of bow range, and drop the knives on their heads (or lash them down). The gravity will give them enough power to crush a man's skull (or a woman's, we're not sexist). However, this method is inaccurate for single or far-apart enemies.

Shoeblades/Shoespikes:

seems like a perfect melee-ranged weapon for fly vs grounded, when you need to pick a solitary target. Sweep down like an eagle on it's prey, stab or slash them, fold your legs to release your spikes from the anchor you just created for yourself on the ground, and fly back up. Not very useful against flying enemies, though.

 

So what do you think? Have more ideas, or do I deserve some rotten tomatoes? (I feel like the latter is more likely).

Edited July 5, 2018 by Sariel

[mosaab]

I always preferred a Glaive to a Spear for kaladin.

I am no expert but it seems to me that the main disadvantage of a Glaive is weight, but that doesn't matter when it's a spren, you're stormlight enhanced, you're shard plated & you can even reduce the weight with upper lashing.

 

[Sariel he/him]

For a Shard-glaive, the weight is not a problem, shard weapons are light.

[Weltall]

1 hour ago, Sariel said:

Bows (Obvious ranged weapon):

This may seem like the first choice for a ranged weapon, but with longbows you actually shoot from the side of your body, to get a bigger draw. It may not be so comfortable while flying, but I'm not sure how it will work with lashing. Alternatively, you may use a short bow which is harder to draw, to get the same power with a smaller draw and be able to shoot from the front.

Crossbows:

Do they even have crossbows on Roshar? This may work, but they have a long reload time. They can use fabriels to shorten it, though!

If you're a Windrunner or Skybreaker you don't even need a bow as long as you've got a projectile; just Lash it in the direction of your target and it will literally 'fall' straight at them. Works for knives and javelins too. Though actually using the weapons 'properly' conserves Stormlight so it depends on what you're most concerned about. Of course, if you've got Gravitation you can pretty much turn anything into a lethal long-ranged weapon.

And yes, they've definitely got crossbows on Roshar. Shallan gets shot with one in Oathbringer and Rysn has to figure out how to cock one without working legs, and they're mentioned on a number of other occasions. I suspect fabrial winders will become a thing eventually.

13 minutes ago, Sariel said:

For a Shard-glaive, the weight is not a problem, shard weapons are light.

Shardblades are light relative to their size but they've still got some heft to them. Still, when you're a Radiant it's not a big deal either way since you get a strength boost from holding Stormlight (and healing if you damage your muscles) so even if they were as heavy as they look you could swing them effectively. And then you throw in Shardplate once you get to that point and it becomes even less of an issue, since we've seen non-Radiants with Plate casually swinging weapons so heavy that a normal person has trouble just lifting them.

[Jace21 he/him]

The objection to bows in the video also doesnt matter on Roshar. 

The main issue with angels and bows is that a bow should be fired from the side if the body, which doesnt work with wings and that a drawn bow would get in the way of your wings.

Since radiant/fused flight has nothing to do with wings, a bow would be fine.

I prefer the spear/lance/glaive idea personally, especially if its a shardweapon but the reasons given against using a bow are not valid.