Melee Weapons

There is a very good argument to be made that in RPGs swords are obsolete. And, perhaps, this is true. However, I have a fondness for those swords and axes and scythes; so I'll try to do them justice. First, take a simple example: what would you rather have, a sword that can cut through anything or a bullet that can go through anything? Don't be hasty either way: the bullet has range, but it only pierces an area the size of it. A bullet that could go through anything would have to be insanely lucky to destroy a tank; a sword would easily rip a hole through the side or slice off the barrel.

I think we should take a more objective, historical look at the predominance of guns. There have always been two types of weapons: swords and rocks, or the melee and the projectile. Projectiles have always had a number of disadvantages. As compared to armor, they do nothing. They fire slower and cannot be used in close-range. Anyone who has played D&D as any kind of archer knows the problems. However, guns even the score by giving the projectile frightful damage, superor armor-piercing, and deadly close-range. Technology appears to favor the gun, but don't bet yet.

In our worlds, we have technology and magic great enough to equal the score. Vibro-blades, plasma, ion, chainswords, monomolecular sharpening... enough to even the damage score. The problem with distance can be overcome by teleportation or raw speed. Enchantments work better on swords and other lower tech items, yet again evening the score. Furthermore, some of these enchantments can be to put up forcefields, throw at extreme speeds, or launch projectiles, allowing a sword user the ability to avoid the problem of actually slashing. Another problem with swords is that the human body supports the gun as the better weapon. But with people like the Hulk, such problems don't have to be considered. A superhuman can survive long enough to challenge a man with a gun and then slash him with superior strength. Furthermore, given the idea that a superman with tank-strength skin will be invulnerable to bullets, the score can be evened pretty damn quickly. And remember the purists who love to use swords because it offers them greater control. Also note that guns have a LIMITED firing rate. That's why purists love swords: the sword is as good as the wielder. If the wielder can punch 50,000 times, he can't get that much out of a gun, even if it's semi-automatic (if not for ammo considerations). But the sword can cut as fast as the wielder.