Diablo 3, double hand crossbow power, yes. I think Torchlight had that option as well, but you could get double pistol type items. Real life, guns do trump most things, but a modern crossbow can be quiet. Medieval ones are noisy for the reloading process. But that's for another time.

Do you mean in real life or a video game? In real life, hand crossbows lack power to do much. In a video game, they give you a good rate of fire because of magical reloading skills and if you have some stun or slow effect, you can hold out quite well.

As a swordswoman, I will say that in a fight with swords, yes, rolling will get you killed. Turning one's back is always bad. There's only one rapier move I know with a turned back, but the rapier is driven into the opponent at the same time. It is more complex than that because it's avoidance, and shaming, and so on.…

HEMA is meant to be done for real. Neal may enjoy it, but he'll have to know it doesn't translate well to a game after all of this. It's not time for it. Better to go out and promote the martial art in the real world. :) That's where the fun is.

It's boring for a video game. It's amazing in real life. io9 article on longsword fighting from two days ago will give you the details. :) Not so dead after all.

Hey, that works! Yes, something like that. My first encounter with the weapon style I have in mind is this (though Madmartigan did not lose a hand). But I might like that Aquaman harpoon hand better.

Well, you have to pay the instructor for the time spent instructing. Bronn knows that. You do things for free, you starve.

Most fencing and HEMA/WMA clubs should let you start out without the need to buy gear. If not, I'd be suspicious of that group. Always worth asking if there's someone around teaching some cool martial arts.

Kendo is pretty good but too loud for me. I do enjoy the Historical European side of things. HEMA is far cooler than nerf swords and flailing about. Plus, no one makes me yell. There are many good groups that teach sword skills, from fencing to Kendo to HEMA, most let you try it without buying gear, all based on…

When I hear or see the word combustion, I always think about car engines. Probably my history side leaping to ponder the impact of the internal combustion engine. As for the files, The point is fairly dead now since that career has faded from view. Ah well.

That's an old post of mine, wow , yes, hoses. Horse+water=need to pee in a big horse way, so it must have been some sort of sub-conscious choice. Yep. ;)

Below the neck? Awww, no fun. If you invest in fencing masks, everything above the waist is fair. Also add below the knee because taking out a leg is a clever tactic. :) Strange as it seems, there is a level of feeling alive that you get when someone swings for your head that is hard to find elsewhere. You know you…

We shall be glad they were not using practice steel! That could have been bad. Very bad.

Using the technology to make this a spectator sport would work and those of us who have studied the real swordplay wouldn't mind taking a bit of battering. We watch people play video games, let's watch a version of fighting that doesn't have to put in too many rules. No lying about hits, no off limit areas, just all…

I understand that some of these are takes on perceived american culture, because seriously, chili cheese bites have NOTHING to do with Denmark. Being a half Dane, I would expect that something cultural would be, oh, hakkebøf sandwich with crispy onions and Remoulade. Call it the Big Hak. There we go, that would be…

I wish I had seen this earlier! As a real life sword fighter (non-competitive) I will tell you now that keyboard and mouse or controller will not capture this. Something like the Wii or Playstation Move, where you hold something and movements are read would be better for capturing the reality, but the tech needs much…

Ummm, the times now sort of represent the time cycle properly on most servers. I usually join when they are around 16:00 to 18:00 and enjoy the long shadows of sunset. So look for that, plus a low player population for the server. Those mean dark, usually.

I am going to pull on my Homestar hoodie and go revel in the bliss of an update. Too bad I don't have any marshmallows or melon aid. Yes I am dropping references to prove I'm an actual fan, live with it. ;)

The robot in the second last picture is one I have seen before, and still my favourite, both of things I have seen from Eddie on the Concept Ship sites and here. It must be the face painted on it. That just makes it have this weird silliness I really like.

I love the idea of the new design that, if scaled up, would look human. But it shouldn't have a personal name. This new doll should have a brand, a name for the line, but let the kids who play with the doll name it. Foster the creativity. Go a step beyond the realistic proportions and let the kids create the atory for…