The Vader cape

[drippingwet]

I mentioned this in my 'jedi mind powers' thread, but I felt it needed more elaboration. I think the adoption of a cape made of lame on both sides (cloth for epee) could be a great boost to fencing. It could be added to the list of revolutionary adaptations in sport fencing, alongside the mask and electric scoring. Here are some of the advantages:

1. Hit's to the cape would provide new and exciting tactical options to the fencer.

2. The cape could be utilised by a fencer for swiping aside the opposing blade, and obscuring opponents view. This new addition could also be used against the opponent by wrapping them up in their own cape so that they can't do anything. This would be especially useful (and amusing) if new rules allowed you to run rings around your opponent!

3. The fencer would have to attain a higher degree of concentration and discipline, as stepping on one's own cape may possibly cause one to fall over and look stupid.

4. The cape would provide a cooling effect by taking a firm hold of one's own cape in the non-sword hand, and wafting it around during combat.

5. The resemblance of fencers to Darth Vader, might attract sponsorship for the sport via George Lucas, which may require presidents to dress like the Emperor. Special effects like bolts of lightning from the ref to a carded fencer could be added for the advantage of the audience. This would require a new hand signal for the carding of fencers to make the effect of shocking more realistic, and the carded fencer would be ordered to fall to the ground and pretend to be in pain.

6. The cape would provide entertainment in-between bouts by allowing childish fencers to pretend 'flying' around like Superman.

If anyone else has any other reasons why the cape would be a good idea, please let us know.

[Soldier]

Why would it be made of lame material? I don't see why hitting a cape would be any kind of score.

[drippingwet]

You're right. Just a normal Vader cape then. Also, circling the opponent (when wrapping them up) would require remote technology to replace the wires, or a special rollor device that people dangling from the ceiling could pull on to lift the wire above the fencers during a wrapping move.

[Inquartata]

But a non-lame cape would cover valid target...unless you propose only to use it for epee. ( Epee could certainly use some livening up, I must admit. )

[Soldier]

Then we'll just have to sharpen the pionts so that you can puncture through the cape and make your touch.

Suppose that kind of invalidates the need for an electric scoring system, huh?

[HillBilly]

But a non-lame cape would cover valid target...unless you propose only to use it for epee. ( Epee could certainly use some livening up, I must admit. )

epee's lively enough, old coot!
go back to your shwacking with your saber

[drippingwet]

OK here's the latest thinking:

The cape would obscure target, but not if each fencer was given a stick/power fan in order to move aside the enemy cape prior to hitting.

Also, deluxe capes may offer parachuting abilites that would be useful in conjunction with industrial springs and low power jet packs.

[HillBilly]

ooooooooh fancay...

[Saber-Psycho]

I mentioned this in my 'jedi mind powers' thread, but I felt it needed more elaboration. I think the adoption of a cape made of lame on both sides (cloth for epee) could be a great boost to fencing. It could be added to the list of revolutionary adaptations in sport fencing, alongside the mask and electric scoring. Here are some of the advantages:

1. Hit's to the cape would provide new and exciting tactical options to the fencer.

2. The cape could be utilised by a fencer for swiping aside the opposing blade, and obscuring opponents view. This new addition could also be used against the opponent by wrapping them up in their own cape so that they can't do anything. This would be especially useful (and amusing) if new rules allowed you to run rings around your opponent!

3. The fencer would have to attain a higher degree of concentration and discipline, as stepping on one's own cape may possibly cause one to fall over and look stupid.

4. The cape would provide a cooling effect by taking a firm hold of one's own cape in the non-sword hand, and wafting it around during combat.

5. The resemblance of fencers to Darth Vader, might attract sponsorship for the sport via George Lucas, which may require presidents to dress like the Emperor. Special effects like bolts of lightning from the ref to a carded fencer could be added for the advantage of the audience. This would require a new hand signal for the carding of fencers to make the effect of shocking more realistic, and the carded fencer would be ordered to fall to the ground and pretend to be in pain.

6. The cape would provide entertainment in-between bouts by allowing childish fencers to pretend 'flying' around like Superman.

If anyone else has any other reasons why the cape would be a good idea, please let us know.

Waaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands........

[HillBilly]

hey, maybe he just channels all hs time into a few posts unlike us (well, me) who spreads it out over the whole entire board...

[mrbiggs]

OK here's the latest thinking:

The cape would obscure target, but not if each fencer was given a stick/power fan in order to move aside the enemy cape prior to hitting.

Also, deluxe capes may offer parachuting abilites that would be useful in conjunction with industrial springs and low power jet packs.

How about baseball bats?

[HillBilly]

and Morningstars... now they're sexayy

[riceboy]

It's soo got to be dagger, and it's a point weapon, so you can electify the <insert expletive here> out of it.

for another funny thing about off hand weapons:

http://plumes.org/wit/personality.html

[HillBilly]

the smiley says it all i'm afraid

[drippingwet]

Summary of advantages:

Cape - wafting, obscuring, deflecting, parachuting, wrapping up the opponent.

Foot springs - kangaroo hopping.

Jet packs - sustained flight.