How Fantasy Sword Fighting Lacks Subtlety

How much realism can you really expect from animations / fight choreography in videos games and movies? There are certainly limitations, depending on the genre, setting, and artistic vision.
Sometimes realism would make the story or gameplay less epic and engaging, or even boring or tedious. I sure don't want too much of that in my Castlevania games, for instance. :)
But sometimes it can spice things up by deviating from standard RPG tropes. Or it can be right at home in gritty dark fantasy.
Either way, in this video I give you some examples of the difference between exaggerated fictional moves and real historical combat techniques, for visual reference. And yeah, also because I just felt like rambling a bit about this topic. :)
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#Skallagrim #Fantasy #Swordfighting

[@Raptorman0205]

"But you see, my real gun was a mere distraction for..." _unscrews pommel_

[@Axileoni]

*shows bandolier of pommels*

[@powerofanime1]

@@Axileoni *divides by zero*

[@theplushtoywolf1038]

Reveals launch codes under pommel

[@weftin5721]

"You're right, the pommel doesn't come off, but that was a but a simple trick of the light for..." *runs away*

[@Raptorman0205]

@@weftin5721 Ahhh, a famous move amongst the joestar lineage.

[@simplestrum]

Don't forget that when the enemy flashes red before the attack, it's an UNBLOCKABLE.

[@S1rWakka]

You can solve that by drinking a ption during his flashing

[@ignacnafta3215]

It's Jedi fallen order reference, or for honor?

[@martinh1309]

Ignac Nafta assassins creed probably

[@arashparthian_112]

Ignac Nafta everything

[@laditahnoh]

@@ignacnafta3215 probably fallen order, for honor unblockables are orange in color.

[@biggestnoob4704]

“A HEMA youtuber gets sucked into another world, and dominates its villains with practical sword techniques,” a light novel by me, releasing Feb. 30th 2020

[@axrockatansky1791]

Keep em comin', my friend...

[@juandelata]

wait, is it legit? I'd read it if it is. I'm really tired with the lazy overused isekai with game-based progression system bs, so I'm genuinely interested.

[@theguileraven7014]

I too, am curious if this is legit.

[@PeachDragon_]

@@juandelata February *30th*

[@PeachDragon_]

@@theguileraven7014 THE 30 OF FEBRUARY

[@darcyvvalencia]

Maybe the real gun was the friends we made along the way.

[@edgy9610]

Thank you nutt.

[@thesleepydot]

N U T T yes power of friendship!! >:O

[@rhabeldibabeldi6812]

i´m stuck on this, help me pls^^

[@momoreview5555]

@@rhabeldibabeldi6812 Don't worry im your stepbro i gotcha

[@asieltaylor6698]

What if u befriend a Russian is that a better gun:)

[@DoctorKhaos]

The real gun was only a distraction...I'm actually already behind you...

[@0bstolerance]

_N-Nani?!_

[@callmeravenlee1972]

With a nerf gun

[@kramadhan73]

*dark souls backstab

[@billyswift1745]

Nothing personal kid

[@PokemonTrainerVince]

Substitution jutsu?

[@DANIELREXXX]

that intro could totally be a random encounter in skyrim as a joke, like a mage carrying a shield wandering around

[@cheater00]

i clicked on his face in GIMP and it returned #FFFFFF not even joking

[@JimRFF]

One of my favorite NPCs in the game was actually from a (fully voiced) mod called "Interesting NPCs"... got a mini quest from a bartender to go deal with a Thalmor agent scaring people nearby, find the dude, turns out he's just a high elf illusion mage who told people he was Thalmor so they wouldn't fuck with him. Fun guy (reminded me a bit of Alistair from Dragon Age: Origins), had some great lines about just random things in the world that we walked by, really made the game feel more alive... I believe his name was Rumarin, if I recall correctly... anyway, that intro scene is perfectly in fitting with his character xD

[@oxishixo]

It made think of ark and how you desperately attempt to defend yourself until that first pistol.

[@Pierucci009]

@@JimRFF I think I know who are you talking about. But wasn't him actually a conjurer that learned the bound sword spell just because he was too lazy to carry a sword around?

[@JimRFF]

@@Pierucci009 Yes! That's the guy haha

[@azrielmendoza1660]

Imagine walking around, chilling until you see some medieval dressed guy with a sword

[@connorfoley8114]

Brandon Carter I’d ask for an explanation

[@Prince_-vu4wu]

I’d assume he’s larping than go on my marry way

[@michaelterrencefernandezli6688]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn7UdGqtq5mZnKM

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

And then he looks at you

[@asquickasquickly]

And you kiss him

[@appa609]

How is nobody talking about how skall NAILED the camera with that nerf blaster with no sighting

[@Sidecutt3]

multiple takes and editing

[@kendrickrochelanzot2053]

@@Sidecutt3 it took him 4 tries actually

[@papa_squat]

Not that the sighting on a nerf gun is actually accurate

[@thunderusnight]

It was great

[@commandercody2980]

With an Elite dart no less

[@BarokaiRein]

That intro was basically anime levels of planning. "Aight so I'm going to use my shield to hide a toy gun. I'll use that to distract him from my actual gun. I could of course just put my actual gun into the shield hand but that wouldn't make me look anywhere near as clever."

[@willyvereb]

@Hans Hanzo Including him running away.

[@darkranger30000]

Skal "the trickster"

[@user-25352]

it would probably be inconveninent to aim real gun in shield hand, if attacker decided to fight anyway you could easily miss firing like that (plus you couldn't fire at all if you had to block sudden attack with shield arm). So its better to use real gun in its dedicated hand and, since it has to be holstered and hidden most of the time, you need some distraction to silently draw it when threatened

[@BrekkaJones24]

In reality all of that was a distraction from the sniper that I have aiming at the robber, who happens to weild a toy noise maker to distract my robber so I could pretend to be his friend and save him from the sniper to earn his trust. I'd take them to my hideout, feed them for a week and learn their secrets before I would take them out to lunch at McDonald's and then run out right after we had food and not pay for it! Haha, robbed!

[@thebatosaii]

Never go against a Sicillian when death is on the line?

[@GriziDaWiz]

Warrior 1 : “See this shield?” Warrior 2 : “Yes?” Warrior 1: “It’s a fashion accessory”

[@ambuknight1567]

*gun is cocked*

[@altantulga8138]

@@ambuknight1567 Dick is out

[@arche9042]

I read it in a Skyrim voice

[@oryxslayer0296]

Altan Tulga Dominance asserted

[@gameseeker6307]

@@altantulga8138 uh ▪︎~▪︎

[@ryanle1293]

0:31 [Perception 8] That gun isn't loaded, isn't it?

[@estebanmartinez7209]

He still got the shield

[@bry756]

Yeah, but his ass is loaded with a pommel so omae wa mou shindeiru

[@firstnamelastname489]

No. Because I'm not actually here. While you were talking to my afterimage I was actually eating ice cream in Helsinki all along! Then I slept on your couch. And ate your nutella. ALL OF IT!

[@thesleepydot]

Firstname Lastname YOUR CRIMES WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED >:O

[@rhabeldibabeldi6812]

@@firstnamelastname489 being new to his community is kinda awesome: I got no idea whats going on most of the time but im enjoying it :D

[@ChibiBoxing]

Someone needs to green screen Skall and put him in weird situations.

[@learnmore8771]

5:00 Bow chicka bow wow

[@playinggames4u364]

Hahaha! Would love to see that! 😂 Where are the meme-it all ppl here?

[@sugie7268]

I want to photo shop a park and children doing theyre business in the park now😂

[@sethakins4029]

Somebody has to photoshop him to replace Atomic Samurai

[@sunnydarknesstv2537]

@@learnmore8771 Tucker, shut up

[@lukew8971]

Skallagrim : *gets robbed* Skallagrim : "no u"

[@ambuknight1567]

Robber: HOW DOES THAT WORK?!

[@magnum7782]

wait that's illegal

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

AMBUKNIGHT I got that reference

[@pucciraskolnikov7266]

@@ambuknight1567 it just works

[@ambuknight1567]

@@celtofcanaanesurix2245 thank you my friend

[@PavarottiAardvark]

This is why Skallagrim is great. Talks about 'realism', but also understands that fiction has different priorities.

[@RSxMVxSN]

What puts him in a separate category then people like... the nostalgia critic...

[@Kurostyle21]

@@RSxMVxSN Out of all people, what makes you compare him to Nostalgia Critic? His format is hardly alike

[@jcdenton2187]

@@PavarottiAardvark i second that!

[@johnyossarian1375]

well then being great is no trick.

[@mehirsinghr]

Matthew Campbell and that’s why I’m ur 1000th like

[@aoucmanh1494]

What do you mean anime schoolgirls fighting giant monster wasn't real?

[@johndododoe1411]

For a western take, watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series.

[@willimeister2553]

With little to no protection whatsoever, not pun intended

[@SmittyWJManJensen]

@@willimeister2553 Woman ahead, in short Try thrusting

[@pandorasboxofcatvideos5892]

Anyone thinking of SAO?

[@Sazuyu]

@@pandorasboxofcatvideos5892 Every anime

[@themurderofcoke]

"imagine you and me were to fight in a duel" yeah I imagine me running right the hell away because I'm gonna lose so fast

[@cyntoxi142]

For honor Ennemy : starting long animation to attack Me : preparing to parry Me : Still missing the parry

[@zackd6168]

That game makes my scoliosis worse

[@spiritvdc5109]

Yep because For Honor requires you to press the parry button on the 3rd second of the 5th minute of the 8th hour on the 5th day after the most recent solar eclipse, and attempting to do so on any other second of time in existence will result in taking a heavy to the face xDDD

[@Berbasecks]

long attacks? easy. variable timing heavies? PLS BAN ALL HITOS :D

[@thetweeshrew4187]

Parry this...

[@Berbasecks]

you filhty casual :D

[@user-nx8bd8mk9x]

Skall: "I wanted to intimidate you because i don't actually know how to use this, so see ya!" Also Skall: Pulls out a gun to shoot your knees and then mock you while you're bleeding.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I absolutely LOVE mocking them while they’re bleeding! 🤣

[@GrunkaLunka]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192awww man bleeding is TIGHT!

[@JimRFF]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 "They say mercy is the mark of a great man." *stabs dude in shoulder* "I guess I'm just a good man." ... *stabs dude in other shoulder* "Well... I'm alright."

[@ducisimperium4235]

@Anrcs Mxms hostility?

[@teddycouch9306]

@@JimRFF lol that was a great scene

[@MechMK1]

"You can basically create this..." "He's going to say Dangerzone, isn't he?" "Dangerzone!" "Hiiiighwaaay tooooo the Daangerzooooneeee!!!"

[@whateversinmymind5644]

Right at the moment

[@siler7]

Danger Zone.

[@jameskosusnik1102]

LAAAAAAANNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAA

[@benskoo2088]

He really looks like the guy from "the witcher 3" who wants to duell you for the honor of the maid heidelbeer xD

[@thegrayyernaut]

Ronvid of the Small Marsh, he was. ;) The woman whose honor he supposedly fought for was Maid Bilberry.

[@italo7676]

Its actualy his dead daugther

[@andrewsilva500]

@@italo7676 and now he is with her lol

[@gigantycznejabko9362]

Andrew Silva You killed him!? I am disgusted.

[@greaserat4126]

@@gigantycznejabko9362 you have to, at one point he attacks you with a few mercenaries and you can't spare him, geralt just automatically kills him

[@frankofthefilth295]

we ignoring the hip fire accuracy of this man with the nerf gun?!

[@MrDibara]

AND WHILE HOLDING A BIGASS SHIELD!

[@Barga6464]

"you got me its just a toy" proceeds to shoot the camera in a dead on headshot anyway

[@AdhocHoopla]

Wasn't even looking as he pulled the trigger, glorious

[@jigsawalwayswins8636]

Plot twist it wasnt a toy

[@Ryy86]

Take 42.. aanndd ACTION!!

[@connorgoldsberry2700]

Honestly this and the specific sword are my favorite parts of this video

[@Prince_-vu4wu]

I know he probably did a few reshoots literary and figuratively but still it’s impressive

[@enraikow6109]

"You're getting mugged, kid!" "No, YOU'RE getting mugged!"

[@penguinstrophe]

This has nothing to do with the video

[@FracturedPride]

Ahhh how the hell does that even work?!?! 🤣

[@teetheheretic7952]

"Gunjutsu, those who live by the blade.. ...get shot by those who don't."

[@donnabrahamworsley5857]

facts

[@parkertdm1652]

Me *laughs in spear*

[@Arcamedi1]

Swinging the sword like a maniac makes people run away and in most cases, that’s enough

[@n0xxm3rcyxx]

That's because most people dont know how to sword fight

[@jigsawalwayswins8636]

Challenge accepted

[@copernicus6420]

Dude this comment made my day. Thank you.

[@ric4559]

*Indiana Jones Flashbacks*

[@Arcamedi1]

Rikatan 😅

[@osmacar5331]

When skal drew the revolver i could hear “parry this you filthy casual“ and if he shot it, a pommel would be shot and be the most devastating weapon known to man ending the world rightly

[@deitii3263]

Im pissed that this comment isnt pinned.

[@badgoy1573]

Gotta love that meme

[@chronocrusader48k]

Send.This Man. To. The. Top.

[@anakinskywalker5056]

osmacar Rightly ended warden!

[@lordllewellynofdarkdelight2613]

Same!

[@floydsagor9547]

He looked so uncomfortable saying “Anime school girls fighting giant monsters”

[@MiaMooreA]

Man that stick would make a great cane or walking stick.

[@rossdirkse5267]

I agree

[@parkertdm1652]

You may see it as a stick, *I see it as a weapon*

[@katyungodly]

My guess is that it IS a walking stick and he’s using it to mark how far forward he can move before he’s too close to the camera?

[@nair.127]

Skall is so much enjoying his own woods

[@mtlvmpr]

Who wouldn't enjoy his wood?

[@silkworm2595]

Viking's morning wood

[@yoursexualizedgrandparents6929]

Yeah, Skall has some pretty big woods.

[@kmarchery]

Lol trees . For a moment I thought this was Matt Easton's comment section.

[@tigershark8867]

@@kmarchery *So let's talk about the context of the shaft*

[@vincentthendean7713]

Skall: *points gun "Parry this u fokin casul"

[@Ranstone]

*_AR500 is typing_*

[@Opachki69420]

@The Action packed snack bleach i rock 11x14 plates because i value my tummy

[@Opachki69420]

@The Action packed snack bleach honestly just invest in some multi hit ceramic plates, they go for about 600 a set and they are hands down just better. they say shelf life of 5 years but if you take care of them they will last just fine. steel isnt bad but ceramic is easily a better option

[@Opachki69420]

@The Action packed snack bleach start penny pinching because steel gets heavy quick, and you would hate to regret your purchase after the fact. the saying "buy once cry once" is more true than you can believe

[@Opachki69420]

@The Action packed snack bleach also if you arent aware you can run any plates in their carriers no matter the size, not sure how familiar you are with armor systems in general but your carrier should support any plate

[@mrhyde1527]

“What’s that you wish to wob me?”

[@TheAmubis]

OwO "gweetings fwiend."

[@oryxslayer0296]

DunklerJägerZach If I was robbing someone and they said that I’d just shoot

[@jobdylan5782]

Dedidated wam

[@hanarielgodlike9283]

I MUG YA!

[@fatalos6855]

@@oryxslayer0296 That's not enough to kill us, silly ! You cannot kill the abyss. It is a pawt of you. A weflection of youw own machinations.

[@CeramicQuill]

The beginning is very hilarious. This guy seems like a fun guy to be friends with

[@OzirV1000]

Skall: "See ya next time." Also Skall: *Kills me with a sword, so I can't see him next time*

[@dustyroad1312]

In the next LIFE

[@waren1x]

It happened exactly when i was reading this comment. TIMING

[@stitchowi]

Rizo771 spoiler

[@MongoThinks]

Classic Skall!

[@terreausore2435]

"But my real gun is filled with blanks" *remove gloves* "But I have a dagger in my sleeve, but it is only a butter knife" *removes knife* "But now there is a grenade behind your ear ! Gotcha."

[@peterclarke7240]

But the grenade is, of course, not simply a grenade... It's a pommel! (Cue nuclear explosion)

[@TheABCD3912]

"Oh you tossed the grenade away? you just activated 8 more of my grenades that i strapped to your back and tied to this one grenade!"

[@JeremiahLlewelynCurry]

This is sounding rather JoJo-esque

[@irrationalreality8276]

@@JeremiahLlewelynCurry I've never watched Jojo.....

[@SpaceTrump]

HO?! So you are approaching me?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYHLhZ6LbtN7eNU

[@Foeslown]

Imagine dark souls with his type of realism

[@noellesato311]

Imagine the bosses, but they have no/minimal windup

[@Foeslown]

Like imagining eating and fighting down a bunch of whole sea urchins

[@Prince_-vu4wu]

I think the game would have to rng at that point, especially beast type bosses my god without a tell we would all have to get rng cum in our mouth and pray

[@danielantony1882]

@@noellesato311 Isn't that a thing already?

[@donnabrahamworsley5857]

Them: HAA IM BEAT U WITH THE MAGIC N SWORD me: Game.Workspace.ClearAllChildren

[@sirgallabad]

The gun fake is like "Somebody call an ambulance... But not for me!" meme XD

[@JM-wh2dp]

Skallagrim :"Suppose you were to fight in One on One duel" Me: I would die

[@acrsclspdrcls1365]

Opponent: i challenge you to a duel Me: *guess I'll just die*

[@gabrieledentato1829]

Foolish Mortal the Indiana Jones scene in which he faces a sworfighter and just shoots him goes here

[@legefy]

I'd shit myself as he slowly walked towards me.

[@moguldamongrel3054]

Id take that challenge!

[@rhabeldibabeldi6812]

@@Ecktor Damn there is no fighting technique in my repertoire to match you

[@PhilosoraptorXJ]

Skall: he's a normal sized boi Gambeson Skall: DAMN BOI HE THICC

[@thatlemonguy1107]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6PRiIhnqLykgdk

[@SoI_Badguy]

THAT'S A THICC ASS BOIE, _DAMM!_

[@steveoo6715]

OH LAWD! HE COMIN!

[@NJ-wb1cz]

That's a Sexy Bath Robe Skall

[@matthewyeoh2studioshere934]

PhilosoraptorXJ poll

[@Macaco23284]

Darksouls fashion acessory only. The real shield its rolling every time

[@Prince_-vu4wu]

ARTHUR MORGAN not gonna lie I wish they added a gun shield in bloodborne instead of the wooden shield

[@aronseptianto8142]

off course, "unrealistic" animation, can SOMETIMES be justified as the character to be unskilled in the actual storyline

[@JPeakman96]

Skall you can really tell how much happier and more comfortable you looking filming. The creative shots, acting and information is on point as usual but you can tell with more freedom at your new place you are flourishing! Couldn’t be happier for you dude

[@Skelstoolbox]

That's what I was wondering if this is his new place.. I feel betrrayed because he left the Our city of Victoria.. Now I'm here alone, watching him from across the country.. I used to like recognizing locations, like the back of Blood and Iron..

[@Van-nk4ee]

Your outfit makes you look like a master swordsman whose soul job in life is to train the royal crowns offspring. Keep up the good work 👌

[@thefracturedbutwhole5475]

@@j.r3987 funny how many people don't know the difference

[@theghosthero6173]

It honestly look like a Islamic Persian kaftan padded armor, but more Europeans-ish

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

@@theghosthero6173 Its just called East Asian. Personally I always thought it looked a bit more Persian. I have it myself and when I wear a red sash it looks very Persian.

[@theghosthero6173]

@@hawkticus_history_corner its absolutely western Asian indeed, eastern Asian padded armor were generally not stitched in lines but kind of dotted, and generally made of paper or cotton, so idk looks the most like a kaftan to me

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

@@theghosthero6173 It also seems longer than the average East Asian gambeson I've seen. YMMV

[@ginnfreecs2994]

i just hope you did say "Parry this you filthy casual!" while pulling that revolver.

[@GuitarGuy057]

You've committed one of the great classic blunders, the most famous of which are "never get involved in a land war in Asia" and "never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line"; but only slightly less well known is this: Never step closer into an opponents reach when drawing a firearm, especially if aiming from the hip.

[@lidlpotato2047]

The real question: How many takes did he need to hit the camera dead on with that nerf gun?

[@DBT1007]

One

[@ZyrusSmith]

According to his Snapchat, four.

[@lidlpotato2047]

@@ZyrusSmith not bad, I expected more x)

[@Prince_-vu4wu]

Lidl Potato I see he’s been working on his shield carrying nurf gun skill

[@playinggames4u364]

You've got to take the "hit probability, damage probability and skill/experience probability algorithm on account to calculate that, I think it can be resumed in 1/5 on Skallagrim. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheZampa]

Real fight: end it as fast as possible, with as little hurt and riskto yourself as possible Anime fight: how many episodes do we have to fill with that fight?! Seven?!

[@fgdbbddhhdhdj1591]

Usually people fill only one episode with one episode though

[@LordSplynter]

With fight wouldn't it be? Haha reminds me of DBZ Goku vs Freeza

[@YrielRazik]

If it were Dragon Ball Z, theyd be talking about fighting for an entire season and then fight for the last episode which lasts for 30 seconds in total.

[@TheSpitefulSword]

They are gonna have a lot of flashback for no reason, but hey look, finally one of them moved his leg! TO BE CONTINUED

[@xCorvus7x]

Which anime aside from Dragonball Z stretch fights like this?

[@kablg81]

10:01 I also think the most realistic sword fighting in a game is Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Never played a game that realistic in dueling gameplay.

[@weedsmoke8776]

Legit, the way I win most fights in that game is by simply running up to people and hitting them on the head. If that fails hide behind shield.

[@johndododoe1411]

Now there is Hellish Quart, which is currently an early access PvP duelling game, with the other game parts missing.

[@ArtemisRedcrave]

I really love your videos, as an animator and a visual artist. Thank you for your work, and your explanations. It really helps in so many ways. Please, continue, a lot of us (I guess, artists, animators etc.) will support you with all the zeal we can afford!

[@Arbeta10000]

That intro was like something out of JoJo

[@sokolov.legacy]

lmao please up this comment

[@akirareas4180]

Terra Reveene basically a villain intro

[@ThrashTillDeth85]

Your next line is

[@atm9023]

LOL so true

[@kabbage878]

Your next words are "that's only a toy gun what are your going to do with that!"

[@nahuelmat]

5:46 *Rare footage of Master Witcher Vesemir giving lessons to young witchers in training*

[@senor.molina]

Papa Skallagrim

[@agermangoose4797]

Yeah that move really reminded me of the whirlwind attack

[@henriquecabral4070]

this coment is so underated

[@taylorrhodes1895]

“So how bout you pay up now” lmao with the revolver in their face hahaha....pure gold. Was that a Webley btw?!

[@Skallagrim]

Yes, it was. :)

[@RelativelyBest]

Here's the thing: Fight choreography in movies and such are _abstractions_ of actual combat. It's a stylized performance that is symbolical of the real thing without actually being that thing. A good comparison is the song numbers in musicals. They are obviously not realistic - actual people can not nor would not break into improvised yet somehow perfectly executed song and dance performances to express how they feel about something. But by doing so, characters in musicals do relate that feeling while also being entertaining. You may or may not _like_ musicals but it makes no sense to criticize it for being unrealistic, since that is missing the point. Fictional representations of a sword duel or martial arts fight, etc, tend to work the same way, except it's somewhat less obvious since most people don't know that much about the real fighting techniques. Thus, people who do have a degree of understanding of such techniques tend not to realize that what they're seeing isn't supposed to be realistic in the first place. It's less fighting and more a sort of dance that expresses the _idea_ of fighting in an artistic way.

[@MrSignman65]

A counter, however, is historical film-making. Many historical films, (Outlaw King etc.) have inaccurate fighting. In this instance, the goal *is* to portray proper sword-play, not just as an artistic choice. They fail at this goal, largely because of the idea that combat has to be entertaining (which is false in the context).

[@RelativelyBest]

@@MrSignman65 Well, "historical" should perhaps not be taken too literally. You say the goal was to portray proper historical swordplay, but was that really the case? Like, was that a stated goal of the production? I'm not familiar with Outlaw King so if they did intend it to be 100% accurate down to even that level of detail, well, I guess you may have a point. However, Wikipedia calls it a "historical action drama" which to me implies the action was indeed supposed to be entertaining, and that the movie in general was first and foremost supposed to be dramatic. Being a storyteller myself, I'd assume the priority here was simply telling a good story, albeit one taken from history. (Kinda like how those movies that are "based on a true story" are usually _not_ true stories themselves because the creators will take liberties - sometimes rather extreme ones - for the sake of a stronger narrative.) Now don't get me wrong: Attention to historical detail is generally a good thing for that sort of production. I know it can be kinda annoying when they get things blatantly, willfully wrong. But if complete historical accuracy and educating the audience about history is your primary objective, then you are actually making a _documentary,_ not historical fiction.

[@Azazreal]

@@MrSignman65 The second something becomes a movie/film it no longer retains accuracy. They will always have to oomph it up a bit. Now if a Documentary does it, go nuts and unleash your nerdy rage.

[@n.m.dimmick194]

The thing is that abstraction is taken to the point of bastardization, and it completely shatters immersion for anyone who knows anything about the subject. Historical martial arts do have some flashy moves, and it's not that hard to spice up and overexaggerate even some of the subtler movements. Even just having characters start from the correct guards or hold their shields properly helps with maintaining the illusion that this is an actual fight, even if the rest of it is overexaggerated for the sake of making it easier to follow. Indeed, there are pieces of choreography using historically accurate techniques that are still extremely entertaining to watch--and I find the fact that every motion looks logical and feasible actually makes it far more engaging, since it feels real and like there is real consequence. Adorea Oloumac's "Knight of Hope" is an excellent example, as is Akademia Szermierzy's series on the Fior di Battaglia (especially the first and last one) which consists entirely of movements from Fiore dei Liberi's historical fencing manual "Fior di Battaglia." Both show engaging combat based on historical reality that looks far more plausible and deadly than anything I've seen in Hollywood. When watching a Hollywood fight, even knowing it's meant to symbolize combat rather than actually be combat, all I can think of is that every single character is incompetent and would die faced with even an amateur swordsman who knows what they're doing. It's so divorced from reality that it not longer serves as a convincing enough abstraction. Do movies and games have priorities other than pure accuracy? Yes. Visual clarity and style are important, as was touched on in this video, but they can still very much benefit from abstracting from a base of real world knowledge. Using reality as your base only makes your fiction better. Something being fantasy or an abstraction doesn't excuse something being laughably wrong, and the things that do deviate from reality need a reason for doing so or otherwise they're just plain wrong with no redeeming factors. Furthermore, comparing musical numbers and choreographed fights is comparing apples with oranges. The concession to the unrealistic element of people bursting into song is an inherent part of the musical genre. It's what makes musicals musicals. No one goes into a musical looking for people to behave 100% accurately to how normal people would. That they burst into song is something everyone acknowledges as something that just happens in the context of the medium, the same way cuts are something we acknowledge as part of the medium in movies (though there are a few very rare examples of films shot in one continuous take). Many movies featuring swordfights and medieval combat, however, are attempting to be or at least invoke the impression of accuracy, plausibility and realism, and nonsensical overblown combat completely shatters that illusion to anyone who knows the first thing about the topic. I don't have much problem with it in really high fantasy high magic settings, even though my personal tastes would prefer more realistic combat, it fits with the lack of groundedness and mundane reality of the setting. But in something like Game of Thrones, which aside from a few prominent magical elements, is very gritty and grounded in real world concepts and the mundane, overblown swordfights and armor that doesn't function as armor shatters the grounded vibe the show had to begin with--and Game of Thrones is FAR from the most egregious example of bad Hollywood swordfighting. Basically, while some concessions are a natural expectation of the purpose and medium, it can still be greatly aided by a basis in real world martial arts, and in many cases the complete lack of that base actually undermines the end product.

[@bazookaace]

That intro was just a demonstration of playing a chaotic good character.

[@bazookaace]

@Aint Jack I'd argue not. Just because he's not the one doing the robbing and I personally feel like chaotic goods are a little bit flashier than neutrals. But that's just in my experience

[@grock1107]

@Aint Jack Chaotic good places a high emphasis on freedom with doing the right thing. Having a strict moral code is more towards lawful alignments. Lawful doesn't actually mean lawful, it means order. Chaotic good is more so being driven by one's conscience, rather than any kind of code.

[@bazookaace]

@Aint Jack very interesting and well thought out ideology.

[@xVallan]

@Aint Jack That is one possible way to have your character think, could also say the lawful good dislikes slavery and wants to remove it but he does so while still honoring the Law, so he would try to change the system by ways of politics. A chaotic good might try to fight the injustice in his own way, more focused on ending the misery of the slaves ASAP even if it means breaking the law or stirrung up a rebellion since he would most likely think the higher ups to be iredeemably corrupt or evil.

[@bazookaace]

@@xVallan very intuitive!

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Your Nerf game is on point, Skall. Nice shootin’, pardner..

[@Ranstone]

He's the yee-yeees't gunslinger whom ever hee-hawed.

[@blackwingdragonmasta]

I just wanna say skall has really gotten into shape over the years. It's been nice seeing him not only improve his skill with making videos and using weapons but also seeing his weight loss and what looks like some decent muscle under that armour.

[@Skallagrim]

Nah, it just depends on which video you look at... I've been struggling with food addiction my entire life, and the weight rollercoaster of doom keeps going up and down. -_-

[@MrFreezook]

I'm So happy that I have found this Channel. Really well explained really needed to understand, coz I was doing stuff and couldn't explain anything. Learning a lot Thx ! The Channel is Awesome.

[@JimRFF]

Okay, but can we talk about that nerf shot in the beginning for real?? Casual conversation, aiming from the hip, *with a freaking shield on his arm* ... smoked the camera perfectly Sure, it wasn't from all that far away, but still... damn son, nice shooting (unless what we're not seeing is the 17 takes where he missed, and this is the one where he did it without breaking character and celebrating xD haha)

[@Skallagrim]

I ended up with 4 or 5 takes because I wasn't happy with the monologue, and the shots were generally fine but this one did end up being the best. :)

[@AgentTexes]

Shooting from the hip isn't as inaccurate as movies make it out to be.

[@evan9180]

@@AgentTexes haha, pretty sure it only depends on where the gun is pointing, which is based on your hip shooting skill. Meaning it could be perfectly accurate or hopelessly innacurate.

[@zerozeroone4424]

"The game was rigged from the start" - Skallagrim

[@thallan]

"What in the fanatsy weapon?"

[@ararepotato1420]

"Great, there goes my platinum pummel..."

[@zyn0064]

"Ain't that kick in the head"....

[@weebwhacker6217]

Antisocials in college when they have to share a dorm with another person 6:17

[@MrFiremagnet]

I really think that it is very possible to make subtle movements more engaging for the average movie/animation viewer. It just takes a completely different approach to filming. For the movies and cartoons, you pretty much always have to exaggerate things. And the way you can get away with subtle moves is to exaggerate not the movementz themselves, but the way they are filmed. The best way that gets to my mind is dollar trilogy - while whole gunfights are, like, seconds from start to finish, and there is probably nothing fancy in gunfighters moves themselves, they always have that insane build up before them. The other way to do it - to use exaggerated camera angles and close shots to characters to dramatize the scene. There are plenty of other ways of doing it, but those are just examples.

[@porgy5978]

Ah yes, so this is a "Skallagrim" in his natural habitat. Very calming.

[@Wavemaninawe]

*professional narrator voice* It is at this time of late fall... when he has usually finished shedding hid old gambeson, to display the impressive fresh one. A formidable coat of protection and insulation which needs to last him until the more lenient spring season. Contrary to popular belief, the wild Skall does not hibernate. But rather remains highly active, posting videos through winter.

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

Real swordfighters: focus on ending the battle as swiftly as possible Anime: thinks of the flashiest movement with the longest name before making one simple slash

[@ignaciotaborda6538]

@@Ecktor yeah no, sorry that comparision doesn't work in the first place.

[@jessemccarraher7440]

Ariel de la Cruz your not match for m Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū bottojutsu style.....wait, wait, tf, did you just stab me 6 fkn times while I was saying that?!?!?!?

[@AMoistEggroll]

This is why I prefer the ones that don't need long ass names for every single move! King's Avatar had it down perfectly! On a serious note, fuck the cliche bullshit.

[@hiddencursor8363]

FIST OF FLOWING WATER CRUSHING ROCK!

[@moguldamongrel3054]

@@hiddencursor8363 was gonna say you havta scream the overly dramatic technique name whilst fighting. Thus telegraphing your move for your opponent to counter with their loudly screamed counter technique.

[@hakusei2675]

So Jason is actually on point when he stabbing people

[@vaativanna414]

"Imagine you were to fight me in a 1 on 1 duel." Enough said, I'm already impaled

[@Supermeatloaf66]

Not the first time I've had a gun pulled on me, but a gun and shield combo that's a first for me.

[@dizzyheads]

That's hiding another gun

[@FairlyUnknown]

Honey, our new neighbor just moved in. He's in his front yard swinging a sword

[@CeramicQuill]

I want him as my neighbor. I want my other neighbor to be a blacksmith. I'll be the cordwain.

[@sevkips4952]

weeb: you can’t defeat my anime sword fighting style primitive Me: my sword won’t work but my gun will

[@nightshadeavian4989]

This recommended video popped up in my list. And I’m not disappointed to see long haired man that is good with his sword. Imma sub

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

0:18 _"First: You SHOOT the man with the banana! Then, you EAT the banana, effectively disarming him!"_

[@thomassolberg5888]

Next video should be how todefend yourself from an opponent armed with a raspberry!😃

[@thumb-ugly7518]

I nearly spewed my drink, when the danger zone came up.

[@Suralin0]

LANA!!

[@ductusfructus]

5:14 Actually, an MMA spinning attacks work properly a lot more often if you use them this way too. I mean, with lateral movement, like you said, you've seen in a Chinese sword fight. There is no point in spinning in front of your opponent (at least, usually it's a lot less effective) unlike you make a step aside (usually it's also behind his front leg) or even a step back if your opponent keeps pressuring you (which is not likely can be used in a sword fight. The reason was explained early in this video) P.S. Sorry if my English was bad. I did my best =)

[@cronkthedestroyer5720]

"-fine, it's just a toy, you got me. But the real purpose was just to distract you so I can pull out my real gun." *pulls out unloaded revolver* Bruh.

[@cow2295]

He’s not gonna point a loaded gun at the camera man.

[@pusspussmckitten]

“Just stick ‘em with the pointy end” - Arya Stark

[@c.o7993]

Pretty sure Jon said it first but it's been a while since I read the book

[@francescogulisano2917]

Mother bear: dear, have you seen our new neighbors? Father bear: not yet, what about them? M: they seem to be... Unusual

[@kadenwitt]

69 likes, nice

[@Titanic_Tuna]

They can't *bear* it.

[@erikfarkas7868]

@@Titanic_Tuna I hate you xD

[@Titanic_Tuna]

@@erikfarkas7868 I love you too

[@RikkiTikkiTavi290]

Don't forget to bring your anti- Skallagrim circle, honey.

[@chiefgully9353]

Been watching your stuff for a while. Love your content. As a modern warrior (2decades infantry) all forms of combat have fascinated me. I have done boffer fighting wrestling bjj and a few others in my life. You clearly of intiment knowledge of not only your chosen field but a knowledge of what you dont know either. Keep going and thanks for the bids

[@daladari3469]

Skal, you magnificent bastard you gave me a new favorite sword and style off of one throwaway example. I'm now in love with the Iberian Mondante, the more I see of it the more I love it. 👌🏻 best video 10/10 First it was the Saber dueling video that kindled a love for Sabers and now this, keep making amazing videos

[@derwaldjunge]

Imagine going for a walk in the forest and encountering Skall fighting the air...

[@Izunundara]

Draw your own sword and move in to engage the air also, with flanking you should both be able to deal with the air no problem

[@juttley]

Was actually hoping this would happen when I was visiting my in laws on Vancouver Island last summer, and they wanted to go for a hike in the woods. Lol

[@daanwilmer]

@@juttley In-laws: "Why would you carry a sword on a hike in the woods?"

[@noblesseoblige1076]

@@Izunundara You fool. The force and speed of your joint slashes and thrusts would only cause the air to huddle and condense into an even greater enemy. Plasma.

[@theimperfectgod7140]

Prepare for trouble [ skall shows a toy gun ] And make it double [ another gun, but it's actually deadly ]

[@thenomad4123]

"Schoolgirls fighting giant monsters" hahahah that's a perfect description of anime if I ever saw one.

[@edgeldine3499]

Are you telling me all the anime I've watched over the years is fake? 😱🤯

[@constabrielbell4523]

Ed L yea and it is as fake as your “funny” revelation. Friggin Filthy casual. Yea I am salty right now really salty. Sorry but this is the internet.

[@haize3257]

No shit, do people in real life have overly big eyes?

[@lisafrenkel8962]

Well, I found it funny

[@constabrielbell4523]

mnk_ oh look a self righteous hero looking out for the little guy. Yeah I have problems let me vent it by talking to you.

[@edgeldine3499]

💩

[@GattyGaming]

Robber: Give me all your money Skallagrim: *Uno reverse card*

[@marcelloghigo5980]

no u

[@palebluedot7435]

"What makes you think you can" Me : "im the main charecter in this anime this is my bad boy background story"

[@reggieazem4143]

I love the whole outfit, especially the boots. Great content as always!

[@FingerSpazm]

I would love to see shorter, more efficient fights depicted in media. If anyone knows of any movies that depict sword fights in a realistic way please let me know. I still loved what you said about making things look good for an audience, and especially loved what you had to say about games

[@kristofb5013]

Imagine being a normal person walking through the woods without any knowledge of Skallagrim...then you see him swinging a sword about.

[@mennograafmans1595]

That beginning. Dang, bamboozled again.

[@elusivellama]

7:41 Love the form when you do the cut, and the crisp follow through

[@danielhounshell2526]

Another point on unarmed spinning techniques is that they can be thrown with different limbs, from different angles, so it's easy to trick an opponent into blocking the wrong way, you can also do straight line attacks like the back kick to counter moving in. With a sword you know exactly where the attack is coming from the moment they spin, in addition, the person spinning with the sword doesn't have any way of presenting a danger while their back is turned the way an unarmed martial artist does with something like a back kick. So when fighting unarmed, the opponent is often forced to back off and play the guessing game of where your attack is coming from, or rely on pure reaction time.

[@ADayintheLifeoftheTw]

That was a damn good shot. Especially considering its from the hip.

[@darchandarchan7036]

why are you educating all of these people? Nowodays i thrust much less spinning men in sword fights than i used to.

[@Ranstone]

You thrust men? What?

[@darchandarchan7036]

@@Ranstone i penetrate em' ;)

[@sweeting6075]

This is really interesting! I'm writing a fantasy short story and wanted to ace this sword-fighting scene. Thank you!

[@R2lZero]

Well done. The best movie fights are the ones where you go ‘wtf! Just happened... I don’t know but it was awesome’

[@TikiShootah]

Who is this man, and why can't I look away from that amazing quilted armor?

[@spiritvdc5109]

behold the glory of the gambeson xD

[@themanthemyth4522]

It's called gambeson (it's pretty cool though)

[@numbers9to0]

Skall enjoying the possibilities of the new home. No longer caged in the small apartement.

[@Skallagrim]

It is liberating indeed.

[@ericward8459]

Skallagrim: Uncaged

[@ramonvelasquez8431]

The world of fencing and historical combat is so complete and awesome, it'd take you a life and you wouldn't have learned it all. Cool vid as usual, bro. Cheers!

[@ilikestew5719]

Keep coming back just for the gambison, it’s so nice

[@jasperruss7569]

Skall: say if you and I were to have a one on one duel. Me:*shudders*

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Yea, having fought him a couple of times, I'd need a pretty good handicap to have even odds.

[@bigredwolf6]

Hehe I’m in danger

[@bigredwolf6]

Mr. Cheemps right so jasper is the decoy while you and I Naruto run at him from behind while Scott has an RPG trained on us in case all 3 of us die.

[@bigredwolf6]

mayrana2 ever seen that old video the ultimate showdown? We need a crossover like that featuring Skall, Metatron, Shad, Matt Easton, Todd from Todd’s workshop and knight errant.

[@daltoncook209]

Realism makes me go back and laugh at silly things in fights, makes them more fun to watch. Also I might use the intro for an npc in my dnd game

[@mezidvemastromy5546]

Interesting and also it always warms my hearth up if I hear some positive response about Czech.

[@remyjones9146]

This makes me think about the way that fight scenes were choreographed in Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the way the real martial arts were used for something so stylish and beautiful.