by JY4answer Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:30 pmAs many and varied the enemies are in Dark Souls, I find I like the knights of Balder best. In terms of functionality, aesthetics, and lore.
First off, the weapons. A lot of people, like me, love the Balder Side Sword. Functional, felxible, and looks cool. These people also wonder why this is the 'side sword' and the rapier is the main weapon though. I haven't studied weaponology before, nor do I know anyone doing that, but here's a theory. The side sword is sturdy and long, has a sharp tip and edge, making it great for slashing and thrusting in combat. But its heavy. It can pierce armor and slash enemies, but you won't be able to use it for long. Slashing is also rather useless when your opponent has armor, so thrusting your weapon through metal plates is your best bet. With a weapon that size, you won't be able to try too many times before your weapon arm goes numb. Rapiers, made for thrusting through armor, are light and sharp, good for quick thrusts without too much effort. They are, however, very fragile. Rapiers were made for duels, and were not meant to last. English knights would have a new rapier made for every single duel, as they easily chip, bend, or even snap. This makes it great for a duel, but useless in battles were there are multiple enemies. The fragile weapon won't survive a second thrust through metal armor, hence, the side sword. The Balder knights probably used the rapiers for duels, and even battle, but as soon as it spoils, their side swords come into play. Heavier but stronger than a rapier, the Balder Side Sword will last through battle and stay functional. Not ideal for duels, but very suitable for fighting multiple enemies and slashing beasts or unarmored hollows. Their armor are also popular, but sadly for the wrong reasons. Functionally, they weigh similar to knight armor pieces, but provide little poise. It is also very visually vulnerable to being hollow, if you’re slightly disturbed by it like me.
Lore-wise, we all know that Balder knights followed the knight king Rendal to the top of Sen's fortress, and that the land of Balder was plagued by hollows and was left to ruins. Acidic_cook also suggested that the land of Balder is near, or perhaps even within Astora, due to tjhe Prince Rickard in Sen’s fortress wearing the same armor as Oscar of Astora. With the knight armor and elite knight armor so similar, it’s safe to say that knights (as in the starting class) are also from Astora. Why then, do knights from Balder wear different armor? Is it the standard in Blader, or is it uniformal armor for a class, and knight armor are for the average knights? (or the other way round)
Last thing would be location. Why did the Blader knights and knight king Rendal go to the church/chapel in the Undead Parish, and Sen’s Fortress next to it? To keep their undead king safe from hollows? (until they all turned hollow themselves, of course)
These knights are right in front of your eyes, yet so mysterious, just like evrything else in Dark Souls.
First off, the weapons. A lot of people, like me, love the Balder Side Sword. Functional, felxible, and looks cool. These people also wonder why this is the 'side sword' and the rapier is the main weapon though. I haven't studied weaponology before, nor do I know anyone doing that, but here's a theory. The side sword is sturdy and long, has a sharp tip and edge, making it great for slashing and thrusting in combat. But its heavy. It can pierce armor and slash enemies, but you won't be able to use it for long. Slashing is also rather useless when your opponent has armor, so thrusting your weapon through metal plates is your best bet. With a weapon that size, you won't be able to try too many times before your weapon arm goes numb. Rapiers, made for thrusting through armor, are light and sharp, good for quick thrusts without too much effort. They are, however, very fragile. Rapiers were made for duels, and were not meant to last. English knights would have a new rapier made for every single duel, as they easily chip, bend, or even snap. This makes it great for a duel, but useless in battles were there are multiple enemies. The fragile weapon won't survive a second thrust through metal armor, hence, the side sword. The Balder knights probably used the rapiers for duels, and even battle, but as soon as it spoils, their side swords come into play. Heavier but stronger than a rapier, the Balder Side Sword will last through battle and stay functional. Not ideal for duels, but very suitable for fighting multiple enemies and slashing beasts or unarmored hollows. Their armor are also popular, but sadly for the wrong reasons. Functionally, they weigh similar to knight armor pieces, but provide little poise. It is also very visually vulnerable to being hollow, if you’re slightly disturbed by it like me.
Lore-wise, we all know that Balder knights followed the knight king Rendal to the top of Sen's fortress, and that the land of Balder was plagued by hollows and was left to ruins. Acidic_cook also suggested that the land of Balder is near, or perhaps even within Astora, due to tjhe Prince Rickard in Sen’s fortress wearing the same armor as Oscar of Astora. With the knight armor and elite knight armor so similar, it’s safe to say that knights (as in the starting class) are also from Astora. Why then, do knights from Balder wear different armor? Is it the standard in Blader, or is it uniformal armor for a class, and knight armor are for the average knights? (or the other way round)
Last thing would be location. Why did the Blader knights and knight king Rendal go to the church/chapel in the Undead Parish, and Sen’s Fortress next to it? To keep their undead king safe from hollows? (until they all turned hollow themselves, of course)
These knights are right in front of your eyes, yet so mysterious, just like evrything else in Dark Souls.
The clones these days and running around shooting each other is just boring for me.
Like a boss.
