Yes the poundage is low on bows but we're also playing characters with phenomal abilities. Our characters are the UFC and ISKA champions, the fencing champions, the leading chemists, physicist and physicians, gold medal acrobats, simply put, the best of the best. Atrum could tie you up in a knot that you'd NEVER get out of no matter how hard you tried or how much you knew about knots, mix a few herbs and turn himself into a hulking beast or knock you out with 1 touch, I however don't even KNOW anybody that could do ANY of those things, except possibly Wayne and his scout knots.
Ried, did you not read the part where I've done this on multiple occasions? Your speculation on why is bassackwards. Your MELEE blocking weapon is large because in MELEE it is easier to block with a larger weapon because you don't have to be precise at all you just stick it in the way just like you would a shield. Try using a 1' x 4' shield and see how effective it is, the shield is the most effective blocker because it is wide and long, a 2' x 2' shield would be much more effective with the same surface area. The reason I found it easier to parry with the smaller weapon is because it is more precise and easier to maneuver quickly, the exact same reasons you use a smaller weapon for attacking make it better for parrying arrows, bare hands actually work best, Sometimes Keesler, RaD, Colin and I would take turns catching the arrows at about 15 ft. The bamboo\pipe foam weapons are actually pretty much the same weight as most of the fabric weapons the phoenix uses. I have no idea what the phoenix cores are though. At level 2 swash you can use a shield with no penalties so...
I'm fine with the ruling, I just wanted to point out that without safety issues you shouldn't limit things that can actually be done.
