>>58176959No.
Plain simple fact is, the sword's done the way of the chariot, or the ship of the line.
>>58193009This is absolutely right. thrusts are not assured of instant fatality. There's a lot of record showing that fatalities shot up when rapiers began to replace longswords in duels - but what's more important is that double fatalities increased by orders of magnitude. In effect, someone is given a fatal wound, but they're not incapacitated immediately, and so were able to run their opponent through as well. One or both then dying from the wounds either shortly after, or lingering for a few days or even weeks.
Slashing weapons - sabres, falchions, messers, dao, that sort of stuff are actually less likely to kill, but by being more suited to making slashing cuts, are better for making disabling strikes that sever muscle groups, etc.
The no.1 priority of any melee combat is simple: Prevent your opponent from being able to strike you. Sword thrusts do not prevent them from being able to strike back. A cut that opens up their arm, or severs tendons in the hand preventing them from hitting you back is far better than a thrust which might kill them, but lets them strike you in turn.
