Non Sword Sword Saint?

[MerlinCross]

Sword Saint's Iaijutsu Strike only lists weapon, not a specific type of weapon. Well it lists it once, possibly in the opening flavor text of the ability

Quote:

A sword saint can perform a lightning quick iaijutsu strike against the target of his challenge to inflict devastating wounds while drawing his sword.

But besides this one mention of a sword, the rest of the text uses Weapon instead. This could be to not confuse people by repeating Sword so much.

But could you possibly use a weapon that isn't a sword for this ability?

[avr]

The flavor text doesn't usually restrict the game mechanics later. It can help to explain them where they're unclear but that's about it. If you make the mistake of playing a sword saint with its terrible mechanics, you can still whip out a dagger if that's all you have handy.

Edit: No wait, I'm wrong. There's another reference in the archetype, 'The following benefits apply only when a sword saint is using a sword and carrying nothing in his other hand.' Swords only. One-handed or light swords at that.

[Zwordsman]

The problem I have with that is what defines a sword exactly in pathfinder?
Is it just the fighter's weapon group? (is there just one labeled sword? I know of heavy blades but not others)

Very few if any weapons in the game actually call out "sword" status no? Long sword, short sword, cane sword, etc.
There is the common sense idea of a sword. of course. but that is also sorta vague.

I know that in Pathfinder Daggers are called daggers. But. its actual length (1ft) is enough to count as a sword. Effectively the main difference ultimately being the presence of a hand guard to determine. (Which in some of the art in the books the daggers had). and that daggers are made for stabbin while swords typically stab and slash. (though in pathfinder not all swords can do both while daggers can)

So I'm sort of hoping there is a sword group or some sort of defintion for a sword concept.
Wakazashi for instance, may or may not be a sword. its the same weight as a short sword but can have the same length as a dagger.

I've kind of always defaulted for "sword like" myself. i.e. handle + blade longer than a foot.
but in regards to this ability. I would probably default with "sword like" but also allow a fair bit (such things as urumi daggers, swords, basically one handed blade).

[willuwontu]

avr wrote:

There's another reference in the archetype, 'The following benefits apply only when a sword saint is using a sword and carrying nothing in his other hand.' Swords only. One-handed or light swords at that.

I feel like pointing out that they're not using a sword if it's not in hand. Therefore they can't use Iaijutsu Strike.

[avr]

willuwontu wrote:

avr wrote:

There's another reference in the archetype, 'The following benefits apply only when a sword saint is using a sword and carrying nothing in his other hand.' Swords only. One-handed or light swords at that.

I feel like pointing out that they're not using a sword if it's not in hand. Therefore they can't use Iaijutsu Strike.

That particular point will probably be skipped over by sane GMs, but nested layers of awfulness is a good description of the sword saint.

[Zwordsman]

"nested layers of awfulness"
I'mma steal that phrase.

[MerlinCross]

avr wrote:

willuwontu wrote:

avr wrote:

There's another reference in the archetype, 'The following benefits apply only when a sword saint is using a sword and carrying nothing in his other hand.' Swords only. One-handed or light swords at that.

I feel like pointing out that they're not using a sword if it's not in hand. Therefore they can't use Iaijutsu Strike.

That particular point will probably be skipped over by sane GMs, but nested layers of awfulness is a good description of the sword saint.

Much like Zwordsman, I too will be stealing that phrase.

But given what I'm doing is for an NPC in a game with already homebrew stuff, I can probably hand wave it away anyway.

That or dig out Path of War that has kinda a Sword Saint feat/build thing.

I just wanted someone to help me double check before having to take that route.

[doomman47]

How can one even be considered a sword saint when they can't even use two handed swords...