Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with combat

Does this game genre even have a name?

The Winsome Parker Lewis — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:18:17 -0800

What are some great computer games for people who enjoy non-linear privateering, combat, and risky missions? I've loved the Escape Velocity games for years. I recently got into Frontier (previously) and enjoyed it a lot, but it was way too short and easy. I'd like to try Transcendence (previously) but I'm on a Mac, and I'd like to try SAIS (previously) but I can't get it to run under Snow Leopard. Finally, I just discovered Skyrates (previously) and it's fun but so very slow.

All that build-up is to ask: What other Macintosh or Flash games are like these? Specifically I'm looking for games that feature trading, fighting, upgrades and customization, and a big world to explore. I especially love games that let you choose to be good or evil (or neutral) and to become a hero, villain, or impossibly wealthy merchant. Even better if there are a bunch of different factions to choose from besides "good" and "evil," with shades of moral ambiguity. If the game is free that's also a big plus. Any suggestions?

Wii warfare goes Pop!

freya_lamb — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:54:39 -0800

Despite being a very gentle soul my dad loves Vietnam films and I'd like to get him a first-person shooter game and gun to use with his Wii. I know next to nothing about Wii, accessories or combat-genre games so help would be appreciated! I've seen Call of Duty and a couple of others but I'm not sure if they'll be apt. He's 62, longsighted and not keen on Reading The Manual so finickety campaigns, complicated weapons or games with steep learning curves are pretty much out, unless they can start slow. Mission options should revolve around 'Kill baddies' or 'Rescue prisoner' type stuff with very basic strategy. Team activities are good too.

Other caveats:

* He's not keen on Zombies/fantasy/horror
* Modern combat in exotic locations preferable to WW1 & 2
* Simple narrative in realistic settings(e.g. not futuristic/space)
* The game needs to work with a WII remote gun accessory
* Options for multiplayer with older grandkids

So, is there something out there that will appeal? Any recommendations gratefully received!

Martial Arts for Outsiders

stonepharisee — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:02:31 -0800

I'd like to watch some classy martial arts bouts. Recommendations? I've looked through past posts on martial arts. Didn't find any that could yield the right video links or technical jargon that would allow me, an outsider, to look at a variety of martial arts. Ideally, I'd like to sample the best of many, visually, so I can start to see what they have in common, how that is all continuous with yoga, and such. But plenty of punching and slapping is fine too. So share your insider knowledge, please!

Compensation for female soldiers serving in combat roles

muddgirl — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:42:00 -0800

Are female officers and soldiers materially affected because they are not allowed to serve in certain combat roles? Concrete data appreciated. My friend and I had a very uninformed discussion about whether or not this is true. I believe that female soldiers are economically and socially disadvantaged because they are not allowed to serve in certain roles. Furthermore, with the changing nature of warfare (and the "universal front line") I believe that women are by necessity performing duties that they cannot be compensated for, either with hazard pay, medals, or promotions. But my position is backed up only by vague notions that I've read an article to this effect.

My searches today only bring up articles that look at the debate from the military's perspective: are women qualified, etc. Any data, pro or con, from the soldier's perspective would be helpful. Thanks!

How long does it take to kill an ant?

bluefly — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:01:21 -0800

How long does it take ant traps to work? I used Combat Traps that have the Combat Ant killing Gel inside them. Also, does the poison reduce in efficacy/potency over time? The best I can find is that after you put them down, you should replace them in 3 months. Is this because the gel gets used up by the ants or because it loses its potency? I ask because I bought these traps a couple months ago but never used them until this week, so I'm wondering if I'm still seeing ants because the traps are old. (Also, if you use the Metafilter search (all sites) for "ant," you get absolutely nothing -- so common a word, but nothing! I did do a Google search but didn't find an answer).

Any "combat photo"-friendly sharing sites on the web?

monkeymcgee — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:14:17 -0800

I have some photos that were in my grandfather's possession of the preparations and the aftermath of The Battle of Attu. He served in the 7th Infantry and fought in the battle. Some of the photos are pretty graphic and some contain ethnic slurs, but I think they may be of some interest to WWII history buffs. I would like to put scans online, but I believe that the content would violate the ToS for most of the sharing sites I've checked and I'd rather not use my own hosting account unless I need to. I couldn't find any comparable material during some quick searches on Flickr, but I may have just missed them.

Does anyone know if this type of material is okay for Flickr or if there is another photo sharing site that would accept this kind of material?

Accounts of the Iraq War from soldier's perspective?

PostIronyIsNotaMyth — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:42 -0800

What are some of the most compelling articles you've read about fighting in the Iraq War? Working on a script set in Iraq, trying to gain a feel for the kind of struggles soldiers deal with on a daily basis: road blocks, IEDs, house to house searches... Anything you've read from the POV of these guys that sticks with you and refuses to let go?

Crash Course in MMA Submission Grappling

yoyoceramic — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:52:03 -0800

I just signed up for a submission only MMA tournament taking place mid june, I have 4 years HS wrestling experience, ZERO MMA experience... help? The Essentials:

● I entered a 4 tiered submission-only (no striking) MMA round robin grappling tournament.

● The tournament is in 2 weeks. A match consists of one, 5 minute period.

● I will be in the beginner experience level (less than 18 months experience) since I have a wrestling background. (4 years highschool, 4 time state-attendee)

● I am 140lbs, which is 15lbs less than their smallest weight class (155lbs)

● I know nothing about submission holds. I am vaguely aware of something called the "guard" and something called an "arm bar".

● I am worried that some of my wrestling habits will hurt me on the under the rules of MMA submission.

■ What should I do between now and then?
■ What submissions are best for a n00b/experienced wrestler (who is used to winning by pinning the opponent's shoulders to the mat)?

Any advice or opinions will be heard! Thanks

-Hoyce Gracie

Dude, where's my phalanx?

Cool Papa Bell — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:45:03 -0800

Darkon movie and LARP-ing question: Dude, where's my phalanx? What's with the stupid battle tactics? Saw the movie Darkon last night on cable. Interesting in a dorky way. But I have some questions. Dude, where's my phalanx? Where's my Swiss pikemen? Where's my longbowmen?

Why are the tactics used in LARP battles so shitty? It all appeared to be nothing but Braveheart-style flailing about. I was watching the movie thinking, "Give me 15 minutes of practice with some willing buddies, and I'd wipe the floor with these guys."

Clearly, these people are students of history. They should know what has been proven to work in squad-level hand-to-hand combat with medieval weapons. Are they really that stupid?

Or are there rules against formations and organized tactics?

Help me defeat my father in single combat.

Phalene — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:08:50 -0800

How do I tackle this seemingly impossible task? I want to have a better state of physical fitness and I'm starting from almost zero. I eat my veggies (nyum, nyum!) and I typically take the stairs instead of the elevator/escalator and get in 10-25 minutes of walking on a regular basis. Genetics blessed me with a body that while not rail thin, is slender enough for my tastes.

However, I'm out of breath if I try to run a block and I get little exercise, asides from a mile long walk from work three days a week. I'm also aware that I think my underused muscles are atrophying and I've never had good balance or co-ordination. I also wouldn’t know what to do with weight training even if a weight bench fell on me.

I have a freebie gym membership that comes with my status as a university student, a pair of grubby but still good running shoes and I can probably spare $30 a month towards fitness if I squeezed my budget until it screamed.

My goal is combat sports. I’m a tomboy, and I miss running around with boys with guns. Ideally I want to be a muscled, endurant goddess, so I can defeat my father in traditional sword combat (more on this goal later). To clarify, this means I’m the sort of person who’d probably feel better in a macho gym than a ladies fat buster class. Tips?

Let's talk about swordfighting in movies.

agropyron — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 12:19:48 -0800

What are the most realistic swordfighting movies? Also, let's analyze the swordfighting in popular movies. I'm looking for movies with realistic portrayals of swordfighting, be it fencing, broadswords, katanas, or whatever. The movies overall don't have to be realistic, just the swordfighting. (I'd be interested in a sci-fi or fantasy movie with a realistic swordfighting scene.)

Also, discuss the realism of the swordfighting in these movies:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Obviously most of the action in this movie is unrealistic. How about the swordfighting scenes that don't take place in the treetops? I know the actors aren't martial artists, so I'm assuming that the answer is "not very realistic", but I'd like to hear comments.

Star Wars
Again, clearly not a realistic setting. But imagine a world where lightsabers existed, and Jedi have powers as portrayed in the movies. (Super-fast reflexes, ability to leap great distances, etc.) Has anyone done any analysis of the likely techniques Jedi might actually develop? What is the best style when you're carrying a long, nearly weightless rod that can maim with a mere touch?
Imagining such a world, it seems like the lightsaber duels in Episodes 4-6 are far more credible than those shown in Episodes 1-3. Fewer superfluous backflips, etc. Thoughts?

Kill Bill, Part 1
I'm guessing the sword fights here were pretty laughable. How about the knife fight at the opening of the movie?

Feel free to add your own analysis of your favorite movies.

Homemade martial arts dummy

lunkfish — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 02:05:25 -0800

What can I use to build the frame for a martial arts dummy? Hi. I'm looking at building a dummy to beat up. The covering is quite straightfoward - carpet, foam, lots of duct tape - but the frame is tricky with my limited skills.

I want to make something along the lines of this but with two arms held out in front. I don't think the pvc pipe will be strong enough, and I want something thats quite hard and solid to hit.

My first thought was to use steel plumbing pipes and connectors, but they're not widely available in the UK. I've also thought of wood, but it would have to be round posts and I don't know if my DIY skills are up to making something solid. Also they're hard to find.

Is there another modular system with connectors I could use like pipes, or do you have any other ideas?

Combat Boots

damn yankee — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:32 -0800

Is anybody out there familiar with different brands and styles of combat boots? I'm looking for a pair of insulated boots (preferably with gortex) that either come in women's sizes or very small (5) men's sizes. Top of my list right now is the Matterhorn 1997 model, basically because it's the only boot I've been able to find that fits the above description. I also like the Corcoran Field Boot, but I'm worried it won't be warm. And I can't afford Danner.