A Question on Fans

Posts : 730

I was trying to determine what I wanted to use for my long ranged weapon when the idea of a fan struck me. However I have come to learn they are listed in the mid-range weapons, along with things like spears, nodachi, chains and whips. I was slightly confused by this, as the nodachi is a long sword, but it doesn't reach 5 meters (almost 15feet) in length. Whips and Chains make sense, assuming they are longer than the traditional chain whip, which is only about 6-8 feet. So, I am somewhat confused. I figured I might be able to remedy this on my own, and so I looked through the encyclopedia section for a while, and browsed some of the Fan based techniques listed there.

Upon investigation of the Fan based jutsu, I found 2 mid ranged techniques, but also 2 far ranged techniques, which seems to draw the conclusion that a fan can be used as a long range weapon. I was hoping this would be the case, as a lot of the jutsu I remember from the show seemed to go waaaay beyond mid range. I had hoped to use a fan myself, but with my specialty lying in close and short ranged weapons, it seems that won't be possible. So.. question time!

Why does this mid range weapon have far ranged techniques? Is that the weapon can be used as both, as the mid ranged nodachi is certainly also a close range weapon, even if it has more reach then a katana. If it can be used as both, can I select a fan as a long ranged weapon, and develop techniques to be used at long range with it? I would really like to use a fan, so, an answer to these questions would be nice.

An explanation on why a fan can't be a long ranged weapon would also be nice. Granted it might not have as much range as a longbow, but it still seems to me to be capable of reaching out beyond 10m with some fuuton chakra invested into it.

Age : 26 Posts : 183

tossing my two cents on this.

The Nodachi certainly doesen't have the reach that a mid-range weapon should have. But you cant quite consider it being a close range weapon, that would be throwing it into a category where it doesen't quite fit. When someone gets in real close up with something like a pair of knives or a kotetsu, etc. etc. The nodachi can be rendered a burden more than a defense. takes time to angle that sucker right to block those close range weapons that easily fit into the category.

As for fans I agree with you. The fan should have some use in those ranges, even close range. But truly, it all depends on your specialty, in my opinion. For someone who specializes in close range should flourish in that range. I've seen some people on youtube who have mastered the use of a fan in combat, needless to say, they can kick the snot out of people with it. Plus we all know how even more effective fans would be if they carried some form of blades evenly placed about.

When it comes to the fan having longer ranged techniques. Techniques that have range can be considered projectiles. C rank techniques would have a much harder time being given the ability to reach long ranges, but with enough chakra backing it up, like a B Rank+, could be allowed. So once someone is powerful enough, they can start making long range techniques with the fan.

But that's just looking at the fan as a wind inducing weapon (Even though you pump chakra into it, the made techniques for it are fuuton, since it is wind inducing.), the fan can have many techniques in simple weaponry. As I wrote before you can have hidden blades, even projectiles, that can be launched from their hiding spots inside. It's all a matter on how elaborate you can think on techniques with it.

In my conclusion. nodachi is a field sword, and cant really be put into the same category as a close range weapon, its just too big to counteract against the true close range weapons. Unless specially designed to counter-act against close range. Like Ginjo's Full-Bring sword from the Bleach series. It's a greatsword with another handle inside the blade. Allowing him to manipulate it in a closer range, without needing so much room to swing it around

Thinking on your questions has made me think that a fan should be considered an "All-Range" weapon. Techniques and simple attacks with it should allow it to be so. Unless you got some monster of a fan like Temari does in the series, then it couldbe looked at like a nodachi. But because it doesen't have the same attack style as swords do. People can be effective with it if used right. But it still wont be as effective as it would be in a mid-range attack.

But ya it all falls down as your specialty specifics. You wont be as effective with your long range techniques if you dont have that in your specialties.

Posts : 1729

http://www.ultimateshinobi.org/t8485-mid-range-weapons

COOKIE!

Posts : 730

I'm not sure how that thread really applies here. As I see it, the thread you linked was unsolved and left at a "It's confusing and will be updated later" type answer, and didn't go into explaining why a fan is a mid range weapon. What it did say was that weapon ranged and jutsu ranges are scaled differently. As fan is less a weapon and more a source of jutsu, I'm still unsure why it is classed as a mid range weapon.

Also, I fail to see how most long range weapons are more defensive than offensive. A longbow has a terrible defense, and is completely offensive, as are most long range weapons. The whole thing is rather confusing.

Age : 32 Posts : 683

So to answer your questions the reasons things like spears and the like are considered mid range isn't because of the length of the weapon it's because when you fully extended in a strike with them it can extend much further than a typical close range weapon they are more versatile in this sense because they can be used at both ranges.

Honestly, I don't know why fans are considered Mid my best guess would be that it's because they can really cover all the ranges with techniques however if you were to use them without any jutsu or the like the effective range would fall into the close to short mid range. Looking at what a fan actually does I feel it could be considered a weapon that can be adapted to any range depending on the size of the fan and the techniques associated with it almost like it's a weapon that should be allowed for characters no matter what their specialty range is. Almost like a universal equipment only available to weapon users.

OOOOOOOOO That last sentence just popped an idea into my head: Maybe we should make like weapon types that are exclusive to people who have certain elemental affinities as like universal weapons on them. Thoughts?

Posts : 730

Quote :: OOOOOOOOO That last sentence just popped an idea into my head: Maybe we should make like weapon types that are exclusive to people who have certain elemental affinities as like universal weapons on them. Thoughts?

Age : 32 Posts : 683

So the elemental affinity weapons have been brought up in the sekrit war room. But I will post on my ruling type deal on fans in a more clear fashion:

Fans will be allowed for all range of weaponry users however they will be restricted on the type of fan they can use based on their specialty as follows:

Close range weaponry users will be restricted to smaller hand fans that can easily be brought out and maneuvered in close quarters. The techniques associated with these fans will be limited to close/mid range.
Long range weaponry users will be restricted to large fans like Temari's that are sort of useless when the opponent is up close but can have a stronger effect in regards to how much air they are able to displace. The techniques for these fans will be limited to mid/long range.
Mid range weaponry users can use whatever they want as there is an overlap.

So there you have it, can I call this solved?

Posts : 730

I suppose so.

Age : 32 Posts : 683

Alright cool since this was mainly a thing between Wind and I, Imma close it up now.