In my fantasy world magic allows for low-level blunt-force, object density manipulation (Impact/collision manipulation, damage amplification). These magic spells require physical touch, and they can't be used on living things so no enhancing the human body for example. These two spells combined would allow the user to increase and amplify the damage taken by the target, or to put it another way it would allow the user to manipulate the force/overall intensity of impact making an object easier to break/destroy or a person easier to defeat (smash into a bloody pulp). From an outside observer it would appear as if the weapon user is endowed with super-strength, it would basically allow someone to simulate super-strength. The way I am picturing it, it would allow for soldiers to ditch metal based swords and other bladed weaponsfor cheaper magically enhanced blunt weapons made out of even the most rudimentary of wood for example. With the added excuse of metal being harder to manipulate through magic due to some intrinsic property, this would render metal weapons overly expensive, redundant, maybe even useless. People would eventually turn to wood to make weapons, due to being readily available and cheaper. I assume combat style would be less slicing and more smashing, allowing for a more blunt trauma type of warfare (Also suppose shields would become useless, as people would rather dodge than risk getting smashed to pieces, speed thus becoming an important variable).
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2$\begingroup$ How expensive is it to magically enhance weapons, and how long do enhancements last? Can nearly anyone enchant objects, or only rare specialists? $\endgroup$– JedediahMar 27, 2020 at 15:44
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2$\begingroup$ A possible further complication is that of equal and opposite reaction. In other words, unless it increases their durability as well, your enchanted baseball bats are going to shatter after one devastating hit. $\endgroup$– CaptainSkyfishMar 27, 2020 at 16:37
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2$\begingroup$ Also if 2 weapons that are both enchanted are swung at each other, aside from the durability, how do you survive the inevitable shock waves? $\endgroup$– CulyxMar 27, 2020 at 16:39
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1$\begingroup$ Yeah, that works too. But then, what about the good old fashioned quiet stabbing of your mother in law the queen at dinner time? $\endgroup$– CaptainSkyfishMar 27, 2020 at 16:50
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3$\begingroup$ As a vicious and aggressive local warlord, this means my agents will be quietly bribing, kidnapping, or killing all of my enemies' mages. Meanwhile, I'm going to need a larger castle to house and protect my own (and newly captured) mages from similar fates. $\endgroup$– user535733Mar 27, 2020 at 17:20
2 Answers
No
Well, at least not how you described the magic system. If the magic can only be used while touching the object, then there's a metal-based bladed weapon I can think of that's incredibly useful on the battlefield which isn't in contact with the wielder when touching the enemy. That is to say, arrows. Arrows, and artillery in general, is a fantastic force multiplier when used correctly, and thus metal-based weapons won't be completely ignored.
I would agree with your assumption that metal personal weapons - i.e. swords, maces, lances, etc., the kind that you are holding onto when you use them on others - would definitely be replaced with wooden weapons. However, not necessarily battlehammers and clubs. Actually, I'd think the weapons would be replaced with gigantic longswords straight out of fantasy novels. If they weigh less and are stronger, you get bigger weapons. And while blunt trauma is tempting, remember that impact is just force / area, and thus not only will your blunt trauma be better, but your cutting edge on swords will be improved as well. Not to mention that swords can cut poles, so given that the combat will shift to giant weapons, everyone will be using sword-like weapons, because using a blunt hammer is asking to have a sword-user cut it in half. And then you're dead.
And that is also why shields are going to be gone. I'd imagine that magic-boosted shields will provide a defense against the magic-boosted weapons, but when you can wield a sword the size of a door, who needs a shield? Not to mention that you can take a set of wood armor and apply magic to that.
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1$\begingroup$ i can believe if you mean axe, but normal sword even 2h sword is unlikely to cut wooden pole unless the pole very thin or using soft wood, which as far as i know most of wooden blunt weapon use hard wood including quarterstaff, or it cut it multiple times in the same place over and over to be able to achieve that, but if you mean with the enhancement then probably...... $\endgroup$– Li JunMar 27, 2020 at 16:04
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1$\begingroup$ @Anonymousworldbuilding i was gona show you this video though wooden knife since halfthwed already make an answer and i think this related i put it here instead. $\endgroup$– Li JunMar 27, 2020 at 16:09
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1$\begingroup$ @Anonymousworldbuilding If you want that, then the way to do it is defensive spells. Specifically, a spell which nullifies impact damage by spreading it equally across the body. A sword, which concentrates damage, is mostly worthless. On the other hand, a massive hammer with a lot of weight deals a lot more kinetic energy is more effective. And you just whack people until their ability to spread the damage is overwhelmed and they explode into a pool of blood. $\endgroup$ Mar 27, 2020 at 16:14
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1$\begingroup$ fighting with a sword and shield can be a lot more effective than a really big sword, the shield allows you to close, and a shorter sword will be more maneuverable regardless of weightlessness. $\endgroup$– JohnMar 27, 2020 at 16:17
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1$\begingroup$ @Anonymousworldbuilding if you want blade weapon to be obsolete then i think you need armor or protection that can defense against cut,slash,hack, and trust. or if you dont mind trust then make something like plate armor the only way to break it is using blunt weapon and stabbing weapon like lance or dagger even sword end up use halfswording or using murder strike to bash or stab through the plate gap but sometimes axe can break it though since it also deliver some blunt or hook the person..... $\endgroup$– Li JunMar 27, 2020 at 16:18
Yes
Congratulations. Guns are super easy in your world. You no longer need gunpowder to launch projectiles. Just have the hammer hit a metal ball with its mega increased force. The hammer on the gun is constantly in contact with the mage and the ball takes all the force and becomes a destructive force all its own.
For that matter, ballista, catapults, etc. gain a lot of extra power as well. Just apply a force enchant to the launching mechanism and get rid of bulky counterweights.
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1$\begingroup$ Interesting, I guess this will come in handy later on in this world's timeline. Also thanks for pointing out the fact that this would also make the most rudimentary of artillery weapon 'super overpowered', that's definitely going to be a huge problem/headache (a good thing though). $\endgroup$ Mar 27, 2020 at 17:14