Bladework (sketch)

Slug: bladework. Layout locked 2026-09-01. Live in Lab — this page is the riff notes. Official book: Bladework.

Thesis: stay in the cut. Gate sword class. 1H / 2H / 2–3 hex reach are orthogonal.

Not: Anvil hull · Barbarian Grudge · Axe Omni/Execute/Edgelord · Pistolero Mark.

Laws

Weapon trees = spec and damage. Agnostic trees = cool utility.
Rule of Cool / Let Gamers Game — spec at full size looks busted; we play dumb.
Hate write on a real swing is default.
Delay is not an activation.
Think pass when it lands.

Layout

Slot	Card	Job
Passive	En Garde	Engaged + sword: +3% dmg / +3 deflect width per pick. Sword+`parry`: +25% Hate at you (static, `hate_incoming` +0.25). Same atom as Antagonist (×1.25 vs ×1.5).
Basic 1	Riposte	Incoming volley `QUALITY_DEFLECT` → free sword return. Once per sword per that deflect (dual parry = two answers). 75% dmg, full acc, full talents, can crit. Range = that sword's max (1 hex or 2–3 hex polearm/whip). Standard Hate write.
Basic 2	Scything Strikes	Primary hit. 35% on every other hull in your engagement reach (from you). 3-hex blade mulches the blob. Rider, not an activation. Not Axe Omni.
Advanced 1	Clashing Steel	Charge-enhanced sword hit → standard event composure check + they cannot Disengage until they finish a real turn. Delay does not burn the pin. Walk-out still draws Reactive.
Advanced 2	Measure Once	Aim, then one spend, two 75% volleys. Dash slot: Charge or Aim, not both. Aim is legal while engaged.
Mastery	Blademaster	Defeat / knockdown / composure break with any weapon → dash slot reset −1 AP, next sword −1 AP. Break = Rout/Berserk/tier-4 mind.

Basics = in the cut (no dash slot). Advanced = spend the slot.

Aim legal while engaged. Shooting still pays engaged acc −10 (Quickdraw OHF skips).
Catalog swords don't have parry stamped yet — content when we land.
Capstone R10 (~7 AP) god turn: rocket finish → Blademaster → Dash 1 / Aim 1 → discounted sword. Dual longsword+dagger: Measure Once is one AP payment, two 75% volleys.

Bravado, iai, kiai, bind, measure-break (agnostic utility). Edgelord / Cleave Omni / Execute (Axe).