Why do silver swords not work as well on humans?

[dremvar]

Why do silver swords not work as well on humans?

Just wondering... I can understand the lore reason for using silver weapons against monsters, but why wouldn't the silver weapons work just as well against humans? Whether you slice or cut a human with a silver or steel sword I don't see why it would matter. Witchers could just go around carrying only one sword, a silver sword. Would be easier for them.

 

[moonknightgog]

Just wondering... I can understand the lore reason for using silver weapons against monsters, but why wouldn't the silver weapons work just as well against humans? Whether you slice or cut a human with a silver or steel sword I don't see why it would matter. Witchers could just go around carrying only one sword, a silver sword. Would be easier for them.

In the books, Geralt wear only the steel sword when he travel. He change it for a silver sword when he fight monsters.
The point is...Both are not for humans. In the books there are monsters weak to steel, other to silver.
But a videogame has different rules in terms of design.

 

[bigcrazewolf]

It just looks cooler!

 

[ShinGnosis]

Silver is very soft and would dull quickly against armor and blades. You're saving the sharp silver edge for the monsters that are sensitive to it. At least that's the idea.

 

[dremvar]

In the books, Geralt wear only the steel sword when he travel. He change it for a silver sword when he fight monsters.
The point is...Both are not for humans. In the books there are monsters weak to steel, other to silver.
But a videogame has different rules in terms of design.

Is there ever a biological reason given that some monsters are weak to steel and others to silver?

 

[ShinGnosis]

Is there ever a biological reason given that some monsters are weak to steel and others to silver?

Yes - everything in the witcher universe is based on hard scientific facts.

 

[Smurfin]

I think it's more of the law of Supernatural Physics in the Witcher world , slightly different than the law of physics in the world we know.

Every story has its own rule, like silver bullet for werewolves, wooden stake for vampires, garlic for dracula, salt for spirits, etc.

 

[warbaby2]

Is there ever a biological reason given that some monsters are weak to steel and others to silver?

Within the lore, beings that came to the continent though the conjunction of spheres or are magical/cursed are allergic to silver... due to their blood composition or some such.

The reason the silver sword doesn't work as well on humans is, most likely, because it isn't really as sharp as the steel one, since silver is a soft metal and a cutting edge made of it would chip/dull very easily.

 

[Liquidacid]

I'ts fiction and having 2 swords is cooler than one. Also it makes the game mechanics more interesting

The fact silver is a softer metal shouldn't even play into it since the "silver swords" in the Witcher are just regular swords plated in silver. All throughout history in real life people have plated swords and whatnot with various softer (but prettier) metals for aesthetic purposes. I've got a couple gold plated blades and they work just the same as a regular steal one. They just require more maintenance to keep looking nice which is why they really aren't all that practical for a weapon.Oh and the soft metal plating would wear off eventually so it would need to be re-plated or the weapon replaced eventually but that shouldn't happen fast enough to actually justify needing to carry another sword.

 

[KOngo-Otto]

There is no way to make a silver sword stand up in any way to a steel sword, barring the revocation of the laws of physics.
The hardness of silver lies somewhere between lead and copper, which makes it good for jewelry but unusable for swords.

 

[Liquidacid]

There is no way to make a silver sword stand up in any way to a steel sword, barring the revocation of the laws of physics.
The hardness of silver lies somewhere between lead and copper, which makes it good for jewelry but unusable for swords.

Which is why the lore states they are simply silver plated. Tho the lore is a little silly since a few times it says silver swords use iron cores which is odd since they have steel which is superior so you'd think they would just use that.

Not that it has to since lots of fantasy games seem to enjoy ignoring these things to make solid silver, gold, crystal or even glass swords that not only function fine but are somehow better weapons than steal swords lol

By the way there was a period in history before iron was the norm that we did use copper swords. It's just that it's to soft to be suitable for long swords so they were restricted to short swords. Same really goes for bronze tho they could make the blade longer with it than copper. A lot of people overlook things like that or the fact that some of the best shields in history were actually made out of basically plywood rather than metals.

A good question would be why does Geralt carry 2 long swords at all? A spear and a bow maybe with a short sword on the side would be much better weapons for what he does. In fact why aren't all the soldiers carrying spears or pole-arms? They are the premium and go-to weapon at the tech level they are at, especially in war. The answer is the same, cause it looks cooler this way. Swords are cooler than spears and the only thing cooler than a sword is two swords!

 

[andersonblue]

Well Silver is nowhere near as strong as steel, the blade would chip and get damaged very easily against armor or bashing it agaisnt another steel sword when in combat.

But for lore reasons silver would not get damaged cutting into monster flesh and monsters are weak to silver.

 

[numibago]

Silver swords are not entirely made of silver. They have a steel core and then get plated with a thick layer of silver. The whole argument about silver being a weaker metal than steel isn't valid since the worst that could happen to a silver sword would be losing it's silver coating and become a smaller and lighter steel sword. The kind of sword that could be used with 1 hand unlike the 2 hander steel swords Geralt uses.
A silver sword to kill humans would be about as effective as a steel sword for a master swordsman such as Geralt. Although since a steel sword would be heavier that means you could put more weight on a sword swing allowing you to cut deeper than you would with a lighter sword.
Anyway, as Liquidacid said, old civilizations actually used copper short swords before the bronze age.

 

[Wolfehunter]

Also enchanted weapons aren't normal weapons. Magic cheats laws of physics or bends it. Silver weapons might have some enchantments that protect the metals from normal wear and tear. Then you can have the blessing of the gods. Those weapons have there own enchantments also violating physic norms.

 

[guilherme22]

lol

 

[Bfler.383]

In fact why aren't all the soldiers carrying spears or pole-arms? They are the premium and go-to weapon at the tech level they are at, especially in war.

If spears would be better than swords, the Greek hoplites would have annihilated the Roman legionaries.

 

[BWB]

In actuality silver does have some antibacterial properties which was known in ancient times (hence the popularity of silver cups and cutlery) and is used in a variety of medical applications today. It is a small leap of imagination to extend the power of silver from the microbial to the magical.

 

[KOngo-Otto]

Your post

Exactly.
Historically, the Armies of that age consisted mostly of 1/3 Archers and 1/3 Pole bearers and the Knights and the other sword bearers.
Swords were only worn and used by men of nobility back then. In medieval Germany it was a hanging offense for an peasant to carry a sword.
Sure in Games like W3, it looks way cooler than using a Bow for example.
But it would be super cool when Geralt would use a english Longbow and hit his target over a half a mile away.
Carrying his two sword remembers me a little bit about the old Samurais, which also has two sword, well not as long as his,but you know what i mean.
Actually the whole Witcher thematic remembers me about the japanese Ronin thematic a little bit.
Also his self imposed Kodex is imho almost a bit Bushido like.

 

[Altimis]

If spears would be better than swords, the Greek hoplites would have annihilated the Roman legionaries.

LOL did you got Total War Rome game mixed into warfare history?

The reason why Hoplite/Phalanx lose to Roman legionaries is not "spear vs sword" but its their genius flexibility "tactics".

Spear are proved to be master of warfare in ancient time, there no way sword can beat spear unless you fight them in tight space, that's another story.

Out in open-free space and equally skill? not a chance, mate.

P.S. hope this not turn into spear vs sword flame lol

 

[Ajira]

Witcher series are fantastic fiction, right? Trying to find logic in video games is meaningless. Don't overthink, hust play the game and have fun.