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Hmm, recent conversations have given me an urge to do a thread on...Aging Badasses!
It's a trope we see fairly often: a badass fighter who's now feeling the effects of age. But the depiction of what those effects of age really are and when they kick in, uh, varies.
It's a trope we see fairly often: a badass fighter who's now feeling the effects of age. But the depiction of what those effects of age really are and when they kick in, uh, varies.
I've seen things be like well he was FORTY so he was ANCIENT and couldn't fight... 
And then of course on the opposite end, there's the 100 year old who can still kick your ass just as well as in their prime.
What's the truth?
Well, I'm no expert, but here's my experience!
And then of course on the opposite end, there's the 100 year old who can still kick your ass just as well as in their prime.
What's the truth?
Well, I'm no expert, but here's my experience!
Short version: As you get older, it's not so much that you fight worse...it's that you hurt more afterward.
Whether you're in condition or not makes a big difference! If you're ALSO out of practice or out of shape, that's going to have a much more significant effect than if you've been badassing along this entire time.
Your chances of picking up permanent injuries, stiff joints, etc certainly increases as you get older. Those may effect your endurance or the kind of moves you can do...though adrenaline will let you power through a LOT. But you'll certainly feel them afterward!
My husband says he's noticed his reflexes slowing as he gets older. I haven't, much? I'm 45. I'm sure it varies a lot by person.
I HAVE noticed that the younger kids (teens, 20's) are definitely zippier as they're sprinting around the battlefield.
I HAVE noticed that the younger kids (teens, 20's) are definitely zippier as they're sprinting around the battlefield.
How much of an impact aging has on your ability to fight well is going to vary a lot from person to person. What injuries have you taken? What chronic illnesses do you have? Are you in shape? How is aging hitting you personally?
But if you're staying in practice, you don't just...get suckier automatically as you get older. You still have all of your tricks and techniques and training. You have experience. That really matters.
The WAY you fight may change, but it does that slowly, over time.
The WAY you fight may change, but it does that slowly, over time.
Now, I'm not saying that if you match a 25yo and a 60yo of equal skill against each other, the 25yo won't have any advantages. Their endurance will likely be better, and their top speed & mobility will likely be better. There's a reason we grumble about annoyingly fast kids.
But experience is important, especially for the kind of fast & loose adventure environment a lot of SFF characters are in! It's very different than, say, a tournament or a duel. Your tricks & tactics, your ability to judge your opponent & how the battle is unfolding, matter a lot
Whoops...OK, unfortunately it looks like I picked a bad time to do this thread and I have to go! To sum up in case I can't get back to it later:
* Uh...35 is not old.
* Age is only one of many factors (health! conditioning! terrain! lighting! injuries! having a bad leg day!)
* Uh...35 is not old.
* Age is only one of many factors (health! conditioning! terrain! lighting! injuries! having a bad leg day!)
* It DOES often take more out of you as you get older, oof
* You may fight differently
* You may be a bit slower & have worse endurance?
* But that doesn't mean you can't do it anymore
* Experienced 50yo will kick the butt of newbie 20yo
* You do not expire as a fighter
* You may fight differently
* You may be a bit slower & have worse endurance?
* But that doesn't mean you can't do it anymore
* Experienced 50yo will kick the butt of newbie 20yo
* You do not expire as a fighter
I have to run, but would love to hear more of people's personal experiences of how fighting has changed for them as they get older in the replies! 
Ooh, I have time to add one more thing!
Look at age as not a straight modifier to all your combat rolls, but as a more complex factor. Depending on the exact situation, it could not matter at all or matter A LOT.
Look at age as not a straight modifier to all your combat rolls, but as a more complex factor. Depending on the exact situation, it could not matter at all or matter A LOT.
I'm 45, a bit out of practice, & haven't been conditioning.
* Dueling a skilled 25yo in a tournament - I lose
* Anchoring a line in a tactically complex situation - I'm good
* Zipping around doing evasive hit & run high speed shenanigans - I send someone younger thx
* Dueling a skilled 25yo in a tournament - I lose
* Anchoring a line in a tactically complex situation - I'm good
* Zipping around doing evasive hit & run high speed shenanigans - I send someone younger thx
* Spotting the problems before they BECOME problems & getting the drop on them - I've got a real experience advantage
* Crawling through a storm drain to infiltrate a castle - UGH my JOINTS WHY
* Going all day long in endless battle - ...Can I get some iced tea in the shade pls
* Crawling through a storm drain to infiltrate a castle - UGH my JOINTS WHY
* Going all day long in endless battle - ...Can I get some iced tea in the shade pls
* Fighting a cocky 20yo newb who underestimates me because I'm a 45yo womanâ I DESTROY them and then cheerfully give them advice on their form afterward because I am exactly that petty
So yeah, it varies! Embrace complexity! And have fun
So yeah, it varies! Embrace complexity! And have fun
Oooh, there are some great stories coming up in the comments! Check 'em out.
Love this story (read both tweets in mini-thread): https://twitter.com/tomorgel/status/1355983988343660546
I didn't know this! Cool historical example! Makes perfect sense to leverage the experience when/where you need it most while saving the stamina of the less young & zippy. https://twitter.com/RealMadLogician/status/1356061194264719362
