Swordplay is a skill used in combat to determine how effective you are in a melee. It is used when evaluating your skill at using weapons; most notably its effect on your attack "round" (see AB DEFENCE MYSELF if you are suitably skilled) which determines your chance of striking an opponent and damage dealt with each successful blow. Each successful blow against a player target reduces their resistance to the next; consequently, striking someone with a very high Defence skill (or round) may initially see them resist your strikes but will be vulnerable to repeated blows.
Swordplay is only fully developed by members of the Knight profession, though all guilds are able to progress it to some extent. The following professional limits are in place for Swordplay development:
Knights: Crowned Ultimate
Mages: Renowned
Loremasters: Legendary
Sorcerers: Master
Bards: Legendary
Thieves: Ultimate
Seers: Grand-Master
Rangers: Ultimate
Druids: Respected
There are, additionally, a smattering of abilities within the Swordplay skill. These are typically available only to Knightly professionals, though notably the ability to practice with your weapons is available to all of rank Master and above.
