Writing Fight Scenes

Oh a good topic. I don’t have any tips either but I shall be sticking around. Maybe I’ll have something later. Subscribing…

I want to contribute, but this isn’t really advice, because I’m not that experienced. (Disclaimers, disclaimers, you get the drift.)

I enjoy making an environment that challenges the character. That way, even if the villain is average, I can make up an elaborate floor-plan for the fight.

In Baztet, the city is colorful and fun, but it also has a messy, maximalist personality. The buildings are stacked on top of each other, and the streets/transportation systems are packed.

Marcel can fly, but flight isn’t always useful in a packed environment. There is no straight path horizontal to the ground. He has to get creative.

Sometimes this means he has to fly through people’s balconies, shops, or along the paths of sky trollies.

Much of the extra space is placed between walls. People install a circulation system to process ‘clear season’ air particles. These metal fans are stationed in the least disruptive places, and blow from one place to another.

Marcel uses these fans to propel himself whenever he wants to get somewhere quicker. The catch? The fans can also suck air, and his wings are toast if he gets too close.

And that’s just one example of the obstacles in his flight path. I also apply the same obstacles to Marcel’s friend, with the added challenge of collaborating with Marcel because she can’t fly.

Anyway, that’s what I do. But some people prefer a plain duel setting, with just the characters and their weapons. Do you guys use environments, or do you focus more on weaponry?

@rae

Hmm. I’ve written some fight scenes, but am not overly satisfied with them. I just make the characters bang their blades around for a bit until I feel it is time to make someone win. I did a little bit of research on sword fighting to improve it a bit.

I like @whalekeeper’s advice though, about using surroundings to both hinder and help your character, as well as considering your character’s abilities. That seems like it would make battles feel more creative and unique. I’ll have to use that one.