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Ultimate Sword Training: Local & International SXP Events + Online Academy

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Ultimate Sword Training: Local & International SXP Events + Online Academy

The Expanding World of Sword Fighting Experiences
The art of sword fighting continues to grow in popularity, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world. Which is why Adrian created The Sword Experience, where you can hone your sword-fighting skills that fit your lifestyle and skill level. If you are looking for an immersive in-person event, an elite overseas retreat, or a structured online training program, The Sword Experience can offer something for everyone. For the past ten years we have strived to provide expert instructors, legendary settings, and a passionate community. Everything from thrilling local events to breathtaking international locations and the comprehensive SXP Online Academy. If you have attended one of our events, lets us know which one, and, if you’ve attended more than one, which one was your favorite?SXP Events, founded by Adrian Paul, offers high-quality sword training experiences worldwide. Reach out to us if you want to bring an event to your city, ensuring an authentic and exciting experience for participants.

SXP Local Events: Bringing Sword Fighting to a City Near You
SXP’s local events are designed to provide you top-tier training experiences in easily accessible locations across the U.S. These events offer structured instruction, hands-on practice, and opportunities for you to meet like-minded people. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, these events cater to all skill levels.
Upcoming SXP Local Events

  • Houston, TX (March 22, 2025): A thrilling SXP Obstacle Run, designed to challenge your agility, endurance, and sword-handling precision in a dynamic course. All skill levels welcome.
  • Phoenix, AZ (April 26, 2025): Join the dynamic “Snake Brother” Elite event, where you blend swordplay with cinematic action. After learning the sword choreography become part of the story that was inspired by Indian Folklore .

Why Attend a Local SXP Event?

  • Expert Guidance: Train with experienced instructors in a structured, supportive environment that ensures personalized attention.
  • No Travel Hassles: Enjoy elite-level training without the need for long-distance travel, making it easier than ever to refine your skills.
  • Community & Networking: Connect with fellow sword fighting enthusiasts, build lasting friendships, and become part of a growing, passionate community.
  • Hands-on Combat Experience: Engage in live drills, choreographed duels, and sparring sessions that test your reaction speed and technique in real-world settings.

SXP International Events: Train in Legendary Locations
You want a once-in-a-lifetime experience? SXP’s international events not only offer you training in stunning, historically significant locations, but they combine expert sword training with cultural exploration. They are perfect if you want to indulge in local traditions, while blending physical fitness with travel. Imagine practicing your sword skills in the same area where warriors past once battled, all the while enjoying breathtaking vistas and sampling mouthwatering local fare.
DO NOT ATTEND International SXP Events if you don’t want to explore

  • Historic & Scenic Locations: Training in breathtaking settings with deep historical roots, offering an unparalleled immersive experience.
  • OR
  • Receive top level instruction from sword-fighting experts with real-world combat and performance experience.
  • OR
  • Immerse yourself in the history and traditions of legendary sword-fighting regions, making the experience educational as well as physically rewarding.
  • Engage in Professional Filming: You will have your entire experience captured through high-quality video footage, allowing you to relive your once in lifetime experience.

Upcoming International SXP Events

  • Paris & Provins, France (June 27, 2025): A Highlander-themed tour featuring historic landmarks and legendary duel sites. Walk in the footsteps of cinematic legends and train where historic battles took place.
  • Scotland Retreat (June 30 – July 5, 2025): Train in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, where medieval warriors once battled. Includes castle visits, immersive training sessions, and breathtaking landscapes that will transport you back in time.

The Sword Experience Online Academy: Train Anytime, Anywhere
If you can’t attend in-person events, then we have The SXP Online Academy offering a flexible way to develop your sword-fighting skills. This structured program provides expert-led instruction with progressive skill levels, allowing you to train at your own pace. With a variety of video lessons, assessments, and interactive challenges, you can build your abilities from the ground up, whether you’re training solo or supplementing your live-event experience. The SXP Online Academy offers a variety of benefits that are not only linked to becoming a sword fighting expert.

  • Fitness: Improve flexibility, mobility, strength, and stamina—essential elements for any sword fighter and for everyday life.
  • Technique: working on targeting, agility, timing, and sword-handling skills, using the SXP numbering system, gives you balance and co-ordination in the many other activities that you certainly participate in.
  • Ranking System: Another benefit, as you progress through the structured levels, from beginner to expert, is earning recognition for your dedication and progress. How do you do that?
  • Personalized Assessments: Once you have mastered the techniques in the training videos you will be given a series of moves to perform. All you have to do is, video yourself, then send it to contact@swordxp.com and get two free assessments from Adrian Paul himself, gaining valuable insights to refining your technique.

Why Join the SXP Online Academy?

  • Train Anywhere: Learn at your own pace, from the comfort of home, or on the go, making sword training more accessible than ever.
  • Flexible Learning: Choose specific areas of focus or complete the full curriculum, allowing you to tailor your training to your goals.
  • Personalized Coaching: Get direct feedback from Adrian who has over 30 years of experience performing and teaching sword fighting.
  • Test your skills with structured video challenges that mimic real-world combat situations, pushing your growth as a fighter.

Choose Your Path with SXP
Whether you prefer the energy of a local event, the adventure of an international retreat, or the flexibility of online training, The Sword Experience has an option for you. These training opportunities provide an exciting way to develop your technique, connect with a passionate community, and experience the thrill of sword fighting in iconic settings.
Take your first step toward becoming a true sword master—sign up for an upcoming event, enroll in the SXP Online Academy, and begin your journey today!

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How to Turn Your City into a Sword Fighting Destination with SXP Events

We have had many people ask how they might be able to bring the Sword Experience to a city near them. Turning your city into a sword-fighting destination with a Sword Experience (SXP)Event requires a combination of strategic planning, community engagement, and immersive experiences. Firstly,Sword fighting is an ancient martial art that requires precision, adaptability, and endurance. While training in a controlled environment is beneficial for learning the fundamentals, we believe when you practice in different locations and weather conditions it will help you develop a well-rounded skill set. One of the reasons why The Sword Experience creates a variety of events, from Elite, Academy, and Convention events, to Retreats and Tours. Whether you’re training in a gym, at the beach, or adjusting to the changing seasons, each environment offers you a unique advantage, enhancing your technique, balance, and mental resilience.

Partner with SXP Events & Adrian Paul
SXP Events, founded by Adrian Paul, offers high-quality sword training experiences worldwide. Reach out to us if you want to bring an event to your city, ensuring an authentic and exciting experience for participants.

Secure a Unique & Scenic Venue
We love a great location. Who doesn’t? Adrian talks about the location being just like a character in a screenplay, so choosing location that enhance the immersive experience, is important. Pick places that would look great filming and would make people interested in Sword Experience events in your area.

  • Historic castles, forts, or medieval-style villages
  • Scenic outdoor spaces (parks, beaches, forests)
  • Martial arts dojos or large indoor event spaces

Engage the Local Community
It is always better to work together with a team to make your goals more attainable. Here are some ideas.

  • Partner with historical societies, martial arts schools, and LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) groups.
  • Collaborate with local businesses for sponsorships and promotions.
  • Talk to the SXP team to see if you can offer discounted or early-bird registration for locals to encourage participation.

Look for a Weekend Experience
Many of the people who come through SXP events enjoy our two-day formats. Yes, they allow you less time to spend at the first day of the event so you can do other things, but more importantly they give you time to allow what you have learned sink in. That way, the next day, when you return your brain has been able to soak in the information, allowing you to master the sword moves, or choreography much more easily. So think out of the box for weekend activities that might attract the people to The Sword Experience. For instance, in 2025, SXP has partnered with two Celtic themed festivals where people, not only meet Adrian Paul , but also experience an activity that is tied to that specific type of event. Other types could include.

  • Medieval or fantasy-themed activities (archery, jousting demonstrations, or role-playing scenarios)
  • Cultural experiences (historical reenactments, local cuisine, or live performances)
  • Networking opportunities (meet-and-greets with Adrian Paul, themed dinners, or after-parties)

Promote the Event
Promotion is key. Many times we hear from people asking us to bring our events to a certain area, only for them to find out that we had just held one there. Not everyone finds information the same way.

  • Use social media, local influencers, and event platforms to spread the word.
  • Once an event has been scheduled talk to the SXP about creating engaging content like teaser videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and testimonials. Or link to the hundreds of videos already created on the Sword Experience You tube pages.
  • Encourage attendees to share their experiences with hashtags and event-specific branding.

Offering Different Experience Levels
The reason Adrian wanted to create The Sword Experience was not only to create varied types of events but ones that welcomed all types of levels. Choreographers, stunt professionals. martial artists, pop culture fans, sword enthusiasts, historians, thrill seekers, fitness enthusiasts, vacation travelers, have all attended because we include

  • Beginners Those new to sword fighting.
  • AdvancedExperienced martial artists, stunt performers or actors wanting to hone their skills.
  • Themed events For those who want to have fun while feeling what it’s like to be on a movie set.
  • SXP Retreats That not only give you Sword Fighting with a difference, but a vacation to get away from your norm, where you can not only explore local food and culture, but also get some relaxation time.

Develop an Annual Tradition
You’ve heard the saying “Work smarter, not Harder”? Then, if you enjoyed bringing the Sword experience to your area, the next year would be way easier, because you will already have an abundance of information to plan the next event. So if successful, make it a yearly or biannual event to establish your city as a sword-fighting hotspot. Consider teaming up with a local Sword Fighting School, or Martial Arts center, where participants can train with the Sword Experience twelve point system or you could even consider hosting smaller workshops throughout the year in conjunction with these organizations.

Turning your city into a sword-fighting destination with a Sword Experience (SXP) Event is fun and rewarding on many different levels

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Different Elements in Different Locations- In Gym, At Beach, Different Seasons

Sword fighting is an ancient martial art that requires precision, adaptability, and endurance. While training in a controlled environment is beneficial for learning the fundamentals, we believe when you practice in different locations and weather conditions it will help you develop a well-rounded skill set. One of the reasons why The Sword Experience creates a variety of events, from Elite, Academy, and Convention events, to Retreats and Tours. Whether you’re training in a gym, at the beach, or adjusting to the changing seasons, each environment offers you a unique advantage, enhancing your technique, balance, and mental resilience.

SXP Training in the Gym: Academy Events
Precision, Control & Technique Development
The gym provides a structured and controlled environment, making it an excellent place if you are a beginner, as well for experienced practitioners to refine their technique.

  • Beginners: Without the distractions of wind, uneven terrain, or external variables, you can focus solely on mastering footwork, striking techniques, and defensive maneuvers.
  • Mirrors & Equipment :Training in front of mirrors gives you a chance at self-correction, improving form and posture. Additional training tools like striking dummies, the SXP targeting tool, or even rings hung from equipment, help enhance speed, strength and accuracy.
  • Consistent Conditions :During Academy events Adrian emphasizes the fact. that unlike outdoor training, a gym offers a predictable environment. Eliminating variables like changing weather or unstable ground helps you gain confidence and focus without the danger of injury.
  • Safe Sparring Environment :With padded floors and ample space, a gym reduces the risk of injury while engaging in controlled combat practice.

Training at the Beach: Balance, Endurance & Strength
We love training in a beach environment. It offers a completely different training experience, pushing your body to adapt to shifting terrain and natural resistance.

  • Unstable Sand Builds Balance & Footwork : During Sword Experience Retreats most of the training is held on soft sand. This forces you to use stabilizing muscles in your legs and for your core to work harder, improving balance, agility, and foot placement.
  • Resistance Training for Endurance : You can ask anyone who has attended an SXP Retreat that practicing sword strikes in the sand requires more effort, and in turn enhances stamina and strength. Additionally, the wind creates resistance, making each movement more challenging.
  • Engaging with Natural Elements : Why we encourage people to attend retreats, is not only that training under the sun, with the sound of waves and the feel of the ocean breeze, helps adapt to external distractions, but it’s a lot of fun, giving you an invigorating experience.
  • Cooling Off in the Water : After an intense session, cooling down in the water can aid in muscle recovery and relaxation.

Different Seasons: Adaptability, Mental Fortitude & Physical Endurance
Each season presents unique challenges that can test a swordsman’s adaptability and resilience. Training in varying weather conditions strengthens mental toughness and prepares you for unpredictable real-world scenarios.

Winter Training: Cold, Reflexes & Layered Movements

  • Practicing in the cold will build your mental resilience and teach you how to maintain flexibility, despite lower temperatures.
  • Layered clothing adds weight and will restrict your movements, but it will force you into precise and efficient strikes.
  • Cold temperatures keep you alert, improving reflexes and reaction speed.

Summer Training: Heat, Endurance & Hydration Awareness

  • Hot weather increases endurance, as your body adapts to longer training sessions.
  • Proper Hydration and stamina become critical, reinforcing the importance of the correct preparation.
  • Sweat affects grip on weapons, requiring adjustments in technique and control.

Autumn & Spring Training: Changing Terrain & Unpredictable Weather

  • When you tread on fallen leaves or wet ground, it will force you to adjust your footwork and balance.
  • Sudden shifts in temperature and wind conditions train you to react swiftly to environmental changes.
  • Moderate weather allows for extended training sessions without the extreme challenges of summer or winter.

Final Thoughts
So, in closing you can see that training in different locations and conditions ensures a well-rounded approach to sword fighting. By diversifying your training environments, you become a more versatile and adaptable fighter, ready to face any challenge. Given the fact that the environment around you could be ever changing, you need to be prepared for all scenarios. Adaptability is not only important in sword fighting, but it is also a key component to confronting the challenges that we face in life.

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Top Destinations If You Love Sword Fighting

The Global Appeal of Sword Fighting Experiences
For centuries, sword fighting has captured the imagination of warriors, athletes, and movie fans alike. Today, as a sword enthusiast you can immerse yourself in this thrilling art by traveling to unique destinations that offer professional training, historic settings, and engaging experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter, or a beginner eager to learn, the right location can elevate your skills and create unforgettable memories.

Why Travel for Sword Fighting?
Training in different environments helps you develop adaptability. It will improve your technique, and deepen your appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of fighting with swords. Here are three reasons why you should travel when looking to sword fight:

  • Historical Immersion: Train where real battles took place, surround yourself with centuries of history.
  • Elite Training Opportunities:Learn from world-class instructors in professional settings.
  • Adventure & Community:Meet fellow enthusiasts and experience new cultures while mastering swordplay.

Must-Visit Locations for Sword Fighting Enthusiasts
From medieval castles to scenic outdoor retreats, some of our favorite locations that you should consider visiting are:

Castles & Historic Landmarks
There’s no better place to train than in the very locations where legendary sword battles once occurred. The Sword Experience (SXP) has and will continue to offer exclusive training events in breathtaking historic settings. Some past examples include:

  • 2025 Paris & Provins, France: A Highlander-themed sword tour that not only takes you to the now iconic settings where Highlander the series was filmed but takes you through medieval locations where epic duels took place.
  • 2025 Scotland Retreat: A chance for you to get a rare look at the historic castles and settings linked to the failed 1746 Jacobite rebellion, along with visiting locations now immortalized in Highlander The Series, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Scottish Highlands,
  • European Castles: If you love history, visiting authentic medieval backdrops for combat training, such as Germany’s Burg Eltz, England’s Warwick Castle, or Spain’s Alcázar of Segovia are a must.
  • Prague, Czech Republic: A stunning medieval city with a rich history of duels and knightly combat, offers you various training opportunities.
  • Rome, Italy: The historic center where gladiators once battled in the Colosseum, is a great place for you to not only learn traditional sword techniques in the Eternal City, but where you will also eat some great Italian pasta.

Urban Training Grounds
For those of you who prefer structured environments, there are a variety of urban training facilities that provide professional guidance and state-of-the-art amenities. Cities worldwide offer excellent spaces for sword training.

  • New York, USA: Home to several high-level martial arts and stage combat academies where sword fighters can refine their skills.
  • Tokyo, Japan: A blend of traditional kenjutsu dojos and modern sword training centers makes this city a must-visit.
  • Los Angeles, USA: With a strong connection to Hollywood’s action choreography, LA not only offers fantastic swordplay workshops but also stunt and choreography classes.
  • London, UK: A city known for its historical fencing schools and theatrical combat training, offers unique training experiences.
  • Seoul, South Korea: Combines traditional Korean swordsmanship with modern martial arts facilities, providing an exceptional learning environment.

Exotic Retreats & Outdoor Training Locations
Sword fighting in nature adds an extra level of difficulty and adventure, but it also offers you a chance to get away from the stress of everyday life. A different cultural experience, relaxation, and training at retreats structured for you to experience another type of training. Some of the best SXP retreats that have taken place in breathtaking outdoor settings.

  • Belize: Our participants trained on pristine beaches and lush jungles whilst exploring Inca ruins, chocolate factories and sampling the local eateries. Swordplay is always better when you are relaxed
  • Thailand: Although the SXP hasn’t visited Thailand’s stunning temples and coastal landscapes yet, this unparalleled training experience is definitely being considered.
  • Scotland Highlands: We have had two retreats visiting the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Highlander fans called the immersive sword-fighting experience unparalleled.
  • Machu Picchu, Peru: A breathtaking high-altitude location where we would love to raise sword training to other heights. Pardon the pun.

The Sword Experience Elite Events: Training in Iconic Locations
The Sword Experience (SXP) offers specialized events where you can train in breathtaking settings. Whether in historical castles or picturesque outdoor spaces, SXP Elite Events provide you:

  • Expert instruction from renowned trainers.
  • Filmed training sessions inspired by legendary battles.
  • Stories created around the unique location.
  • Fictional events where you can, if you wish, have a speaking role.
  • Opportunities to explore and experience the local culture.

Upcoming Sword Experience Events You Can’t Miss

  • Houston, Texas (March 22, 2025): The SXP Obstacle Run – an intense and fun sword challenge.
  • Phoenix, Arizona (April 26, 2025): The Snake Brother event – A blend of technique and a fictional story.
  • Phoenix, Arizona (April 26, 2025): The Snake Brother event – A blend of technique and a fictional story.
  • Paris & Provins, France (June 27, 2025): A Highlander location tour and elite training experience at the amazing historical Chateau of Chantilly.
  • Scotland “Road to Culloden” Tour (June 30 – July 5, 2025): A chance for you to train at historic castles and visit Highlander filming locations.

How to Choose the Right Sword for Your Training & Travel
Every style of sword fighting has different weapons and your choice of sword is based on what you feel most comfortable with. However, you never train with a real weapon, but begin with a wooden replica. At the Sword Experience we always train with Bokkens, the training tool used in Japanese swordplay. That said, ALL sword styles have things in common that you should consider. Targeting. Footwork. Basic technique. Things that the SXP always factor into our events. But we are all different, so consider these.

  • Bokkens: Ideal for beginners and safe sparring.
  • Swords: Best for experienced practitioners and historical reenactments.
  • SXP Pro Trainer : A Lightweight and durable option for your training in tight spaces.

How to Bring an SXP Event to Your City
If you own a venue or want to turn your city into a sword-fighting hotspot, consider partnering with The Sword Experience to host an event. Hosting an SXP event can:

  • Attract tourism and boost local businesses.
  • Showcase your city as a unique, action-packed destination.
  • Give your community access to top-tier sword training.

Conclusion & Call to Action
Ready to take your sword-fighting journey to the next level? Whether you’re looking to train in medieval castles, professional studios, or exotic landscapes, The Sword Experience has an event tailored for you. Sign up for an upcoming event, explore SXP retreats, or start training today!

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Moving On to Your Next Goal: Steps for Continued Growth & Celebration

Achieving a goal is an incredible feeling—it’s proof of your hard work, dedication, and resilience. But what happens after you reach the finish line? The journey doesn’t stop there! Success is a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can transition smoothly to your next goal and the best ways to celebrate your achievements.

Reflect on Your Accomplishment
Before jumping into a new challenge, take time to reflect on your journey. Ask yourself:
What worked well? – Identify strategies that helped you succeed.
What challenges did I overcome? – Recognize obstacles you tackled.
What lessons did I learn? – Use these insights for future goals.

Example: If your goal was to lose weight, consider what habits helped—meal prepping, morning workouts, or accountability partners. These can be carried forward into your next goal.

Celebrate Your Success Properly
Celebration is key to maintaining motivation. It reinforces positive behavior and helps you feel fulfilled before moving forward.

Ways to Celebrate Your Wins:

  • Personal Reward: Buy yourself something meaningful, like a new T shirt, book, or a Sword experience bokken.
  • Experience-Based Celebration:Treat yourself to a fun activity—dinner with friends, a spa day, or a weekend getaway at one of our Elite or convention events.
  • Sharing Your Success:Celebrate with those who supported you—friends, family, or your mentor. If you are part of one of the online Sword Experience communities, or on one of our Facebook pages, talk to those there and tell them how you achieved success.
  • Giving Back:Inspire others by sharing your journey on one of our social media pages, in a blog, or by mentoring someone.

Example: If you finished a marathon, reward yourself with a relaxing massage or a trip to a new hiking destination. Or, if you completed a Sword Experience academy level, buy yourself a Sword Experience “Be Strong…Finish Stronger” t shirt.

Set Your Next Goal with Purpose
Once you’ve celebrated, it’s time to channel your momentum into something new. But don’t set just any goal—make sure it excites you and aligns with your long-term vision.

Ask yourself:

  • What do I want to achieve next?
  • How does this goal fit into my bigger life vision?
  • What skills or habits can I carry over?

Example: If you just landed a dream job, your next goal could be excelling in your role by developing leadership skills or expanding your professional network.

Create a Transition Plan
Jumping into a new goal without structure can be overwhelming. Create a smooth transition plan with these steps:

  • Take a short break – Give yourself time to reset before diving in.
  • Set a start date – Choose when you’ll begin working on your next goal.
  • Plan small, actionable steps – Break your goal into manageable milestones.
  • Reignite motivation – Visualize success and remind yourself why this goal matters.

Example: If your goal was to Learn Sword fighting and you did it online, your next step might be learning from a local teacher. You could attend one of our many events, or look into a local Martial Arts school to find the best teacher in your area

Stay Open to Growth & New Opportunities
Every goal you achieve adds to your experience and opens new doors. Stay curious and explore unexpected opportunities that come your way.

  • Network with like-minded people to gain fresh perspectives.
  • Keep learning—enroll in courses, read books, or attend workshops.
  • Challenge yourself—step outside your comfort zone with new experiences.

Final Thoughts
Success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about evolving through every step of the journey. Reflect, celebrate, and then set your sights on your next challenge with excitement. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep chasing your dreams.

👉 What’s the next goal on your list? Share it in the comments! 🚀

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How to Meet Your Goals in Life: A Guide to Achievable Success

Setting and achieving goals is essential for your personal and professional growth. Whether you want to build a successful career, improve your health, or develop a new skill like sword fighting, having a structured approach will keep you motivated and on track. We’ve talked before in our blog about goals being relevant and time-bound to ensure success. Here’s a reminder how you can effectively meet your goals and create meaningful progress in your life.

Define Clear and Specific Goals
The first step in achieving any goal is to define it clearly. Vague goals like “I want to be successful” or “I want to get in shape” lack direction. Instead, be specific: “I want to start my own business within two years” or “I will lose 10 pounds in three months.”

Ensure Your Goals Are Relevant
Your goals should align with your values, aspirations, and long-term vision. Ask yourself:

  • Is this goal important to me?
  • Does it fit into my overall life plan?
  • Will achieving this goal contribute to my personal fulfillment or career growth? If a goal doesn’t align with your priorities, it’s unlikely to keep you motivated.

Make Your Goals Time-Bound
Every goal should have a deadline. Without a timeframe, there’s no sense of urgency, and procrastination becomes inevitable. In February our goal was to allow you to understand how to use the SMART goal-setting framework:

  • Specific – Clearly define what you want to achieve.
  • Measurable – Set criteria to track progress.
  • Achievable – Ensure the goal is realistic.
  • Relevant – Align it with your broader life goals.
  • Time-bound – Set a deadline to create motivation.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to learn sword fighting” set a goal like: “I will either attend a Sword Experience Event, or work online with the Sword Experience Academy within the next six months.”

Track Your Progress
Regularly reviewing your progress keeps you accountable and helps you stay on course. If you notice a setback, reassess your strategy and make necessary adjustments. So keep a journal, use an app, or set milestones to measure success. We specifically created items in our Printify store to help you do just that.

Stay Committed and Adaptable
Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but persistence is key. Stay committed to your goal while being flexible enough to adjust your plan if needed. If something isn’t working, find alternative ways to reach your goal rather than giving up. Life always throws us curve balls but to be successful and grow, just like Adrian talks about during most Sword Experience events, is the importance of adaptability when you find yourself faced with an obstacle.

Celebrate Achievements Along the Way
Acknowledging and celebrating small victories keeps you motivated. Those benchmarks to your overall goal, or stepping stones if you will, need to be celebrated. Whether it’s rewarding yourself with a night out after reaching a milestone or simply recognizing your progress, celebrating success reinforces positive behavior.

Conclusion
Meeting your life goals requires clarity, relevance, and a time-bound structure. By setting specific goals, breaking them into manageable steps, tracking progress, and staying committed, you can create a clear path toward success. Remember, the journey toward achieving your goals is just as important as reaching the destination. Stay focused, adaptable, and enjoy the process!

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How to Set Goals in Life and Achieve Them

Setting goals is one of the most powerful tools for creating a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Whether you want to advance in your career, improve your health, or develop meaningful relationships, having clear goals gives you direction and motivation. However, many people struggle with setting and achieving their goals effectively. So we thought we’d give a hand to help you set realistic, achievable goals and provide strategies to accomplish them.

Of course, we highlight the importance of targeting at the Sword Experience so how do we translate that to everyday life?

Define your Vision.

Before setting goals, take time to reflect on your values, interests, and long-term aspirations. Ask yourself a few important questions

  • What do I truly want?
  • What kind of person do I want to become?
  • What accomplishments will make me feel fulfilled?

Much like successful swordsman, or martial artists, in the past and present, creating a vision of possible scenarios and outcomes provides clarity and helps you align you to successfully achieving your goals.

We have already discussed SMART Goals but achieving something, by correctly targeting it instead of arbitrarily wishing for it are very different. For example, instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” a SMART goal would be: “I will work out for 30 minutes, five days a week, for the next three months.”

Make your goals attainable. Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a step-by-step plan that outlines what needs to be done each day, week, or month. At many of our events, Adrian Paul talks about the importance of achieving small milestones for those who want to improve their sword work, either on their own, or in the Sword Experience Academy, or even for those who are just trying to get back in shape. With constant attainable smaller goals you will build momentum and keep motivated.

Accountability Do you want to increase the likelihood of success? You can share your goals with a friend, mentor, or even a support group. There are Sword Experience communities on Facebook for instance, where SXP member discuss all types of topics. Opening up a thread on achieving goals would take two minutes and the feedback would help you stay on track.

Stay Flexible and Adapt Another easy way to see how you are doing, is to keep a journal to track your progress. Currently you can find the SXP journal in our shop. A simple way to check-in to evaluate your progress and make adjustments if needed. Of course, we understand life is unpredictable, and challenges may arise, but by adjusting your plan helps you to keep moving forward, instead of getting discouraged. Being adaptable ensures you stay committed even when things don’t go as expected.

Visualize One of the aspects of the Sword Experience end of year event in Dallas 2024 and in the recent Newark motivational event, talking about visualization. Whether it is visualizing an opponent when doing a Kata, seeing yourself soaking up the rays on a beach in the Bahamas or exploring the Scottish Highlands, visualization and positive affirmations can reinforce your goals and keep you focused. Regularly imagine yourself achieving your goal and remind yourself why you started in the first place.

The Prize Recognizing your progress keeps you motivated. Celebrate small victories along the way, whether it’s treating yourself to something special or simply acknowledging your hard work. But don’t go and binge on chocolate cake and donuts if your goal was to lose pounds in a month, find a more fitting reward that still aligns with your goal.

Setting and achieving goals is a lifelong journey. By defining a clear vision, setting SMART goals, breaking them into steps, and staying accountable, you can make steady progress toward your dreams. Stay flexible, visualize success, and celebrate your wins—because every step forward brings you closer to the life you want.

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SMART GOALS

What is a SMART Goal?

A SMART goal is a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time – Bound.
This provides an easy framework to not only create better overall goals and objectives, but make sure that they can actually be completed. SMART goals are a clear, simple way to track progress and hold yourself accountable; and in a team setting, they help eliminate any miscommunication or guesswork among your partners

Benefits of SMART goals

SMART goals are all about clarity. They provide clear communication and alignment to boost morale and they provide a clear roadmap and finish so you know what you want to achieve and when you expect to achieve it. They keep goals trackable so you can measure your progress easier and hold yourself more accountable. Best of all, they ensure your goal is attainable and relevant so you can stay encouraged to keep going!

S – Specific – In order for a goal to be effective, it has to be specific. A well – defined, specific goal helps you zero in on what exactly you need to get done and helps provide a roadmap on how to get there. Think of it as the Who, What, and Why of goal – setting. Consider the following questions when defining your goal:

  • What needs to be accomplished?
  • Who is responsible?
  • What steps need to be taken to achieve it?
  • What obstacles are there?

You are much more likely to accomplish your goal if it’s clear – cut rather than vaguely defined. After all, it’s hard to get anywhere when you don’t know what your target is.

M – Measurable – Your goal should have some sort of way to measure it, so that you know when you’ve actually accomplished it. When your goal is measurable, you can identify exactly what it is that you will see, hear, and feel when you’ve reached your goal. It also makes it easier to track your progress and evaluate your overall success. Examples of measurements include:

  • Deadlines
  • Numbers
  • Percentage changes
  • Benchmarks

Knowing how you will measure your goal is the best way to know when you’ve achieved it.

A – Achievable – When creating a goal, you have to make sure that it is something that you can actually achieve. Ideally, a goal should stretch you slightly enough so that you feel challenged but not so much that it’s impossible to complete. Remember to work within your me ans and
take stock of your current resources, skills, and available time when setting a goal.

R – Relevant – It’s important to understand why you are setting your goal in the first place! Remember that your goal should measure outcomes, not activities. What is the outcome or change that you are seeking? What results are you expecting to achieve? And most importantly, what’s the point of even doing it to begin with?

Ultimately, your goal needs to be meaningful and make sense in the greater context of
whatever it is you are trying to achieve.

T – Timebound – How are you tracking your progress? When do your goals you want to start, and when do
you want to have achieved your goal? Your goal should have some kind of time – related parameter built in so you can keep better track of your progress. In addition, having a clearly designated timeframe can create a sense of urgency to motivate you to complete your goal.

If you need any assistance in keeping track look on our shop. Mark your deadlines on our printify shop. Need a calendar? A way to keep track? Get an SXP Focus Journal. If you need any more inspiration check out our online store.

If you’re stuck on picking a date, check out one of our Sword Experience tours!

Looking Back at Kevin Hart’s Medieval Sword Fight with Jason Sudeikis

Marco Dragoje. In April 2019, comedians Kevin Hart and Jason Sudeikis engaged in a medieval sword fight. It was part of the two actors’ “knight training” for season 2, episode 10 of What the Fit, Hart’s Realscreen Award-winning comedy series that premiered in 2018. Here, Hart takes Sudeikis jousting – a popular medieval pursuit where knights showed off their skills while on horseback.

ETCanada.com  reports that the series, described by Hart as “a show where I basically go and I get my friends to do things they normally wouldn’t,” took place in a Los Angeles-area Medieval Times themed restaurant, where the two comedians were fitted in knight gear before getting sent out onto the “battlefield.”

Hart and Sudeikis were then taught “how to kill and how to die,” and shown the basics of jousting. They were ultimately “knighted,” and sent off for final combat: a sword fight in front of fans. The two entered on horseback, but the battle, unfortunately, lasted less than 30 seconds, with Sudeikis dislodging Hart’s sword and then “slicing” his midsection — to audible gasps from the crowd! Hart keels over, pretends to be struggling, and finally hits the ground “dead.” Sudeikis genuflects next to Hart and raises his fist in victory.

Meet the “Swordsmen”

 

Eva Rinaldi via Wikipedia, under a Creative Commons License [No changes were made to the image.]
Hart is one of the most recognizable celebrities around — and one of the most versatile too. This versatility has made Hart not only popular, but also extremely wealthy. In fact, Poker.org reveals that Hart is the best-paid comedian in the world, with a net worth of about $200 million. He has gotten so rich that he can afford to be a regular at high-stakes poker tables (a favorite of his), splurge over $40,000 in a game of Blackjack, keep a collection of luxurious watches, and buy any car he wishes.

The 41-year-old Pennsylvanian made his mark onstage as a standup comedian, but Hart has become a Hollywood A-lister with hits like Ride Along and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. He is a superstar on social media too, with shows like What the Fit and Cold as Balls regularly getting millions of views (the jousting episode has over 8.8 million views as of this writing).

Eva Rinaldi via Wikipedia, under a Creative Commons License [No changes were made to the image.]
Sudeikis, like Hart, is an accomplished comedian, starting with improv comedy in the 1990s before becoming a regular for Saturday Night Live beginning in 2003. He has found success in film, too, breaking through in 2011 in Horrible Bosses and in 2013 in We’re the Millers. Unlike Hart, however, the 45-year-old Virginian has largely focused on TV, where he recently won a Golden Globe for his starring role in Ted Lasso. The LA Times describes the show as “a tonic for our trying times” — and that’s largely a credit to Sudeikis’s vision as the co-creator of Ted Lasso, which he fondly calls a “com-ma” (comedy-drama).

Yes, Hart and Sudeikis’s sword fight was all for show, but it did bring swords and sword fighting to an audience of over 8.8 million people. Now, those interested in real sword experiences can check out The Sword Experience tour dates, as Adrian Paul continues to bring the sword academy to the rest of the country.

What Have We Been Up To?

COVID-19 made last year difficult for all of us. For the Sword Experience, it meant that we had trouble bringing our brand of fitness and travel to you. Obviously, your health is our number one priority in our endeavors, so we’ve had to limit our in-person events due to the pandemic. We were still successfully held a handful of events in 2020 by following strict local, state, and federal guidelines set in place, but that being said, some events simply weren’t possible due to the obvious unpredictable nature of the past year. However, just like you, we didn’t sit idly by in 2020 waiting for things to cool down. In fact, we’ve fired things up and hope to keep this momentum going through 2021. We’ve been experimenting with plenty of ideas to make sure you can still participate with us in your goals for physical fitness and fun escapism virtually with the Sword Experience. 

The first thing you may have noticed that we’ve been working on since last year is our brand-new website design. We’ve been working diligently on our website over the year to streamline your experience on the site with our sleek and user-friendly design. Everything you’re looking for is just a click away on our site. The shop is easily accessible, the events pages are centrally located, and there are plenty of things to discover about us right at your fingertips. For example, you can now find links to our Patreon page.

What is so important about the Patreon page you might ask? Well, we’ve been bringing the Sword Experience to your home with our highest Patreon tier, the Upgrade Your Life package. You’ll gain access to a variety of content. From our Lifestyle Essentials newsletter that focuses on various aspects of health and wellness, to access to archives that features exclusive behind the scenes footage Adrian has managed to capture of the years. Most importantly though, you’ll gain access to our Live Training Videos. By signing up for the Upgrade Your Life package, you will have exclusive access to our workout videos lead by Adrian Paul. So far, we’ve added over 45 workout videos, and our catalogue of videos continues to grow as we put new videos out weekly. Now, you can train with Adrian and the Sword Experience as you improve your health, fitness, strength, and coordination from the comfort of your living room!

Patreon

Are you worried that swinging a sword or bokken around in your living room is going to cause untold damage to your living space? Well, worry no longer. Adrian has partnered with long time Sword Experience friend Mark Bitner to create the SXP Pro Trainer. This bladeless sword handle perfectly simulates that feeling of swinging a sword with a compact design. The SXP Pro Trainer is made with a simplified sword handle, cast from the same high strength resin as all of our bokken handles, and has a 4 x ¾ inch, steel weight bar in place of the blade. The handles come in two styles SXP2020 and Steel Falcon. The SXP Pro Trainer is great for upper body strength training as well as offering added weight for lower body balance and leg conditioning exercises. It is only available from the Sword Experience, and is a must have for those training at home. 

We also know how much you have missed going to conventions. In the first of its kind, we’ve been working on bringing the experience of the Con to you with our Virtual SXP. With the Virtual SXP, you’ll be able to move between various rooms online to simulate the experience of going to a convention. You can get autographs from your favorite celebrities, participate in training sessions with our highly skilled instructors, chat with actors and stunt professionals about their experiences on set, peruse our vendors shops to find that perfect piece to add to your collection, meet up and chat with old friends, and so much more.

For an idea of what you’ll experience at the Virtual SXP, you can participate in a meditation session with Anastasia Cheruvelil, a Reiki Master Practitioner and Meditation teacher. Learn about commonly used firearms props on-set, including rubber stunt props, blank-firing non-guns and fully functioning firearms converted for blank firing from film safety and authenticity consultants Chad Hawthorne and Bill Bolitho. Take an introductory class in the basics of using a tactical folding knife for self-defense from martial artist and personal trainer, Keith Jennings. Practice the principles of counter-offensive weapon disarming and counter-disarming from Filipino Kali Master, Mark Mikita. Train in the ways of the Jedi that every Initiate to the Order must master before being excepted for further training with Richard Ganey. Discover the process of forging a sword with Master blacksmith and Forged in Fire champion bladesmith, Ron Hardman. Visit with your favorite celebrities like Adrian Paul, Carrie Henn, and Elizabeth Gracen. Our first Virtual SXP did sell out, but we hope to bring you more Virtual SXP conventions in the future.

location

We haven’t completely given up on in person events, but as we stated earlier, we must follow local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure the highest standards of safety are being adhered to and your health and safety are our top priority. We hope to bring our live experiences back this year to Maryland, Colorado, Boston, New York, Florida, Connecticut, Atlanta, Nevada, Indiana Tennessee, and Kansas if we are permitted to. So, keep checking the website for further information in regards to upcoming events. We’re also working with Richard Ganey, who is part of our Virtual SXP, to bring you and exciting Star Wars themed academy in the coming months.

Lastly, we want to thank you all for being such a wonderful and dedicated community and we hope that you are all doing well. Our mission has always been about bringing you fun and exciting ways to achieve your fitness and health goals and we hope you continue working with us to reach them. We will continue to strive to bring you new ways to reach your goals. This year we’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with you, metaphorically speaking, to make this year the best it can possibly be. 

Interview with C. David Belt part 2

Interview with C. David Belt part 2

In our previous talk with C. David Belt, we discussed his weapons collection as well as his passion for history. In our second part, we learn more about Mr. Belt’s writing, his history classes, how to get into contact with him to learn more, and why he loves Renaissance Faires.

Sword Experience (SXP): So, it seems like most of your classes are at Renaissance Faires. If people would like to experience your class, how would people know which Renaissance Faires you are attending, and how would people be able to take your writing class?

C. David Belt (CDB): I normally publish this on my website, unwillingchild.com. There is an events link, and there I will usually list where I’m going to be and what hours I’m going to be there. Of course, right now with the Coronavirus, it’s been very limited. I did my first class since February just last month and that was for a private event. They brought us out to do that. But, most of the writer’s conferences in and around Utah, I will teach at. Sometimes only every other year, but I’ve done the Life, The Universe, and Everything symposium. I’ve done Kanab Writer’s Conference. I’ve actually presented at Horror Con, which is like a Comic Con with a horror theme here in Utah. I do Wizarding Days. That’s a newer festival that is Harry Potter themed, but they’ve had me back two years in a row to present this, because it’s so popular. People come back to the shows, because I always have new stuff. Or I’ve always learned something new about something I’ve talked about before. 

So, the website, the events link will have what’s upcoming, and right now things are shifting too much, so there’s nothing current posted on there. I’m expecting to do one in the Utah Renaissance Faire in August at Thanksgiving point in Utah. It’s a two-day event, and they want me back every year, so I’m happy to do that one. (Sadly, this faire was just canceled for 2020.)

SXP: Have you thought about doing any Zoom classes or anything like that considering the current state of things?

CDB: Well, I did actually film something for one of the local online high schools. Because they were supplying the studio and crew and so on, we had several of them dress up in various sets of armor and outfits. Roman, Viking, Thirteenth-century chain, so I’ve done that.

We filmed one of the classes at the Evanston Celtic Festival, I think it was last year. It got cancelled this year. I’ll also do personal sessions, with authors usually, because if we can’t physically get together, they want to see the weapons that they’re describing and see what some of the problems are with it. It’s kind of enlightening when you show them the balance point on a Roman Spatha for example, which is really bad, but then you explain why the sword was invented. The Romans needed a greater reach for their cavalry, so they invented the Spatha. But just because the sword looks cool, I wouldn’t pick it as my fantasy weapon unless you are trying to depict a Roman or Arthurian knight. So, I will do those sessions, but those are one-on-one.

SXP: And they can contact you on your website if they want to do a one-on-one?

CDB: Absolutely. There is an “about the author” link, and if you click on that and then “contact the author.” It goes directly to my email, and I answer questions all the time from folks, so there is a way to get ahold of me very easily.

SXP: And you said you’ve written several books as well, correct?

CDB: Yeah, I write what I would call Latter-day Saint horror. It’s horror with a strong Christian theme to it. I’ve got a vampire trilogy about an unwilling vampire. In my mythos, vampirism is a choice. No one can be forced into it. I’ve never liked the idea that you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you get bit on the neck, and you are damned forever. So, it’s always been voluntary, except for the male protagonist of the trilogy, who is the world’s first and only unwilling vampire. And how he got to that state, that’s part of the story. That one involves a lot of swords for the simple reason that there are only so many ways to kill a vampire. So, to defend themselves against each other, they would frequently use swords or axes or something of that nature. Because the surest way to kill a vampire is beheading. So, lots of sword fights, lots of swords from different eras.

Then I have something called The Sweet Sister set in modern-day Utah, but it doesn’t involve vampires. At least that isn’t obvious (about vampires). And I have a science-fiction novel out. It came out last year called Time’s Plague. No swords except for a homemade machete. But it’s set on one of the moons of Jupiter, so swords are not the most practical weapon.

I just came out with one set in First-century Roman Britannia, with a Roman officer, an Option, who is second-in-command of a centurion of eighty men, but is a convert to early Christianity, and he has to go face a demon. That’s called The Arawn Prophecy, and with that I was researching Roman military life. Specifically, in First-century Britain and the Boudiccan uprising and all the things that were fascinating about that. And because of doing that type of research on Roman weaponry of that period, I also wrote a non-fiction book on the whole Armor of God analogy that Paul uses, using the Roman imagery that his audience would relate with. Because as I researched all of this weaponry and armor, there’s all this symbolism built into it, and that was fascinating.

I have a new one coming out as soon as my publisher gets the edit back to me, called The Witch of White Lady Hollow, which is set in 1978 Southwest Missouri. It’s semi-autobiographical, except I’m not a girl and I’m not a witch. No swords or weapons in that, but the sequel is done and I’m waiting for the publisher on whether they are gonna pick that one up, because the first one hasn’t even come out, and that one is called The Witch and the Devourer of Souls. And currently I’m working on a book called The Executioner of God, which is about a Thirteenth-century Scottish Templar knight who is moving forward in history sixty years at a time in the company of a Fifteenth-century Irish nun, in pursuit of three witches. He never quite catches up to them and he eventually ends up in Twenty-first-century Utah. It will tie all my horror books, except for the witch series, together.

SXP: So, if you’re interested in reading these books, how would one go about finding them?

CDB: They’re on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Kindle and paperback. They are also available on my website, unwillingchild.com. There’s a couple of links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble and iTunes and so on. But there’s also a link to order an autographed copy, which I will sell at the normal price plus priority shipping. But yeah, they are available. I’ve seen them in bookstores, not very commonly, but I have seen them in bookstores.

SXP: That’s awesome, congratulations by the way.

CDB: I was thrilled!

SXP: Absolutely, that’s a huge deal. So, for my last question, I wanted to ask you about Renaissance Faires. Obviously, you’ve been going to them for a while now, but there may be some people that are a little hesitant to go. For those people, how would you sell it to them?

CDB: Just come and have fun! Some people dress up… a lot of people dress up. Most people don’t, so just come and have fun. There are so many things to see. This one that I’m doing in August is just a delight. They have jousting. Most of them are professional jousters. They make their living doing this. There’s a Shakespearean play put on each night. You know, William Shakespeare himself is walking around and conversing with people. And the music! I love music.

If the Ren Faire is not quite your thing, we’ve done the Celtic festival in Evanston, Wyoming for a few years. That’s a much more low-key thing, and a lot of people come for the music. There’s nothing like a Celtic band or Celtic rock group or traditional Celtic singers. We’re just starting to do the one in Moab, Utah called Scots on the Rocks. Last year was my first year going and we didn’t do the full show. We’ll see if they progress to wanting the rest of it, but yeah, Ren Faires are just entertainment. Yeah, you’re gonna find folks dressed up in various ways. They may be pirates, they may be fairies, they may be Scotsmen. You see a lot of kilts, but you don’t have to play along. And Ren Faires run the gamut. You have ones that are totally immersive, where you are immersed in the story, and all the players are moving around and things are happening around you. Including sword fights and so on. Then you have ones that are just basically you just go and visit the various booths and tents and… There’s actually a Viking ship builder here in the area, and he shows how Viking ships were built. He’s there, working on one.

So, if you like history at all, enjoy that. If you like fantasy, enjoy that. And if you just want to come and see something just really different, that’s fun too.

 

Ghost of Tsushima Review

Ghost of Tsushima is an open world Action-Adventure game from Sucker Punch Productions. Set in 13th Century Japan on Tsushima Island, the game centers around a young samurai warrior, Jin Sakai, as he comes face to face with a Mongolian invasion led by the dangerous and brutal Khotun Khan. After a devastating defeat at the hands of the Mongols, and with Jin’s uncle, Lord Shimura captured, Jin must adopt less traditional means of a samurai to stop this devastating force and free his people from Mongol rule.

It must be first noted how absolutely gorgeous the open world of Tsushima is. Sucker Punch has done an incredible job filling the landscape with intricate details. The trees sway in the wind beautifully as a cascade of leaves flutter about. The amount of particle effects on display is quite astounding and pushes the limits of what can be onscreen in this generation of consoles. What the Red Dead Redemption series did in recreating the visual aesthetics of late 19th Century America, Ghost of Tsushima has done the same for 13th Century Japan. It cannot be stated enough just how beautiful this game looks. The color pallet in this game is so incredibly wide and well utilized that at no point will you become bored with the same bland looking environments. Visually, the world feels alive, but visuals do not make the game. Does it actually play well?

The answer to that question is a mixed yes. There are two approaches to gameplay in for Ghost of Tsushima, confrontational and stealth. When it comes to the confrontational gameplay style, Ghost of Tsushima excels tremendously. As you progress through the game, you will unlock various skills, stances, and weapons to dispose of all of your enemies in a quick and deadly fashion. Using your assortment of weapons and skills to take out swaths of enemies never gets old or tiresome. You can start an encounter by initiating a “Standoff.” Enemies surround you as one enemy approaches. These instances feel like a game of cat and mouse as you wait patiently for your enemy to attack before striking a deadly blow with your katana. Enemies will attempt to force you to attack first by feinting an attack to draw you in to deliver a near fatal blow, which puts you at a severe disadvantage in combat afterwards. From there, it’s up to you to choose how to dispatch your foes. You can throw a kunai which breaks your enemy’s guard in order to strike. You can time your parry’s perfectly to deliver an instant kill. You can unleash one of several devastating moves to dispatch multiple enemies at once. There is a lot of creative leeway in how you approach direct combat. Which makes the stealth gameplay feel like more of an afterthought than anything else.

Stealth is the least fun aspect of Ghost of Tsushima, which becomes all the more glaring when certain story missions force stealth onto the player. There is nothing unique or interesting about the stealth, which is a shame considering that this is coming from the makers of the Sly Cooper franchise, which was a fun stealth platformer from the PS2 era. There could have been endless opportunities with the stealth in this game, and it is a shame that so much of it is simply stay behind this character until you’re close enough to stab him. It really slows down the pace of an otherwise fast paced game. But this is a minor complaint considering that stealth missions are few and far between and the game tends to leave players to their own devices when choosing how to deal with enemies in the open world.

As far as the open world is concerned, Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t do much to break the formula of the open world game, but it does refine some aspects of it. First, the waypoint system is one of the greatest systems ever implemented in open world gaming. Gone is the radar system. Gone is the blip on the screen that you have to run towards. Instead, Sucker Punch has created the “Guiding Wind” system, which revolutionizes how players traverse the open world. How this works is you place a waypoint on your map in the menu screen. Instead of that waypoint cluttering up the screen as it does in most open world games, you must follow the direction of the wind. This does two things for the game. First, it minimizes the amount of pop ups onscreen which allows the player to fully appreciate the scenery of the world. Second, it showcases just how incredible the physics system of Ghost of Tsushima is. Not sure where to go? Just look at the direction the grass waving in. It’s truly a remarkable navigation system and it also allows for the player to discover the secret areas of Ghost of Tsushima on their own. And there are a lot of secrets to uncover. While some have complained that the various diversions overstay their welcome, this reviewer found them to be wonderful distractions from the quests and showed an attention to detail in the nooks and crannies that encompass the island of Tsushima. But when you just want to get somewhere quickly and are tired of running around open fields to your destination, Ghost of Tsushima has one of the best fast travel systems to date. Gone is the five-minute long load times associated with most fast travel systems in open world games. You’ll barely have enough time to read the tip on the load screen before being plopped in front of your destination. This is a welcome reprieve for people that just want to get through the game quickly, though doing so may make you miss some exciting fights and random encounters.

Another fun aspect in gameplay are the duels. Duels act as a sort of boss fight between Jin and one other character. These battles are usually much more intense than your standard sword fight as they require you to pay more attention to your dueling partners moves. As the game progresses, these duels become a lot easier when you have more tools at your disposal, but early on they can be brutal and unforgiving at times. That being said, these duels give way to some of the most cinematic moments in the game. As a side note, if you successfully complete all the duels in the game, you are rewarded with a trophy titled “There Can Be Only One.” So, while Ghost of Tsushima drew a lot of inspiration from early samurai films, clearly the developers had a love for the Highlander series and used some of those duels as inspiration.

As far as story is concerned, Ghost of Tsushima tells a surprisingly well-crafted story. While the first introduction of villain Khotun Khan seems almost text book bad guy, as the story progresses, Khotun Khan becomes a villain with depth. Khotun Khan understands his enemies and how they operate and uses their pride and their honor against them in strategic and terrifying ways. Many villains in video games are boiler plate baddies, but there is a subtleness and deftness to how this villain operates that sets him above the rest. Speaking of subtleness, there are several side quests that deal with heavy issues such as child molestation or a homosexual relationship that in other games may have come across as heavy handed, but Ghost of Tsushima is able to navigate these ideas in incredibly precise ways without telling the audience specifically what is happening. This does not happen in all the side quests as one involving dementia becomes a little too on the nose for the topic, but there are very minute details sprinkled throughout the various quests and side quests that make the story of Ghost of Tsushima work and call for repeat playthroughs.

We’ve already mentioned in our previous blog about the Kurosawa mode, which makes the game black and white, adds a film grain filter, ups the wind settings, and changes the frame rate, but the question is, does it truly add anything to the game? The answer is a simple no. While it’s a neat feature, frankly it detracts a bit from the game. First, it’s already been mentioned that the color palate for the game is absolutely breathtaking and is a true site to behold. Placing the game in black and white simply eliminates this aspect of the game. It also becomes much more difficult to see when entering a building. It may be something fun to mess with when doing a second playthrough, but we certainly wouldn’t recommend it on your first.

Overall, Ghost of Tsushima is a wonderful open world Action-Adventure game. It never overstays it’s welcome and it creates a beautiful world that is fun to explore with an engaging and deep combat system that overshadows its weak stealth counterpart. We’d definitely recommend this game to fans of open world games, or classic samurai films. On a scale of 1 to 10, we’d give this a solid 9.5/10.

 

 

We’re Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Well, ladies and gentlemen, after months in quarantine, we’ve just had our first successful Sword Experience Event in Santa Clara on August 1st. We’ve been working diligently in an effort to bring back the best fitness and travel event in the world, while also keeping your health and safety in mind. Thank you to everyone that participated in our Santa Clara event and thank you for sticking with us while we figured out the complexities of these crazy times. We are excited to finally be getting back to what we love to do by bringing fitness and fun together with sword training and sword choreography. We have another event lined up this year in Pittsburgh and we can’t wait to see more of your smiling, but masked, faces! We’re still working on getting our Lakeland event off the ground, and will let you know as soon as possible when we’ve secured a venue and date!

An Interview with C. David Belt Part 1

An Interview with C. David Belt Part 1

We recently sat down with author and ancient weapon enthusiast C. David Belt. In this interview, we discussed his passion for medieval weaponry, his vast collection of ancient weapons, and the classes that he teaches while showcasing his impressive collection. So, enjoy our chat with C. David Belt and check back later for the second half of our conversation regarding his work as an author, how you might be able to get a peak into his collection, and more on his passion for Renaissance Faires.

Sword Experience (SXP): You have a vast knowledge of medieval weaponry. What got you initially started? What sparked your interest in medieval weaponry, and from there, how did it evolve?

C. David Belt (CDB): Well, my father was a history professor. Specifically of U.S. frontier history, but history was his passion. He was a magnificent storyteller, and from my early childhood, he inspired in me a love of history, a love of understanding why people did the things they did and how they lived. Not just your boring old dates and names and places. So, that’s the real basis of it. Then you get to the early 2000’s, I discovered Renaissance Faires (laughs). And we thought we’d go give one a try, and we were just entranced.

I bought my first sword. It turned out to be an English sword rapier. Which is a terrible weapon, meaning bad. But I brought it home and wacked it against a tall pine tree in my backyard and nearly broke my hand and said, “Okay, I don’t know anything about how this works.” And so, I started studying it, and found out what it was, and found out that it was a weapon that lasted about fifty years. It was an English attempt to create a military grade rapier, because rapiers were never used as military weapons, because the average military sword of the day would break them. They were civilian dueling weapons. But the sword rapier was an important piece, because it is also called a transitional rapier. It was a transition between what we now call the broadsword, and an attempt at making something better which eventually became the European sabre.

So, I then began collecting weapons, and as I collected weapons, I would research them obsessively. Trying to figure out how they were used, sometimes how they were made, but I was more interested in how they were used. Which grew into an obsession, and I now have eighty-some pieces in my arsenal. I branched out beyond swords to spears and axes. A few daggers and a few odd things like a Roman dart, which is an incredibly nasty weapon. I just recently acquired an English longbow and two different types of arrows for it. I just am fascinated with how these were used. As I began to write my novels, inspired in part by how much I enjoyed Adrian Paul’s Highlander, I began incorporating some of these swords into my horror/ urban fantasy/ religious horror… whatever you want to call it, it’s kind of a unique genre. There was a need for various types of swords from various eras all being used at the same time. So, that fascinated me. Figuring out how these swords would match up against each other and so on.

SXP: So, you said you’ve amassed over eighty pieces of ancient weaponry. I know I’m asking you to choose between your children, but what do you think is your most prized possession in that collection?

CDB: I’m going to have to name a few because they are prized for different reasons. My most valuable piece is an Eighteenth-century Japanese Katana that I picked up for nothing, almost, and it is an incredible piece.

But as far as the one that fascinates me the most right now at the moment, it’s the late Templar thrusting sword. It’s a very unique weapon, wide at the base, narrowing to the tip, so that it made for an excellent cut and thrust weapon. There are stories about it penetrating plate mail when thrust exactly right. It’s the forerunner of the longsword. Which is basically a longer, two-handed version of the single-handed Templar thrusting sword. That’s just one of my absolute favorites for, like I said, different reasons.

I have a blackened Schiavona, which is a Scottish model of a sword that was very popular with Slavic mercenaries. The blade is beautifully galvanized to a black, with a beautiful basket, just an excellent weapon.

But if someone were to break into my house, I would probably grab either the Nineteenth-century Naval cutlass, because I could use it on the stairs. This is assuming that I couldn’t get to my Smith & Wesson 9mm. Or I would grab a Scottish medieval sword that I have that’s fairly simple. It’s got down-sloping quillons on it and a large pommel. And the reason I’d grab that is because I don’t have a weapon that is better balanced than that.

SXP: So, we touched on this a little bit, because you already said that you were interested in history, but why specifically study medieval weaponry?

CDB: Well, what boy didn’t grow up watching Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, at least for my generation, and seeing that and being fascinated with knighthood and so on. I have in my collection several breast plates and quite a number of helms and a full suit of chain, including a coif, and leggings that my children and I made. We made three sets of… three hauberks. And I have a full suit of plate which I acquired a few years ago. But you know, the fascination with the code of chivalry, or at least the version that has been passed down to us. Learning how things went together and as I researched for some of my novels, some of them are set in various periods of history. I would research exactly what the tactics were, and everything about the warriors of the time.

So, my collection actually goes from 2500 B.C. up through the early Twentieth-century. It’s not just medieval weaponry. I’ve got quite a few Roman pieces and even a Mesoamerican Macuahuitl, which is fire hardened oak with obsidian chips around the edge. But primarily European medieval weaponry, with a few exceptions.

SXP: So, you teach some medieval history, correct?

CDB: I teach a class that I call “Swords and Spears and Axes, Oh My! Medieval Weapons 101,” and I adapt it to a couple of different venues. Well, three different venues. I teach it at Renaissance Faires and writer/ creator conferences, and I have done some academic classes at high schools in Utah. What I do is I talk about the history of these weapons and how they were used. I sing songs and tell tales of battles and glorious, impossible victories and defeats, and after I talk about each weapon, I pass it around to the audience. Everyone gets to handle each and every sword or weapon, with the exception of the spears and the pole ax and the long bow. That’s too difficult to pass around safely. It’s kind of a unique thing.

I start off with an Irish drinking song. Then I give them my little safety lecture. It goes something like this. (With an impressive Scottish accent) “Everything I have here is sharp and is deadly and these will cut you. Now I’m asking you, please do not touch the blades. If you touch the blades, you cause them to rust. And your blood and your fingerprints cause them to rust. It’s not that I care about you and your safety, I care about my blades!”

SXP: (laughs)

CDB: And that usually gets a laugh. I do have an assistant or two that usually go with me. Not members of my own family, believe it or not. Not that they haven’t gone, it’s just that there’s a husband-and-wife team that usually go to these shows with me, because I get them in for free (laughs). The wife is an author and she sells her own medieval-themed fantasy books. I get them in for free and where a tent could cost as much as a thousand to three thousand dollars, we get in for free, because we add value to the event. My two assistants pass the weapons around, and they remind people to not touch the blades, and then they wipe them off after everybody is done. It’s just a fun class.

It does last two hours, and I warn people up front, it does last two hours and you’re free to come and go as you choose, but I have people standing for two hours in the pouring rain. I’m under an awning to protect the weapons, but they get out there and they’re handled by everybody and they come back. I’ve even had people standing in the snow in August in Utah. Utah is a weird state weather-wise, and at the Renaissance Faires, I’m always the number two draw. The joust is always number one, which makes all the sense in the world, and I will never compete with the joust. If I hear that the joust is starting or starting early, I’ll say, “Come back, and we can finish this later.” And everyone goes to watch the joust. But I do draw large crowds for this.

My class at writer’s conferences is really popular, because this is an opportunity for people to handle the weapons, and see how they feel, and get the idea that, “Oh, I really don’t want a two-handed great sword into the hands of my fourteen-year-old female protagonist. It doesn’t matter if she’s super strong, it’s gonna overbalance her.” And then I have people who come… aspiring authors that I have met… they come and do a private tour here at my home in my office. Everything is up on the walls. They’ll get a chance to pick out something that really works for their character. Or, they’ll learn that you don’t want to mix these two types of swords if you’re trying to stay historically accurate. Or that a rapier is not sharp along the edges. That it’s only sharp along the point, because it’s a thrusting only weapon. So, a lot of what you see in the movies doesn’t really work.

A Retrospective on Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor

In 2017, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Productions followed up their 2014 sleeper hit, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, with their highly anticipated sequel, Middle-earth: Shadow of War. We thought it would be fun to take a look back at what made the series so great, and what improvements Shadow of War made to its predecessor.

The first thing that needs to be mentioned when talking about the Middle-earth series is the Nemesis System. This unique gameplay mechanic made the game series stand out amongst the crowd. Roaming around the worlds built for the game, you will have plenty of encounters with various Orcs, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each Orc has its own title, look, and characteristics that are randomly generated. This ensures that no two players will ever come across the exact same Orc, unless said Orc is tied directly to the story. Inside the Orc ranks, there is a hierarchy. You have Grunts, Captains, Warchiefs, and in Shadow of War, Overlords.

There are power struggles that occur at all times within the Orc community. As Talion, the protagonist of both games, it is up to you to decide how to use these power dynamics to your advantage. Say you come across a low-level Grunt, just after finishing a fight with a stronger Warchief. If that Grunt successfully kills you, no need to worry. In the Shadow series, death is not the end, death is an opportunity. The grunt will receive a promotion and is now a Captain amongst the Orcs. You can either ignore him and continue on with your quest, or you can decide to go after him. It’s an open world game, so the choice is yours. If you go after this Captain and you successfully kill him, not only will you receive more XP, but he may drop some valuable gear that can be used to enhance your playstyle.

But this only scratches the surface of the Nemesis System. What it really does is creates a unique set of circumstances for each fight that you engage in. For example, say you have broken an Orc that is a Warchief, meaning that you have defeated him in battle and instead of killing him, you decided to spare his life and convert him to your cause. Now say that you are fighting another Warchief, but unbeknownst to you, this Warchief is actually brothers with the one that you have converted. You’re in the heat of battle and suddenly your Warchief that you had converted earlier betrays you because you are fighting with his brother. Now you have to contend with two Warchief’s instead of one! This is what makes the Nemesis system so exciting. There is a depth to each of your enemies and Shadow of War took it one step further with its Siege missions. Battles in first game already felt epic to begin with, but the Siege missions amped up the battles to 11.

You have to fight with waves of enemies while your Orc army battles and Overlord’s Orc army that all culminates in a final showdown with the Overlord. The tide of battle can turn quickly in these Siege missions, and you have to take into account every aspect of the enemies you face. If you study their weaknesses before entering the battle, the Siege can take mere minutes. However, if you run in without any preparation at all, you may find your Orc army getting slaughtered by the enemy, thus leaving you to battle all the Warchiefs on your own. It can be quite thrilling riding a drake into battle as you watch your Orc army handle the Overlord’s army on their own. Or it can become frustrating as you watch all of your Warchiefs get taken out one by one by a Warchief Berserker that becomes enraged by everything. The Nemesis system is insanely deep and even after you have completed the story, will leave you coming back for more unique battles and encounters.

The combat is similar to the Arkham games, also released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The Arkham games have been praised for their excellent combat design as they revolutionized how third person fighting games operate with its Freeflow Combat System. This system includes a button to attack, a button to defend, a button to stun, and a button to leap over enemies. The Shadow series does not break the mold of that combat system, but it does add its unique and gory twist to the Freeflow Combat System. As you increase your combat multiplier by successfully landing and parrying attacks, you can perform devastating executions, or combo moves that can either take a bunch of enemies out at once, or convert them to your cause. The executions are both gruesome and gorgeous and you’ll often find yourself taken aback by the moves that you pull off in game. The combat is swift and satisfying and not unlike the Nemesis system, keeps you coming back for more. At first the combat system seems simplistic, but as you progress through the game and unlock more skills, you find yourself experimenting with the system to pull off epic executions in the middle of fights. The game truly makes you feel like a God at certain points, though even God’s can be humbled by the right enemy type.

For fans of Lord of the Rings, Shadow of War does an excellent job of fitting into the mythos of the universe without taking too many liberties with J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece of literature. You play as Talion, a loyal Ranger of Gondor that was murdered by the servants of Sauron. After being revived by Celebrimbor, the forger of the one true ring, Talion is hellbent on bringing about the destruction of Sauron’s Orc army. He now shares his body with the spirit of Celebrimbor and as a result has Elven like powers that aid his quest. Shadow of Mordor finds Talion exacting his revenge on those that murdered him and his family. Shadow of War follows Talion and Celebrimbor as they attempt to amass their own Orc army to defeat the dark forces of Sauron’s army. There are many memorable encounters in Shadow of War, and for fans of Peter Jackson’s films, the game does an excellent job of capturing the look and feel of the movies.

So, if you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, or are looking for a killer third person action-adventure game, check out Middle-earth: Shadow of War or it’s predecessor Shadow of Mordor. Both games are highly engrossing and will keep you coming back for more with their incredible enemy designs, the fantastic Nemesis System, the excellent Freeform Combat, and the engrossing story. You won’t regret picking up these excellent games. You can find them on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

 

New Game Alert: Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is a new open world Samurai action game from Sucker Punch Studios. Sucker Punch is famous for their Sly Cooper series on the PS2 and the inFamous series. Ghost of Tsushima is a PS4 exclusive that looks like it will itch that scratch for those of you that are looking for an epic Samurai video game. It was recently announced that the game will come with a mode called Kurosawa mode. This feature gives the feeling as if you are playing an Akira Kurosawa film by making the game black and white, slapping a film grain filter on top of the gameplay and increasing the wind in game to give it the feel of a Kurosawa film. This is an incredible feature for those that have a love for old Samurai films. Ghost of Tsushima was released on July 17th, so look forward to a full review from us soon.