Foil. Épée. Sabre.
What Is Foil. Épée. Sabre.?
This is not debate. This is not improv. This is a conversation turned duel—a contest of minds where wit, insight, and emotional precision clash in elegant combat.
Two players enter a verbal fencing match, selecting one of three styles of engagement—each based on a classical sword:
• Foil – The art of elegant precision
• Épée – The depth of full exposure
• Sabre – The speed of overwhelming flair
Each sword defines the tone, rhythm, rules, and winning conditions of the bout.
You don’t just win by being right.
You win by landing your strikes—one sentence at a time.
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Objective
Win rounds by scoring verbal points through clever, insightful, or devastatingly timed lines—according to the rules of the chosen blade.
• First to 5 points wins the round.
• First to 2 rounds wins the match.
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Setup
1. Choose Your Blade
Pick one of three distinct modes of play—Foil, Épée, or Sabre. Each has its own rules of engagement.
You may choose just one mode to play or escalate through all three in a Tri-Blade Match.
2. Set the Theme (Optional)
Choose a topic, such as:
• Time
• Desire
• Mortality
• Memory
• Power
• Belief
Or start cold—let the first strike determine the theme organically.
3. Begin the Match
Flip a coin, ask “Who’s striking first?”, or stare at each other until one of you breaks the silence with intent.
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The Three Blades
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Foil — The Art of Precision
Tone: Witty, controlled, elegant
Vibe: One sentence. One strike.
Philosophy: Say less. Mean more.
Rules of Engagement:
• Right of Way: Only one player speaks per turn. The one who initiates the current attack holds the “right of way” until countered.
• Concise Strikes: Speak only one sentence per turn. If you ramble or compound, your strike is invalid.
• Clean Hits Score:
• A line so sharp it leaves no room for response = 1 point.
• A devastating riposte that flips your opponent’s logic = 1 point.
• A flawless mic-drop line = 2 points (bonus).
• Faults (No Point):
• Rambling, vague, or repeated statements.
• Breaking rhythm or violating Right of Way.
• Interrupting the opponent mid-strike.
Perfect For: Snipers of speech. Those who thrive on brevity, elegance, and verbal disarmament.
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Épée — Depth Over Dazzle
Tone: Philosophical, layered, vulnerable
Vibe: Say more. Go deeper. Take risks.
Philosophy: Everything is fair game.
Rules of Engagement:
• Open Flow: Either player may speak freely. No Right of Way. Turn-taking is respected, not required.
• Strikes Can Be Long or Short: You may offer a quip or unravel a monologue—if it hits, it hits.
• Points Are Scored When:
• You visibly stun your opponent (pause, smirk, laugh, breathless silence).
• You reframe their point with surprising clarity or depth.
• You land a Deep Strike: something emotionally bold, raw, or profoundly insightful = 2 points.
• Penalty:
• If a Deep Strike falls flat (no reaction), lose 1 point.
• Dodging the topic, being generic, or contradicting yourself earns nothing.
Perfect For: Thinkers, poets, and quiet wrecking balls. If your weapon is insight, this is your arena.
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Sabre — Chaos & Charisma
Tone: Fast, fierce, funny
Vibe: Interrupt. Retort. Overwhelm.
Philosophy: Attack first. Attack fast. Attack again.
⚡ Rules of Engagement:
• Rapid Tempo: Respond within 3 seconds or lose your turn.
• Interruptions Allowed: You may cut in only if your line is brilliant—funny, crushing, or absurd.
• Combo Points:
• Land 3 quick-fire lines in a row = Combo Strike = 2 points.
• Cause your opponent to freeze, facepalm, laugh uncontrollably, or say “oh damn” = 1 point.
• Faults:
• Weak interruptions = –1 point.
• Delays, hesitations, or overthinking.
• Falling out of rhythm or missing the tone.
Perfect For: Instinctive improvisers. Those who don’t think twice—just strike.
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Match Format
Tri-Blade Match (Full Duel)
• Round 1: Foil
• Round 2: Épée
• Round 3: Sabre
Whoever wins 2 out of 3 rounds becomes the Champion of the Duel.
Optional: Continue for glory. Loser picks the next theme. Winner keeps their sword.
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Variant Modes
Silent Blade
Players can only speak one word per turn or use gestures. Score when your opponent visibly reacts.
No “I” Mode
Remove all first-person pronouns. Speak without centering yourself. Earn 1 bonus point per strike that avoids self-reference entirely.
Reverse Duel
Try to lose—but convincingly. If your opponent figures out you’re throwing the match, you both lose.
Sudden Death
Each player has only 15 total seconds of speech per round. Choose your words like they’re loaded.
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Sample Duel: Épée | Theme: Power
Player A (Foil): “Power doesn’t corrupt—it gives you permission to be honest.”
Player B (Épée): “That’s not honesty. That’s self-indulgence with armor.”
Player A: [smirks, visibly impressed]
→ 1 point to Player B
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Final Word
Foil. Épée. Sabre. isn’t just a game—it’s a conversation forged into combat.
Each blade tests a different part of you:
• Your clarity.
• Your depth.
• Your speed.
You’ll laugh. You’ll flinch. You’ll rethink everything you just said.
So choose your weapon.
Ready your blade.
Pick your style.
Begin the duel.
Invented by:
Keaffa Moon & Danu Marche
Boner And Biscuits LLC, copyright 1993
