[Talisman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

How does the Sonic Arrow match the helmets or armour? You mean the belt? No way is the belt the most noticable part of any Rider design. It's a focal point, but especially in Gaim, the torso and head are always the most recognisable part.

Notice how all the Energy Arms are missing a pauldron. It's a universal design choice for archers, which tend to use bows, to keep their drawing arm free and mobile.

So I'd say that considering how noticeable the armor is, especially the asymmetry of said, the Arrow makes perfect sense. Zangetsu in this respect makes absolutely perfect sense, seeing as Samurai were expected to maintain proficiency, if not mastery, of both the bow and the sword. European nobles (Duke) frequently did the same. I cannot speak for vikings or Arabian royalty, however. The Sonic Arrow, by way of function following form, allows them to act both as archers and swordsmen.

As for the larger shift from the clearly melee-oriented Armored designs to the more ranged-oriented Genesis, I can't say, though it does give the impression that they expect to be so far above and generally out of reach of the enemy that they needn't worry about melee combat. Fortunately, unlike, say, the US Military doctrine regarding air combat circa Vietnam, Ryoma had the good sense to include some close-range functionality on the thing.

And for the record I think it goes great with Duke, especially in Dragonfruit Energy form.