LADIES PLEASE READ (responses requested): Now that I think about it...

If this is a thread for girls to respond to why hasn't Andy replied yet?

That's what she said...

Yes!

My previous char started out knowing how to use a dagger and then progressed to the sword and florentine shortly after even though she was mainly a spellcaster at the time. It *always* a good idea IMO to learn how to use a weapon- even if youre just blocking attacks.

As for my new char, well....she doesnt need weapons- shes got her fists lol but I still learned how to use some this past event even though shes just a healer. Ive also fought in skirts, dresses, bodices, etc. The worst thing Ive ever had to fight in was a headdress (it constantly moves ><) but other then that when youre in combat you dont really think about anything but not dying. hehe....

The answer to that, my dear, is YES *and* NO!

Casmina is entirely melee, BUT... she's rogue-y and a gypsy so she tends to not find herself at the front of battle.

Oddly, the character I'd intended to be a 'back-line' character (Remi, who is a Bard,) frequently winds up at the front on low-level mods. Which is terrible, because she only has about 7 body and gets dropped all the time (as Max will tell you, he spends a lot of time saving Remi's ass.)
But Remi's staff gets more reach than Casmina's florentine, and Remi has the benefit of a sweet magic item and things like "Lyric of Protection," so she winds up being the more combat-ready character...

Ultimately, though, while the majority of us girls wear very pretty (and not exactly combat-appropriate) garb, we get in on the action as the personality of our PCs dictate. Moresca bodice or no, we kick ass and look hot doing it. Because honestly, it's not exactly like I can wear my gorgeous garb to, say, the grocery store. At least, not without getting very strange looks (though I have indeed gone fooding in garb before.) I think that plenty of us DO get in on melee action, whether or not we're dressed for it.

Also, if you think about it, I'm pretty sure that cleavage gives us a significant combat advantage...

... and now I'm thinking up the mechanics of a tag skill. "CLEAVAGE!" ... it probably functions exactly like a Stun. 

I would fight if I was better at it. I've tossed the idea around in my head a bit.

But why would I learn if I can use cheated prayers/magic lasers instead?

I just like to wear armor.

My main is a healer, cleric, Paladin with master warrior. I fight with mace & shield. Not that I'm really any good, but I'm not afraid to get hit and come home bruised after every event.

It's the rest of us who are afraid of going home bruised after an event when it comes to fighting you.    As an NPC, I find it hard to want to attack you MB... and not because I'm afraid if I hurt you, Joe will rip my arms off, but that I like you so damn much that I feel bad if I attack you.  If you were someone like Steve Oros, I would gladly crack you upside your head. 

I don't find it hard to attack MB - I laid her out in 2 feet of snow at an old event in another game ...& ran away laughing....
I'm not afraid of Joe either.......

NO. . . but I'm horribly out of shape and just wanted a character to relax with. I can fight florentine (at least my character card says I can) but I left my sword at home when I realized that meant noble-types would send me into battle.
Perhaps if things work out I'll bring in a fighty alt someday. Or not.
When I do fight I love the old sword-and-board.