Remec: Yes. Hit points represent as much the ability to avoid serious damage as they do the actual physical toughness.<br/><br/>Lyell: While it is true that deflection does take a lot less energy than stopping a blow, I find it somewhat unlikely that a short-sword can exert enough force to significantly alter a greatsword's impulse. I /really/ need to find a discussion of the physics of an actual sword /fight/, rather than the physical considerations of sword design...