system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[WH40K] What subtleties does chain-weapon technology bring to sword-fighting or other melee combat?

Having chainswords go edge-on-edge seems... hazardous. How the heck did Caiaphas Cain, Hero of the Imperium go mano a mano on a Chaos Space Marine with his chainsword?

How do chainweapon duels work?
gpt
The heavy chain going at high speed gives the heavy sword rotational inertia.

In the hands of someone who knows how to use it, the weapon can be extremely graceful and fast. Of course, in the wrong hands it is a liability.

The high speed serrations give every slash and hacking motion considerably more damage. If your enemy is not used to chainswords, it can be very effective

Consider an unsuspecting ork boy who brings his axe or club down on you.


If you raise the chainsword up to block the blow, and keep it a slight angle, the axe hits the chain edge and the chain teeth immediately pulls the axe down along the  sword, pulling the inertia of the Ork with it. The enemy axe hits the hilt, and carries on falling to the dirt. The hilt makes the chainsword flick up and tear into the Ork Boy's face and head. His own force does the hard work.


Even if the ork is smart enough to hold against the pull of the chain, his axe will be ruined as the chain cuts it away.