Pistol Packing Wes

[white avenger]

Of all of the characters on either "Buffy" or "Angel," with the exception of a single rocket launcher, Wes is the only featured character who ever fought the bad guys with anything more modern than wooden stakes and edged weapons (I discount Riley because by the time he became a permanent member of Buffy's team, he didn't have access to the Initiative's ultra modern weaponry) He always seemed to have at least one, and often two, handguns, and quite often a shotgun. So (here's the question) do you think that he preferred modern weapons as opposed to the traditional ones?

 

[MinwaraYana]

I think he preferred guns because he has no superstrength like Angel, nor experienced in war zone like Gunn. Guns give him distance from the demons so he doesn't have to get too close and get in trouble. And clearly, he's so good with guns. He can shoot well since he was a dorky Wes in Expecting. 🙂

 

[VisionGirl]

Yes, I agree. I was going to say that he doesn't have the enhanced skills that Angel has nor the same kind of hand-to-hand experience as Gunn, so his expertise with guns is definitely a plus for him. Plus, it makes him kinda sexy!

 

[fabcruz]

Yes, I agree. I was going to say that he doesn't have the enhanced skills that Angel has nor the same kind of hand-to-hand experience as Gunn, so his expertise with guns is definitely a plus for him. Plus, it makes him kinda sexy!

Except that, by the end of season 3 and the beginning of Season 4 he's a lot more capable hand to hand fighter.

I mean Justine isn't a chump really, and he takes her down easily.

 

[StarSlayer]

So (here's the question) do you think that he preferred modern weapons as opposed to the traditional ones?

I think Wesley preferred traditional weapons as opposed to modern ones. He always seemed to get a lot more done when simply using guns. However, I definitely think the modern weapons helped him, especially when he was on his own for a while.

I think the next question would be whether Wesley preferred ancient weaponry or modern weaponry (guns, shotguns, etc). Skills aside, he always had a high interest in ancient weapons and loved the chance to use them. I can't help but think of the scene in "Heartthrob," when Angel comes back and gives everyone gifts. He gives Wesley that ancient knife and Wesley seemed very excited about it, especially to have the chance to use it in battle. Although Wesley became more of a bad ass by the end of s3 and into s4, and started to use modern weapons, I don't think that necessarily changed his love for ancient weaponry. I think he just began to use guns more because they got the job done quicker, and he could fight at a distance.

 

[Bungle Jerry]

Guns always seem to represent his journey into 'darkness' for me. Guns in the Whedonverse are always 'evil' in a way traditional weaponry isn't. They're grim and lacking in mythology or poetry. Wesley gets very badly burnt by his faith in traditional 'lore', and progressively becomes more 'worldly'. Suddenly it's fewer broadswords and more guns.

 

[Lilah]

I love that Wes uses guns, it makes him way more sexier!

 

[Taake]

I don't think he necessarily preferred modern weapons - I would more say that he was one of the few who was open minded to use them. He saw a function and he went with it.

... and also yeah, it makes him look sexy ;P

 

[Kana]

As Wes said, he uses whatever tools are necessary, whether magic, hand to hand combat or magic etc. It's also about playing to strengths. If you notice Wes is a skilled marksmen, so guns seem like a logical choice.

 

[Sunnydale Siren]

I love that Wes uses guns, it makes him way more sexier!

Must agree, Wesley looked HOT gettin his gun off.

 

[BuffyElevated]

So (here's the question) do you think that he preferred modern weapons as opposed to the traditional ones?

I think Wes liked to find ways to modernize weapons, yes... Look at all the awesome contraptions he has in Season 4... That sword that seems to come out of nowhere from his arm, his stake holsters, etc. I always thought Wes preferred guns though because he wasn't so great with hand-to-hand combat and had no super-strength to help him out.

 

[Hale Caesar]

I think he preferred modern weapons...and he looked incredibly badass while using them