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Epee was originally developed from the rapier as a gentlemen’s duelling weapon. As duels were often to first blood the epee involves much greater emphasize on the quick sneaky hit to wound, rather than an all out stab through the heart technique.
An epee is the same length as a foil, but a little thicker, a bit heavier, and much stiffer. The guard is sometimes called the bell and is larger to cover most of the hand. As in foil the blade has a button at the end. When the button is depressed the circuit is completed and the light comes on. The epee button is heavier than the foil’s, so greater force is needed to score a hit.
Out of recognition for the duelling past of the epee, the whole body is the target, including head, hands, and feet. In response to this no lamé is worn, and the piste (floor) is made of metal to allow hits to the floor not to be counted as hits to foot. Epee without a piste requires foot judges, or honesty among fencers (I said it was gentlemen’s duelling).
One of the most endearing features of epee is that Right of Way does not exist. If you hit your opponent, you get the point for it. If you both hit, you both get the point. This reflects duels to the death where a wound would be inflicted regardless of whose sword landed first.
Epeeists are usually discouraged from presiding, as foillists will despair at their lack of awareness of right of way. That’s a good tip to get out of presiding, shout loudly, "I’m an epeeist". No Saboreur or foillist will let you near their piste.
With no Right of Way in epee, parries are more usually reserved for a last ditch, about to be hit, panic. Instead compound parries to take the blade and make an attack from it are more common.
One of the most effective techniques in epee is the stop hit. This is where you hit you opponent before they hit you. Although I said there is no right of way there is a time period in order for a double hit to be recorded. If your stop hit lands early enough the box will light before your opponent hits you and action will stop. It is always most infuriating to be caught with a stop hit