I believe you. I still play 2nd ed. AD&D P&P roleplay from time to time. Last time my character tried punch an air elemental with a non magical blade. Nothing happened until the air elemental decided that it was my time to take a hit. After the character hit the nearest wall - face first, the DM asked me to make a morale check and my once so brave fighter decided to turn on his heels and run away.
After having a little conversation with the mage in the party, the once so brave fighter is now looking under each and every rock to see if he can find a better (=magical) weapon.
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Insane