Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Khaalis" data-source="post: 4979465" data-attributes="member: 2167">That's actually not quite accurate. Yes a greatsword has better reach, but not better power against armor.&nbsp; Greatswords were used for two primary purposes. The first and foremost purpose was to hew through lines of light infantry with spears/pikes, targeting first the flimsy spears and pikes, where thin wood can't hold up to the force of a greatsword. Then secondly the infantry themselves, and these light infantry rarely wore armor heavier than leather (and rarely chain) so there was no need for a greatsword to be effective against armor.&nbsp; The second primary use was to use the weapon against cavalry in a rather brutal attack, taking the horses' legs. They were on occasion also set as secondary pikes themselves for dismounting riders.On a more technical note, keep in mind that Longswords technically ARE &quot;epee's a deux main&quot; or 2-Handed weapons. This is how they are meant to be wielded. In almost all respects, in western martial arts, the longsword is considered a superior weapon to the &quot;greatsword&quot;. While greatswords are large and grant you reach, they are wielded the same way as a longsword but are harder to master and of much more limited use.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Khaalis, post: 4979465, member: 2167"] That's actually not quite accurate. Yes a greatsword has better reach, but not better power against armor. Greatswords were used for two primary purposes. The first and foremost purpose was to hew through lines of light infantry with spears/pikes, targeting first the flimsy spears and pikes, where thin wood can't hold up to the force of a greatsword. Then secondly the infantry themselves, and these light infantry rarely wore armor heavier than leather (and rarely chain) so there was no need for a greatsword to be effective against armor. The second primary use was to use the weapon against cavalry in a rather brutal attack, taking the horses' legs. They were on occasion also set as secondary pikes themselves for dismounting riders. On a more technical note, keep in mind that Longswords technically ARE "epee's a deux main" or 2-Handed weapons. This is how they are meant to be wielded. In almost all respects, in western martial arts, the longsword is considered a superior weapon to the "greatsword". While greatswords are large and grant you reach, they are wielded the same way as a longsword but are harder to master and of much more limited use. [/QUOTE]

Verification