Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 2288740" data-attributes="member: 2011">I suggest you do more research.Many armies were augmented by irregulars (i.e. peasants).And, most peasants that were given a weapon were given either a polearm, or a simple single weapon like a club or dagger. They were rarely given shields or armor. The main reason for that is that armies did not have time to train peasants in combat fighting and typically did not have the money to adequately supply them. And peasants, at least in most European countries, were not allowed to own weapons, armor or shields (hence the reason work tools started becoming used as weapons). They were supplied with weapons as needed and then those weapons were collected afterwards.Yes they were. But they were very rarely used in normal combat in Europe until the 16th century. And even then, they had a few specialized roles and were not used by most troops.<a href="http://www.selfdefenseforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6576.html" target="_blank">http://www.selfdefenseforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6576.html</a>The two handed sword had specific duties, but it was not used as a general purpose combat weapon. For one thing, it was expensive to manufacture.Except that greatswords were historically used as thrusting weapons.It is obvious that you do not know that much about how this weapon was actually used if you think that you swing a greatsword. You have to read what weapon masters from the 15th through 17th century wrote down concerning melee weapons.The problem with swinging a greatsword is that if a trained opponent gets within your guard and blocks the swing near your hands with either a second weapon or a shield, he will kill you with his weapon. Hence the reason that you thrust with a greatsword. You keep the point of such a weapon facing your foe (and hence the reason greatswords and any two handed weapons like polearms should have a penalty on Attacks of Opportunity). Course, the problem with this is that you can only point it at one foe at a time, hence, the reason it the greatsword not very good as a combat weapon in real life (unlike in DND).Granted, you can swing such a weapon, but swinging it is a tactic of last resort when fighting multiple opponents (similar to Spanish Quarterstaff fighting where you attempt to keep your opponents at bay). But if you are using it that way, then (like I said in an earlier post) it is hazardous to you allies as well as your enemies.<a href="http://www.historicalweapons.com/swordsanddaggersterm.html" target="_blank">http://www.historicalweapons.com/swordsanddaggersterm.html</a></blockquote>

Verification