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Medieval weapons: why so many? And how do they differ?
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<blockquote data-quote="Raduin711" data-source="post: 7925426" data-attributes="member: 15303"><p>Maces tend to be smaller, and have a rounder shape, so that you can swing it at a variety of angles. This makes it a little more versatile a weapon. A knight on horseback could ride past you (a footman) and strike you with the mace like he was bowling, or playing polo.</p><p></p><p>Compare to a hammer, which is designed to be swung one way, on a very specific axis. A hammer swing that glances or hits with the flat is unlikely to pierce armor, and may even disarm the wielder as the hammer's momentum works against the wielder, twisting the weapon out of their hands. If the hammer hits, it is going to hit harder because the weight is arranged in a cylinder so the maximum amount of weight is brought to bear.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Knights in full plate did use swords, but you are right, trying to slice or stab through your opponent's armor is pointless. The point of the duel was more to gain control over your opponent, get him on the ground, where you could then stick that sword in a vulnerable part of the armor. Half-swording (Gripping the sword blade in the middle of the blade with your off hand) was a valuable technique to guide the sword to those vulnerable gaps. Like wrestling with crowbars.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Historically the spear was the true prince of weapons. This is why there were endless variations. The power of the reach of the spear cannot be overstated; a sword wielder who tries to knock the head of a spear out of the way with his sword has also in all probability put his own body within reach of the spear, while the spear wielder is still safe from the sword. The spear wielder begins with an offensive and defensive advantage, that the sword wielder must overcome before he can do anything. Sure, if the sword wielder manages it, he can take the advantage... but that's IF.</p><p></p><p>Any younger siblings who have gotten in fights with their older siblings and been hopelessly held at bay by the older sibling's superior reach (which is totally cheating, why don't you stop doing that and let me fight you) know the injustice of this all too well.</p><p></p><p>The problem with this is... that's not fun. Swords are cool. Axes are cool. Maces are cool. Giant, double-headed scimitars are cool. Spears are cool too, but not so cool we want everyone running around with one. But if we were playing with historical accuracy, that's what would be happening. Polearms for days. Your bad-ass sword master would be overspecialized and niche. Skirmishes would largely be decided not by the skill of the combatants, but how many combatants each side had, and how many each side was willing to lose in the fight. Five valiant heroes fighting off a swarm of opponents and coming out alive on the other side is fantasy, whether magic is a part of the setting or not.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Raduin711, post: 7925426, member: 15303"] Maces tend to be smaller, and have a rounder shape, so that you can swing it at a variety of angles. This makes it a little more versatile a weapon. A knight on horseback could ride past you (a footman) and strike you with the mace like he was bowling, or playing polo. Compare to a hammer, which is designed to be swung one way, on a very specific axis. A hammer swing that glances or hits with the flat is unlikely to pierce armor, and may even disarm the wielder as the hammer's momentum works against the wielder, twisting the weapon out of their hands. If the hammer hits, it is going to hit harder because the weight is arranged in a cylinder so the maximum amount of weight is brought to bear. Knights in full plate did use swords, but you are right, trying to slice or stab through your opponent's armor is pointless. The point of the duel was more to gain control over your opponent, get him on the ground, where you could then stick that sword in a vulnerable part of the armor. Half-swording (Gripping the sword blade in the middle of the blade with your off hand) was a valuable technique to guide the sword to those vulnerable gaps. Like wrestling with crowbars. Historically the spear was the true prince of weapons. This is why there were endless variations. The power of the reach of the spear cannot be overstated; a sword wielder who tries to knock the head of a spear out of the way with his sword has also in all probability put his own body within reach of the spear, while the spear wielder is still safe from the sword. The spear wielder begins with an offensive and defensive advantage, that the sword wielder must overcome before he can do anything. Sure, if the sword wielder manages it, he can take the advantage... but that's IF. Any younger siblings who have gotten in fights with their older siblings and been hopelessly held at bay by the older sibling's superior reach (which is totally cheating, why don't you stop doing that and let me fight you) know the injustice of this all too well. The problem with this is... that's not fun. Swords are cool. Axes are cool. Maces are cool. Giant, double-headed scimitars are cool. Spears are cool too, but not so cool we want everyone running around with one. But if we were playing with historical accuracy, that's what would be happening. Polearms for days. Your bad-ass sword master would be overspecialized and niche. Skirmishes would largely be decided not by the skill of the combatants, but how many combatants each side had, and how many each side was willing to lose in the fight. Five valiant heroes fighting off a swarm of opponents and coming out alive on the other side is fantasy, whether magic is a part of the setting or not. [/QUOTE]
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