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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silverblade The Ench" data-source="post: 5348627" data-attributes="member: 19083">Good thread! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />I had posted but it got "eaten" by IE8 somehow, I fear :/1) The best weapons are also tools.The Spear, the axe, the dagger were in most cultures far more common because you could hunt with them, chop firewood, etc etc.Oh want to know what the VERY best weapon is? THE ONE YOU HAVE IN YOUR HAND!!! no other weapon counts because you don't have it! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />2) Axes were far more common than is shown in gaming etc, axes could cleave through armour and shields, but weren't the hugely headed, unbalanced things seen in much fantasy <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />Well, "Snaga" the weapon of Druss the Axeman, made of solid steel, could only be wielded a by truly incredibly strong AND *big* person (needs mass to control it), as swinging 15lbs of steel most folk have no damn clue how hard that would be. Sledgehammers run 9 to 15 lbs by comparison.this is a pic of Raven Armoury's "Snaga"[sblock="SNAGA, the Sender"]<img src="http://www.raven-armoury.co.uk/gifs/arms/Snaga/SnagaFH/SnagaFHSK2800.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock]often axes were held close to the head for up close-in workCelts and Vikings favoured the axe.The axe, like the spear also had another huge advantage over the sword: toughness and cheap.Only a small part of the it's size was metal (so cheap/easy to make), that metal was thick, thus it was hard to break, unlike swords.IMHO, a handaxe would be THE weapon most adventurer's would certainly carry, as much for helping to cut down old doors, small trees, making camp etc covering trails, etc.For similar reaosns, cutlasses would also be favoured and obviously, daggers. Cutlasses evolved from machetes.spears and bows/slings can get game for dinner, you don't use swords to hunt <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />Handaxes can also be thrown, and it doesn't matter WHAT part hits you, hehe.Like blunt weapons, axes versus plate armour cause severe blunt trauma through the armour, so it may not break the armour or skin but you die from a burst spleen or get an arm bone broken. If you hit chain mail, you can literally "nip" an arm off, certainly do severe damage.Cost, by the way, is why only nobles had swords for the most part. To make a long length of blade, you require damn good skills/metal. So most folk for centuries used shortswords, axes, spears etc.3) IMHO, spears (as in the common version) in D&D should be allowed Reach, AND close in use, sure as hell the Greeks and Celts could skewer folk with them up close, very well. The "broadspear", should be another version, these would have 18 inch long heads, 3 inches wide, sort of like the spear mentioned in "Dragonslayer" as someone notes in this thread <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />these would be an Exotic weapon and do more damage.4) I HATE seeing artwork or miniatures with spear/axe shafts being very thin...not gonna happen!! you need thick shafts for them. Javelins don't as they are thrown and not much used for melee.Ideally I'd want an axe handle to be square or somehwat rectangular, then corners rounded down, and leather wrapped. See dwarven axes in LOTR films. reason being this allows more control.5) Cor Malek did great piece on "Damascus" Steel  (but Commies rule! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" />)A modern swordmaker has created a form of wootz steel using quenching in liquid nitrogen, swords cost $12,000+ dollars a go, but are incredibly tough as well as mad hard, can bend them 90 degrees and they won't break.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MshYDTl6k0[/ame]In my games, I say "dwarven steel" is +1 quality (masterwork in 4th ed), stainless steel6) The oman legions stopped using spears so much around the Marian Reforms, iirc? Spears became more about civil guard duties etc, and the pilum was used to thrust, sure but was largely for throwing (especially since it was designed to bend). When using spears (hasta) they guy in back rank would do the hard work, guy in front would hold it and direct his partner's thrusts.point of using the Gladius was that it was so broad, only a simple short thrust was needed to kill. Broad bladed stabbing weapons are the deadliest, most efficient weapon there is. Seriously, basic Human physiology, a 3inch wide blade stabs you anywhere for even two or 3 inches, you are in DEEP trouble. Light weapon, so many fast thrusts don't tire so much and will kill the enemy, PDQ! None of this silly swinging you see in movies: thrust thrust thrust thrust! With the shield punching out too in time, 1-2, 1-2.Used in tight ranks, the Roman formations with the gladius were like a damn quisinart, with 4 or more legionaries ot every "barbarian" they'd puncture them, and not get tired so much, unlike swinging big axes etc.In "dungeons", thrusting and short weapons would rule, due to tight quarters, so again, spears, handaxes, daggers, shortswords, cutlasses, would have the advantage over the very long blades of katanas, etc.7) Crossbows can be held cocked almost indefinately, as a poster notes, you CANNOT do that with a bow, try holding a 60+Lb draw weight bow for long and see why...ugh!! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f641.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":(" title="Frown    :("  data-smilie="3"data-shortname=":(" />it is more of  pain to load the crossbow, so it's best for firing from ambush, or from behind defences which give you time to reload. It's higher velocity, straight shooting (it's far far more accurate than any bow) means it penetrates armour better.D&D makes reloading a crossbow too quick, really, but hey it's trying to keep the game "fun" <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />Longbows work best on the battlefield in "clout shooting", that is, fired high, like a mortar, often when the enemy isn't visible, like firing over a hill. Not much use in small combat like adventurers get in as it's not accurate, but catastrophic when used en masse with well trianed bowmen.Shortbows have one big problem: they pinch the fingers when drawn back so limit you to only two fingers...and/or you have to use less draw weight. (Limbs are short making the angle of the string very sharp)The Mongols and others over came that by using a ring or a strap to hold the string but that also made it a bit slower to use.Legends of Mongol archers hitting a man hundreds of yards away through the eye etc are garbage, you cannot hit jack SQUAT from horseback except very close up. But when hundreds of men fired, hey sure, some unlocky sod would get hit in the eye, hence, the legend <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> firing from a moving horse...bah, it makes aiming impossible over distance.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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