| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:19 am Post subject: Re: what's the best weapon? |
 |
|
| wishfullthinkng wrote: |
so, if you had a trained expert wielding a non-projectile, non-mechanical weapon (basically no guns, things that use propellants or explosives, or anything modern), which hand weapon do you think would be the best and why?
longsword? axe? morningstar? pike? hammer?
your thoughts? |
It would depend on the time frame. In the early middle ages the battle axe was the weapon of choice, due to the serious wounds inflected by the heavy part of the axe. The longsword was a personal defence weapon. In battle it was a weapon of last resort. In fact when personal armour was abandoned due to the musket, the longsword was replaced by the rapier.
Pikes had serious limitations. They were effective against horsemen and when infantry formations were moving. If the terrain was slippery forget it. In general the Bill was better, you could do a lot more with it even when thier was bad footing. the English used bills in the Battle of Flodden where the scottish army using pikes was almost anihilated. The Swiss using Pikes which they were very good at were badly beaten when French forces figured out how to get around the Pikes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
zenger
Joined: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| fermentation wrote: |
| zenger wrote: |
| All armies in the past issued Swords because they are versatile and deadly. |
Actually, the most widely used infantry weapon throughout history was the spear. Swords are generally poor weapons against armor. Short answer, I would use a spear and a blunt weapon like a mace or hammer as a backup. |
Correct, but they all had swords as well. At least well trained properly funded armies.
Spear is nearly useless for offense against a fixed location. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Savant
Joined: 25 May 2007
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| zenger wrote: |
| fermentation wrote: |
| zenger wrote: |
| All armies in the past issued Swords because they are versatile and deadly. |
Actually, the most widely used infantry weapon throughout history was the spear. Swords are generally poor weapons against armor. Short answer, I would use a spear and a blunt weapon like a mace or hammer as a backup. |
Correct, but they all had swords as well. At least well trained properly funded armies.
Spear is nearly useless for offense against a fixed location. |
Yep, spear can only be good against a standing army. "300" told me so! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DejaVu
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Location: Your dreams
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When I think of the "best weapon", I think of 1-on-1 circumstances. A trained fighter with a spear could easily make it the best weapon to choose...
It's pretty much a bo-staff with one end for killing.
Clearly it's not the best weapon for an entire army... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zenger
Joined: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| best weapon according to deadliest warrior is a spartan shield if I remember correctly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fermentation
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| zenger wrote: |
Correct, but they all had swords as well. At least well trained properly funded armies.
Spear is nearly useless for offense against a fixed location. |
A sword is still a sidearm, and not very effective if your opponent is wearing quality armor. Although that still depends on the sword and the armor. The spear would be my go to weapon of choice in melee combat.
Not sure what you mean by fixed locations.
| Quote: |
| Clearly it's not the best weapon for an entire army... |
Actually it is, which is why armies were equipped with spears throughout history until the invention of firearms. Hell, pikes were still used along side muskets for awhile too. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crisdean
Joined: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Seoul Special City
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| If I recall my Final Fantasy lore; the Masamune is the best possible weapon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
yodanole
Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: La Florida
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you consider the conditions to be as in "A Princess of Mars" ( John Carter ): ( that is, pretty much the worst )
1) You are usually alone
2) You can expect the unexpected, even the extraordinary
3) Circumstances, such as being mounted or not, may change rapidly
4) You may never imagine what armaments or numbers might beset you
If allowed a personal arsenal: a longbow, a shield, a beltknife, a javelin, a tomahawk and a gladius. Some may not consider a poncho, a canteen, a lodestone or blankets weapons, but you can die without them.
If allowed only one weapon, then a sword. A longsword, a katana, a saber, a scimitar, a cutlass, probably in that descending order of preference as long as they would be longer than the gladius. And a warriors most formidable weapon; a sharp wit.
All things considered, since modern weapons are excluded, I'd choose a light saber. After all, it was "A long, long time ago". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zenger
Joined: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| fermentation wrote: |
| zenger wrote: |
Correct, but they all had swords as well. At least well trained properly funded armies.
Spear is nearly useless for offense against a fixed location. |
A sword is still a sidearm, and not very effective if your opponent is wearing quality armor. Although that still depends on the sword and the armor. The spear would be my go to weapon of choice in melee combat.
Not sure what you mean by fixed locations.
| Quote: |
| Clearly it's not the best weapon for an entire army... |
Actually it is, which is why armies were equipped with spears throughout history until the invention of firearms. Hell, pikes were still used along side muskets for awhile too. |
A spearman in armor vs a swordsman in leather. Swordsman wins everytime. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fermentation
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I don't know what you're basing that on. And what if they're not wearing leather? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Best weapon?
Your brain. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Squire
Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Location: Jeollanam-do
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I've always like a sword and shield combination, like Boromir |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crisdean
Joined: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Seoul Special City
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| hellofaniceguy wrote: |
Best weapon?
Your brain. |
You've clearly led a life sheltered from the masses. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zenger
Joined: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| fermentation wrote: |
| I don't know what you're basing that on. And what if they're not wearing leather? |
Research.
And knowledge of armor and weaponry.
Maneuverability is paramount in a fight. One in armor does not have it. They tire faster. Thrusting is the most effective attack with a spear, so limited. And all armor has weaknesses. So a faster equally skilled swordsman will be faster, won't tire, more effective attacks slashes, stabs, and still has ample protection from anything other than a thrust.
Checkmate. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
radcon
Joined: 23 May 2011
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I'm surprised none of you geeks have said that the best weapon is either sorcery or The Force. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
