Posted by Radakh on August 18, 2000 at 14:33:00:
In Reply to: Re: Wish list of things I'd like to see changed concerning combat. posted by Magtograme on August 16, 2000 at 14:45:10:
> just my thoughts on a couple of the things youve said.... (some food for thought if nothing else) Nope. Your sword is a very small thin shield when it comes to parrying. Parrying an incoming blade is not easy to do and definitely isn't as easy as shield blocking. Flourintine I completely agree that it's only a game and that's why I didn't start out ranting about lack of realism. Flails were an iffy weapon at best. I could see aiming for the throat Believe me, I've used polearms and have fought against them in both melee and single combat. Setting a pole does nothing. Absolutely nothing to stop an oncoming attack. > who said youre standing next to each other? some of the rooms in cf are actually pretty large - and mostly when someone is charging the move into the room and charge. If I line you up into the corner I can charge you. Well considering you want to hit me I'd think we'd be near each other. The only way a charge would work would be to get them totally unaware (sleeping unconcious etc...) > > >Also, "Back in the day", Humans were much more able bodied than the pasty white flabby bastards we've become. > The romans also used comparitevly light/smaller weapons. They didnt use longswords. Seemed to be shortswords, spears/pikes and the large shields. They used spears and shortswords yes, but that was mainly because of a combination of things which had little to do with size. One, spears are cheap, swords are not. Two, shield walls
> sure it will. Because if you try and hit someone with your sword you still have the other sword to parry with - if you have one sword every time you strike your defense is reduced.
is for offense only.
> theres alot of different types of flails... some with longer cord/chain etc. You could also look at the heavy part of the flail whacking the throat - cant breathe/pass out.
> (no not 100% realism - its only a game)
with a flail though it would most likely just crush the throat killing the fellow.
> no - chargeset is actually useful, it dosent have to take half an hour to plant your polearm it can be done quickly and to effect.
> It can even be planted into the ground as you get with it. Thats why polearms/spears etc were used alot - against cavalry (brave heart) on castles in narrow fighting areas etc.
The only purpose it serves is against calvary. Even against a charging infantry it doesn't work as the poles get slapped aside and broken by the infantry.
Braveheart was fun to watch and all, but it's entirely accurate. As far as setting a pole in an enclosed place like a castle wall or hallway, it really doesn't do a whole lot of
good as the opponent will hack off the blade of your pole and you'll be stuck with a much shorter, blunter stick.
It's a game and a very nice skill so no biggie. It's just totally wrong.
> I dont have to run in a straight line either I can adjust if you try and move.
As far as running in a straight line or not, it really doesn't matter as one side step and a slap to the haft of the pole and your weapon will be useless. A corner really doesn't make any difference
either as the same strategy applies. Just wait and slap the weapon aside with either a shield or weapon.
> > Mmm not really. Most romans were quite a bit smaller than everyone else. Considering the lack of food and poor
> > conditions I seriously doubt they all were hulking giants.
work very well against infantry when done properly. They didn't use polearms too much from what I've found. The short swords were used only when the initial charge
was repelled and the two sides each had a shield wall. The shorter swords were good for slashing in close and opening holes for the spears. One tactic the
romans used was to set their shields against the oncoming attack and wait til the enemy was too close to stop. They'd then lift the shields up and have their
spears waiting for the enemy to impale themselves on. This works better than setting a pole as the enemy doesn't see the spear set until the last possible moment
and the element of surprise comes into play for the romans. That and the romans (the early romans) were much better trained and equipped than their opponents.