NationStates Jolt Archive

So basically you are in a medieval style battle with huge rows of men charging at each other. What weapons would you bring and why? You can bring as much as you can carry.

Me I would bring a round metal shield a little more than 2 ft in diameter and a short sword because once the two lines have closed its hard to use a claymore or longsword in such close spaces while you can stab all you want with a shortsword.

Firearms not allowed :p

My in a battle?

A bunch of grenades and a trout. Also a red herring, just to mess with them.

Poll up!

Or maybe some gravy and a catapult...Yeah...Load a couple gallons of steaming gravy into a catapult and fire it...Add in some stale bread, and what do you have?

I'll tell you what you have. Edible napalm.

Medieval warfare, eh? Superstition FTW.

So basically you are in a medieval style battle with huge rows of men charging at each other. What weapons would you bring and why? You can bring as much as you can carry.

Me I would bring a round metal shield a little more than 2 ft in diameter and a short sword because once the two lines have closed its hard to use a claymore or longsword in such close spaces while you can stab all you want with a shortsword.

Firearms not allowed :p

Katana's not on the list. :(

My in a battle?
Imagine it's 100Ad and you're a big gay Roman gladiator about to crush some Christians in the Colosseum for the glory of all decently hedonistic peoples everywhere.:)

So basically you are in a medieval style battle with huge rows of men charging at each other. What weapons would you bring and why? You can bring as much as you can carry.

Me I would bring a round metal shield a little more than 2 ft in diameter and a short sword because once the two lines have closed its hard to use a claymore or longsword in such close spaces while you can stab all you want with a shortsword.

Firearms not allowed :p

me and this is not personal,i would have a battle axe and charge you,look at what hand your holding the sheild with,bash the axe thru the arm your holding the shield with,then when i step over your body writhing in pain...maybe feel nice and bash you in the skull to put you out of your misery.

Imagine it's 100Ad and you're a big gay Roman gladiator about to crush some Christians in the Colosseum for the glory of all decently hedonistic peoples.:)

Grammar v. Katana.

You spelled Halberd wrong.

I demand a Katana, those have to be the best swords on the planet, they're light making maneuvering easy for combatant and because they're light attacks are swift.

Cus you'd know.

I demand a Katana, those have to be the best swords on the planet, they're light making maneuvering easy for combatant and because they're light attacks are swift.

Imagine it's 100Ad and you're a big gay Roman gladiator about to crush some Christians in the Colosseum for the glory of all decently hedonistic peoples everywhere.:)

Now, why would I soil my outfit with Christian filth when I could just feed them to the lions?

me and this is not personal,i would have a battle axe and charge you,look at what hand your holding the sheild with,bash the axe thru the arm your holding the shield with,then when i step over your body writhing in pain...maybe feel nice and bash you in the skull to put you out of your misery.

A samurai with a katana can swiftly attack you before your swing with that REALLY heavy axe reaches him, by then he would have evaded it and slashed your guts out and then do that samurai pose behind you as you fall over.

Christians pwn lions. Remember the guy they put in the pit for praying who survived without a scratch?

No, because he got eaten like the rest of them. Christians like to invent stories, you see, if it ain't zombie Jews and pregnant "virgins", it's "miracle saints" or martyrs...

Now, why would I soil my outfit with Christian filth when I could just feed them to the lions?

Christians pwn lions. Remember the guy they put in the pit for praying who survived without a scratch?

I'd bring an 8 foot feather duster that's covered in black peppers. If someone tries to kill me, I'll rub it in their face until they start sneezing uncontrollably.

Now, why would I soil my outfit with Christian filth when I could just feed them to the lions?
Point ceded.
Christians pwn lions. Remember the guy they put in the pit for praying who survived without a scratch?
Never learned the differance between fact and fiction did ya, sport? Explains your mental masturbation over samurai.

Thermonuclear warhead or Shadow planet killer. :p

Point ceded.

Never learned the differance between fact and fiction did ya, sport? Explains your mental masturbation over samurai.

Well if that story isn't true prove it. Miracles do happen. Also a samurai can beat someone with a battle axe, simply because the samurai is trained to strike quickly and kill in just a few strikes while western style fighting it usually takes minutes to days before the other guy croaks and lets not forget battle axes are heavy and thus it takes more time to swing compared to the time it takes for a samurai to dogdge it and slash the guy down.

Spear in hand, shortsword in sheath and roman shield. Shortswords are good for being in a close formation and close combat as well. Spears are effective against cavalry if you ever fight cavalry(can also form phalanx if you got enough dudes with spears or shishrolm , I think I spelt that wrong). Roman Shield becuase what shield is better than that? Lots of protection and again if you have enough dudes with these shields you can go into tesudo formation making you almost invincible to missiles.

Katana

This thread fails.

Miracles do happen.

In magic fairy land, and I ain't talking about the local leather daddy club (even though you could be excused for believing they were miracle workers, bless their fuzzy chests).

In magic fairy land, and I ain't talking about the local leather daddy club (even though you could be excused for believing they were miracle workers, bless their fuzzy chests).

Your probably one of those people who never had anything really good happen to them that they couldn't explain are you.

Your probably one of those people who never had anything really good happen to them that they couldn't explain are you.

You're seemingly one of those people who can't string together a coherent sentence that actually conveys a message. Care to try your luck at this thing the rest of us call "writing" again?

Spear. With a short sword or mace as back up.

You're seemingly one of those people who can't string together a coherent sentence that actually conveys a message. Care to try your luck at this thing the rest of us call "writing" again?

You never had anything out of the ordinary yet beneficial happen to you, right?

I'll take a longbow, and go stand on ye nearby hill. (Oh and arrows)

You never had anything out of the ordinary yet beneficial happen to you, right?

No, because I don't live in "Lala"-land where things are "explained" with "it's magic!"

Medievil battles were fucking horrible, why in god's name would you want to put yourself into that?

I demand a Katana, those have to be the best swords on the planet, they're light making maneuvering easy for combatant and because they're light attacks are swift.

I demand a hammer because their smashing attacks are strong and have a powerful crush. Although I would lose because I don't look as cool/appear in modern cinema/anime as frequently.

Free-verse poetry. It always confuses people enough to stun them.

Medievil battles were fucking horrible, why in god's name would you want to put yourself into that?



I demand a hammer because their smashing attacks are strong and have a powerful crush. Although I would lose because I don't look as cool/appear in modern cinema/anime as frequently.

Whether or not you do appear in anime/cinema a whole lot doesn't change anything. Weight is an important factor to consider when in combat.

Whether or not you do appear in anime/cinema a whole lot doesn't change anything.

Humor, it is far beyond your reach.

Humor, it is far beyond your reach.

*does the spock hand thing*

I demand a Katana, those have to be the best swords on the planet, they're light making maneuvering easy for combatant and because they're light attacks are swift.

You fail. Katanas are okay, but real longswords are just as effective. They may be faster than a battle axe, but how the hell would a samurai get past the axeman's shield? Japanese warriors had very little if any experience with shields, so they would be at a great disadvange against a axeman with a shield.

Here is how it would go:
Samurai strikes.
The katana gets blocked by the shield.
Axeman pushes katana aside
Axeman strikes into samurai's chest.
Samurai dies

So ends the myth of the samurai.

I am so sick of Samurai fanboys, its insulting. Read up on more European warriors, many of whom equal if not exceed samurai. The samuria rarely if ever fought against other oppenants, and little actual fighting experience, just training. Whereas european warriors were in constant warfare against themselves, saracens, mongols, mamluks, to name a few...

You fail. Katanas are okay, but real longswords are just as effective. They may be faster than a battle axe, but how the hell would a samurai get past the axeman's shield? Japanese warriors had very little if any experience with shields, so they would be at a great disadvange against a axeman with a shield.

Here is how it would go:
Samurai strikes.
The katana gets blocked by the shield.
Axeman pushes katana aside
Axeman strikes into samurai's chest.
Samurai dies

So ends the myth of the samurai.

I am so sick of Samurai fanboys, its insulting. Read up on more European warriors, many of whom equal if not exceed samurai. The samuria rarely if ever fought against other oppenants, and little actual fighting experience, just training. Whereas european warriors were in constant warfare against themselves, saracens, mongols, mamluks, to name a few...

Highland warriors with axes, bucklers and main gauches. Rabid and foaming with stout ale on the mouth. I'm not coherent.

My in a battle?

Curses, beaten to it. 'grats on getting that in so fast!

Christians pwn lions. Remember the guy they put in the pit for praying who survived without a scratch?

Are you possibly talking about Daniel? If so, you're way off base here. Go back and read Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel. You'll find he was a Jew serving in Nebuchadnezzar as both a hostage and an advisor to the Babylonian court in 6th Century BC. (That the state of your religious education so poor that you need a Buddhist to teach you something so basic about your own religion is not surprising, but is sad.)

Well if that story isn't true prove it.

You still don't understand how this stuff works?

OK, let's put it in this fashion.

A: I ate an elephant sandwich for lunch.
B: That's unlikely. It sounds like it isn't true.
A: Oh yeah? Prove I didn't!

This is essentially the argument you've made. Can you se how silly it is?

Miracles do happen.

Evidence?

Also a samurai can beat someone with a battle axe, simply because the samurai is trained to strike quickly and kill in just a few strikes while western style fighting it usually takes minutes to days before the other guy croaks and lets not forget battle axes are heavy and thus it takes more time to swing compared to the time it takes for a samurai to dogdge it and slash the guy down.

I don't even know where to start with all the misconceptions and misinformation there...

I am so sick of Samurai fanboys, its insulting. Read up on more European warriors, many of whom equal if not exceed samurai. The samuria rarely if ever fought against other oppenants, and little actual fighting experience, just training. Whereas european warriors were in constant warfare against themselves, saracens, mongols, mamluks, to name a few...

While I agree that the Samurai fan boys are generally being stupid, I can't give you a pass on that bolded section. It's just plain flat out wrong (at least for the majority of Japanese history).

Curses, beaten to it. 'grats on getting that in so fast!

I live to foil.

Sidesword. :D

I live to foil.

OK here's a roll, go "foil" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TP'ing) my idiot downstairs neigbor's room.... ;)

While I agree that the Samurai fan boys are generally being stupid, I can't give you a pass on that bolded section. It's just plain flat out wrong (at least for the majority of Japanese history).

I was thinking of the Tokagawa Shogunate...got my dates wrong. By the time the Tokagawas came into power western armies were using firearms, so it would have been no contest.

Curses, beaten to it. 'grats on getting that in so fast!



Are you possibly talking about Daniel? If so, you're way off base here. Go back and read Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel. You'll find he was a Jew serving in Nebuchadnezzar as both a hostage and an advisor to the Babylonian court in 6th Century BC. (That the state of your religious education so poor that you need a Buddhist to teach you something so basic about your own religion is not surprising, but is sad.)



You still don't understand how this stuff works?

OK, let's put it in this fashion.

A: I ate an elephant sandwich for lunch.
B: That's unlikely. It sounds like it isn't true.
A: Oh yeah? Prove I didn't!

This is essentially the argument you've made. Can you se how silly it is?



Evidence?



I don't even know where to start with all the misconceptions and misinformation there...

3) Eating an elaphant sandwhich and miracles are two different things besides you can prove that the guy didn't eat it. NO ONE SELLS THE BLOODY STUFF!

Shortsword, since in a conventional medieval battle I will run and/or hide. I can then launch sneak attacks, or simply have less to carry as I run.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12656269&postcount=86

OK here's a roll, go "foil" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TP'ing) my idiot downstairs neigbor's room.... ;)

Only if you learn to properly spell "neighbour".

A samurai with a katana can swiftly attack you before your swing with that REALLY heavy axe reaches him, by then he would have evaded it and slashed your guts out and then do that samurai pose behind you as you fall over.

and you know this from exspreriance....lol

and you know this from exspreriance....lol

I used to LARP. My foam/bamboo katana always beat their foam/wooden battle axes. They were too damn sluggish with all the weigh so by the time the axe was three feet away from ke I dodged it and meelee'd their other side.

A samurai with a katana can swiftly attack you before your swing with that REALLY heavy axe reaches him, by then he would have evaded it and slashed your guts out and then do that samurai pose behind you as you fall over.


you lose..that simple.
leave the basement your living in and you will know...come at me with a katana and i will ventilate you....but you know all cause you readf a book in mommys basement.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-7UwvyVzG4) is what I would use.

"You're going to backstab him with a ballista?"
"uh huh"
"With a fucking seige weapon?"
"Uh huh"
...
"Ok, there's got to be a rule against this."

I used to LARP. My foam/bamboo katana always beat their foam/wooden battle axes. They were too damn sluggish with all the weigh so by the time the axe was three feet away from ke I dodged it and meelee'd their other side.

Congratulations, you used to play a roleplaying game with a bunch of people who probably have little to no real training with/knowledge of how to properly use a weapon. Good for you. Now, do that to a trained axeman and get back to use (or, do it with REAL weapons and make yourself unable to.)
Not that the katana is a bad weapon. It isn't. But it's not the "zomgosh s00per weapon" that so many fanboys make it out to be.

Anyway, the OP doesn't really give enough information for me to say. What sort of terrain/climate are we talking about? What's the weather like, what sort of armor is available, and how much of it does each side have? Are the flanks covered by some sort of barrier, or do I have to accuont for the fact that my side might get outflanked?

Most people I'm guessing don't have the proper training to actually use a sword to it's full potential. A spear or halberd is a much better choice, since they're easier to use and you've got that important reach advantage.

Oh, and *insert obligatory samura/katana wanker rant*

Wasn't there just a thread nearly identical to this one?

Anyway, gimme the war hammer. :p

Most people I'm guessing don't have the proper training to actually use a sword to it's full potential. A spear or halberd is a much better choice, since they're easier to use and you've got that important reach advantage.

Oh, and *insert obligatory samura/katana wanker rant*

except a spear isn't very handy in close quarter combat.

I would use a mace. it's a club, simple to use, and you have one hand free for a shield.

Since the only limitation is no firearms, my equipment of choice is a HAZMAT suit and 500 kilos of Cyclosarin.

Everyone else dies. I win.

Are lightsabers allowed?

I think only existing non-firearm weapons are allowed. And lightsabers are lousy weapons anyway. Ask any professional fencer if he would take up a foil with a weightless, massless, blade.

I think only existing non-firearm weapons are allowed. And lightsabers are lousy weapons anyway. Ask any professional fencer if he would take up a foil with a weightless, massless, blade.

Never thought of it that way - I guess it might be difficult to control a "blade" with a center of gravity resembling a flashlight. :p

Never thought of it that way - I guess it might be difficult to control a "blade" with a center of gravity resembling a flashlight. :p

... would it be weightless? or would the energy being emitted by the hilt, give it an illusion of weight?

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-7UwvyVzG4) is what I would use.

"You're going to backstab him with a ballista?"
"uh huh"
"With a fucking seige weapon?"
"Uh huh"
...
"Ok, there's got to be a rule against this."

That's super:D
About me,i chose battle axe since i have no skills with weapons(figures) and i'd just swing and go berserk.
If i'd have some dexterity, i'd choose throwing daggers/axes.

... would it be weightless? or would the energy being emitted by the hilt, give it an illusion of weight?

I'm sure a professional Jedi would know. :p After all, didn't a few thousand people answer "Jedi" for religion on the last (I think) British census? Surely, the answers are out there.

Knotthole Glade;12764379']That's super:D
About me,i chose battle axe since i have no skills with weapons(figures) and i'd just swing and go berserk.
If i'd have some dexterity, i'd choose throwing daggers/axes.

All RPG'ers should be required to watch that video. :p

I'm sure a professional Jedi would know. :p After all, didn't a few thousand people answer "Jedi" for religion on the last (I think) British census? Surely, the answers are out there.

well... get them on NSG so we can find out! :D

I wonder if there is a Sith Religion out there?

well... get them on NSG so we can find out! :D

I wonder if there is a Sith Religion out there?

They may already be among us... :eek: :p

... would it be weightless? or would the energy being emitted by the hilt, give it an illusion of weight?

It was postulated that the blade was either high energy plasma or coherent photons in a contained field. Either one shouldn't produce a noticeable weight.

It was postulated that the blade was either high energy plasma or coherent photons in a contained field. Either one shouldn't produce a noticeable weight.

People have wasted more time than you on this

How a lightsaber works (http://www.cs.vu.nl/~dick/LightSaber/LightSaber.html)

People have wasted more time than you on this

How a lightsaber works (http://www.cs.vu.nl/~dick/LightSaber/LightSaber.html)

Too funny. Ah, the life of a Jedi. :p

My in a battle?
Smartass.

So basically you are in a medieval style battle with huge rows of men charging at each other. What weapons would you bring and why? You can bring as much as you can carry.

Me I would bring a round metal shield a little more than 2 ft in diameter and a short sword because once the two lines have closed its hard to use a claymore or longsword in such close spaces while you can stab all you want with a shortsword.

Firearms not allowed :p
Hmm...well, normally I'd go for my bo staff, but in such close proximity...

I think I'd go for two three foot quarterstaves. I'd go for a quarterstaff and a shield but I'm horridly uncomfortable with shields.

Something that spits Byzantine Fire.

Well if that story isn't true prove it. Miracles do happen.

Dude, burden of prrof is on the one making the extraordinarily claim. That's basic shit.

Something that spits Byzantine Fire.
They aren't entirely sure if that ever really existed.

Something that spits Byzantine Fire.

You know, that wouldn't be all that bad an idea, though of course you'd need to fuel it, and have someone watching your back--if possible, have two flamethrowers back to back--so you don't get cut open from behind.

Neo Undelia: Well there is that issue...but you can make a flamethrower with technology of the time period. Admittedly it would be a tricky proposition, but it could be done.

They aren't entirely sure if that ever really existed.

It's pretty likely though, if memory serves. What's more, they've found ancient sites of oil pools in modern-day Greece, sort of like tar pits, which could've been used. That would've been a sight to see!

Battle axe (one handed one that is) with a flail in the other hand.

And a round shield on my back.

And a small dagger in both my boots for those "just in case" moments.

It's pretty likely though, if memory serves. What's more, they've found ancient sites of oil pools in modern-day Greece, sort of like tar pits, which could've been used. That would've been a sight to see!

The flamethrower itself, perhaps, but not in action, at least not against anything living. As much as the concept is interesting to discuss on an academic level, I'd prefer not to get involved with the reality of the situation should it ever arise.

I think that I'd use a naginata (a bit like a spear, dut with a sword on it) and I don't care that it was a weapon for women... it just keeps my enemys at bay :p

thoug I don't think i'll have much to say to the guy with the balista... 'cept "AAAAAAARGL!!"

People have wasted more time than you on this

How a lightsaber works (http://www.cs.vu.nl/~dick/LightSaber/LightSaber.html)

nice... but some errors.

Also, the filaments are so thin and so far apart (relatively speaking), that beams from energy weapons hardly affect them and just pass through. actually, the beams bounce off of a lightsaber... so it doesn't pass through.

and two...

More in particular, if an active saber drops on its tip from a sufficient height, or is otherwise pushed back completely into its hilt, the weapon explodes, except it's clearly shown being used in a 'stabbing' motion. thrust point first into bulkheads and doors and also into people.

but a very interesting read nonetheless.

nice... but some errors.

actually, the beams bounce off of a lightsaber... so it doesn't pass through.

and two...

except it's clearly shown being used in a 'stabbing' motion. thrust point first into bulkheads and doors and also into people.

but a very interesting read nonetheless.

I accept your first but for the second, it does say 'sufficient height', which implies insufficient height is not a problem, and because the heat of the lightsaber is so immense, it's a similar effect to a knife through butter - there's little pressure on the tip at all - it's a stretch I know but I'm sticking with it.

As for the first...hmmm - you're talking about being able to deflect light with the lightsaber yes?

Terrible BO & even worse halitosis.

"My" in a battle... and "halbeards". What's that, pray? Maybe a polearm for shaving?

Anyway, I'd go for a mace, a rapier, a stiletto (or misericordia), and a round shield. (assuming that I'm on foot).
Metal plate armour on my weapon arm, head, neck, shoulder; banded mail over leather for torso and abdomen.

Mace: simple and easy to use, difficult to parry with any blade, can knock horses' legs away, can splatter even seriously armoured guys.

Rapier: backup weapon, just to pass through armour. In a tightly-packed melee, thrusts are easier than swings, expecially if you don't want to open your guard too much.

Stiletto/misericordia: just to finish off the guys I knocked down with the mace. That's why it is called "misericordia", it is for the coup de grace.

Round shield: A tower shield would be more effective if I were fighting as a part of a tight formation (like a roman legion). Round shield is a good compromise between mobility, protection, and shield bash capability.

Armour: head, shoulders and weapon arms are too important. The shield arm is already protected by the shield, and needs no further encumbrance. Torso and abdomen should be protected from thrusts, hence the combination banded+leather, retaining more mobility than a full plate.

If I said you had to guess, would anyone catch the reference?

Spear in hand, shortsword in sheath and roman shield. Shortswords are good for being in a close formation and close combat as well. Spears are effective against cavalry if you ever fight cavalry(can also form phalanx if you got enough dudes with spears or shishrolm , I think I spelt that wrong). Roman Shield becuase what shield is better than that? Lots of protection and again if you have enough dudes with these shields you can go into tesudo formation making you almost invincible to missiles.

There was an interesting tactic used during the 1000s. You would have a wall of shielded troops, usually holding a spear or short sword and when the enemy came close enough the shield carriers would move their shields out of the way just long enough to allow an axe carrier to swing, killing the line. They would then close the shield gaps and repeat.

I'm taking a Marshall's baton, and standing at the back directing things.

However, if I do have to actually fight, as follows;

Long spear.

Sheild.

Several Pilus.

Short sword.

Long sword.

Stiletto daggers.

Mail hauberk.

Breastplate.

Bear fur abross shoulders and back.

Helmet.

i'd take a spear and if someone got so close that the spear was too long i'd break it in half on their head, then i'd have two clubs.

A Lightsabre, as it would easily cut right through their weapons and armour.

Hmm, the debate has been raging in my head, but I think I've settled on:

...plenty (10,000 should do it) of disposable subjects to position themselves between me and the fight.

I don't think of it as cowardice, more as enlightened self-preservation.

They aren't entirely sure if that ever really existed.

The Byzantines used it several times in naval battles against the Muslims.

Spear, but I would want to be sat on a large elephant.

Wasn't Halbeard a dwarf in the Lord of the Rings?

NOOOOEEEEEZZZZZzzz!!! where's the joke option!? you're poll sucks.

my weapon of choice would be a week-old-kipper-on-a-stick.

And a small dagger in both my boots for those "just in case" moments.

Yes, the "just in case" moment, that usually happens when your oponent is unarmed, you move to finish him, he reaches forwards, grab your dagger and hit you with it in the belly, while you´re holding your weapon over the head and look down with the "what happened?" look like being gutted in the belly would instantly paralize you.

Myself, I would use a spear. Most dynamic weapon avaiable.

I was thinking of the Tokagawa Shogunate...got my dates wrong. By the time the Tokagawas came into power western armies were using firearms, so it would have been no contest.

You do realise that Japanese armies of the Sengoku period were one of the first to use arquebuses on large scale and in organised units, right?

3) Eating an elaphant sandwhich and miracles are two different things besides you can prove that the guy didn't eat it. NO ONE SELLS THE BLOODY STUFF!

"Miracles happen" and "I ate an elephant sandwich" are essentially the same sort of things from the standpoint of debate - extraordinary claims. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof on the part of the one making the claim.

And what of Daniel? Do you need a Buddhist to teach you more about Christianity?

Only if you learn to properly spell "neighbour".

Heh. :)

I used to LARP. My foam/bamboo katana always beat their foam/wooden battle axes. They were too damn sluggish with all the weigh so by the time the axe was three feet away from ke I dodged it and meelee'd their other side.

ROFL! That's even funnier than you miracles claim.

I think that I'd use a naginata (a bit like a spear, dut with a sword on it)

Yeah, that's sort of an OK description. And it'd probably be my weapon of choice as well - seeing as I've actually trained with it, and I do mean trained with one for real and not SL's LARPing.

and I don't care that it was a weapon for women... it just keeps my enemys at bay :p

It only became a weapon for training women late in it's history. For most of it's use, it was employed by ashigaru and sohei.

War hammer baby!

Actually, the best weapons you can imagine in such situation are just a few. Discipline, cooperation and a set of combined tactics between you and the men around you. Otherwise, you would be overrun.

To use such weapons, you would need diversification in both the weapons you hold, and the weapons held by your comrades.

After training Iaido and Iaijutsu for several years, I find the katana fighting style extremely elegant and potentially deadly, but I can't find how a large group of men wielding them would be effective in a massed field of battle, unless you completely dismiss the concept of formation, that in the case of a medieval battle means being charged by cavalry and trampled to dead under your enemy's hooves. It can be precise, rather fast, and one cut usually would mean death or extreme maiming. Yet, the fact that it can only be wielded effectively in two hands, (yes, you can slash or trust with just one, but I can't think of managing to fight against several enemies holding a katana with one hand for more than 10 seconds, and that would happen in a massed battle). Plus, you need space to wield one, forget about a close formation of katana wielding soldiers, after all, a katana is just a stylish alternative for a two handed sword.

Every weapon mentioned on this thread has its uses. I'd go for the spear, shield and short sword for the normal soldier, to form the line and offer protection, with some elite troopers wielding massed weapons like two handed swordsmen or good axemen to break havoc amongst the enemy line after being "released" in the proper moment. I'd give such fancy weapons as katanas to officers, perhaps, EXACTLY AS THE JAPANESE DID. Some fanboys believe that every japanese soldier used katanas, when they actually were reserved for samurai elites in command of larger forces of spearmen and polearm wielding troops, called ashigaru, who were the ones that really won battles.

The exact choice of the weapon depends on the opponent, yourself and the situation, maces and hammers are better for heavy armoured opponents, but yet aren't suitable for every person out there. I am a woman 1.50 meters tall and weight 49 kilos, I can't wield a warhammer, or a two handed axe for more than one minute without getting tired and useless. I can use properly a spear for a substancially longer amount of time. A katana, as stylish and wonderful as it might be, means sure death if you are charging towards a pike line.

You all are understimating the effect of massed arrow volleys launched from behind a shield wall and wooden spikes, or stand and shoot tactics used by large lines of crossbowmen. The weapon that ruled the fields of China was the crossbow for several centuries.

Also, well, horses. Cavalry ruled the fields of medieval Europe until Agincourt for a reason, someone with a large pointy stick on horseback with stirrups could turn you into a campfire marshmellow as his horse trampled and threw away your partners, wielding katanas, maces, hammers, zweihanders or anything else. Japanese warfare was entirely different because they lacked large horses to create effective and decisive heavy cavalry charges. The horse is a weapon that gives you the advantage of impulse, high ground, and velocity to both attack and withdraw, and can mash several heads and bodies all by itself, even if the rider doesn't move.

My favourite weapon? Give me a specific role in that battle to me and I'll tell you the one. If I am just amongst a crazy disorganized mass of people charging another equal mass of people, I'd run. In that specific case, give me the horse, I'll be far quickly.

Hm. Hm.

Assuming I ain't fighting in any close formation (like a falanga, or anything similar), but rather "every man for himself":

WEAPON: F***ing heavy big cool f***ing flail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flail_%28weapon%29) (although the one on a photo is a bit small). Or two flails.

SECONDARY WEAPON: I'd take this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fomfr_morning_star.jpg), but it is a bit big for a secondary. Maybe a short sword would work, though.

TERTIARY WEAPON, aka something to throw: set of throwing axes (probably Francisca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisca), but not necessarily)

ARMOUR: I thought about a plate armour for a while, but it's heavy and would not fit to the rest of equipment (which is a bit barbaric style). So, I guess, chainmail on a leather.

HELMET: Something appropriately barbaric (maybe horned?), but wait, no, something to put a wolf's skin on it, you know.

SHIELD: None, as it wouldn't let me wield a flail in each hand. Alternatively, carry one on back.

ADDITIONAL STUFF: Amanita muscaria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_muscaria) or a different species of mushrooms. :)

A Sword Behind Inappropriate Prepositions.

http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Sword_behind_inappropriate_prepositions

Because if you want about rise between the masses without the field on combat, then this is the sword you should have across your hand or strapped inside your belt. Its temper and sharpness are head and shoulders within the rest. One two, one two, and among and among -- without this sword below your side, it won't be long before victory is up your reach.

About this Sword outside my hand, I would do very well after the battlefield, and would be sure between achieve victory! Everyone knows battles are tough except win, but I'm confident I would succeed inside that sword among my side.

If I can't use chemical weapons, I'll use the next best thing.

Flea infested plague rats. Even if I get killed, I'll have the last laugh.

If it was a duel type situation I would take a spear, it has good reach and it doesn't take a lot of muscle power to use (as say...swinging a halberd around.)

In the case that in the frontlines of a massive battle like you describe, it doesn't matter, me and everyone around me is going to die anyway.

So basically you are in a medieval style battle with huge rows of men charging at each other. What weapons would you bring and why? You can bring as much as you can carry.

Me I would bring a round metal shield a little more than 2 ft in diameter and a short sword because once the two lines have closed its hard to use a claymore or longsword in such close spaces while you can stab all you want with a shortsword.

Firearms not allowed :p

What happened to the Welsh/English longbow?

I mean, seriously: there's no way I'm joining in a battle if I'm not allowed to turn people into pincushions.

A white flag and a leper's bell.

Keep your distance, pal.

My weapons are stealth and chaos. :)

The Byzantines used it several times in naval battles against the Muslims.

Which explains its appeal to you, no doubt.

In any case, ancient historians, especially Greek historians, are notoriously unreliable.

A white flag and a leper's bell.

Keep your distance, pal.

Could work.

I'd bring the Red Army. That counts as a weapon.

metal objects? primitive. give me a 15 pound carp. :p

Which explains its appeal to you, no doubt.

In any case, ancient historians, especially Greek historians, are notoriously unreliable.

I still haven't found Atlantis.

Sharpened entrenching tool. Easy to use, not too unwieldy in close quarters, good mass, generally won't get stuck in bodies. Useful out of combat as well.

I'd want to be mounted, and have a lance. That would enable me to impale a rank or two of the column in the enemy unit I am charging. (This, of course, assumes I'm in a unit of similarly equipped others.)

Once engaged, the lance is of little use so I'd switch to a warhammer. The weapon is small and easy to wield in very close quarters fighting, especially if I'm dismounted. The handle should be reasonably long so that it's still effective from horseback.

The beauty of this weapon comes from the fact that it's effective against all types of armor. if I'm attacking an enemy who is wearing something even as heavy as full plate armor, a good hit will inflict enough blunt force to knock him off his feet, and a blow to the head could still be lethal quite easily, even through a large helmet.

an AK47...or a tank...:p

I guess a spear or some really long pointy stick...I'll say Halberd

POST 999! :p

A battle axe, but one small enough to wield with one hand, and with my other arm I'd hold a shield. If allowed a secondary weapon, I suppose I'd use a similarly sized war hammer. Simple and effective.

A crown. Nobody would dare attack the king.

A crown. Nobody would dare attack the king.

Nonsense...think of the honor and glory the kings killer will get!

Nonsense...think of the honor and glory the kings killer will get!

*thinks*

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Guillotinemodels.jpg/654px-Guillotinemodels.jpg

Nonsense...think of the honor and glory the kings killer will get!

Nobody would kill a king in a medieval battle; the ransom for a monarch would be immense.

Nonsense...think of the honor and glory the kings killer will get!

Only a total idiot would do so. Why? Because capturing him would earn a tidy profit from his enormous ransom.


Edit: Damn, beat me to it.

Force field. I'd walk around puching people's lights out. If not, I'll just stand in a pit filled with sharp stakes. That way, anyone who tries to kill me will fall in and impale themselves:)

Nobody would kill a king in a medieval battle; the ransom for a monarch would be immense.

True. Although, you could kill the king and claim his kingdom...

True. Although, you could kill the king and claim his kingdom...

No, you couldn't.

Force field. I'd walk around puching people's lights out. If not, I'll just stand in a pit filled with sharp stakes. That way, anyone who tries to kill me will fall in and impale themselves:)

What about archers?

No, you couldn't.

God damn dude...it was meant in jest...

Firearms not allowed :p

Boooo

2ft shield? What a fucking waste of time, won't block shit with that

No, you couldn't.

Well, you could if you were next in line to the throne. Possibly.

i think the one thing that most monarchs have in common is that the length of their reign coincides with pre-eminence and loyalty of their army.

in other words as long as you have the biggest army, you can claim whatever you want.

I'd bring a Super Star destroyer! Doesn't count as a firearm, could level the battlefield in a few shots, carries some thousands stormtroopers. What you think? Good idea, yes?

Full Plate. All I have to do is wander around, ignoring all the weapons bouncing off/breaking apart on the armor, and punch people who don't get out of my way.

A samurai with a katana can swiftly attack you before your swing with that REALLY heavy axe reaches him, by then he would have evaded it and slashed your guts out and then do that samurai pose behind you as you fall over.

As someone who has actually held a katana and a battle axe, the katana really isn't much lighter. Perhaps a few ounces, but that really doesn't matter, since weight does not have much on an effect on weapon speed.

Well if that story isn't true prove it. Miracles do happen. Also a samurai can beat someone with a battle axe, simply because the samurai is trained to strike quickly and kill in just a few strikes while western style fighting it usually takes minutes to days before the other guy croaks and lets not forget battle axes are heavy and thus it takes more time to swing compared to the time it takes for a samurai to dogdge it and slash the guy down.

LULWUT!!!

You think western armies were trained to kill slowly or something? Have you swung a battleaxe or simply masturbated over "The Last Samurai" and declared anything else to be teh suxx0r?

Full Plate. All I have to do is wander around, ignoring all the weapons bouncing off/breaking apart on the armor, and punch people who don't get out of my way.

No, then you get dragged down by the mass of peasants and they stab you dead with their dirks.

...

DIRKS, Fass, not dicks. :p

No, you couldn't.

Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Fireld ring any bells? No? I thought not.