Pros & Cons of Using a SHIELD with a TWO-HANDED Weapon
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
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How crazy would it be for a fantasy character to wield both a 2-handed sword or polearm AND a shield? Not necessarily all that crazy... it was done in history, albeit not often.
Full damage plus protection, what's not to like, right? Well, there are a few things...
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I do think that the reason Macedonian phalanxes used shields was for protection against massed arrows, not close combat, although it's good to see a passive shield/kopis combo is not totally defenceless
I would tend to agree. To my knowledge, the best way to reduce a phalanx is arrows or artillery.
Perhaps cavalry, if they can charge the rear of the formation.
It might, but I read somewhere that the ranks behind the main “attacking pikes” would hold the weapon up high to make essentially a tall wall against arrows too (you can see an image in the video). But I think you made a good point that deserves discussion! 👍
@Alex Ferrar, The idea that pikes are good at blocking arrows is an internet myth or is greatly exaggerated. IIRC, the original non-exaggerated idea comes from Polybius' writings, where he simply says that pikes were carried at an angle to allow pikes to prevent "some" arrows from reaching the "rear" of the pike formation. In reality, only the very rear soldiers would have a small amount of protection against missiles (eg. arrows and javelins), and really just against missiles shot at a flat trajectory (high trajectory or arced arrows would've bypassed going through the ranks of pikes). The soldiers in the front and middle would have negligible to no additional protection from even flat trajectory fired arrows with their pikes. These pikes were probably much more effective against javelins than against arrows. A few years ago, I did a few hypothetical calculations of the surface area the pikes could've protected against based on their diameter and the width of each soldier & their spacing, and even in the best case scenario, the additional protection against arrows is tiny overall and still rather small for soldiers in the rear.
And if European medieval archery tactics (see
scholagladiatoria video) was any indication of Persian archery tactics, then shooting at a flat trajectory at the enemy's front ranks would have been most common. This was followed by occasional cases of shooting arrows in an arc that may have landed in the enemy's back ranks. Neither would allow pikes to be of any use against arrows. Archers would not be shooting at a flat trajectory over the enemy's front towards the enemy's rear unless they missed their shot. So the only way the phalangite pike would have protected against the arrows is if the enemy archers missed their flat trajectory straight shot at the phalangite's front ranks, and the arrow was flying towards the phalangite's rear ranks and got bounced around by the pike shafts.
@@Intranetusa good point! Thanks for the ideas and info👌
The shields of the pike phalanx absolutely would be very beneficial in a pike on pike engagement as well as when you are forced to drop your pike and pull your secondary. The passive coverage denies the enemy many potential lines of attack, which in conjunction with your active defense of parrying with your pike (Even moving the pike in a small circle can ward off thrusts in a rather large zone, both those aimed at you and more importantly those aimed at your comrades) makes your line quite tricky to take on even against people who can engage you.
I feel like the big point with such a large shield and a pike is protection from slingers, javelins, and archer fire. Especially when in pike formation, since you don't need Robin hood precision just shoot in the big tight crowd of soldiers.
Large shields negate the main advantage of pike formations, which is why the Pelta used was rather small to let the soldiers form up very close to eachother to put more pike points toward the enemy. It was still very effective and necessary against the missile heavy eastern armies Alexander and his successors fought, later western pike blocks ditched the shields in favour of "just" armour but that didn't prevent them from getting wrecked as soon as they faced ranged opposition they couldn't overrun, ask the Scots at Flodden or the Swiss at Marignano.
Knowing folks that do this in large scale battle games, it works.
@@mnk9073 Both have their advantages and disadvantages pikes in conjunction with large shields would make for a better screening force when fighting steppe nomads, for example.
The pikemen would be decently protected against arrows while offering great protection against charges, and archers could shoot from the cover of the pikemen to take out horse archers.
Against infantry, the smaller shield would be better, as you say.
Concur. I thought about the Norse with a Dane axe and a shield on their back...
The shield would only come out in a shieldwall or if they dropped the two handed axe
@@mnk9073 Eh,it was well enough for pike and armor to be standard. It jusr means gunners and or cavalry wasn't doing thier in defending against cavalry or neutraling cannons. Alexander's armor wasn't nearly as advanced as armor avalable to late medival ans reinassance pikers and it worked well that skall did a video showing evidence that pikers could guards their flanks by themselves, something Macedonions pikers couldn't do.
This makes me think that the "Shoulder Shields" you see in some of the later Fire Emblem designs might have some practical application.
If one means fairly long kite shaped shields strapped to the upper arm?
To my understanding those were generally used by cavalry, protecting the side of the body and part of the leg (possibly more) while seated in the saddle while still leaving the hand free for the reigns (the other hand being occupied, of course, with your weapon).
I'm not familar with the game, mind you.
They're also common in mecha genre, with various level of effectiveness.
It could be similar to how some samurai armor had extremely large shoulder plates (sode). Allowed them to use bows and two-handed polearms, while still having something shield-like. Extreme examples are long enough to reach past the elbow, and as wide as the breastplate itself. Their depiction in art (often with arrows sticking out of them) does also suggest you would face them towards incoming missiles, while they move out of the way towards your back when you're drawing a bow.
@@victoriazero8869 Front Mission
Double strapping a targe to your left arm can be extremely beneficial. In addition to the 50% fire and 30% explosive resistance, it allows you to use the Charge ability to close distance quickly and deal guaranteed critical hits with your sword.
Scotland is not a real country! You are an english man with a dress!
Also... If you charge up a small incline, you will fly into the air
A rather excellent pairing would be middle eastern boots or a peg leg to assist on movement control
You have created A LOT DnD Table Fights with this:
-Yeah I can have a shield and two handed weapon! See?! SEE!!!
Uh oh... :D
I mean, it's mechanically there already: Take Monkey Grip and you can wield Large weapons one handed as a Medium character.
just use gurps it's already in the game @@Skallagrim
I would say that you can have a shield strapped to your arm and still wield a two handed weapon, but you wouldn't be able to benefit from the shield if you attack. It would only be helpful if you are only being defensive.
Depending on the rules system you're using, you could also apply penalties to two-handed attacks if also wielding a shield, and/or require them to take a feat for it. There are ways you could make it work IF you wanted to allow it at all.
I think this video equally demonstrates why you wouldn't want to wield a shield with a 2h weapon. It's too cumbersome, and doesn't really help you that much.
I wish I had videos like this back in the early 80s when I was a teenager playing AD&D. We had quite a few arguments about the efficacy of various weapon and shield combinations. The AD&D rules were just too simplistic about general combat back then.
I miss AD&D as well. A more complex melee system would have saved it from becoming irrelevant compared to D&D 3.5.
It doesn't really help with dnd bc it's an unrealistic game anyway
@@seeker296 And a mediocre-at-best roleplaying system besides.
@@vonrelevanz1963 its not irrelvant, im still playing 2nd edition 30 years later, with players option ruleset addons.
@Douglas Dea I love this comment, You sir are a relic that must be preserved, on behalf of the 80s kid conservation society we extend our well wishes. (Reason for edit: reply tag failed to display)
The biggest advantage a simply slung strapped shield has is at any time you can spin it to your back to get it fully out of your way while adding additional protection to your biggest blindspot.
Good video. Most of the research that I've read points to use of shield by soldiers using two-handed weapons was mainly to defend against missiles until they could close the distance for hand-to-hand combat.
This is funny to me because I was just playing Mount and Blade and totally exactly what I'd been doing out of pure practicality lol.
@@VioletDeathRei heh awesome
@@VioletDeathRei I know the pains of using my polearm skill gained by lancing into using polearms in sieges. Always carry a shield so those bows don't murder me before I hit the ladder.
@@VioletDeathRei Same. Playing poleax main and shield is unfortunately indispensable until you got into melee range.
I feel like a kite shield on the shoulder would be a good choice. Since it's relatively narrow with considerable coverage.
Haircut? Looking good
Aragain, son of Aratrain
I feel like a good name for the technique where you hide behind a shield that is strapped to your body and fight using a two-handed weapon is calling it the "snapping turtle" technique. You turtle up and snap.
Have used this setup. It's pretty effective with weapons that are primarily designed for two-handed use but can be used one-handed in a pinch, such as bastard-swords (I know it's a non historical term). Never though about using a pole arm this way though! I might try this once I pick up a spear or pole axe.
I do somewhat agree that shields can add bulk, however the extra energy required doesn't matter much for the average spar, in a historical battlefield context I think it'd still be worth trying due to the presence of missile weapons.
I'll have to try the strapped roundshield idea, although I feel like in practice it has a few flaws you've failed to mention: namely that it creates blindspots both literally in vision and in the range of motion you could emit your weapon from the shield side, since it's permanently attached to you using shield manipulation techniques like grappling or hooking would leave you very vulnerable. Might be just my bias but an unstrapped or lightly attached shield can mitigate this by just letting yourself get disarmed.
You might want to rethink that statement about the bastard sword being a non-historical term.
I have a book on swords throughout history that references a legal case in England, London, late 15th century odd. One party claimed of the other that their swords were stolen. Of which it was a single handed sword, a bastard sword and a two handed sword.
Case detail was the swords were surrendered at the guest house they were staying at in the city and on their departure they were not returned to them.
Which the definition of the bastard sword was a sword longer than a single handed sword and shorter than a two handed sword.
If I had the book at hand, I'd give you the references, APA 6th. Unfortunately it's in been put away for storage.
As far as I know, here in Italy, polearms were often use with bucklers, but they were different from yours: the little buckler is the training version (children started at the age of 8 with that with swords), and the real buckler is larger and has a triangle section, not a "UFO" section. This should give you more room for your hand to a tight grip of both shield and weapon, but I believe, when in formation, they still use the very little version, the "padella".
Sorry for my bad english and thanks for the very interesting video, as usual.
I've seen buckler+longsword used in practice in a dueling setting, it honestly seemed really great although as you pointed out, demanding in training. But the ability to constantly switch between one handed grip+buckler in left, and powerful strikes with two hands was very effective (nothing is perfect of course). Have also seen poleaxe+buckler which seemed slightly more clunky but workable. Never had a chance to try it myself though.
Perhaps a buckler-like gauntlet could be advantages. Especially for polearms.
One silly concept I've been thinking recently: integrating a buckler into a gauntlet/vambrace. Basically a shield version of the Pata. If designed correctly, it could allow a shield while retaining the hand's ability to grasp.
Those did technically exist, just in small numbers. Look at the lantern shield then just remove the extra bits.
Not silly at all, just a little low. After all, what is the oversized and reinforced lefthand Milanese pauldron other than a shield made part of your armour?
Yep gauntlet shields are underrated (as long as you scrap all the lantern shields extra fluff) and can work nicely with archery. Gauntlet shield hand hold the bow and make the arrows go brrr. They are hard to find affordable versions though.
While watching this I realized that there is a real use case for duel wielding shields. That is two bucklers while wielding a pole weapon. This protects both hands as you flip the weapon around.
Edit: oh, he briefly mentions this if I just watched further.
I believe Skall also once made a video on the obscure Chinese Hook Shield. Might be interesting to check that one out, if you haven't.
Good if you can't afford gauntlets I guess?
@@fallencrusader2975 gauntlets are a lot more complicated, so I expect they were more expensive. So yes.
Considering the guys at Steel Mastery will sell you a steel shield with all the trimmings (55x70 cm, personalized heraldry & brass trim) for about 30-40 euros more than the *base* price of pretty much any of their plate or brigantine gauntlets, I think you’re onto something.
There are these little hand rondels which work really well for that 🛡️
Didn't except Vandal Hearts to get mentioned in this video. Loved the first two games.
I think it is worth mentioning the Mycenaean figure 8 shield in this discussion. It is a tower shield from the bronze age (15,000 B.C. i think). It was curved to fit around the body and if I am remembering correctly this shield didn't have hand holds and was hung from the neck with a strap. This shape may help with some of the problems with attacking or defending in the "shield arm:" direction. Also if i am remembering correctly, i think this shield is mentioned in either the Iliad or the epic of Gilgamesh where a character is mentioned to have put a handhold on his shield to make it easier to move around, but I'm pulling that from a really old memory so feel free to correct me. Also the Mycenaean style armor is thought to be the kind of armor that king Saul had and David refused to wear when he fought Goliath if anyone is interested
I think you've got an extra zero there.
15000?
A lot of our initial agricultural civilizations first started popping up around 10,000 BCE lmao
@@iapetusmccool you're correct i meant 1,500
The Dipsylon, the Persians also had a related shield for their spear men. Some got really ornate in their design- not so much figure eight-shaped as having a specific notch to rest the pike in. (Sometimes called a Boeotian, after the coins which had the image of the shield on their face.)
It looks like the primary benifit of these techniques, outside massed combat, is when using two hands is optional instead of required. That way you can fight more or less as normal, but can deliver a two handed strike if you see an opening.
I definitely like the shield strapped to the body and two handed sword use, having some awesome visco-elastic foam rolls, also good near the mouse pad, and for goats heads, I'm definitely going with forging my dueling shield like design, which can get heavy, so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out.
Great breakdown and demonstration of the pros and cons.
If I wore rings, the Thorum ones would be very enticing.
Nice hair! Im so glad you are covering this. I always wondered why two hand weapons and shields weren't/arent a thing.
Nice to see a video about it! There are only two other videos on YT that I managed to find which demonstrate this topic. I'm using a setup with a medium-sized shield on a guige and a polearm for my GURPS character. So it's interesting to figure out how it correlates with reality. And how it might affect the rules for guige use in combat
“The Macedonians were size queens”
That quote is going to enter my mind everytime someone mentions Macedonians now, thanks Skal
You're welcome. ;)
size queens so they wanted a longer poke-stick lol
The pauldrons on samurai armour from some time periods were like this. The idea was that if you needed to, you could just move your shoulder and have it cover more of your body, and them go right back to using your bow or spear. It still has the problem Skall mentioned where it moves out of the way when you attack, but it's interesting to know there is a historical example of something like this.
You could use a buckler sized shield strapped directly to your forearm, or a hungarian shield, but I wonder how much benefit they are going to offer over vambraces, although they might be cheaper.
2:00 - I love how Skall at left side is checking other 2 if they are holding the formation :D
The Sode (spaulders) of early samurai armour,(Kamakura and Muromachi period) are shields strapped to the upper arms, so that the Samurai could use two handed weapons (bow and spear). Only during the Sengoku and Edo period the Sode shrinked to just become more form fitting upper arm and shoulder protection.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis Skall. Well done Sir.
I don't know if the hoplite thing is still debated, but it really never should have been. The simple fact that the first place the hoplites would reinforce on their linothorax was the belly makes it clear that that is where they were expecting to take the most hits which wouldn't be the concern if overarm was the standard (especially in a very dense formation where the belly is almost entirely unreachable).
I have done this with a kite shield using the gige and one of the straps on my elbow, while using a voulge as a weapon.
It was quite effective to me, honestly.
And as for the point about spear, look up the research by Nath dos Reis. She shows iconography of shields worn with a gige and held by only one strap (on the elbow in some ocassions but mainly on the top one with a hand), making it negligible to letting the shield go to weild a spear or sword towo handed and then retrieving the shield back to your hand.
Well, I need to be more patient before commenting xD but I still think the round shield without straps isn't the best option.
Should be noted that the Macedonian pikemen's shields were a bit smaller than the Aspis, 60-70cm in diameter or so, and were also strapped to the arm in addition to the sling.
Some of the points you brought up made me wonder: What do you think of the idea of shield/winged gauntlets? I don't know if they actually existed historically, but gauntlets that are flared out on the sides enough to effectively be used as at least a small shield? It's a concept I've always been fond of, although I'm not certain of its practicality.
It's definitely pretty old now, but I still would love to see you do a video on the "Nameless Knight" fight from the ESO High Isle trailer. I think the choreography is believable and well done (besides breaking the axe in half, but I think these characters are supposed to be stronger than normal people anyway). I would like to hear your thoughts on it.
I've always been convinced that a longer spear and a buckler is an eccellent combination that was underrated in history: True, the shield is limited, but you always have the option to separate and use the buckler normally, without really sacrificing the spear use, and you could shape the handle to make the movement easier. Maybe Buckler+Partigiana!
Let's keep in mind, that the Pelta carried by the Macedonian Sarissa-men is with it's ca. 60 cm in diameter rather small and primarily worn on the shoulder to cover the arm and especially the armpit and the neck from missiles and opposing Sarissa tips. Against enemy infantry the lenght of the Sarissa and the density of the formation (another reason to keep the shield small) protects you against any foe even reaching you, now if the phalanx is broken or you end up in a "bad war" situation you dump the Sarissa and fight with short sword and unslung Pelta.
I love Skal so much, always backing up his arguments with primary sources from history, a true scholar!
I see skall has entered his frankish viking era.
The stance you tried with the shield made me think of the shield Brad Pitt and his squad used in Troy. It had those cutouts/grooves that they used to brace their spears against.
Fun factor that actually a video game made me aware of - the Mount & Blade games - when you use a shield just for missile protection, cause why wouldn´t you, the stuff was everywhere, not having any protection against ranged weaponry could easily mean you´ll never get to use your fancy long- or greatsword for example, dying a "Boromir-Death" as a pin cushion. Anyway, so these games introduced me to the "shieldback" : Arrows, javelins etc. hitting your back while two-handing your weapon will obviously be blocked passively (aka the turtle). So by using a nice kite or heather shield, good shape to cover your back, you can actively block missiles while aproaching, but still be kind save from shot in the back while fighting with the shield slung back. The time I found that out I was amazed by the realism and historical plausibility of that technique. It actually became my standard loadout in those games and I feel that this might be an actual use those shields might have seen on some of the more skirmishing or vanguard troops. Always confuses me to see those famous Doppelsöldner not wearing shields on their backs. Might have to do with the twirling motions involved for area denial... Someone with a greatsword and a shield, test that out for me and earn a virtual cookie !
Hi Skall. We had an argument once over a video about a sword fight in a movie, you most likely won't see this comment but for what it's worth I'm sorry for that argument. You make good content and I'm glad you're still making it.
The Macedonian shield was not simply hung, it was supported by a shoulder strap and the left arm by an arm band and a loose strap for the hand so the weight of the shield and pike are supported by your shoulders and remains maneuverable. At least according to a book titled An Invincible Beast.
Use an Aspis Skallagrim.
The off centre ridged loop & concave shape makes it act very different to the shields you used as the arm is pressed against the loop away from the shield by the curve you slip your arm into.
Various other shoulder or hand straps exist on Aspis but are not mandatory being more an additional option/feature not all used.
I should clarify a well made Aspis requires no straps or loose ties to wear.
The slightly off centre rigid loop rests against the supinate of the forearm pressing the shield away by contact of the elbow & dorsum of the wrist.
The curve radium of a aspis is determined by the user fore arm length so is preferably tailor made to the user but padding or wedges can make up for the lack of tolerance of fit.
one element of using the shoulder shield, is yeah, for arrows, it does also close off a LOT of lines,
and you do so with both a arm grip, often in the crock of the elbow, AND also the neck strap
6:30 I know you don't play dnd, but in 3.5e this was neat detail. Bucklers could be used with two handed weapons, but they gave a -1 to attack (accuracy). There was a similar item called dastana, which were apparently metal bracers worn on the arms, and they functioned mechanically similar to the buckler. So gauntlets, basically.
I like your style of humor in these videos. I really appreciate the fact that your since of humor isnt Loud=Funny, like some channels.
I designed the Bear Pike from the weapon competition that mitigates alot of these issues for a formation weapon. Having the spear free-float through the shield has alot of advantage
The Samurai used shields and two handed weapons just fine. (Bows, spears, swords, Kanabo...)
In fact they used two shields. They mounted them on their shoulders.
They called them "Sode".
Well... yes... when you're part of a phalanx, the concept of overlapping shields works , even if you just strap it to you. For actual fighting with a polearm, I'd prefer a halberd or glaive and some 'medium armor' (scale mail, the likes) over a shield. They do get in the way when it comes to evasion. Also the whole 'handbag shield' concept doesn't allow you to cover your head in case of e.g. the amount of arrows raining down during a siege.
A targe without a hand grip will inevitably follow gravity, bad idea.
The only use of a shield when sporting a polearm or other large two handed weapon I can think of would be the turtle style. Strapped to your back in a way that your neck, kidneys etc. are properly protected - but i struggle to think of a situation when that would come in handy.
edit: 7:34 what clint uses is what is described above: a targe without a hand grip. absolutely unrealistic, did try, no chance that this would work in actual combat. Roman gladiators had some nice solutions for this. What you would want is a proper armor for your arms and shoulders that you can handle and that is strong enough to do a shield's job.
It was a good nerdy analysis.
I used to use a shield strapped to my forearm while shooting a bow in my softcombat group, it worked very well, specially if you use the thumb draw for shooting so the shield does not get in the way of the arrow. When somebody got to close to me I could draw my arming sword and switch to sword and shield very quickly.
I have personally given this some thought at times and my idea basically boils down to, big shield like pauldrons. And to go the extra mile, maybe add a bit of armor to the forearm that makes a bigger shield if you fold your arm up.
The Macedonian phalangist shield was probably a lot smaller than that. As in, half the diameter or less. In art work it's depicted more like a small peltast shield than a large hoplon.
i have a solution to this which ik i've seen before but im not sure if it's historical or fantasy, but just use what i'd call forearm shields. basically make them long and thin and strapped to your arms like regular shields, but just big enough to cover the forearms without being in the way. it wouldn't provide a lot of extra coverage but your forearms would basically be invulnerable to swords and you could safely use them to parry/deflect most things, with the only significant downside being the extra weight since you effectively are wearing the world's heaviest gauntlets. and you could use one or two depending on the weapon and if you might switch hands, so for a sword just use one to protect your lead arm but a halberd use two
You know Mount and Blade, Skall.
There was a spin-off game/mod called "With fire and sword", where using a pistol along with a shield at the same time (F&S let you do that unlike normal Mount and blade) became the META, along with bow and arrow at the same time as a shield.
I have seen art of bow+shield, but never pistol+shield. You think either of these would make a neato topic?
I think that there was a Dutch military theorist from the late 16th or early 17th century who advocated for using heavily armored swordsmen with shields and pistols but the idea never chaught on.
You actually half-guessed the topic for next week's video right there. ;)
@@lukatomas9465 Yeah they kept the bullet proof shields around for elite guards and sieges, but realized that pure pike and shot was the way to go.
I've just seen something on YT I didn't know was possible. Rope Darts. Like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, tho obviously a little different. But it'd be really cool to see Skallagrim's reaction/analysis.
Strapped shields were also used in Rennisance Europe and by the ancient Chinese. You can see Rennisance pikemen manuals with strapped shields. The ancient Chinese had strapped double arced shields potentially used by pikemen, halberds, and cavalry.
At 11:50 when you are talking about just defending the head and the shins, a helmet and some shin guards would provide a lot of protection without adding much weight or cost.
I think there might be a good case for a large shield held by a shoulder sling, would allow to potentially move it out of the way towards the back when you need both arms on the main weapon.
Dueling spiked shields: you have two handed weapon and a shield. Easy victory!
I would recommend gauntlets over the small bucker. I would also suggest a guard mounted on the pole shaft over the buckler.
I have often wondered about the type of large shield you were using. I think it was a stretched raw hide? I would be curious to see a test of such a hide verses various weapons. They were very popular with native tribes.
very good now i have learned do and don't when bringing a shield into gun fight. thx
seeing you use the buckler with the 2 handed grip is beautiful
Great showcase of the streitkolben. The hand buckler was surprisingly effective
mamluks wore a small shield on their upper left arm while wielding two handed lances. other variation which was used throughout the ottoman empire by various cultures is wearing only a left lower plate arm guard while using a sabre or sword. something like the uruk hai pikemen armshield would work
What if you were to make the shield moulded to the forearm and, maybe, with an articulated plate that would cover the back of the hand. You can even extend it further with articulated fingers. And on the opposite hand, an articulated elbow and a piece of steel encasing the upper arm. Of course, that might be hard to have it stay in place, so a shoulder piece attached to the chest would be a good idea. You could even hang a smaller round shield from that shoulder piece to protect the armpit...
Great video! I was thinking a weapon with at least one hook at the end might be useful for offensive purposes used from awkward angles. Maybe a pole arm with a flail at the end or a short flail trying to negate hitting your self and being able to threaten places that a shield might normally prohibit you from attacking. Off the top of my head random ideas. There are a lot of good comments. Obviously two shields and gumbo nunchucks is the ultimate choice of armaments. I pole arm with a shield plate a third of the way up the shaft sounds interesting. I like how chill this video was and the demonstrations were great, maybe try some gloves next time.
This was a great video and massive kudos for the Clint/Vandal Hearts reference! Such an overlooked game!
In medieval reenactment as early Normans (XI and XII centuries) we used kite shield and spear. The shield strap to shoulder AND using one of the straps on the shield up to the elbow, leaving the left hand free for grabbing the spear with both hands. Killer combination. In later period, I also used a heater shield in a similar way (shoulder and elbow straps) with a short spear, with good results. It helps being in a formation and also the usual hit points systems use in reenactment (so no 100% realistic, obviously), but it gave you a good idea of how it could work.
Shields are basically just cheap armor. It's a lot easier to make a disc (or whatever) of wood and/or hide/leather, even with a boss, than to make armor that fits and covers everything. It's also easier to drop if you need to run, either away or forward, and doesn't trap heat. Normally shields gain some of their coverage from mobility, but it makes sense that sometimes you're willing to sacrifice some of that for less coverage but still keep the low cost and versatility.
last week i tried to spar with the targe-longsword method, and honestly it feels kinda op, though probably not a fair research since we all use larp foam weapons (bit too light ig?)
Unless in close pike formation, "get yourself some gauntlets" kind of sums it up, both ways. The tiny buckler with a spear worked best, if not as well as spear and gauntlets. Plus, the buckler would work quite well with a single-handed sword. If I were a poor, simple spearman in the Middle Ages, I'd try to get a buckler and a short sword as a backup, and I guess I'd try to learn how to use my buckler with my spear asap, because I'd know that getting some decent gauntlets would take a *major* investment.
i used a longsword with a Talhoffer style buckler and it was murder on the wrists to cast it out with one hand constantly.
I think the medieval imagery depicting the shield slung over the shoulder were trying to depict the soldiers slinging the shield over their shoulder *and onto their backs.* I'm guessing the shield when used in this context was primarily used to defend against missiles and then was thrown over the shoulder when engaging in close combat to free up usage of the other hand. Also notice that the characters in these paintings are also heavily armored and have less of a need for a shield in close combat.
Ooh, a segway for a segue!
I see what you did there! Nice.
My guess is that your humor is underappreciated except at home and in certain circles.
For whatever reason, I was imagining a fantasy protagonist running around swinging a two handed sword in one hand like it was a one hander, and holding a large centergrip shield in the other.
So... I kinda want to see Skall's reaction to some of the "Weaponism" videos. They just put out MESSER + Buckler vs Nito KENJUTSU but have done other cool mash-ups, including modern bayonet.
Norman kite shield was most likely use with this style Varangian guard also use form of this with Dane axe using the shield as cover to close distance
Well I'll be darned, I was drafting some videos on this exact subject. Talk about a coincidence
8:55 "you can probably hear the difference"... (Leans in to listen closely)... only hears the background music drowning out all the subtle sounds.
I can imagine it might be not too hard to do a feint when large shield is strapped to you instead of when you carry it, because now your foe does not see your weapon, neither he/she can see your shoulders, which in anticipating an attack is if I'm not mistaken quite important.
Hey Skall, you look in better shape! good for you!
Need a qwick release strap or qwick release knot for the sheild to drop, and have a short sword as a back up if flanked.
What is the technical term for that polearm-mace? Just a longmace?
Also, Skall, there’s a reference to you and the “end them rightly” meme in the latest DLC for Crusader Kings 3,
Tours and Tournaments! Congratulations to you!
I don't know how much historical precedence this has, but I recall seeing interpretations of Scandinavian warriors using Dane Axe's with their shield's strapped over their shoulders similar to the way the Macedonian's did. It may have been art of the Jomsvikings, but I can't recall if it was a historical piece or a modern interpretation. Pretty cool concept regardless.
I’m a blacksmith and I make weapons for a living mostly, I really really like your content. Your information helps inspire my designs
I like the new hair. Looks like a canadian Boromir with that round shield
That's why he chose a ring maker as sponsor
Love the new hair/beard cut Skall!
Hah! That Segway/segue joke is worth going to Thorum and buying a ring or two. Also, mention of the wedding band answered a question I've been wondering regarding Mrs. Skalla, who I haven't seen in a video in a long while - figured you might be single now Skalla, happy to hope from your mentioning of your wedding band(s) that you probably aren't. Either way, go buy a ring folks, great gift IMO.
Reverse concept: a two handed shield.
There is a LARP shield called Titan,something about that size or bigger.
Incredibly helpful, thank you!
I send this video video to a friend and told him Skall should have made this 13 years ago.
He attempted to tank WotLK on Fury, Titans Grip, 2hand sword + shield.
6:55 Picturing off screen the pile of broken cameras his gone through by anciently striking them.
This is where I think in some situation a gauntlet shield (just a shield with integrated gauntlet, not the quirky lantern shield stuff) can have some advantages. I think they could also work nicely archery.
Best against arrows. I will in Bonerlord when on horseback cycle charging for protection on the back or in a charge and then put it up while in range
I wonder if the 2h spear/pike would work with those crescent shields with a bit cut out
The ancient Chinese double arced shields had cut outs for polearms and some had strapped varieties too. So I'd imagine those cutouts help with polearm leverage and usage.
I watch this channel, but I hope for a Highlander themed episode. Lol.
Best blade for an immortal that has to keep having these darn duels to the death. Is keeping it in the trunk of a car realistic, or are we talking full blown Desperado-style and keeping it in a guitar case?
Is katana really the best choice for the modern day immortal to walk around with a concealed blade?
0:48 !!!! Good for you!!
One thing you didn’t explore: wearing the shield on your back, giving a bit of passive protection in a scrum.
Also, some eastern pole weapons would have a small buckler attached directly to the haft.
Might work well with a lantern shield and a long blunt weapon since you dont have to worry as much about the hand being past the shield or edge alignment
SPEAR is a TWO Handed Weapon and has been used with Shiled for several thousand years, Two Handed and shield is an awesome combo
To my knowledge, isn't this similar to how Japanese Samurai developed, from using the small "tate" shields up to having an emphasized shoulder piece that functioned as a shield while they wielded their typically two-handed weapons?
Indeed, it is