Throwing Axes

[Oberiko]

I was wondering if we knew if either R: TW or the Viking expansion pack would include axe throwers.

The main reasons why I ask is because it was a formidable weapon used by the vikings and similar civilizations, that and I think it would make a pretty unique unit (low missile range, high missile power, needs direct line of sight).

[SmokWawelski]

It would be interesting to see that weapon, and with so many new fractions in the expansion, and the need to give them specific units, I think that there is hope for the throwing axe to show up on the batlefields.

[Oberiko]

One of the great things about the throwing axe is that, while it doesn't have the range or accuracy of javelins, it often bounces on contact with the ground.

This would not only cause the expected casualties, but it would also disorganise the enemies formation.

[Xicote]

Yeah, I'd like to see Throwing Axemen in VI. They'd be great for routing formations and disorganising thrm as you said.

[Hosakawa Tito]

I never realized that axe throwing was such a big warfare tactic. You can't carry many, they're not as easy to tote as a bundle of javelins. And you better hang onto your last one or you'll be unarmed, I take it they are one handed. Not to mention that your giving the enemy weapons to throw back or hit you over the head with. That was a problem with using javelins during the early Roman period, your opponents threw them back at you. I believe it was Marius who designed the pilum with a soft iron section in the shaft that would bend on impact and render the pilum useless for the enemy to use against the legionares.

[Oberiko]

Throwing axes were more of a soldiers weapon then an archers.

They only had an effective range of about 15m, so the soldiers would whip one or two axes at the enemy (which is all they would carry) and then charge them while their formations were disarrayed. From what I've read it was a very useful tactic against both Rome (by the Franks) and later against the British (by Vikings).

A monument to their effectiveness: France was possibly named after the throwing axe (francisca).

[malkuth]

Been playing Age of Mythology ey?

Not sure about what units we getting.

[Mr Frost]

Guess you'll just have to ax CA that question http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif {oohhh , I kill me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif}


It'll be interesting if they have them . The Franks certainly were fond of them at one time and they weren't the only ones .
I too want to see Hand-launched , semi-active command line of sight , free-flight , impact-fused flying Vikings http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[rory_20_uk]

With javelins, the use of soft iron was one method, the other that I've heard of was to have a wooden pin between the head and the shaft of the javelin (or pilium). Thus the targe would be hit, and a split second later the shaft would break off the head section. Quite ingenious.

[Pywell]

ah, i luv this idea, the ax thrower would be a one or two time use (per combat) they would be a hybrid inafantry, just before contact you release your axes, and charge right after, great shock effect. gives them first strike, and disorganizes a formation right before impact. this unit would be hybrid infantry (primary function) missle (secondary).

[SeveredSoul]

Someone oughta' mod em'. Give them a range a bit more than the Naptha Throwers(H8 those bastards) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif
And then a charge bonus if they use the axes before the charge.

[A.Saturnus]

I`m offended by your use of the word similar.
It`s an obvious insult against my Frankish heritage. Everyone knows we invented the francisca. And throwing. Throwing up at least. The vikings only used them second hand or had cheap copies from China.

You better watch out, or I might just have you fired for baiting.

[Gregoshi]

Not you too Saturnus http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[terryblack825]

Axe Throwers would be great addition, besides the more new units the merrier. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[A.Saturnus]

Quote[/b] ]
Not you too Saturnus


It`s spreading http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Tiwaz]

Quote[/b] (Hosakawa Tito @ Jan. 26 2003,17:25)]I never realized that axe throwing was such a big warfare tactic. You can't carry many, they're not as easy to tote as a bundle of javelins. And you better hang onto your last one or you'll be unarmed, I take it they are one handed. Not to mention that your giving the enemy weapons to throw back or hit you over the head with. That was a problem with using javelins during the early Roman period, your opponents threw them back at you. I believe it was Marius who designed the pilum with a soft iron section in the shaft that would bend on impact and render the pilum useless for the enemy to use against the legionares.
Only problem with those javelins was that they were difficult to make. After some time they changed the structure and replaced one of the pins (not sure what right word would be in english) with wooden one which would break when javelin hit something.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (A.Saturnus @ April 09 2003,07:09)]
Quote[/b] ]
Not you too Saturnus


It`s spreading http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
NOOOOOOO What have you started Dump? DAMN YOU DAMN YOU ALL

[deus ex machina]

Quote[/b] (Oberiko @ Jan. 26 2003,17:34)]A monument to their effectiveness: France was possibly named after the throwing axe (francisca).
There is some support for this assertion:

I believe, the word frank from the 13th Century comes from the Old French franc which means free, sincere, genuine, and from from Franc, which means a freeman, a Frank, who were the people who conquered Celtic Gaul from the Romans around 500 C.E. They called Celtic Gaul France. But as I understand it (which stands for little), the etymology of Franc is uncertain and its possible relation to javalin or axe is also uncertain.