pilum holdster?

[Hooahguy]

i was wondering- how many pilaes did the legionary carry? in EB i think it is 2... but then where would they store it when they fought, if they didnt use it? would it be behind their shields, as skirmishers are portrayed to have it?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

No one knows, best guess is they dropped them when engaging in melee or the guys behind held them.

[anubis88]

AFAIK the animations forbid that... if you create 2 pillum at the skin of a unit they will always be there even if the soldier throws them...

[CirdanDharix]

I think often they actually only had one Pilum, but the RTW engine forces them to have at least two. Given that the scutum is a centre-grip, I can't imagine using it in melee with a javelin in the hand holding it; so my guess is they probably just threw all their pilae before melee, or if they wanted to save some for later, they'd leave them some place convenient and then go fetch them when they weren't actively fighting--and we all know how Roman tactics were all about bringing fresh troops up to the front and letting the tired men get a breather.

[TWFanatic]

AFAIK, they held a long range and a short range pila (so 2). They would throw the long range one from a distance, advance a bit, throw the other, then charge. Or if they were being charged, they would simply let their foe do the running and throw one after the other as the enemy approached. These two volleys would falter or break the charge of most foes, thus letting the legionaries charge a relatively stationary line (having disposed of both their pila).

[bovi]

I think often they actually only had one Pilum, but the RTW engine forces them to have at least two.
I think it's possible to have 1 ammo per man. But they usually held 2 I think.