If you are fighting with a two handed spear, the torch would be carried how? Or if you had a shield on one arm and a sword in the other, the torch would go.....? As an archer, bow in hand, drawing string back with the other and torch is placed....?? A javelineer carrying spares in one hand and hurling them with the other while the torch is held with...?? I could go on, but hopefully you see the point.Originally Posted by Arman616
Even ignoring the "I-need-3-hands" problem, lets say you were out with a unit of your fellow swordsmen on patrol one night and saw a bunch of torches in the distance. Would you A) light some torches of your own and march off to confront them or B) sneak up on them unseen in the dark? More to the point, since units historically never marched around at night hoping for a pitched battle, all historical examples of night attacks involve one group attacking the camp/fort/city of the other. How many of these do you think involved the attackers using torches, and thereby eliminating the element of surprise? (Which is the ONLY advantage accruing to the attacker in a night battle.)
In sum. Torches = Wardogs, Headhurlers, Screeching women, etc.
Edit:The above isn't directed at Araman626 (since he now "gets it"), but rather at anyone else who's unclear on the issue of torchesOriginally Posted by Arman616
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