New unit at the .com: Huscarls

[Kraxis]

Wouldn't a larger axe be virtually impossible to weild with one hand? Think of the weight. It would be cumbersome and difficult to control. It's balance with the heavy metal end makes it even more of a challenge to handle with proficiency. I think that the challenge of using the weapon effectivley is compounded by the presence of other folks in your unit all doing the same thing. It would be like herding cats.

Yes, but like the Varangians they didn't use them at the same time. The shield was usually slung onto the back when the axe was being wielded in two hands.

In formation the first rank would use their swords (which they all carried in addition to the axe) instead, and the next rank their axes. Pretty nasty results.

Of course javelins were not uncommon while in formation either.

Interestingly RTW couldn't handle shields being slung onto the back, while MTW certainly could (Varangians of both types, Swabian Swordsmen, Huscarls of both types and of course the Jomsvikings). Perhaps that is where the real problem lies? They haven't been able to recreate the situation in MTW?

In any case Huscarls had both big axes and large shields.

[EDIT] Something I just realized was, that the unit presented is somehow both heavy infantry and at te same time a mobile light infantryman. He does not fit into the center of a battle (where he can't use his mobility as well), his equipment tells me he should be on the flanks, a position Huscarls never had.