Units with both spears and swords

**Olaf The Great** · 08-16-2007, 20:02

Originally Posted by mcantu

CA has said that spear was meant to be used for very long spears. light spear I think is more useful for most infantry w/shorter spears.

I've always understood that the - against sword infantry was to account for the unwieldiness of a long spear...

How is it Unwieldy?

**EdwardL** · 08-16-2007, 20:06

Originally Posted by Olaf The Great

How is it Unwieldy?

in a dense mass of men spears only serve as obstructions vs a sword

**mcantu** · 08-16-2007, 20:09

Well imagine that youre wielding an 8-12ft long spear and the swordsman youre fighting gets in very close to your body...

**NeoSpartan** · 08-16-2007, 20:59

Originally Posted by mcantu

Well imagine that youre wielding an 8-12ft long spear and the swordsman youre fighting gets in very close to your body...

A wall of shield and spear will kick the swordsman a**!

It is a misconception that a spear is less effective than a sword. Both weapons are good, with some slight advantages and disadvantages but nothing major. The only big difference comes in when fighting cavalry, and even that is not a HUGE difference.

**mcantu** · 08-16-2007, 21:07

It makes sense though that a spearman would drop the spear and switch to his sword if his oppenent got in past his spear...

**NeoSpartan** · 08-16-2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by mcantu

It makes sense though that a spearman would drop the spear and switch to his sword if his oppenent got in past his spear...

it depends.....

...there are too many variables that will affect the actions of the spearman and swordman alike.

Most of the time, the spear breaks and you need to use ur sword.

**Olaf The Great** · 08-16-2007, 22:04

I think the only reason Spears have a bonus vs. cal is because they can PUSH the soldier off the horse, in real battles the guy might survive if he's strong, and may even get up and fight if he doesn't have any broken bones..but RTW can't do that so its just +attack

**mcantu** · 08-16-2007, 22:07

Originally Posted by Olaf The Great

I think the only reason Spears have a bonus vs. cal is because they can PUSH the soldier off the horse, in real battles the guy might survive if he's strong, and may even get up and fight if he doesn't have any broken bones..but RTW can't do that so its just +attack

and horses (trained or not) do not like running into a wall of pointy sticks...and once a charge is stopped, its very easy to reach the soldier on a horse with a spear and be far enough away that he can hurt you