Pros & Cons of Using a SHIELD with a TWO-HANDED Weapon
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How crazy would it be for a fantasy character to wield both a 2-handed sword or polearm AND a shield? Not necessarily all that crazy... it was done in history, albeit not often.
Full damage plus protection, what's not to like, right? Well, there are a few things...
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I feel like the big point with such a large shield and a pike is protection from slingers, javelins, and archer fire. Especially when in pike formation, since you don't need Robin hood precision just shoot in the big tight crowd of soldiers.
Large shields negate the main advantage of pike formations, which is why the Pelta used was rather small to let the soldiers form up very close to eachother to put more pike points toward the enemy. It was still very effective and necessary against the missile heavy eastern armies Alexander and his successors fought, later western pike blocks ditched the shields in favour of "just" armour but that didn't prevent them from getting wrecked as soon as they faced ranged opposition they couldn't overrun, ask the Scots at Flodden or the Swiss at Marignano.
Knowing folks that do this in large scale battle games, it works.
@@mnk9073 Both have their advantages and disadvantages pikes in conjunction with large shields would make for a better screening force when fighting steppe nomads, for example.
The pikemen would be decently protected against arrows while offering great protection against charges, and archers could shoot from the cover of the pikemen to take out horse archers.
Against infantry, the smaller shield would be better, as you say.
Concur. I thought about the Norse with a Dane axe and a shield on their back...
The shield would only come out in a shieldwall or if they dropped the two handed axe
@@mnk9073 Eh,it was well enough for pike and armor to be standard. It jusr means gunners and or cavalry wasn't doing thier in defending against cavalry or neutraling cannons. Alexander's armor wasn't nearly as advanced as armor avalable to late medival ans reinassance pikers and it worked well that skall did a video showing evidence that pikers could guards their flanks by themselves, something Macedonions pikers couldn't do.
Haircut? Looking good
Aragain, son of Aratrain
I do think that the reason Macedonian phalanxes used shields was for protection against massed arrows, not close combat, although it's good to see a passive shield/kopis combo is not totally defenceless
I would tend to agree. To my knowledge, the best way to reduce a phalanx is arrows or artillery.
Perhaps cavalry, if they can charge the rear of the formation.
It might, but I read somewhere that the ranks behind the main “attacking pikes” would hold the weapon up high to make essentially a tall wall against arrows too (you can see an image in the video). But I think you made a good point that deserves discussion! 👍
@Alex Ferrar, The idea that pikes are good at blocking arrows is an internet myth or is greatly exaggerated. IIRC, the original non-exaggerated idea comes from Polybius' writings, where he simply says that pikes were carried at an angle to allow pikes to prevent "some" arrows from reaching the "rear" of the pike formation. In reality, only the very rear soldiers would have a small amount of protection against missiles (eg. arrows and javelins), and really just against missiles shot at a flat trajectory (high trajectory or arced arrows would've bypassed going through the ranks of pikes). The soldiers in the front and middle would have negligible to no additional protection from even flat trajectory fired arrows with their pikes. These pikes were probably much more effective against javelins than against arrows. A few years ago, I did a few hypothetical calculations of the surface area the pikes could've protected against based on their diameter and the width of each soldier & their spacing, and even in the best case scenario, the additional protection against arrows is tiny overall and still rather small for soldiers in the rear.
And if European medieval archery tactics (see
scholagladiatoria video) was any indication of Persian archery tactics, then shooting at a flat trajectory at the enemy's front ranks would have been most common. This was followed by occasional cases of shooting arrows in an arc that may have landed in the enemy's back ranks. Neither would allow pikes to be of any use against arrows. Archers would not be shooting at a flat trajectory over the enemy's front towards the enemy's rear unless they missed their shot. So the only way the phalangite pike would have protected against the arrows is if the enemy archers missed their flat trajectory straight shot at the phalangite's front ranks, and the arrow was flying towards the phalangite's rear ranks and got bounced around by the pike shafts.
@@Intranetusa good point! Thanks for the ideas and info👌
The shields of the pike phalanx absolutely would be very beneficial in a pike on pike engagement as well as when you are forced to drop your pike and pull your secondary. The passive coverage denies the enemy many potential lines of attack, which in conjunction with your active defense of parrying with your pike (Even moving the pike in a small circle can ward off thrusts in a rather large zone, both those aimed at you and more importantly those aimed at your comrades) makes your line quite tricky to take on even against people who can engage you.
This makes me think that the "Shoulder Shields" you see in some of the later Fire Emblem designs might have some practical application.
If one means fairly long kite shaped shields strapped to the upper arm?
To my understanding those were generally used by cavalry, protecting the side of the body and part of the leg (possibly more) while seated in the saddle while still leaving the hand free for the reigns (the other hand being occupied, of course, with your weapon).
I'm not familar with the game, mind you.
They're also common in mecha genre, with various level of effectiveness.
It could be similar to how some samurai armor had extremely large shoulder plates (sode). Allowed them to use bows and two-handed polearms, while still having something shield-like. Extreme examples are long enough to reach past the elbow, and as wide as the breastplate itself. Their depiction in art (often with arrows sticking out of them) does also suggest you would face them towards incoming missiles, while they move out of the way towards your back when you're drawing a bow.
@@victoriazero8869 Front Mission
Good video. Most of the research that I've read points to use of shield by soldiers using two-handed weapons was mainly to defend against missiles until they could close the distance for hand-to-hand combat.
This is funny to me because I was just playing Mount and Blade and totally exactly what I'd been doing out of pure practicality lol.
@@VioletDeathRei heh awesome
@@VioletDeathRei I know the pains of using my polearm skill gained by lancing into using polearms in sieges. Always carry a shield so those bows don't murder me before I hit the ladder.
@@VioletDeathRei Same. Playing poleax main and shield is unfortunately indispensable until you got into melee range.
I feel like a kite shield on the shoulder would be a good choice. Since it's relatively narrow with considerable coverage.
You have created A LOT DnD Table Fights with this:
-Yeah I can have a shield and two handed weapon! See?! SEE!!!
Uh oh... :D
I mean, it's mechanically there already: Take Monkey Grip and you can wield Large weapons one handed as a Medium character.
just use gurps it's already in the game @@Skallagrim
I would say that you can have a shield strapped to your arm and still wield a two handed weapon, but you wouldn't be able to benefit from the shield if you attack. It would only be helpful if you are only being defensive.
Depending on the rules system you're using, you could also apply penalties to two-handed attacks if also wielding a shield, and/or require them to take a feat for it. There are ways you could make it work IF you wanted to allow it at all.
I think this video equally demonstrates why you wouldn't want to wield a shield with a 2h weapon. It's too cumbersome, and doesn't really help you that much.
Double strapping a targe to your left arm can be extremely beneficial. In addition to the 50% fire and 30% explosive resistance, it allows you to use the Charge ability to close distance quickly and deal guaranteed critical hits with your sword.
Scotland is not a real country! You are an english man with a dress!
Also... If you charge up a small incline, you will fly into the air
A rather excellent pairing would be middle eastern boots or a peg leg to assist on movement control
I wish I had videos like this back in the early 80s when I was a teenager playing AD&D. We had quite a few arguments about the efficacy of various weapon and shield combinations. The AD&D rules were just too simplistic about general combat back then.
I miss AD&D as well. A more complex melee system would have saved it from becoming irrelevant compared to D&D 3.5.
It doesn't really help with dnd bc it's an unrealistic game anyway
@@seeker296 And a mediocre-at-best roleplaying system besides.
@@vonrelevanz1963 its not irrelvant, im still playing 2nd edition 30 years later, with players option ruleset addons.
@Douglas Dea I love this comment, You sir are a relic that must be preserved, on behalf of the 80s kid conservation society we extend our well wishes. (Reason for edit: reply tag failed to display)
The biggest advantage a simply slung strapped shield has is at any time you can spin it to your back to get it fully out of your way while adding additional protection to your biggest blindspot.
Have used this setup. It's pretty effective with weapons that are primarily designed for two-handed use but can be used one-handed in a pinch, such as bastard-swords (I know it's a non historical term). Never though about using a pole arm this way though! I might try this once I pick up a spear or pole axe.
I do somewhat agree that shields can add bulk, however the extra energy required doesn't matter much for the average spar, in a historical battlefield context I think it'd still be worth trying due to the presence of missile weapons.
I'll have to try the strapped roundshield idea, although I feel like in practice it has a few flaws you've failed to mention: namely that it creates blindspots both literally in vision and in the range of motion you could emit your weapon from the shield side, since it's permanently attached to you using shield manipulation techniques like grappling or hooking would leave you very vulnerable. Might be just my bias but an unstrapped or lightly attached shield can mitigate this by just letting yourself get disarmed.
You might want to rethink that statement about the bastard sword being a non-historical term.
I have a book on swords throughout history that references a legal case in England, London, late 15th century odd. One party claimed of the other that their swords were stolen. Of which it was a single handed sword, a bastard sword and a two handed sword.
Case detail was the swords were surrendered at the guest house they were staying at in the city and on their departure they were not returned to them.
Which the definition of the bastard sword was a sword longer than a single handed sword and shorter than a two handed sword.
If I had the book at hand, I'd give you the references, APA 6th. Unfortunately it's in been put away for storage.
While watching this I realized that there is a real use case for duel wielding shields. That is two bucklers while wielding a pole weapon. This protects both hands as you flip the weapon around.
Edit: oh, he briefly mentions this if I just watched further.
I believe Skall also once made a video on the obscure Chinese Hook Shield. Might be interesting to check that one out, if you haven't.
Good if you can't afford gauntlets I guess?
@@fallencrusader2975 gauntlets are a lot more complicated, so I expect they were more expensive. So yes.
Considering the guys at Steel Mastery will sell you a steel shield with all the trimmings (55x70 cm, personalized heraldry & brass trim) for about 30-40 euros more than the *base* price of pretty much any of their plate or brigantine gauntlets, I think you’re onto something.
There are these little hand rondels which work really well for that 🛡️
I've seen buckler+longsword used in practice in a dueling setting, it honestly seemed really great although as you pointed out, demanding in training. But the ability to constantly switch between one handed grip+buckler in left, and powerful strikes with two hands was very effective (nothing is perfect of course). Have also seen poleaxe+buckler which seemed slightly more clunky but workable. Never had a chance to try it myself though.
Perhaps a buckler-like gauntlet could be advantages. Especially for polearms.
Didn't except Vandal Hearts to get mentioned in this video. Loved the first two games.
I feel like a good name for the technique where you hide behind a shield that is strapped to your body and fight using a two-handed weapon is calling it the "snapping turtle" technique. You turtle up and snap.
As far as I know, here in Italy, polearms were often use with bucklers, but they were different from yours: the little buckler is the training version (children started at the age of 8 with that with swords), and the real buckler is larger and has a triangle section, not a "UFO" section. This should give you more room for your hand to a tight grip of both shield and weapon, but I believe, when in formation, they still use the very little version, the "padella".
Sorry for my bad english and thanks for the very interesting video, as usual.
One silly concept I've been thinking recently: integrating a buckler into a gauntlet/vambrace. Basically a shield version of the Pata. If designed correctly, it could allow a shield while retaining the hand's ability to grasp.
Those did technically exist, just in small numbers. Look at the lantern shield then just remove the extra bits.
Not silly at all, just a little low. After all, what is the oversized and reinforced lefthand Milanese pauldron other than a shield made part of your armour?
Yep gauntlet shields are underrated (as long as you scrap all the lantern shields extra fluff) and can work nicely with archery. Gauntlet shield hand hold the bow and make the arrows go brrr. They are hard to find affordable versions though.
It looks like the primary benifit of these techniques, outside massed combat, is when using two hands is optional instead of required. That way you can fight more or less as normal, but can deliver a two handed strike if you see an opening.
I think it is worth mentioning the Mycenaean figure 8 shield in this discussion. It is a tower shield from the bronze age (15,000 B.C. i think). It was curved to fit around the body and if I am remembering correctly this shield didn't have hand holds and was hung from the neck with a strap. This shape may help with some of the problems with attacking or defending in the "shield arm:" direction. Also if i am remembering correctly, i think this shield is mentioned in either the Iliad or the epic of Gilgamesh where a character is mentioned to have put a handhold on his shield to make it easier to move around, but I'm pulling that from a really old memory so feel free to correct me. Also the Mycenaean style armor is thought to be the kind of armor that king Saul had and David refused to wear when he fought Goliath if anyone is interested
I think you've got an extra zero there.
15000?
A lot of our initial agricultural civilizations first started popping up around 10,000 BCE lmao
@@iapetusmccool you're correct i meant 1,500
The Dipsylon, the Persians also had a related shield for their spear men. Some got really ornate in their design- not so much figure eight-shaped as having a specific notch to rest the pike in. (Sometimes called a Boeotian, after the coins which had the image of the shield on their face.)
I definitely like the shield strapped to the body and two handed sword use, having some awesome visco-elastic foam rolls, also good near the mouse pad, and for goats heads, I'm definitely going with forging my dueling shield like design, which can get heavy, so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out.
“The Macedonians were size queens”
That quote is going to enter my mind everytime someone mentions Macedonians now, thanks Skal
You're welcome. ;)
size queens so they wanted a longer poke-stick lol
You could use a buckler sized shield strapped directly to your forearm, or a hungarian shield, but I wonder how much benefit they are going to offer over vambraces, although they might be cheaper.
Great breakdown and demonstration of the pros and cons.
If I wore rings, the Thorum ones would be very enticing.
I see skall has entered his frankish viking era.
Nice hair! Im so glad you are covering this. I always wondered why two hand weapons and shields weren't/arent a thing.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis Skall. Well done Sir.
Hi Skall. We had an argument once over a video about a sword fight in a movie, you most likely won't see this comment but for what it's worth I'm sorry for that argument. You make good content and I'm glad you're still making it.
The Samurai used shields and two handed weapons just fine. (Bows, spears, swords, Kanabo...)
In fact they used two shields. They mounted them on their shoulders.
They called them "Sode".
Nice to see a video about it! There are only two other videos on YT that I managed to find which demonstrate this topic. I'm using a setup with a medium-sized shield on a guige and a polearm for my GURPS character. So it's interesting to figure out how it correlates with reality. And how it might affect the rules for guige use in combat
Dueling spiked shields: you have two handed weapon and a shield. Easy victory!
Well I'll be darned, I was drafting some videos on this exact subject. Talk about a coincidence
The Macedonian phalangist shield was probably a lot smaller than that. As in, half the diameter or less. In art work it's depicted more like a small peltast shield than a large hoplon.
I don't know if the hoplite thing is still debated, but it really never should have been. The simple fact that the first place the hoplites would reinforce on their linothorax was the belly makes it clear that that is where they were expecting to take the most hits which wouldn't be the concern if overarm was the standard (especially in a very dense formation where the belly is almost entirely unreachable).
Some of the points you brought up made me wonder: What do you think of the idea of shield/winged gauntlets? I don't know if they actually existed historically, but gauntlets that are flared out on the sides enough to effectively be used as at least a small shield? It's a concept I've always been fond of, although I'm not certain of its practicality.
The pauldrons on samurai armour from some time periods were like this. The idea was that if you needed to, you could just move your shoulder and have it cover more of your body, and them go right back to using your bow or spear. It still has the problem Skall mentioned where it moves out of the way when you attack, but it's interesting to know there is a historical example of something like this.
It's definitely pretty old now, but I still would love to see you do a video on the "Nameless Knight" fight from the ESO High Isle trailer. I think the choreography is believable and well done (besides breaking the axe in half, but I think these characters are supposed to be stronger than normal people anyway). I would like to hear your thoughts on it.
The Sode (spaulders) of early samurai armour,(Kamakura and Muromachi period) are shields strapped to the upper arms, so that the Samurai could use two handed weapons (bow and spear). Only during the Sengoku and Edo period the Sode shrinked to just become more form fitting upper arm and shoulder protection.
I can't wait for Ironmouse to react to this one.
Spartans did it in 300... SPARTANS WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION
Should be noted that the Macedonian pikemen's shields were a bit smaller than the Aspis, 60-70cm in diameter or so, and were also strapped to the arm in addition to the sling.
"The Macedonians however were size queens, so they wanted a longer poke stick." - Skall 2023
BACKGROUND MUSIC made this unpleasant to watch. People differ in musical preferences, which change as their musical sophistication grows. I usually listen to background music while listening to voice, but _I_ choose the music, which is usually different from what others would prefer. A video with its own background music makes this impossible.
Reverse concept: a two handed shield.
There is a LARP shield called Titan,something about that size or bigger.
Didn't the Samurai basically have shoulder shields to be used with two-handed swords(katana) and spears(Yari) and probably the other pole weapons like Naginata, Nagamaki, etc.?
Basically the hanging over shoulder shield, just rectangle in shape.
Well... yes... when you're part of a phalanx, the concept of overlapping shields works , even if you just strap it to you. For actual fighting with a polearm, I'd prefer a halberd or glaive and some 'medium armor' (scale mail, the likes) over a shield. They do get in the way when it comes to evasion. Also the whole 'handbag shield' concept doesn't allow you to cover your head in case of e.g. the amount of arrows raining down during a siege.
A targe without a hand grip will inevitably follow gravity, bad idea.
The only use of a shield when sporting a polearm or other large two handed weapon I can think of would be the turtle style. Strapped to your back in a way that your neck, kidneys etc. are properly protected - but i struggle to think of a situation when that would come in handy.
edit: 7:34 what clint uses is what is described above: a targe without a hand grip. absolutely unrealistic, did try, no chance that this would work in actual combat. Roman gladiators had some nice solutions for this. What you would want is a proper armor for your arms and shoulders that you can handle and that is strong enough to do a shield's job.
It was a good nerdy analysis.
The Macedonian shield was not simply hung, it was supported by a shoulder strap and the left arm by an arm band and a loose strap for the hand so the weight of the shield and pike are supported by your shoulders and remains maneuverable. At least according to a book titled An Invincible Beast.
I mean if nothing else, you could probably carry a shield just to protect yourself from projectiles while you close with the enemy, and then abandon it.
Let's keep in mind, that the Pelta carried by the Macedonian Sarissa-men is with it's ca. 60 cm in diameter rather small and primarily worn on the shoulder to cover the arm and especially the armpit and the neck from missiles and opposing Sarissa tips. Against enemy infantry the lenght of the Sarissa and the density of the formation (another reason to keep the shield small) protects you against any foe even reaching you, now if the phalanx is broken or you end up in a "bad war" situation you dump the Sarissa and fight with short sword and unslung Pelta.
The stance you tried with the shield made me think of the shield Brad Pitt and his squad used in Troy. It had those cutouts/grooves that they used to brace their spears against.
That's why you just carry a gun. If someone on the street tries to assault you with a sword and shield you're good.
You know Mount and Blade, Skall.
There was a spin-off game/mod called "With fire and sword", where using a pistol along with a shield at the same time (F&S let you do that unlike normal Mount and blade) became the META, along with bow and arrow at the same time as a shield.
I have seen art of bow+shield, but never pistol+shield. You think either of these would make a neato topic?
I think that there was a Dutch military theorist from the late 16th or early 17th century who advocated for using heavily armored swordsmen with shields and pistols but the idea never chaught on.
You actually half-guessed the topic for next week's video right there. ;)
@@lukatomas9465 Yeah they kept the bullet proof shields around for elite guards and sieges, but realized that pure pike and shot was the way to go.
What about shield with cutout meant to be paired with spear?
I've always been convinced that a longer spear and a buckler is an eccellent combination that was underrated in history: True, the shield is limited, but you always have the option to separate and use the buckler normally, without really sacrificing the spear use, and you could shape the handle to make the movement easier. Maybe Buckler+Partigiana!
2:00 - I love how Skall at left side is checking other 2 if they are holding the formation :D
"Two handed weapon and shield? That's illegal!" - Double Spear Warrior
To my knowledge, isn't this similar to how Japanese Samurai developed, from using the small "tate" shields up to having an emphasized shoulder piece that functioned as a shield while they wielded their typically two-handed weapons?
Indeed, it is
Use an Aspis Skallagrim.
The off centre ridged loop & concave shape makes it act very different to the shields you used as the arm is pressed against the loop away from the shield by the curve you slip your arm into.
Various other shoulder or hand straps exist on Aspis but are not mandatory being more an additional option/feature not all used.
I should clarify a well made Aspis requires no straps or loose ties to wear.
The slightly off centre rigid loop rests against the supinate of the forearm pressing the shield away by contact of the elbow & dorsum of the wrist.
The curve radium of a aspis is determined by the user fore arm length so is preferably tailor made to the user but padding or wedges can make up for the lack of tolerance of fit.
do a video about Metatron's demonetized
I have done this with a kite shield using the gige and one of the straps on my elbow, while using a voulge as a weapon.
It was quite effective to me, honestly.
And as for the point about spear, look up the research by Nath dos Reis. She shows iconography of shields worn with a gige and held by only one strap (on the elbow in some ocassions but mainly on the top one with a hand), making it negligible to letting the shield go to weild a spear or sword towo handed and then retrieving the shield back to your hand.
Well, I need to be more patient before commenting xD but I still think the round shield without straps isn't the best option.
Buckler with a thin handle and two-handed
I can imagine it might be not too hard to do a feint when large shield is strapped to you instead of when you carry it, because now your foe does not see your weapon, neither he/she can see your shoulders, which in anticipating an attack is if I'm not mistaken quite important.
Wtf it took me two seconds to realize this isnt a metatron video. For one second I thought, wait, metatron is making lighthearted videos?(thumbnail looked similar and i was binging metatron explaining cleopatra and woman king)
I like the new hair. Looks like a canadian Boromir with that round shield
That's why he chose a ring maker as sponsor
DemoKnight: yes
i ask myself how they used the phalanx AND wearing the shield perfectly formed....
There's good historical documentation for the use of shields by archers.
i used a longsword with a Talhoffer style buckler and it was murder on the wrists to cast it out with one hand constantly.
So...a decked out samurai? Samurai preferred two handed weapons. And their sode are effectively just shoulder-hung shields.
Now skall hear me out: buckler-gauntlets, all the protection of a buckler with all the practicality of a gauntlet
xD
I think I have seen something like that... I could be mistaken though
@@KuLaydMahn making a quick search I found finger bucklers, it's something that gives extra protection to the fingers. I guess the idea is to give more protection to a finger gauntlet but with more mobility than a mitten gauntlet, maybe? Idk why you wouldn't use a mitten gauntlet at this point
Is that what you were talking about? Idk if they're historically accurate tho
It's almost always better to have shields
If you have good armor ,often not !
The real solution was plate armor. Historically large pauldrons replaced shields. There are techniques when wearing full harness of using vambraces to parry & such. And when wearing full harness it's certainly possible to weird 2 handed weapons like spears, pollaxes & big swords.
Skall: You can probably hear the difference.
...background music plays...
Why did this video need background music? Am I the only one who finds it annoying?
Unless in close pike formation, "get yourself some gauntlets" kind of sums it up, both ways. The tiny buckler with a spear worked best, if not as well as spear and gauntlets. Plus, the buckler would work quite well with a single-handed sword. If I were a poor, simple spearman in the Middle Ages, I'd try to get a buckler and a short sword as a backup, and I guess I'd try to learn how to use my buckler with my spear asap, because I'd know that getting some decent gauntlets would take a *major* investment.
Did KoA send you their Alexandria sword or did you buy it yourself to scratch the no-Principe-itch?
I wouldn't see as much of an issue if the big shield wasn't totally round. If you changed the shape to find a balance between the pros and cons it could be pretty advantageous IMO.
Like if you knocked off some of the top corner on your right side it would allow more dexterity without exposing your core.
I also wonder if there would be any advantage in attaching the shield to your left knee/thigh so you could potentially control the shield through your stance and still have your hands free.
I think you should pick up some cheap, thin plywood and try to come up with a design concept that addresses your issues as best as you can.
Just put enough stat points in STR till you can wield 2 handed weapon with one hand.
Jokes aside, even with some combos where it gets in a way, I can still see some personalized use. Like cause of some injury or something, youcant operate from one side as well, it might be a good idea to dedicate it entirely to protection
Don't forget some boots or a peg leg, charge in screaming with no regard for your safety, and overhead swing.
Works every time.
Could you possibly do a sparring video using a two handed spear and shield? I've seen it in video and board games, but don't feel that it's accurate.
Strapped shields were also used in Rennisance Europe and by the ancient Chinese. You can see Rennisance pikemen manuals with strapped shields. The ancient Chinese had strapped double arced shields potentially used by pikemen, halberds, and cavalry.
So... I kinda want to see Skall's reaction to some of the "Weaponism" videos. They just put out MESSER + Buckler vs Nito KENJUTSU but have done other cool mash-ups, including modern bayonet.
A 2 handed weapon with a shield makes no sense in general. This should be obvious. Like a jack of all trades scenario.
True hema chads only dual wield bucklers. No swords. Only fisticuffs
What if you were to make the shield moulded to the forearm and, maybe, with an articulated plate that would cover the back of the hand. You can even extend it further with articulated fingers. And on the opposite hand, an articulated elbow and a piece of steel encasing the upper arm. Of course, that might be hard to have it stay in place, so a shoulder piece attached to the chest would be a good idea. You could even hang a smaller round shield from that shoulder piece to protect the armpit...
Some HMB fighters use greatsword with buckler for a lower hand
So... Yeah, you can effectively use two handed weapon with a shield
There's an easy solution for that: carry a friendly magician to cast Animate Shield on your own shield!
BAM! Problem solved!
What about to make a cut out on the top right side of shield for spear? I've seen in some movies about ancient times some shields with cuts probably for spear.
At 11:50 when you are talking about just defending the head and the shins, a helmet and some shin guards would provide a lot of protection without adding much weight or cost.
D&D and Pathfinder have specializations built around using a two-handed weapon and a buckler
8:55 "you can probably hear the difference"... (Leans in to listen closely)... only hears the background music drowning out all the subtle sounds.
I've just seen something on YT I didn't know was possible. Rope Darts. Like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, tho obviously a little different. But it'd be really cool to see Skallagrim's reaction/analysis.
Separating Greeks from Macedonians is like separating crocodiles from reptiles
i think you re better off with oversized pauldrons WOW style, and gauntlets, or even go full heretical TAU 40k pauldrons. similar use and role, but more flexible.
This reminds me of the cleanrot knight in Elden Ring, that they have a little buckler in their spears to give some protection (and tho its not shown in-game, i suppose it could be used to hide the hand in there and be protected)
Also one thing Skall, what do you think about the contraption Malenia (from the same game) has in her prostetic arm to hold the sword? i have looked at it and it looks like it could be usefull when handling heavy weapons since it distributes the weight more to the arm instead of the wrist. Also it may allow for some fancy techniques she uses in the fight (not the really anime ones like the 1000 slashes one), what do you think about those?
I'm sure Skal tackled spear-shields somewhere. Though the actual ones were shorter and thus were coser to parrying dagger than spears. But the point still is that you use the shaft to extend your parrying area.
Those spear shields seems to come from the indian Santie spear.
What is the technical term for that polearm-mace? Just a longmace?
Also, Skall, there’s a reference to you and the “end them rightly” meme in the latest DLC for Crusader Kings 3,
Tours and Tournaments! Congratulations to you!
Hah! That Segway/segue joke is worth going to Thorum and buying a ring or two. Also, mention of the wedding band answered a question I've been wondering regarding Mrs. Skalla, who I haven't seen in a video in a long while - figured you might be single now Skalla, happy to hope from your mentioning of your wedding band(s) that you probably aren't. Either way, go buy a ring folks, great gift IMO.
11:00 I'm expecting an oval or reverse tier drop shaped shield will be more suitable for that than a round shield
Hey Skall, I would suggest you maybe taking a look at the 2022 film "Medival".
It is undersingly untalked about.
Idk. I think you would ignore it completely for mellee combat, it would be indeed just something hanging there, but at least you would have something to pull quickly against projectiles.
I find myself being MORE aggressive using a shield than when using my 2h axe in Buhurt for starters.
But before watching I'd say it's just too cumbersome for the protection it may provide
As a middle ground between the buckler and the medium shield, weren't there shields with circular holes in the side of them that a spear or similar weapon could be poked through?
I think there might be a good case for a large shield held by a shoulder sling, would allow to potentially move it out of the way towards the back when you need both arms on the main weapon.