Long Sword and Long-Hafted Axe

[Heilemann]

It's strapped tight around the arm?

[Rocmistro]

No not at all. If it's tight, every time you get hit...hell every time you MOVE you get pinched and bruised on the forearm. And if the forearm furniture (ie, the "strap") is too tight, you can't get it on over your forearm bracers. Your forearm bares the weight, but your grip on the front handle is what "secures" it.

[Rich H]

Yeah a round of combat is kind of a stretchy piece of time isn't it? As long as players are sensible I say go with flow.

That's the way I look at it. I don't always have rounds of combat being of equal length - it depends on the encounter in hand and what is happening within the game.

[Glorelendil]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

For the record, I'm in favor of game balance (and fun) over historical accuracy and realism. Otherwise I wouldn't be killing dragons and looting magic swords. (Oh, wait, wrong game...) But when they coincide I suppose that's even better.

Certainly the encumbrance penalty of using versatile weapons (e.g., you have a shield even when you're not using it, or a heavier weapon than necessary when you are) is mitigated by being able to swap at will.

[Rich H]

Otherwise I wouldn't be killing dragons and looting magic swords. (Oh, wait, wrong game...)

I dunno, sounds like someone is running The Hobbit.

[Heilemann]

I would add to the discussion that removing a helm takes a turn.

[Mordagnir]

I do historical re-enactment, classical Greek period (ie, hoplites)

i have a 28 pound full bronze-over wood 36" custom made aspis shield.
I can get that thing off my arm with a flick of my shoulder. Getting back on, however, is a different story.

http://thegreekwarriors.com/images/480_ ... camera.JPG

(I'm the guy in the middle.)

Molon labe.

[aramis]

I do historical re-enactment, classical Greek period (ie, hoplites)

i have a 28 pound full bronze-over wood 36" custom made aspis shield.
I can get that thing off my arm with a flick of my shoulder. Getting back on, however, is a different story.

http://thegreekwarriors.com/images/480_ ... camera.JPG

(I'm the guy in the middle.)

That's a beauty. (My shields of choice were a 14" targe, leather over pine, for SCA and live steel use) and a 13" leather buckler (for fencing).

Both are, essentially, bucklers, and either can be put on quickly - under 20 seconds, when slung properly... but retrieving either from the ground is not something one does terribly easily in combat. Certainly easier than your yard of wearable wall...

Which is why I suggested at least one round - and if its not slung, I'd require another to pick it up. Which meshes well with Harrison's house rules collection of additional actions.

[Rocmistro]

Interestingly enough, I think it might be tougher to get a buckler off your arm than a full great shield! Since the buckler is ONLY strapped on, i imagine it has to be tighter to prevent it from being knocked off your arm or at least knocked out of place. But I have never marched, drilled or fought with a buckler so I don't know for sure.

Also, if anyone is interested, I might propose a similar rule for the great shield as the helm; if you ditch it your lower fatigue by x (probably 2). When I set that puppy down, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from me. Quite literally.

[Jon Hodgson]

It's odd (to my ear at least) to hear talk of bucklers being strapped on. A buckler is held in the fist, much like the shields we depicted in TOR - viking and saxon shield types that aren't strapped on at all. The name buckler comes not from buckles of straps, but from the french for "boss".

Mike Loades is as good value as ever on the topic of shields, especially early medieval shields in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWZkitw1_Fw

/shieldnerd