GreatSword

Gucca · Post by **Gucca** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 2:10 pm

Other things I had heard about some of the larger swords. ( I dunno if its true or not )

The wielder would spin around like a top while wadeing into a group

Quillions were sharpened and if the point of the sword were placed on the ground it would put the quillions at eyelevel. A punching motion would drive the sharpened quillions through the eyeslit of a helm.

Flamberge blades were specifically designed to chop off polearm heads

Believe it... Or Not

Gucca

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 2:32 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Destichado:
I don't see the problem. The DelTin Venetian Two-hander is the same weight and size, and it performed admirably in the Swordforum Review.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're right, there isn't a problem. I am far less concerned about the weight of a GS, or any sword for that matter, than how it balances. I have a 48" katana with a 13" grip that balances slightly in front of the tsuba. It weighs 4 1/4lbs, and all I have to do is put it on auto-pilot. It is a lot of fun to watch it work in front of me.

Harold, while the GS may do a good job of cutting off the heads of pikes, that is only so I can cut of the heads of pikeman. :O

Dopplesoldiers rule!

Galfride · Post by **Galfride** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 4:10 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Harold the Bear:
Remember Zweihanders didnt need a exceptional amount of swing speed. They were souly designed to chop the head of pikes off.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

not quite souly, lets not forget about legging horses

besides there were more efficient ways of dealing with pike, like archers crossbowmen hurlbats siege weapons and cannons (untill the lines met, but hell even then alot)

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-Galfride Leyham
formaly known as Altr0s

Clay · Post by **Clay** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 5:47 pm

I plan to start playing with Great Sword myself soon. Reading this thread has given me some good insight in addition to what I already knew.

Moving around is good. Not overcommitting yourself on a block is good.

As for hand injuries, correct me if I'm wrong Gentlemen, but aren't we all trying to hit our friends with sticks? I mean, there has got to be a certain point where you go from being a Fighter to being a rules lawyer (no intentional jab at you Richard) and losing sight of the competition. Why are you all so worried about getting your hands bashed in? So, you bleed - it stops eventually. If you break your hands, then you obviously can't fight for a while. Isn't part of the fun of actually fighting seeing blood? Doesn't matter if its yours or theirs. I would feel cheated and dishonored if I didn't walk away from a fight without some serious deep bruises or busted hands.

I'm glad I can block with my hands/head/crotch/toes/whatever because that's the way a fight is supposed to be. I'm gonna cut this rant short before I offend anyone.

Gucca · Post by **Gucca** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 6:05 pm

Clay.... when fighting a GreatSwordsman ESPECIALLY it is considered a BAD idea to block with your crotch

Say it with me ... Block with sword Good ; Block with crotch BAD..

Gucca

randy · Post by **randy** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 6:39 pm

one thing most of the munuals all say is that the slow man with the bastard is the dead man with the bastard. sorry i dont fight with a great sword still wanted to put my 2 cents in. by the way its very period, modeled after blades i have seen in museums( spent 3 months museum scrounging acrossed central europe with my scetch book and tape measure)42 inch blade with 12 inch handel. any how i am sure that te slow means dead works hear as well.

Harold the Bear · Post by **Harold the Bear** » Tue Apr 10, 2001 9:55 pm

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love you guys

I'm the only stubbern bitch that wont get behind the shield wall when playing Doppelsoldner in a war

P.S. Clay dont block with your crotch plzzzzzz

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"the teutons are comming the teutons are comming"
Vita et Viktoria!
Heil Rittertum,

Harold the Bear
Herzog von Sachsen

Lochlainn · Post by **Lochlainn** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 8:12 am

Harold, shieldwalls are like Marines. They are only there to absorb damage while the real work gets done...

Greatsword alone in melee or war is asking to get gutted by a spear; a single shieldman to hide behind turns you into a killing machine. Get a spear on the shield's other shoulder and you're close to invincible to single attackers.

Ahh, I love greatswording...

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Lochlainn
I'm a Liberal and I'm OK!
*Insert gratuitous inflammatory remark here*

Gucca · Post by **Gucca** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 8:31 am

Greatsword & shield walls dont mix. Leave the shieldwall for the sword & board people & those that like to fight with grain-threshers.
Ive had GREAT success fighting in "triads" with two greatswordsmen on either side of a shield or two greatswords & a spear in the middle.
The Times I've been forced into fighting on the wall I usually take an end so I got some swinging room

Jess my two copper,
Gucca

Vermin · Post by **Vermin** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 11:33 am

I've HELD a REAL zwiehander.
The blade was nice and light, and well balanced.
Which it would HAVE to be, if you are making your living while dancing at the edge of pike range.
Than whole spiel about the zwiehander being "wielded by only the biggest, burliest Landsknecht" is just SOOOOOOOO full of crap.
Think about it.
Take your average "large and burly" SCA fighter.
How long would you give this guy to live if he had to dance the pike dance?
Granted, the guys who used them weren't twigs, but I don't believe they were that huge either, as held in the popular view.
VvS

Bedlam · Post by **Bedlam** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 12:03 pm

Gucca:

Remember, the majority of the folks that are posting are SCA. In larger melees and wars, greatsword is good compliment to the shield wall. This is because you can strike at the head and in some areas thrust to the face. Sometimes you get the kill, sometimes you slow them down or blind them. Triads are used, but more towards the end of the large field battles when things have broken down or when the mop up operation starts.

BEDLAM
Bear Clan,
Tuchux

Gucca · Post by **Gucca** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 1:18 pm

Bedlam,
It is true that usually breaking into a triad happens to "clean up" as it were. But also most wars I've seen have skirmishers that are not in the main group, here a triad works well also; whether you are SCA or Darkon or Markland or Daggorheir or whatever.
I've done some sparring with Scadians down here in southern Virginia, and while I'm not a huge fan of the groups as a whole ( no offence just isn't my mug of beer ) I have to admit I LOVED stabbing opponants in the face & smacking them in the head. All in all it's been fun experiences not alot of them (like 2) fight GS & I got to learn some sword & board in return.

Granted you are correct in that I go to a triad more in Darkon being that a line in rarely over 75 people each side & we can't take those O' so tempting headshots.
Then again Im not a tactician, I'm a grunt.

Cheers,
Gucca

Destichado · Post by **Destichado** » Thu Apr 12, 2001 9:50 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Lochlainn:
...shieldwalls are like Marines. They are only there to absorb damage while the real work gets done...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HEY! Other way around, bro! That is, unless you think the real work is done in tents, avec coffie and donoughts, safely reclining twenty miles behind the Marines!

Marines -when it absolutly positivly has to be destroyed overnight!

SEMPER FI!

Destichado · Post by **Destichado** » Thu Apr 12, 2001 9:51 am

Oh, yeah, we like Greatswords, too!

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Thu Apr 12, 2001 12:22 pm

Clay: Your comments about hands were some of the most idiotic things I've ever heard, dude. I'm not trying to be insulting, but many folks need their hands for their livlihood.

Hands should never and will never be a legal target in the SCA. YES, we armour them to protect them. But targeting them greatly increases the odds of their being injured. My helm is sufficient for live steel. That doesn't mean I wouldn't complain if someone swung a crowbar at my head in SCA combat.

There are "things" which could be done that would be more realistic when compared to "combat to the death" in medieval times. I don't think that means we need to do a lot of them.

[This message has been edited by Morgan (edited 04-12-2001).]

Lochlainn · Post by **Lochlainn** » Fri Apr 13, 2001 8:23 am

Sorry, Destichado, I didn't realize there were any Marines who could read well enough to be here.

If you want the coffee and donut crowd, talk to the Air Force. The Army is, and always will be, the first and formost way to get a soldier on a piece of soil, and NOT give it up. Besides, Ranger School sends Marines, Seals, and Red Berets running home for their mommies.

I'm a treadhead. Army infantry has learned that we are a good thing. If you want to go ahead away from your big rumbling (dangerous) buddies, feel free. Like I said, bullet sponges.

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Lochlainn
I'm a Liberal and I'm OK!
*Insert gratuitous inflammatory remark here*

Destichado · Post by **Destichado** » Fri Apr 13, 2001 9:52 am

Ooooo, I wish I could think of a snappy reply.
Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with a tank. [img]http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Fri Apr 13, 2001 10:31 am

Don't argue...just sidle up behind them and whisper, "Anti-Tank-Guided-Missle"...

- Kyle

Lochlainn · Post by **Lochlainn** » Fri Apr 13, 2001 12:40 pm

There isn't a handheld guided missile that could crack an M1. Wire guided helo launched ones, yes, but there are more tanks than there are missiles.

Besides, that's why you keep those handy little crunchies (infantry) around.

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Lochlainn
I'm a Liberal and I'm OK!
*Insert gratuitous inflammatory remark here*

The Lost Scott · Post by **The Lost Scott** » Fri Apr 13, 2001 12:53 pm

Kylr thats only if you live in a kingdom that allows killing from behind.

I quickly toss the silly stick back into the crowd and run!
LS