Yes, as I recently commented on another thread, to me Halflings are slingshot snipers and sneak-attack groin-stabbers.

RPGPundit

How Many Halflings Does it Take to Screw in a Light Bulb ?

I doubt more than two could fit in a light bulb, let alone screw in one...

-clash

Well, if we go with the halflings as master thieves bit, they fight half hearted delaying actions and withdrawals until the throat of every enemy leader has been cut in the dead of night.  They leave snipers behind enemy lines.  I don't think they'd mess up their lands with stakes in pits or anything those have a way of causing problems at home.  But I'd imagine some "shires" wouldn't have a problem with going after the loved ones of the enemy in their own homes or poisoning the supporting population of an invading nation en-masse.

They can't out run the enemy and can't out fight them but they can out hide them and out climb them and outwit them.  Indeed, why assassinate the enemy king when you can assassinate his neighboring ally and pin it on him right?

Without mounts of some sort, they would struggle in a bloody hand to hand engagement. Mounted archery for the win?

But there is no reason they cant win on strategy, tactics, morale, or money.

But in a 'fair' fight where standing your ground and fighting hand to hand is forced upon them....ouch.

I just realized what Halflings fighting in urban environments would be like:

Home Alone.

3 ft tall, 50 pounders against 6 ft tall, 180 pounders?  If all things being equal, an infantry squad would fare about as well as a peewee football team would against a varsity team.

so yeah, I don't see halflings putting forth a traditional army for that reason, as well as reasons already presented.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;6273263 ft tall, 50 pounders against 6 ft tall, 180 pounders?  If all things being equal, an infantry squad would fare about as well as a peewee football team would against a varsity team.

so yeah, I don't see halflings putting forth a traditional army for that reason, as well as reasons already presented.

I suspect they would not have heavy infantry. Ranged weapons, skirmishers, and mounted troops would be likely. Mercenerys and allies to hold the center?


Give them guns and see what happens

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;627324I just realized what Halflings fighting in urban environments would be like:

Home Alone.

I love the imagery conjured by this. Thank you.

So polearms supported by LOTS of archery, from the flanks in open warfare, but little open warfare and lots of trapping.

Quote from: Bill;627337I suspect they would not have heavy infantry. Ranged weapons, skirmishers, and mounted troops would be likely. Mercenerys and allies to hold the center?


Give them guns and see what happens

Yes, lots of guns. I like this thought too.

RPGs tend to portray the fantasy races in a familiar light. Dwarves are dour, alcoholic xenophobes with axes, Elves are androgynous dendrophiles with bows, Halflings are shoeless, voracious pacifists and Humans are greedy, self-righteous imperialists.

There are literally hundreds of different personality types and physical traits amongst our own species; the same should be said of any fantasy race. Relying on these same bland fantasy tropes is boring.

Look no further than Dark Sun for examples of how Halflings (and a number of other races) have been personified in a unique way.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;626755The problem I face is my halflings have a trade empire and i think occassionally they would be required to besiege a city or face an opponent in open battle. So I am wondering how the great halfling generals would handle this (overwhelming numbers? Heavy use of archers? Etc).

They'd hire mercenaries.  Think of any of the great trade empires of the Italians.  There are plenty of humans that would be content to fight for the halflings (doesn't matter how short the employers are, it just matters how free they are with their gold).  

Fighting is a dangerous profession.  Any halfling of merit would want to spear his kinsmen the horrors of war - but a gangly stranger from far away lands - who cares if he fails to come home.

Quote from: deadDMwalking;627379They'd hire mercenaries.  Think of any of the great trade empires of the Italians.  There are plenty of humans that would be content to fight for the halflings (doesn't matter how short the employers are, it just matters how free they are with their gold).  

Fighting is a dangerous profession.  Any halfling of merit would want to spear his kinsmen the horrors of war - but a gangly stranger from far away lands - who cares if he fails to come home.

Auxiliary troops are going to be a big part of it for sure.

Quote from: ZWEIHÄNDER;627377RPGs tend to portray the fantasy races in a familiar light. Dwarves are dour, alcoholic xenophobes with axes, Elves are androgynous dendrophiles with bows, Halflings are shoeless, voracious pacifists and Humans are greedy, self-righteous imperialists.

There are literally hundreds of different personality types and physical traits amongst our own species; the same should be said of any fantasy race. Relying on these same bland fantasy tropes is boring.

Look no further than Dark Sun for examples of how Halflings (and a number of other races) have been personified in a unique way.

I mentioned this in the other thread as well, but in my homebrew fantasy world, halflings are more like Roman soldiers.  Very organized and strategic, and fight in tight disciplined formations.  They are most certainly not hairy footed, pipe smoking, bread making pacifists.  Also like the Romans, they are very militaristic and expansionist.

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;627324I just realized what Halflings fighting in urban environments would be like:

Home Alone.

Quote from: Jame Rowe;627376I love the imagery conjured by this. Thank you.

:hatsoff:

Quote from: Sacrosanct;6273263 ft tall, 50 pounders against 6 ft tall, 180 pounders?  If all things being equal, an infantry squad would fare about as well as a peewee football team would against a varsity team.

so yeah, I don't see halflings putting forth a traditional army for that reason, as well as reasons already presented.

Yet, halfling vs. halfling warfare is the same as human vs. human. In that case, half-pint heavily armored warriors would be possible.

That might be a surreal sight, two Liliputian brigades hacking away at each other.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;6273263 ft tall, 50 pounders against 6 ft tall, 180 pounders?  If all things being equal, an infantry squad would fare about as well as a peewee football team would against a varsity team.

Except their hit points are comparable to those of 0-level humans, and a halfling community contains fighters of up to fourth level.

They can hold their own against humans of equal numbers and leadership.