This is part of a continuing series of threads where we have a look at a webpage with a lot of roleplaying content, and pick through the bits that interest us. I prefer to focus on the non-commercial webpages. As part of it, it's good for us to email the people and tell them what they think - most people putting up webpages get little or no feedback. Let's encourage the good stuff, and discourage the rubbish.

For this first review, I find myself looking at the medieval combat webpage. This is part of Milihistriot Quarterly, "The Journal for Military Miniature Enthusiasts" (Ed. T. Sheil). It has a lot of articles on wargames, homecasting (making your own miniatures), and so on, and is not active since 2005. But there's still plenty for us to read through. The article we're focusing on is part of the How Soldiers Fight, "Articles that show the real methods used in combat, from the 13th through the 20th Centuries" series.
   Ignorance is not bliss.  Ignorance is why many myths are perpetuated about the Middle Ages, especially combat.  The common one depicts Medieval knights and soldiers as brutes who slugged it out tactlessly.  [... But] [m]edieval fighters had plenty of technique.  Their methods were neither awkward nor boorish.  [...] Knowledge of Medieval technique can only help miniaturists make better and more exciting figures.  Here is a place where the reality is more appealing than the fantasy.
The article goes on to split into several others, talking about techniques of two-handed swords, medieval wrestling, and many other things.


One thing which interested me was "Dussack" combat, something I've never heard of before.
   From about the 14th Century to the early 17th Century, the Dussack was a sport in Germany.  This type of fencing used a weapon made of wood or leather. It was used much like an arming sword.  To win, a player had to cause his opponent a bleeding head wound.  In other words, the first whose head bled was the loser.  Serious injury was unlikely due to the excessive cranial density common to the region.
Anyone up for a bout?

You have to remember there is a difference fighting in close formation versus a more open style.

Close formation fighting is mostly about being in the proper stance so you can receive the full protection of those on the left and right of you and not foul each others weapons. There is a lot of shoving in close formation fighting.

Situational awareness is essential. Most of my kills in a full SCA battle comes from reaching over and wacking someone on the helm when their attention was elsewhere.  

Also in a full battle you don't know shit about what going on more than a couple of dozen yards away. One battle a 100 on 100 battle and I was on the left flank. We fought and fought. Suddenly it literally felt like pressure releasing and we found ourselves demolishing the enemy's right flank. But our center and our right flank was demolished along with this. We turned and found twice our numbers bearing down on us and we were just slaughtered.

For smaller battles or more open battles where you fight a series of opponents one on one. The best piece of advice is

Keep your fucking weapon between you and your fucking enemy. Your hilt or your right hand grip (in the case of two handed weapons) should always be between you and the enemy.

And be fucking aware of the situation.

Oh if you notice in the illustrations medieval combat was full contact with every part of the weapon used.

Finally be damn fast, if you think you are fast enough you need to be faster.

Rob Conley
Larping/SCA for 17 years.

Quote from: Kyle AaronSerious injury was unlikely due to the excessive cranial density common to the region.

Still true today

Quote from: SosthenesStill true today

Buxe, Landser oder Corps?

Quote from: SettembriniBuxe, Landser oder Corps?

Meh, students are wusses. Look at me, got a scar!
I'm talking about the general German tendency towards pigheadedness.

I was kinda interested in the light automatic weapons page.  While it's pretty basic, I think it does well to reinforce the idea that the original intent for automatic guns was not supression, but the increase of killing firepower.

As for Dussack, many GM's settings are full of combat, but how many of them have forms of nonlethal dueling? When honor, reputation, or a big pot of cash are on the line, they can be just as thrilling.

QuoteMeh, students are wusses. Look at me, got a scar!

I think it´s rather a rather beer-romantic kind of manly-manliness. I have some aquaintances who gave me an inside look, but it´s definitely nothing for me. The "Buxen" in Berlin are really people I prefer not to interact with.

EDIT: But at least they do the manly-manliness right, not in that pathetic frat-boy style...

Quote from: SettembriniEDIT: But at least they do the manly-manliness right, not in that pathetic frat-boy style...

Only a Prussian would call that "right"