(01-24-2015, 10:43 AM)Ralyon Wrote: I'll need to correct you on lances. Lances are a defensive weapon than offensive unless taking into account of jousting. The use of the lancer in ground combat was to create space, to dominate ground rather than decapitate or take down horsemen. Most lances are one and a half handed and as usually accompanied with a spined shield or a tower shield.Â
In ground combat, especially on plains or wide open areas, the lancer would sit at the front and slowly march forward. They are a literal walking wall, designed to intimidate and push away attacks. It was because of that method that longbow artillery became such a common things until guns arrived as the only real devastating disadvantage to a slow progressing line of tin cans was a barrage of arrows. The only other disadvantage is cavalry as they surpass the range of ground soldiers and can easy get around lancers that only have a single point. The cross spear was made to make up for that disadvantage.
Eventually the lance died in the history of ground unit weaponry and became a staple for jousting due to it's single use of ramming into things and creating space.
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Also Bodkin arrows are very effective on armour. Proof? Battle of Crecy.
I made adjustments to the Lances article. Thank you for the information. I was not the one who wrote the article on Bows and Arrows, but I will review the issue in question.
Edit: Bodkin arrows can penetrate armor. Most effectively chain mail and below. But while being able to do damage to plate armor, it is unlikely to do serious harm unless within a very close range NORMALLY. I think that is what the writer of the Bows and Arrows section was inferring.