Spears are better than swords: scientific proof
Lindybeige・11 minutes read
Spears are historically significant but often overlooked in HEMA, with experimental bouts showing their advantage over swords in various scenarios, including group battles where spearmen demonstrate superior teamwork. Swords equipped with shields proved more successful, but overall, spears performed well across different combat scenarios and against different types of swords.
Insights
- The spear, often overshadowed by swords in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), has shown significant prowess in combat, winning the majority of experimental bouts against various sword types.
- Despite the popularity of swords in HEMA, spears have proven to be highly effective in combat scenarios, showcasing superior success rates in one-on-one duels and group battles, emphasizing the importance of understanding and practicing with this historically significant weapon.
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Recent questions
What is the historical significance of the spear?
The spear is a historically significant weapon, widely used from ancient times to the 20th century. It played a crucial role in warfare and hunting, being a versatile and effective tool for combat.
How does the success rate of spears compare to swords in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)?
In HEMA, experimental bouts showed that spears had a higher success rate compared to swords. Spears won the majority of the matches against various types of swords, showcasing their effectiveness in combat.
What impact does adding a buckler have on a swordsman's success against a spear?
Adding a buckler to a swordsman's equipment slightly improved their success against a spear. While the addition of a buckler helped the swordsman win some bouts, the spear still maintained an advantage in combat.
How do longswords fare against spears in combat?
Longswords, despite being a popular choice in HEMA, had a lower success rate against spears. Longswords only won a few bouts against spears, highlighting the challenges of facing a spear-wielding opponent.
What was the outcome of group battles between spearmen and swordsmen in HEMA?
In group battles, spearmen demonstrated superior teamwork and coordination, usually defeating swordsmen. Unless the swordsmen could disrupt the spear formation, the spearmen had the upper hand in combat situations.
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Summary
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Spear's Historical Significance and Combat Superiority
- The spear is a historically significant weapon, widely used from ancient times to the 20th century, yet often overlooked in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).
- In HEMA, while swords are well-known and practiced, many enthusiasts have little to no experience with spears.
- Experimental bouts between spears and various one-handed swords showed that spears won 9 out of 12 times.
- Adding a buckler to the swordsman's equipment slightly improved their success, winning 2 bouts against the spearman's 4.
- Longswords, despite being a popular choice, only won 2 out of 6 bouts against spears.
- Two-handed greatswords, though imposing, lost all 4 bouts against spears due to their predictability and lack of precision.
- Using a half-swording technique with longswords resulted in a tie, with both spears and half-sworded longswords winning 3 bouts each.
- Swords with large shields proved more successful, winning 6 bouts against spears' 7.
- In group battles, spearmen demonstrated superior teamwork, usually defeating swordsmen unless the latter could disrupt the spear formation.
