[TL] Iron/Steel Bracers, Greaves TL?

[DanHoward]

Skirmishers probably don't wear greaves because they interfere with running.

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

That may be the case, and it could just be that my secondary source was taking liberties with Polybius. Be that as it may, I don't think arrow fire was a prime motive for greaves amongst the Romans or Greeks, but especially the greeks: as hoplite warfare evolves and light troops play bigger roles, you see less greaves.

Right, but I was under the impression that by the time of the Peloponese wars, hoplite panoply was lighter, and the greaves were often absent. Could be due to welath interactions i guess.

[doulos05]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Skirmishers probably don't wear greaves because they interfere with running.

Right but more skirmishers means hoplites should continue to wear greaves because there are more ranged weapons on the field. However, the evidence suggests that they wore fewer greaves.

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

That was after the threat of mass arrow barrages had disappeaed though. The Greek and Roman preference for bronze greaves may have been because the lower legs were the only part not protected from arrow barrages by the large shields.

How can that be modeled by RAW?

Since typical Block AD doesnt take that into account.
Thanks

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Agramer

How can that be modeled by RAW?

Since typical Block AD doesnt take that into account.
Thanks

Arrows as commonly used on the battlefield should use random hit location.

Shield blocking of arrows fired en barrage probably shouldn't be allowed in the most realistic campaigns. When dozens, hundreds or even thousands of arrows are coming in on a high arc it's unlikely you can track the one that's coming for you. A highly penalized Vision Roll should be required as a minimum.

[Landwalker]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Arrows as commonly used on the battlefield should use random hit location.

Shield blocking of arrows fired en barrage probably shouldn't be allowed in the most realistic campaigns. When dozens, hundreds or even thousands of arrows are coming in on a high arc it's unlikely you can track the one that's coming for you. A highly penalized Vision Roll should be required as a minimum.

This is the general idea I go with in my campaign, too. Unfortunately, there isn't really any RAW to support it.

Generally, ranged attacks that succeed by less than some threshold always result in RHL. A character can use a shield as cover against missile fire, with predetermined coverage: a DB +3 shield gives cover from the neck to the knees, and a DB +2 from chest to thighs. If a missile randomly strikes a covered location, it hits the shield. Since the shins are not, by default, covered, they may be struck by random fire. Bam.

But, like I said, it's ultimately just some house rulings without any RAW to prop it up.

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by Landwalker

.... a DB +3 shield gives cover from the neck to the knees,.....

DB3 Shield is large enough that you could crouch behind it and cover yourself completly from arrows(Also no way in RAW to describe that;I think).

[Landwalker]

Originally Posted by Agramer

DB3 Shield is large enough that you could crouch behind it and cover yourself completly from arrows(Also no way in RAW to describe that;I think).

Of course. If the character is crouching or kneelinng, naturally they benefit from improved coverage. I was referencing how I handled it for standing characters, but wasn't as explicit about that as I could have been.