02-03-2019, 01:52 AM | #1 | |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Dwarves and Axes
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David Johnston · Add Credential Answered Oct 8 Well it’s worth bearing in mind the reason why dwarves are depicted with axes. Part of it is that longer-hafted weapons may have a reach advantage but they’re awkward in tight quarters like underground tunnels. Dwarves really have no business out in the open battlefield. Another part of it is that while elves represent nobles and hunters, dwarves represent craftsmen and miners so their stereotypical weapons are actually weaponized tools, so…hammers, picks and axes. The axes come in because if they didn’t have coal deposits handy, their only option is go up and chop some wood to fuel their forges like the human blacksmiths who were their inspiration. Therefore most of the time on the surface most of their fighting will be done with axes, not because they’re what’s most effective but because they’re what’s most handy. |
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02-03-2019, 07:47 AM | #2 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
I agree. Weapons for mythical creatures are generally thematic not logically optimized for warfare or biology.
Shadiverstiy on Youtube has some videos on what weapons fit certain mythical creatures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=cDt_tIcca-k I'm not sure I agree with all his conclusions, but they are food for thought.
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02-03-2019, 10:42 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Denver, CO
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
I also have generally thought that their combination of increased strength and endurance counteracted the axe's main downside of weight.
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02-03-2019, 12:51 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
I've always found swinging weapons a strange idea for fighting underground - logically I'd expect dwarves to go armed like Roman legionaries: shields to block the passage and some kind of stabbing weapon to thrust around them.
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02-03-2019, 03:59 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shoreline, WA (north of Seattle)
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
Did Tolkien ever go into why the Khazad prefer axes?
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02-04-2019, 07:14 AM | #6 | |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
Quote:
Yep. narrow passages call for long thrusting weapons, not short chopping ones. You can use a polearm with an appropriate head if you really want to keep the "axe" element. I also thing that dwarf-tunnel fighters should carry around portable fortifications they can fight behind.
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02-04-2019, 09:41 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
Narrow passages with low ceilings and sharp bends call for _short_ thrusting weapons.
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Fred Brackin |
02-04-2019, 10:36 AM | #8 |
Icelandic - Approach With Caution
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
And now, for some reason, I'm picturing Dwarves as Zulus...
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02-04-2019, 11:24 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
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02-05-2019, 12:44 PM | #10 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Dwarves and Axes
Quote:
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