fighting with a large shield and small spear

[jollybane]

Hi i was wondering why the general consesus it that one handed spear and shield is not viable i understand it doesn't work against armor but i have tried it in my local realm against other inexperienced players and it has worked quite well the only big down side ive seen so far is i need to build up more fore arm strength. i will be using a large coffin shield and a spear about 6'2 long. don't say it sucks or doesn't work tell me why it doesn't work or if u think it does give me some pointers.

[Ragefire]

It's not entirely ineffective, it just is not at all like the historical basis. Fighting with a real spear and shield combo, you could stab faces and throats. In foam fighting, you have to stab an unarmored area, and even then, you're only really viable targets are thighs and torso. Arms move around a lot and if you try to stab for a shin, a good fighter is just going to close on you. I've tried and it's fun, but definitely not as effective as other things.

[Caleidah]

in my local realm against other inexperienced players

That's why. Good fighters will keep you from landing a single solid stab.

[jollybane]

I see no reason why shins and especially sword arm are not viable targets as well with some practice

[Rasheab]

Because you're being overly optimistic. Of course you might hit a sword arm once in awhile, but it is too small a target to consistently get solid contact on, when combined with the fact it's moving. (Hell, they will probably just punch-block your shot.)

With that said, the shin is a valid target location; it's part of the leg, and the leg will be easier to hit than most other areas.

Shield and spear can be a fun style, but practically?

Good fighters will keep you from landing a single solid stab.

I'll fight shield and jav on occasion, but a long(er) spear is just ungainly.

[jollybane]

totally off topic but are any of you guys going to the western war this year in oregon?

[Rasheab]

Likely. Have you joined the Facebook event and/or group yet?

[jollybane]

yeah im pretty sure i did i actually called the event coordinator and talked to him he seemed really cool, im extreamly excited for it but im about as new as you can get

[Rasheab]

Huma is a good guy, and has been great for the event. If you're new, getting out to events is a great idea (allows you to practice with people outside your realm). On a related note, you should update your profile with somethinga little more specific than "Cali."

[jollybane]

i have no idea what my realm actually would be i only have 1 other person who is really doing belegarth with me training building wepons ect and a few others who pop in to try the foam swords( they are surprisingly good though, naturally athletic peeps)

[Dyre]

Where in California are you? There are quite a few realms and there might be one near you.

[jollybane]

northern california near ukia

[Dyre]

You are pretty far up north there, almost where I used to live. The closest Bele realm to you would be Raen Dun'Aear, which is the realm in Santa Rosa. Its a bit of a distance from you, but it wouldnt hurt to try to make it out to one of their practices. I believe they fight on Saturdays and the best person to get a hold of is either Savage or Juggernaut. I do believe Juggernaut is on these boards most often so he would be the best person to try to get a hold of if you are interested in their practices.

[jollybane]

omg that would be great can you please give me a link to there site or a number?

[Dyre]

Here is a link to Juggs profile on here, you can private message him: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=835

and they have a Facebook group, if you are on Facebook you can join their group or message them. https://www.facebook.com/groups/205217392852072/

[jollybane]

Thank you very , very much.

[Dyre]

You are very welcome, I hope you can make it out to their practices!

[jollybane]

Got a hold of them and im prolly gonna go

[Tiberius Claudius]

You created a second thread for this same topic:

viewtopic.php?f=135&t=39989

You have good answers here as well.