Quote:
One approach. The shield is worn over the forearm. You still have two hands to wield your spear. Same thing, wearing a shield and holding a dagger on your left arm. No reason that is not possible.
In practice it isn't quite that easy; and depends on the shield...
A character would not be able to hold an item in their hand when also holding the following (real world) shields: Celtic shield, Roman legionary
Scutum, Saxon or Viking roundshields. These shields were gripped by a central handle, protected by a shield boss. In addition, the Greek
Hoplon shield was very heavy and would require the character to not only strap the arm to the shield, but to hold it by a hand grip (this can be seen on certain vases). Greek Hoplites used a spear in one hand.
When the Macedonians started using the
sarissa (basically a pike), which required two hands to hold, they started using the "Telamon" shield, which was smaller, strapped to the forearm (with a strap supporting it over the neck), and allowed the hand to protrude beyond the shield's rim. Similarly, the very large Norman "kite" shield could be worn hanging on the left side, supported by a neck strap - leaving the shield hand free to control the horses' reins. While using a Telamon or Kite shield in such a way is fine in massed or cavalry combat, it isn't much good in single combat as the shield arm is severely restricted in its movement. You might say the shield acts more like a bit of wall than the moving defence which gives its DW bonus...
Quote:
"2d4, 3" is a good compromise to make spear and shield a valid but balanced choice over sword and shield.
As I thought about it this morning, I started liking the 2d3 Armour Bypass option again. It makes the short spear very effective against lightly armoured opponents (effectively ignoring leather and penetrating hard leather most of the time), while being relatively ineffective against anyone encased in plate armour (possibly fairly realistically). This is something backed up by Wimlach's penetration probability table.
I wonder about only 3 damage, though. The spear heads between a long and short spear would be similar in size, as would the damage they inflict. Perhaps 4 is better (2d3, 4)? Then again, 3 is the damage a shortsword does, so this might be fitting for the "spear equivalent"...?
Quote:
I think some Mungodan short spear would be nice to have. d6,4 maybe?
A broad-bladed short spear? Similar to an assegai? That might work.