I would to discuss the line-up, before stepping into details. I'll add a team bonus for trade income and we'll move on to the land units: We'll leave it as it is right now, but the aura couldbe something for the future. (A elephant who can carry unlimited resources is odd as well, isn't it?) We should try to balance realism with gameplay. I'd say: we'll try first the uncapped way, if it turns out to be a really problem then we'll look to fix it. Let us first start with things already implemented in the vanilla game. (No very skilled programmers, unless NoMolester is one.) I think that's something for in the future.

You got a point there, but I fear that's currently not possible with our team line-up.

This might encourage to launch river raids (where maps offer such opportunities).įurthermore, I know that mobile dropsite are scheduled for nomadic civs, but what about having longboat not really like normal dropsite, but like 'max capacity' dropsite, to force the player to put an end to the raid and to row/sail back to his base in order to unload the boat? This max capacity could be important but I mean, the side effect of letting a few citizen exploit the woods on an isolated island for the duration of the game, without founding a colony, is odd, isn't it? No longboat nearby, no or less plundering. With a well-balanced and shaped shaft, and a steel spearhead beautifully crafted for accuracy in flight or battle, the Viking spear was formidable and lethal in close combat and over a long distance.Plundering could be a function of the distance to the longboat. In its simplest form, a spear is just a pointed stick, but in its finest form, the Viking spear was a work of art. The Viking spear was inexpensive to mass produce and took little time to train someone in its use, but it wasn’t only a popular because it was the cheapest weapon to make in Viking Age Scandinavia, it was also popular because it was very effective in single combat and in battle. Hamstringing was easily done with a Viking spear with or without wings on the spearhead. This technique is very painful and bloody, and could cripple an enemy. Hamstringing is the name for cutting into the muscle at the back of the upper leg. Spearheads with wings could be used to hook a shield and pull it away partly or completely, leaving an enemy vulnerable. Spearheads could be pushed against a shield at an angle that would leave an opponent vulnerable to attack. Any shaft longer than 3 meters makes the spear clumsy and heavy. Any shaft shorter than 2 meters loses the ability to keep an opponent at least a whole pace away. There was no regulation for the length of a Viking spear shaft, but a shaft of around 2 meters (6 feet) makes for a fast and well balanced weapon when used in combat and when thrown. Anywhere between 2 to 3 m (6 to 9 feet) results in a spear that can be used effectively in combat. Viking spear shafts were usually shaped round, with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm (1 in). This wood is hard and strong and grows naturally straight. The first choice of wood for a Viking spear shaft was ash. Normal spearheads with wings were called Krókspjót (hooked spear), from Old Norse krókr, meaning 'hook” or “anything crooked', and spjót, meaning spear. Larger-headed spears were called Höggspjót, (hewing spear), from Old Norse högg, 'stroke, blow, slaughter, beheading', and could also be used for cutting. When the wings were sharpened, they were lethal when being thrust forward and when pulled back. Winged spearheads could be used very effectively to parry, trap and block an opponent’s weapon. These wings limited the depth of penetration of a spear thrust, as well as catching or hooking an enemy’s weapon, shield, or body part. The small metal wings were formed or welded onto each side of the base of the spearhead. Some spearheads had ‘wings’ at the base of the socket. The length of Viking spearheads ranged from 20 cm (8 in) to 60 cm (24 in). Even though it is strong, it is not known whether this type of spearhead had a special purpose, or if it was made by accident or design.

The least found spearhead type has a corrugated or stepped base shape, with a leaf-shape or angular blade. The third most popular spearhead is the square, or diamond shape bar, which was very good at penetrating chain mail armor. The second most popular type, according to finds, is the leaf-shaped spearhead, some of which were very large, making them a good slashing weapon. The majority are angular blades with a diamond cross section. There are four basic designs for the Viking Age spearhead.

Nordic warriors vs nordic spearman