Double.
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If anything, modern warfare has proven than weapons are not as important as tactics.
Well, the effectiveness of the English Longbow is well known and praised. However, we might ask whether, if one can only carry one weapon into battle, a melee weapon wouldn't be better than a ranged weapon? If the ranged fellows can't get it done against a charging force it well be all over.
Admittedly it's a little artificial since one would likely carry both a ranged and melee weapon, and perhaps that should be a viable option here too, however, as is, it still might be interesting to ask, would a pre-firearm ranged weapon be better than something up-close-and-personal in battle and/or a duel?
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Range advantage, allowing you to engage the enemy before he could get close and personal. Bit like artillery fire in more modern warfare.
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cat 1 , 2 and 3 = social media.
ISIS do appear to be winning the war using you tube, facebook and twitter - doesn't matter what the USA throw at them, they have a limitless supply of cannon fodder....
Social media and other forms of propaganda don't occupy the ground - although it is a component of ware fare in influencing or even limiting an enemy's course of action.
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Galant (16-09-2014)
The 'greatest' is very unspecific. But for me it has to be the Tsar Bomb, even though it was only a potential weapon and not used against anybody.
For melee, I was thinking perhaps a polearm at first (though I am not sure of the pros and cons of various types of pole arms) as they tend to have a range advantage over most shorter melee weapons, and I am assuming that the melee category excludes even the thrown knives, javelins and such (they are ranged, though on the battlefield they would still be considered melee range). That said the chainsaw would be able to cut off the handle. So instead, I am going to go for a shield. I can't be too specific about the type of shields, but something that is big enough to protect most of the body, yet can still be used offensively would be ideal. Something made of modern composite material would probably be ideal and in the realm of the possible, but I am not sure if it has been made. I would assume that the Spartans weren't the one ones who thought of using their shields offensively and there are shields that there are steel shields that can be used offensively. 1 on 1, I can't imagine many melee weapons able to get passed a good shield user. Maybe "exotic" weapons like the whip or kusarigama (chain scythes) could catch the shield user off, and allow the user stay out of range.. but something that looks feasible on paper may play out differently in practice (also, they are definitely not for battlefield use).
Category 1 - All Time, Melee Weapons only
The staff
A trained p(h)easant with a full sized sapling cut from any straight tree and left to season is astonishing in any regard. Whether Robin Hood tales are all true or partly true the fact is a man with a staff CAN defeat a man with a sword AND the sword will NOT cut the staff into pieces.
It is useful in a sweeping arc, in a prod, as a block and if you hit someone with it hard it breaks bones. It's use even today would be deadly and yet.. invisible when hidden in a bush or in trees.
It is free of charge, easily replaced and can be used for tents, cooking, climbing and carrying things.
Category 2 - All Time, Ranged Weapons only
AK-47 i think.
Simply because it's used so many places for so long and so much ammo exists and it's got so many variations on a basic theme...... quite a large calibre too.
Category 3 - Pre-Firearm, All Weapons
The Long bow, or perhaps mid sized bow.
But a bow none the less. Quck loading. Near silent. Powerful, as a single weapon aimed, awesome as a group weapon fired in a mass destruction pattern over and down. Useable at the eath as a melee weapon. Ammo make-able in the field. Tactically amazing if used in teams. Two rows of archers against charging mass of humans even with armour.. first row fires up and as soon as shields are raised second row fires straight, and alternate to pentrate. Useable for large game hunting/stalking. Capable or carrying a rope to a high/far position. Capable of carrying a message. Capable of carrying fire.
Last edited by Zak33; 14-09-2014 at 07:28 PM. Reason: typo from hell.. now bracketed
Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
Galant (16-09-2014)
as an addition to one of the categories
Category 1 - All Time, Melee Weapons only
What is the all-time best weapon for battlefield combat?
The steel shafted, blunt edged mace.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_IMG_3823.jpg
none of the morning star rubbish.. no sharp bits.
doest need sharpening, doesn't get stuck in your oppositions body and will smash armour and the armour will then injur your enemy instead. A crushed steel plate will kill you better than a sword wound. It won't pop out.. it stays in you. Chain protection irrelevent, and padding only a minor help... and IF you used it in the modern melee I have a suspicion kevlar body armour would still do nought to stop the puntcured lungs and broken limbs.
You cant cut yourself on it so it's concealable and it doesnt matter if it gets rained on for weeks.
Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
A trained pheasant with a full sized sapling
birds are dangerous creatures full stop
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Zak33 (14-09-2014)
lol @ Moby
sorry, uber typo
Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
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