[MUD-Dev2] Class names

[Christopher Lloyd]

--- Ricky C <ricky28269 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm listing classes, and I'm having trouble with the following:
> 
> What would be a good name for a class of characters that
> primarily use polearms? FYI, a polearm (or pole weapon) is a weapon that
> is generally a long pole with a metal point or other destructive shape
> on the end. Common examples are pikes, halberds, and spears. Wikipedia
> has an article; look up 'pole weapon'.
> 
> Also, is there a better name than "ranger" for an user of
> 'ranged' weapons? Something about the word 'ranger' just doesn't seem
> right, but of course 'archer' is not descriptive enough (as much as I
> like it) because it includes other weapons (such as throwing weapons)
> that are not considered arching.  
>
> Thanks,
> Ricket


True polearms of the type you describe were historically used by only
one type of combatant - Soldiers.

Spears and pikes are really very poor weapons for an individual fighter
- You really only get on chance to hit with them before an onnonent
closes the distance and gets inside your striking range. Thus, they
really only work when used by groups of soldiers, preferably in several
ranks. In this configuration, a wall of blades or points can be created,
preventing opponenets from closing and striking the pikemen.

Don't confuse the generic term "spear", though. Polearm spears are quite
different from those used by Roman soldiers two millenia ago, by
Assyrian hunting parties or by Native American scouts. These spears are
much, much lighter and were balanced for throwing as well as close
combat like a modern javellin. In particular, the spears used by the
Roman footsoldiers (pilums) were designed with soft long iron points
that would bend upon impact with enemies shields, rendering then
useless.

In terms of a class of person who uses many different ranged weapons,
one really doesn't exist in our own history because the many different
ranged weapons you're thinking of all have different uses, and it takes
time to train a person to use just one of them effectively, let alone
several different types. Why train a person to use both a bow and a
crossbow? He would then have to carry two different weapons, with two
different types of ammunition, and have half the amount of practice with
one weapon than an opposing person trained effectively in only one would
have.

Different ranged weapons require different skills, too. The use of a bow
requires considerable physical strength that a crossbowman or ninja
doesn't need so much of. The best I can suggest for this one is "scout",
"sniper" or "marksman".

C.