The Classical Phalanx - over-arm or underarm?

[Bercor]

Here's some pics:

Spoiler

I agree with you, though. While in formation, some kind of over-the-shield stance must have been used. When not in formation, underhand seems more effective than overhand.

[Silver Wolf]

@ Jubal.

Yes the first one is a good example of underhand grip and it's fighting style, but it's totally unrelated to Classical phalanx. That guy has a whole basketball court of free space at his disposal.

[Bercor]

Plus, the shield that guy is using it's much smaller than an aspis shield.

[Jubal]

Yeah... as somewhat expected, most of those spears are built like javelins.

SW: I was posting that related to the point that Alavaria was discussing on the previous page as to use of grips when not in formation, not to the original phalanx discussion. 

[Bercor]

Some of that spears are clearly to big to be javelins. However, you can always argue that they're simply carrying it, and not fighting with it.

[comrade_general]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

[Bercor]

What's the matter CG?

[Silver Wolf]

Naked tribesmen, I guess.

[Bercor]

Oh. I had now idea he was so prudish...

[comrade_general]

It's not prudism, it's just gross old naked men.

[Jubal]

Hey, they're probably a lot fitter and better looking than we'll be at that age. 

[comrade_general]

But we have industry, science and technology!

[Bercor]

Yeah, but they do have the looks.

[Alavaria]

I found this:

Spoiler

This actually seems like it work work well in formation, and also use the same style even when not in formation. Which might be a plus, as you wouldn't have to train the hoplite for two fighting styles, and they don't have to switch ever.

Interestingly enough, if you look, they also have most of the spear sticking out in front, you could have a guy behind you or even the one behind him extending their spears in front of you.

The overhand grip style generally seems to have half (or close enough) of the spear behind you, which means you'd have somewhat of a range disadvantage.


The downward angle of the higher overhand grip does let you do a useful thing though, if the enemy is charging you with heads down and shields in formation, you may be able to thrust over their shield and strike downwards, instead of just going over the top of their helmet (or striking a glancing blow across the top of their helmet). The shorter range may also be useful if frequently groups closed and fought with spears at ranges that would leave the longer grip at a disadvantage.

Spoiler

Looks like it would work in both formation and when loosely fighting (like say Ekodromoi hoplites). You can also see how they would raise their shield (incoming arrows!) and shift their stance so the spear is coming below the shield now, so it is at the ready while they are defending themselves from missiles.

Interestingly enough that is EB, unless they refer to that as overarm somehow? Do they have a unit with animations reflecting that stance? Hmm, time for some RTW playing

[Bercor]

No, they only have the overhand animation. That's merely an artistic representation.