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Post by spikeynorman47 on Oct 18, 2017 22:07:31 GMT
Hey everyone! On my evening jog I was thinking about rangers in the normal fantasy sens(ie Tolkien or D&D styled rangers.)
In regards to their combat gear, what do you think they might really carry? I personally think a crossbow or bow paired with a messer or large knife would be the most convenient. Thought a sword and buckler may be great too.
As for armor I'd think a lighter or medium padded gambeson would be adequate. I doubt they'd wear much more because they'd like to remain stealthy.
What are your thoughts!?
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Post by Cosmoline on Oct 18, 2017 22:45:36 GMT
Assuming they are going to be travelling a lot with no equipment train in a forest environment, I would think a good bow with a small spear or large knife as backup and that's about it. There's not much room for anything else. They might have a wicker backpack of some kind, but much of that space would need to be given over to blankets and camp material. Really I suspect they'd need some mules at least ;-)
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Post by spikeynorman47 on Oct 18, 2017 23:38:18 GMT
Assuming they are going to be travelling a lot with no equipment train in a forest environment, I would think a good bow with a small spear or large knife as backup and that's about it. There's not much room for anything else. They might have a wicker backpack of some kind, but much of that space would need to be given over to blankets and camp material. Really I suspect they'd need some mules at least ;-) Good point. In many games the heroes just go out with armor and weapons to defeat the bad guys when in reality you'd probably need stuff to carry stuff. Mules, wagons or pack horses and the like. Or even servants of some kind. Maybe rangers could have their own type of "squires."
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Post by demonskull on Oct 18, 2017 23:56:27 GMT
One of the things that sets "Rangers" apart from normal fighters is their ability to blend in and feel comfortable in a natural environment. They can live off the land not just use their environment for camouflage or stealthy attacks. If you didn't need to carry more than weapons, cloak/blanket, water carrier, a boiler/pot and a few small items like a sharpening stone and flint and steel, you can travel greater distance in a short amount of time. For some comprehensive thoughts on this and particular gear you might want to check out this site: middleearthrangers.org/forum/There is also a Wiki: www.middleearthrangers.org/wiki//index.php?title=Main_Page
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Post by spikeynorman47 on Oct 19, 2017 5:13:32 GMT
One of the things that sets "Rangers" apart from normal fighters is their ability to blend in and feel comfortable in a natural environment. They can live off the land not just use their environment for camouflage or stealthy attacks. If you didn't need to carry more than weapons, cloak/blanket, water carrier, a boiler/pot and a few small items like a sharpening stone and flint and steel, you can travel greater distance in a short amount of time. For some comprehensive thoughts on this and particular gear you might want to check out this site: middleearthrangers.org/forum/There is also a Wiki: www.middleearthrangers.org/wiki//index.php?title=Main_PageI actually have an account and sometimes post there too I had this same discussion and most of them said no weapons, a bow or just a knife. They seem to like the bushcrafting, camping and ranger "activities" more. But nothing against that I think it's as awesome as swords. Just thought I'd ask some weapon nerds their opinions
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 19, 2017 5:20:28 GMT
LotR Rangers have to fight too, Orks etc., and not only as archers. Gambeson might help in cold nights too. Two handed longswords might not be the best in the woods.
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Post by spikeynorman47 on Oct 19, 2017 5:38:33 GMT
LotR Rangers have to fight too, Orks etc., and not only as archers. Gambeson might help in cold nights too. Two handed longswords might not be the best in the woods. Yea in the movies Aragorn does this but it's a movie. I feel a longsword would be to annoying in the wilderness or mountainous terrain. I still think a short sword or large knife would be the best melee weapon. Maybe a handaxe. It would be different though if they knew for a fact they were going to fight. Perhaps an ambush or attacking an outpost etc. I'd imagine polearms and shields would be common. And ofcourse missile weapons.
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Post by leviathansteak on Oct 19, 2017 6:04:12 GMT
Something like a langes messer would be appropriate and could double as a machete for bushcraft. A buckler would be a fair bit of addotional kit and weight to take care of... perhaps a small wooden one might be ok.
A regular bow would probably be preferable over a crossbow. Less parts to spoil and maintain.. probably weighs less than a crossbow too. Easier to unstring for keeping dry in wet weather as well
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Post by demonskull on Oct 19, 2017 9:17:08 GMT
I actually have an account and sometimes post there too I had this same discussion and most of them said no weapons, a bow or just a knife. They seem to like the bushcrafting, camping and ranger "activities" more. But nothing against that I think it's as awesome as swords. Just thought I'd ask some weapon nerds their opinions I've been on that forum for a long time and there are a few reasons for a smaller blade. First yes, traveling with and swinging a hand and a half around in the woods can be a bit cumbersome to say the least, depending on the density of the brush. The second reason for the smaller blade preference is they actually don't have to fight off Orcs on their patrols. The third reason has to do with the blade length laws, not carrying something that's going to get you arrested, kinda a big plus. Now if you posted a poll over there, you'd find that the vast majority have a single hand sword or larger, many have custom blades and a good few of their members are members here too. That forum actually was a spin off from another forum on Rangering. The first one was a spin off from a thread on SFI many years ago. For those of you not familiar with the forum we're talking about, it's on all aspects of "Rangering" from garb, equipment, skill sets and how to wear your equipment (a practical application) and how Tolkien envisioned the Ranger of Middle Earth. Give it a look if you think it's of interest.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 19, 2017 18:57:42 GMT
A broken longsword isn't even bad idea if the rest of the blade isn't too short and the "tip" still spiky. Like a straight beefy machete with a long handle.
A German experimental historian crossed the Alpes in a Roman legionary gear and said the combination of tunikas, mail shirt and big woollen cloak was warm enough to sleep in.
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,676
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Post by Scott on Oct 21, 2017 2:39:01 GMT
Have you looked at the Ranger's Apprentice books? The rangers in them carry a bow, a seax and a throwing knife. As far as longswords, or sword and shield goes I think it would depend on how much serious fighting you would be looking at. You'd stop worrying about the weight and bulk when it saves your life.
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Post by spikeynorman47 on Oct 24, 2017 2:24:35 GMT
Have you looked at the Ranger's Apprentice books? The rangers in them carry a bow, a seax and a throwing knife. As far as longswords, or sword and shield goes I think it would depend on how much serious fighting you would be looking at. You'd stop worrying about the weight and bulk when it saves your life. This true. I was just thinking in everyday life the ranger may just be armed with smaller weapons but when he/she knows there's a good chance of fighting they'd arm up. And no I haven't read them but I intend to after I finish the powder mage trilogy.
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