Most Practical Weapons and Armor for a Fantasy Dwarf?

How might Dwarven warriors fight if they existed in real life? What armament would be ideal for them? Here are some ideas, based mainly on my experience of practicing HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) for a couple of years.
Where to get functional reproductions of historical swords, axes, shields, helmets, etc: ww4.aitsafe.com...
Music:
"Pippin the Hunchback", "The Path of the Goblin King", "The Path of the Goblin King v2", "Moorland"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@Skallagrim]

Since a number of people brought up Shad... Believe it or not, I didn't know he had made a video about dwarves. I have very little time to actually watch videos. Making content and managing a channel of this size is just too time consuming. And besides, KZbin would be a rather deprived place if nobody was "allowed" to talk about a topic that someone else somewhere at some time in history has covered before.

[@catcatLP]

Skallagrim question, how viable would a dwarf with a war hammer be?

[@hypedrifter1715]

You talked about fantasy so... It comes with the nerds... Just ignore them and don't feed them after midnight. Nice video btw.

[@ABaumstumpf]

Shad went over several different weapons, but some f his ideas.. let's call them lunacy - like the dwarves using bows....

[@Skallagrim]

Hammers are mechanically very similar to axes, just heavier. So same idea.

[@j.m.f5451]

I think it's fair because you drew some different conclusions than Shad did, talked more on grappling which I thought was really interesting and isn't always brought up. If you're strong, shorter, and better balanced than your opponent... Yeah, just get in there and throw 'em around like a barrel of honey for your delicious dwarven mead...

[@DoubleWhammy]

Dwarves aren't slow on their feet, they're natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances.

[@TheEpicDartfish]

Haha thanks for this. Brought back memories

[@Kaiimei]

But wasted on cross-country. So I guess you could say... *Slips on sunglasses* They've got low stamina. YAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEHHHHH! xD

[@weighttan3675]

Like alligators

[@Pomegranate44]

Space Marine they also have better stamina then humans

[@johnharvath2522]

👍

[@Kid_illithid]

Why aren't the worlds scholars funding this kind of crucial research?

[@obsidiancrown6111]

Nice

[@fsdds1488]

Because scholars dont have the money to fund others.

[@TheDrexxus]

The same reason all of those "research societies" that believe in and try to prove Big Foot exists don't have the money to put cameras up all over the woods.

[@wraithflaire1639]

Lol

[@ungobungo7986]

@@TheDrexxus someone's done no research..uh oh

[@Blurns]

6/10 should have used a real dwarf, or at least a bearded child.

[@4Curses]

i don´t think skall has the necessary gold to pay a real dwarf.

[@beatdeath9962]

Where would he find one please tell me

[@notalive5479]

A real dwarf, as in someone that really is that short. Not a real live fantasy dwarf.

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

or maybe a bearded gnome. does anybody get it?

[@francisj.rivera9532]

I'd have been happy to volunteer. I'm 5'0" (5'2" with boots) and a dude. Missing the beard though.

[@jekyle1980]

Neither my 8-yr-old son or I have any training in medieval weapons but just FYI, whenever we spar (with foam weapons) he raises his heater shield up over his head and focuses on my legs. He holds his own blocking a lot of my attacks, and just targets my legs. I’ve found that protecting my legs from attacks is actually pretty hard!

[@DeMac10]

Just like in boxing, the shorter boxer has to look out for head shots more, but can slam the taller opponents body a lot easier, and vice versa!

[@Al_Straik]

That's extremely cute

[@birb7271]

Shad's video didn't have real life testing and nobody has a patent on dwarf weapon videos. I'd love to see more stuff like this from Skallagrim.

[@thiagodeoliveira1727]

it would make a nice video series/playlist

[@HuchiaZ]

Breaking Balance agreed to you both. I'd be ecstatic for a whole playlist

[@Odinson224]

Agreed, that would be awesome!

[@TerryProthero]

@Hauke Holst Actually, they were pretty similar. Shad felt that the dwarf needed a longer weapon to give him better reach. Although, he was thinking the larger shield. But the problem revealed with that in this video was that such a large shield would be hard to see around. I think he even had the same sorts of ideas concerning armor.

[@papadragon6975]

perhaps at that height the balls are a pretty good target. so maybe a warhammer so you can call it the nutcracker

[@lillithyukiutacrow2532]

papadragon 69 quarterstaf?

[@Akehiko_Urabaya]

" HE HEADBUTTED ME IN THE GROIN "

[@lillithyukiutacrow2532]

Edvinas Tamošaitis hahahahahahaha

[@Jrlomay]

reinforced codpieces and leg covering shields would quickly stop that tactic

[@TheOneWayDown]

papadragon 69 Or an estoc to the groin

[@SAsgarters]

The most practical weapon for a dwarf is a shotgun.

[@vladamirkalashnikov3704]

SAsgarters shadowrun, eh?

[@SAsgarters]

Nah. I know next to nothing about Shadowrun. I know a few players, but that's it.

[@iepvienredstoneHuy007]

SAsgarters what about pocket-canon? Cause dwarf have lower center grav mean more knockback-force-resistance.

[@Mike-zx7lq]

As it is for pretty much anybody.

[@internetomatic]

you should play Arcanum

[@thenorup]

An old Dwarven saying goes: "All trees are felled at knee-height" -Terry Pratchet

[@rouger1726]

"I'm telling ye, we born fer battle - we slash straight at their knees!"

[@TheKamiBunny]

Dont you know dwarves are terrified of trees? Trees constantly invade their homes and destroy their land. The roots suck nutrients of of the very soil they live in and trees take the water dwarves drink. More over trees regenerate and live in large numbers on the surface; a single tree can also produce many offspring to replenish the horde. Terrifying.

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

Sir Terry Pratchett* Don’t make me break out the dwarf bread...

[@ladymercy5275]

I'm considering how a stance of raising one's shield, covering their head, and looking under the shield might do well for a dwarf. Protecting one's legs is no longer such a high concern, so why not abandon the idea entirely and use the shield more like a tortoise shell, or a _hat?_ If the opponent tries to crush down on the shield with their weight, the dwarf only need to slip to one side to retaliate with their weapon, or if the opponent tried to reach under the shield to poke at the dwarf's belly, then they could drop their shield ontop, either catching the reaching blade or maybe an exposed limb if lucky. Put a blade on the bottom of the shield, perhaps? I'm now imagining a burly dwarf sprinting, shield raised over their head, ready to slice into some kneecaps with a razor's edge on the bottom lip of their equipment. I think I would instinctively drop down just to protect myself against such a sight, thereby conferring any height advantage in that moment. To fully picture the stance as I describe it, imagine it's noon, and you want to block the sun with a shield in your grasp... and you're fighting with a gangly giant, obviously.

[@Klausinator451]

@@ladymercy5275 theres an Enemy in sekiro that's like a foot tall that had a wide bamboo-esque hat and they use it to block sword swings and stuff like that. They're a pain, and they work KINDA like how you said.

[@taproot0619]

"Dwarves are natural sprinters! very dangerous over short distances..." LOTR.

[@Brutalyte616]

Matthew Hoots Makes sense. Short, but very powerful legs. It'd be like trying to outrun a dog; certainly doable, but in the short-term(no pun intended), you're going to lose every time by virtue of steps taken.

[@smitty1647]

sprinting dogs do not have short stubby legs. tolkien fucked up his lore dwarves are not natural sprinters

[@gamongames]

Omg, the proud bullshitting dwarf of the story told a large tale about his race's feats to a rival? Tolkien certailny didnt think it through

[@WTFisTingispingis]

Matthew Hoots oh Gimili, bullshit is an ugly color for you.

[@bioniclegoblin6495]

Matthew Hoots Can someone tell me who TF said that? If it was Gimli again... ah well. I mean, weren't they known to have great endurance etc?

[@cwk18]

Now, do a tutorial on slaying a globin. I really need that

[@josephhugotjiong6741]

Go ask goblin slayer for that

[@azekia]

Shortsword and small shield, their blood is too sticky so you will hace to use their weapons and always remember: They are not smart but they aren't completly fools

[@dirkloid4261]

If it's youst one goblin with no spechil training at all faising you in a one on one without a surprise attack you should not have mutch problems winning even if you youst have a long stick or st like it I mean they are mutch weaker than an adult human

[@TheHorsemanOfTheApocalypse]

Karen's crotch goblin?

[@Potato-pn8sg]

Just KICK them.

[@Limrasson]

I'm around 95% sure that most dwarven armaments woudl be around hammers, warpicks and tower shields. The simple reason for this is that I assume that they fought each other before they start fighting anyone else and that they live inside mountains. (And they are usually portrayed as isolationists, so fighting each other more seems likely). This means that a lot of warfare is fought in tunnels, caves and the such and their natural tool from which weapons can be developed are hammers and pickaxes. Tunnels can be easily blocked off by a good shield wall and short-handled weapons are better in close quarters than long ones. Even so I assume polearms would come in handy in many situations too and especially against larger opponents. And then of course siege weapons since not only can they effective defend a tunnel by themselves. (You don't need to aim your scorpion), but may shoot the cave walls to create localized cave-ins too.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

in fiction dwarves mostly fight goblins and not dwarves (if one mine is a city then its unlikely they will meat another dwarven army. so what they use depends on the goblins/orcs which in the tolkien books whear chain mail and use shields (but only the knights of dol amroth are given anyform of plate in the books so thats a mute point) so their main weapon would be swords if they are unarmoured or only partially armoured, spears work too, if they look like the orcs/goblins in Moria from the lord of the rings movie then war hammers and pickaxes as they had plate.

[@Grothgerek]

Dwarfes never fight themself. They have enough enemies they must focus. They already have the disadvantage over other races that they can get pretty old, but also have a low born rate. In other words, every dead dwarf is a huge tragedy for their clan.

[@tomi4104]

Even if they were fighting each other, imagine how annoying would be a guy with 2meters spear when your reach is about half a meter.

[@Pattoe]

The problem with long weapons as a dwarf is that since you're fighting in and moving around tunnels, being able to turn around if you get outflanked (side tunnels connecting to the tunnel you're in, for example) is very difficult. Low ceilings, narrow passages etc might mean that it's impossible to turn your spear/long axe etc to be pointy end towards enemy.

[@vizerandevir6422]

Hammers, warpicks and crossbows. Glad somebody else gets it. Polearms and swords are for humans in their grassy fields.

[@crimsonfists6224]

A very important issue that most people tend to forget Dwarves don’t fight as individuals in most fantasy settings. They fight as a unit. In that case a combo of a tower shield+short axe is extremely viable, as you have to face a basically impenetrable wall of shields that forces you to defend your legs(which are a bitch to guard in a formation) and can simply decimate front lines by crippling their legs without giving an opening to attack. In case of a duel yeah, a dwarf is screwed if he cannot close the gap. But in a formation this issue is basically non-existent, as there is simply less to hit, and a medium sized shield already coveres most of a body, with a tower shield like that in a shield wall you don’t actually HAVE to see you enemy. You need to close the distance and chop off a foot for example or bust a knee. Kind of like the Roman legion tactics, but with axes instead of short swords)

[@thomasmendoza7728]

Tru that. But wouldn't spears be better for that anyways? They could create monstrously powerful phalanxes

[@crimsonfists6224]

Thomas Mendoza it may primarily depend on what they may be trying to achieve. Of it is holding a specific objective, be it a choke point or holding out for as long as possible, then yeah-spears are an extremely powerful tool for doing just that. However, if your task is to attack, or better yet-outright destroy the enemy, then it is better to have the aforementioned axes to cripple the enemies. Spears are still very viable for anything rather than the very first line-while it chops the enemy’s legs off, their buddies in the second or third rank poke them with spears to create a huge nuisance at worst and a nightmare at best Shame I didn’t think of it earlier) Also, they very well interchange these weapons depending on where they are-it’s not like they can’t sling an axe on a hip or behind the back)

[@thomasmendoza7728]

@@crimsonfists6224 True! They could even use halberds! Now that would be a terrifying sight for charging calvary. I wish more fantasy thought of this stuff, cuz it actually is a lot cooler than the normal tropes

[@crimsonfists6224]

Thomas Mendoza well, it would be pretty much an unstoppable force if you think about it) Elves use primarily bows and very light armour and melee weapons, orks prefer somewhat lower-quality(to say the least) gear and have sub-par training, and humans are...well, humans. The only thing I can think of that can mess this thing’s day in a fantasy setting are trolls, dragons and heavy artillery. In melee though... You are figuratively screwed) Especially if the dwarves have halberds) Although I think they would go the Lucerne hammer way-they are dwarves after all, and these hammers are no less deadly than halberds, in the hands of the dwarves with their superior strength though...I would NOT want to be on the receiving end of this thing)

[@px6883]

@@thomasmendoza7728 That's a terrifying image for every orc! I think dwarves don't do that because they are used to fighting underground, where spears can sometimes be quite unhandy. Also, a spear from a dwarf's perspective is much bigger than it is from a human's perspective, therefore not as useful. Out in the open, however, a phalanx of dwarves with spears (maybe smaller ones) would be almost unbeatable.

[@gottmaschine836]

I think a Phalanx of dwarfs with tower shields would be awesome

[@Calimbandil87]

Indeed. With Roman armor as well. The ability to deal with cuts from above will be really useful. The reinforced helmets and shoulders while keeping the lower body relatively free for movement seem suitable for a race that is strong and hardy and usually fighting people taller than themselves.

[@viliphied]

It would be great for fighting in enclosed spaces like underground tunnels, but on the surface the dwarves relative immobility and small stature would only exacerbate the natural disadvantages of the phalanx.

[@Zankaroo]

Well a phalanx is a tactic just like any other you wouldn't use it in an open field.

[@Calimbandil87]

Indeed. The dwarves would not fight that often in an open field though. In almost all lore dwarves are generally focused on the defence of their holds, mines and fortresses. In an open field I think they would probably fight in a maniple, with a lot of missile support for taking out cavalry and other fast targets.

[@Zankaroo]

Now I want to make a Dwarven artificer than invents a ballista bolt that is a MIRV and sprays magic missiles and fireballs everywhere.

[@Wanderer628]

Looking pretty dope in that Skall :D

[@Darlos9D]

He looks like the villain from something.

[@Gunnar120]

Darlos9D like the villain from mid 2000s fantasy, or a hero from mid 2010s fantasy.

[@buddyallred1488]

Ursine armor from witcher 3

[@Alorand]

7:55 - "Spears are a pain in your butt, or anything really." I say that what you really want to avoid is having to deal with spears being a pain in your crotch.

[@Troommate]

Having the first person perspective with the shield is really interesting. A great example I found is in LOTR Five armies using smaller shields.

[@Xythol]

Troommate I absolutely loved the shield wall in that, perfect.

[@kevinlobos5519]

to then get the elves jumping over it and not get crushed between the dward and goblin armies like it should have happened because Peter Jackson faps at elves.

[@theblindmuysk3156]

Kevin Lobos could have been more like Helm's Deep, where all of those elves were killed by the Uruk Hai.

[@silverhand9965]

You gotta admire Skall's dedication,He found us a real fantasy Dwarf,those are quite rare nowadays

[@PineappleKing2323]

14:40 "The dwarfs have their mass distributed pretty low" ...Snake was shocked

[@nikolilowenherz1547]

Huh.... what was that noise?!... argh just a dwarf having a fight

[@beatdeath9962]

Yes snake was caught and fighting with a dwarf using cqc

[@chrisschoenthaler5184]

beatdeath 99 It ended poorly...

[@soos4719]

What snake?

[@wsxtgbujm581]

Snake?!?! SNAKE?!?! SNAAAAAKE!!

[@ninjaxenomorph]

This is one of my new favorite videos of yours, Skall. Definitely passing this around my RPG group.

[@Skallagrim]

Believe it or not, I've actually not seen that video before.

[@jmk3178]

Did you just assume his inspiration!?

[@sofialaya596]

It's a common thing to think if you study medieval fighting and you like medieval fantasy. Both youtubers are into that. Also, the way they made the videos was pretty different

[@eliasvandewiere8334]

Am I the only one who thinks a Shad - Skall collab would be awesome? Too bad they live at the other end of the globe to eachother.

[@chriss2031]

Well, they can still do video conferences.

[@sillyking1991]

wouldnt need to even format it like that, could literally be 2 separate videos that cut between each other with voice overlays to give the illusion of live conversation

[@Krantz86]

This video explains so much of what i've seen in Dwarf Fortress, single dwarf shieldwalls, master wrestlers taking down fow after foe...

[@FrejthKing]

Theodus Krantz Dwarf Babies are killing machines

[@iamnobody1734]

1. Topple a guy 2. Rip off his throat with your fucking teeth 3. Repeat untill no foes in sight.

[@0Sirk0]

*BUT WHAT ABOUT DRAGONS?!*

[@rush4in]

We are asking the right questions here, I see!

[@zortesh]

Really big crossbows with poop covered bolts.... leave a pile of loot somewhere... ambush it and fill it with bolts, then wait for it to die of infection. that or small ballistae.

[@leocheung8860]

Or you can put out some sheep/any other livestock the dragon is possibly interested as bait and stuff it with sharp metal shards and poison (or shit), as suggested in one of the Witcher novels

[@choptop81]

Funny, that's how dragons are usually killed in British folklore. That and spiked barrels

[@0Sirk0]

what have i done.

[@deafidue5535]

I want that gambeson.

[@davidjust5254]

where did he get it ?

[@CptYesterday93]

me too. Take my money

[@sargesrecap2267]

Deafidue ikr

[@matthieuchristian500]

armstreet, asian gambeson :)

[@admiralgoodboy]

Try kultofathena

[@orangeaeronaut9384]

Perhaps a spiked boot would come in handy if the dwarf were to come in grappling range. A few good kicks with a spiked boot could possibly be lethal.

[@maldito_sudaka]

Orange Aeronaut SnapJelly?

[@saadfromnemesis2533]

Not with full plate armor.

[@Ianassa91]

In a dark fantasy setting that I made for an rpg setting for our friends back in the days, dwarves mostly fought in macedonian style phalanxes. But it was a classical/bronze age technological setting

[@grugnotice7746]

Best solution is to have a human and a dwarf fighting on the same side. First, unscrew your pommel and give it to the dwarf. Then pick up the dwarf and toss him at the enemy. The dwarf then ends him rightly. This works very well in a siege situation. A true weapon of terror!

[@mindbreak666]

Thomas M why don't you have 300 dwarves passing a pommel at each other in a single turn?

[@dankbullet7891]

The problem is that you never toss a dwarf

[@sarojolibois6088]

Thomas M scourge of mankind

[@larfanformersalat0220]

Thomas M But don't tell the elf!

[@spooky4124]

Throwing Dwarfs, the deadliest weapon aside from the pommel

[@diamonddino7024]

found​ this Chanel when looking up weapon handling techniques must say very happy to have subscribed

[@100nitrog2]

"I'm so hot in this". Yeah you are, Skall. *Cat noise*.

[@GargoyleDX]

I hope elves, orcs, giants of whatever is next time because this was some good stuff

[@alexandersokolnik1596]

GargoyleDX how are they going to do giants though?

[@thegamesforreal1673]

Get a really tall person...?

[@baconghoti]

TheGamesforreal and a shortie ofc

[@Sean-in9qi]

Alexander Sokolnik They could get someone to stand on a platform or something

[@420potsofale8]

A giant isn't a really tall person though, that would be more akin to an elf. A giant is a human whose overall size is multiplied by 3-15 times(or more) depending on context, and no really tall person can simulate that.

[@Giltia]

"There's like half a knee I can go for." ODDJOB IS OP.

[@player1_fanatic]

16:46 - meme in the making...

[@MaartenvanRossemLezingen]

A dank one at that

[@LeviathanTamer31]

*Aggressively Advances in a Dwarven Manner*

[@macchxero]

LOL Yes indeed!

[@StefanAntonikSeidler]

With Dwarfs regarding speed I always think of small dogs compared to big dogs. A big dog with long legs is of course faster at distance, but at short distance even dogs with short strong legs can be quite quick and they're usually more nimble in small spaces (like a dachshund hunting rats). Maybe that would be the same with Dwarfs.

[@AlyssMa7rin]

I am wasted on cross country! We Dwarves are natural Sprinters!! Very dangerous over short distances

[@FRPlayerOne]

He makes a pretty good dwarf ^^

[@juanpablomontalvo4715]

FRPlayerOne The beards really sell the whole dwarf thing

[@mikereger1186]

FRPlayerOne Bugmans XXXX for the win.

[@Direwoof]

You have to have a beard and be burly and fat. I played rugby and the guy on the other team that I had to go up against was about 5'8 320 lbs with a big dwarf beard. He was certainly hard to move even though I was much stronger than him.

[@PWNDotcom3299]

This is actually a cool new idea! Are you going to do them for more, like Elves, Orcs and Giants?

[@PWNDotcom3299]

Or maybe even do Hobbits, with just a bag full of pommels.

[@fizzledimglow3523]

PWNDotcom I'd think elves sure similar enough in physiology to humans that there wouldn't be a hell of a lot to say there. Orcs might be of note for increased height and strength, but it might not be too substantial. Giants would definitely be interesting to behold though.

[@biohazard724]

lynx lot I think thats why Skall did this, Shad did solid theory crafting but seeing things in practice helps too.

[@cyricbard1695]

In fantasy, a tower shield is most often used by dwarves when fighting in formation with other dwarves. As you pointed out, it's less viable when they are fighting alone, so a more classic viking style shield is often shown to be preferred by them when fighting solo or with a adventuring group that is a mix of human elves etc (as taller races don't use the same tactics as a group of dwarves would like you pointed out) This was a great fun video to watch, and I can imagine it was a blast to research/make as well

[@redbeard2010]

I would like slightly argue your assumptions. I am larper one of my good friends is about 5'2. which makes him a little tall for an average dwarf. He uses a tower shield and a sword. Being that he short and stocky is almost impossible to hit him. I've seen him be attacked by three of the best sword fighters in our game and not land a hit on him at all if he goes full defensive. Mostly because there's no room to hit him. He doesn't have to be that mobile as you think. Small steps for him are extremely more terrifying in than they are for an average person. You have to get a lot closer to get inside his guard. Second lore dwarfs are ridiculously strong. So when they block they can throw your shield and your weapon out of the way, way easier than an average person of average height and weight. which is what happens with my buddy being that he's so short he's ridiculously strong when it comes down to the center of gravity. Which knocking him off the center gravity is almost impossible but him knocking you off yours happens really easily. If you don't know how to guard against him. You can bounce around all day he doesn't have to move stands there with the shield waiting. When we did some realistic SCA fighting. And the same thing pretty much happens with him. He's a very difficult person to fight if you have it dealt with people of his size and stature on a regular basis. And I would agree dwarves and lore would probably be terrifying in full plate mail. The part of the body that would be easily to injure would be minimum.

[@nigelft]

Red beard Nice ... Since I'm also 5'2", I like your friend; he sounds bloody impressive ... and tempted to get into LARPing myself by you ...

[@PureCountryof91]

5'7. Short. All muscle. Faster than expected. Hard to topple. And extremely high endurance.

[@christianmartinez4778]

Too long, didn't read.

[@Salmon_Toastie]

Christian Martinez TL;DR Friend is 5,2 short usually uses a tower shield and is extremely hard to fight due to lower center of gravity and most of body being blocked.

[@nasserfirelordarts6574]

And, the fact that historically, the best way to kill people in full plate armor was by grappling, now put a dwarven in full plate Good luck humans, (unless you go Dark souls oversized polearms)

[@septicbile2901]

last time I was this early pommels weren't even considered weapons.

[@bragunetzki]

Uhm... The pommel was the first weapon to be invented, actually... Learn some history!

[@septicbile2901]

Mihail Bragin your statment merely backs up how long it's been since I was early.

[@bragunetzki]

Dammit

[@NotFlappy12]

the last time you were this early was in the 13th century?

[@bragunetzki]

The pommel is obviously too gracious and perfect of a weapon for a human to have ever invented it. Actually, aliens were the ones to give the gift of the pommel to men back in the time of ancient egypt. Scientist have also seen evidence that mammoths and dinosaurs invented their own forms of pommels.

[@adrianfrench7842]

For visibility with a shield, how about adding visor style slits? You could stab through the slit, but their head would be pretty far back from the slit, and if they turn the shield it would bind your weapon.

[@redlight9311]

Skall you lost so much weight :o

[@FoardenotFord]

That gambeson (I think that's the right term?) is badass - did you get it from KoA?

[@Mikhanius]

It is an absolutely gorgeous gambeson, got me thinking of ordering something looking like this for everyday wear.

[@OhitsONnow]

Oh thanks for saying what it was, I was wondering what is that thing he's wearing. Looked at some online and they looked not to pretty :l. But that thing is cool

[@MPPRODUCTIONSger]

I know I am late for the party but its from Arms Street :)

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

I doubt that dwarf would need a leg armour. But he should have much thicker helmet and pauldrons (and padding underneath them). I think that the only good btttlefield tactics for dwarves would be pike square or wagenburg. Otherwise they would be annihilated by heavy cavalry of humans (elves?). Or they would stick to mountains and other rough terrain were cavalry have problems operating. P.S. I see you like your HMB gauntlets Edit: Also, shouldn't we separate weapons based on context? You can't really carry a fucking two-handed axe in civilian life, you know...

[@joost1120]

HMB gauntlets? They're just normal mittens.

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

+joost1120 No they are not. You can see that they are optimised and designed for bohurts. I think that these ones were made by ArtArmour.

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

+undertakernumberone1 Looks like good way for dwarves to commit collective suicide on the battlefield.

[@undertakernumberone1]

That's Gromril Armour... Gromril can be created into several types of metal, depending on the techniques that can make the metal even stronger or more potent then those of other metal. Mithril Mithril is the most common form of Gromril. It is refined by smelting to remove most impurities. It is twice as durable as Steel and weighs one-fifth as much. It also accepts runes and enchantments as readily as any other metal. Fighting Style:Ironbreakers are trained to fight in tight formations, wedged into the confines of narrow tunnels. There, they find defensible positions and let the enemy break upon their overlapping shields as waves crash into rock. Impervious, implacable and unmoving, they form a living fine, gromril-hard, that holds back the flood terror that lurks in the dark below. Enemies fall before their axes like winter wheat before the scythe and blows clang harmlessly off their nigh-impervious armour or are caught and deflected by their sturdy shields. Each regiment of Ironbreakers will have a veteran, a grizzled unit leader known as an Ironbeard, who knows the undertunnels like the back of his hand. It is an Ironbeard’s duty to manoeuvre the unit into a favourable position and to call out the battle formations, such as the box of iron, the steel square or so on.[4a]

[@DarkValorWolf]

that would be very unnecessary, they wouldn't need leg or torso armour, it would only weigh them down. They would recieve far greater benefits from the gained mobility of not having it than that extra (pretty much useless) armour from having it. The material and production cost and time is also a factor that's pretty important.

[@gentlemanbrain5829]

This music makes me want to go dragon shopping.

[@RaphaelRavenwing]

In this episode Skallagrim diggy diggys a hole.

[@ohnomybones7318]

Star Glitter Glow no.

[@RaphaelRavenwing]

Star Glitter Glow yes.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

♪ "We do not fear what lays beneath! ♪ ♪ We can never dig too deep!" ♪

[@emma-rz7mf]

youre about 5 years late with that joke

[@RaphaelRavenwing]

The joke was 5 years early for me.

[@matthewjohnson1510]

Thank you. Good sir, the joy of dwarfdom is in work. They have weapons that are also tools, the hammer and the axe. Thank you for showing us this.

[@sunbro5660]

Here is a thing about dual wielding, dwarves that wield a weapon in each hand (Often axes) are berserk or slayers (More in a bit about the slayers). The concept of the berserk is not new, they are shock infantry used to charge the enemy line in the flank to cause disorder in the enemy ranks, and you can picture how a big force of about 600 dwarves charge the enemy with a war cry so loud it shakes the ground with them as they charge. Now, slayers are a little bit of an another story. Slayers often are pictured in the universe of Warhammer: Fantasy battles, as a table top unit they did not receive much favor by those who play it, since they don't have any shields and FB (Fantasy battles) turned in to a napoleon style warfare with cannons and muskets. Now, in the lore its a bit of a different story and i just love the concept. Slayers are a dual wielding dwarves who paint there hair and beard fiery orange, and seek the most glorious death in battling monsters and other devious creatures, they own no protection and are often seen going around the world in bands, hunting monsters for the glorious death they await. Now, the dwarf can become a slayers by 1 way, disgrace himself or be disgraced for his ancestor actions that has not been uncovered until late. And as such, they dye there hair, they strip themselves of armor and take the slayers oath. Past that, they can only find glory in death. If they suicide with the slayers oath in toe it considered to be the worst and most disgraceful thing that one can do to anger the great ancestors. ... Well i went on a rant. Great video by the way, i love when you do fantasy/games to real life practical use, that is how i found your channel in the first place, Dark souls combat video was my very first. I hope the KZbin adpocalipse is not affecting you as much, have a good day.

[@eukanuba98]

16:49 new screensaver found :D

[@EirikHasALife]

If he gets within grappling distance he can very effectively give his opponent a loving embrace

[@mrnekrell15551]

In the forgotten realms (i think), a d&d world, there is a dwarven legion that fights with spiked gauntlets, helm and studded heavy armor and just grapple and pogo the enemies. Fucking love them.

[@isitnotwrittenthat1680]

Not a legion, those are the battle ragers, the axe idiots, the blood drinking berserkers of the dwarven host.

[@cesartheimperator3525]

6:50 I want to see dwarves doing Judo now, you made me realize how much they could be strong at this

[@aham2903]

Dwarven master race. Not good over long distances but sturdy and deadly up close. Always roll a Dwarf character, kids.

[@milanpospisil8024]

They can accelerate fast, but still, their short legs and heavy body does makes them bad runners overall.

[@iamnobody7044]

@@milanpospisil8024 they would take long to stop when they get a run in, since their legs are short, and they couldn't stop as abruptly as human could without falling on their heads.

[@antonbulatao1737]

Not good at distance huh? The dwarfen quarrelers, thunderers, grudgerakers, and artillery crews from karak karaz would like to have a word with you.

[@iamnobody7044]

@@antonbulatao1737 By Grimnir! You are right!

[@UtahSustainGardening]

Yeah, Shad talked about it, but you tested it! And it was a great job. Thanks for putting the weaponry into perspective with experimentation rather than assumptions.

[@edwardgoncharov5135]

This actually helped me prepare a suitable and practical Armor and Weapons Design for our DnD Party, thanks! Entertaining and educational!

[@Nerdnumberone]

I think you need to consider that dwarves are often depicted as being at least partially subterranean. While they may use different weapons for fighting above ground, they may have a bias towards weapons that they can maneuver in narrow tunnels when the situation calls for it. In most fantasy settings, there are other hostile denizens underground, whether it's orcs, goblins, or even other dwarven clans.

[@TheOnlyUpadly]

Interesting when quite a few people say that they don't see your videos in their subscription feed -> I on the other hand see your new video and your previous videos on main page of my yt :D Skallagrim uploaded new video? Here's banner at the top of first page you always see with his every video uploaded (this month)

[@timothyevans6930]

Dude, I never thought about this before but their low center of gravity would be really hard to deal with, especially if you gave them something that would mitigate their reach disadvantage. Like a pole arm. I can see why they get advantages against larger opponents in fantasy games. their stocky builds would allow them to generate a lot of power for the same reason that fat fighters always have dangerous hands. Can you imagine a dwarf with grappling training in an MMA cage throwing that overhand right that we always see with those guys? That strike might turn your rib cage into those potato chips at the bottom of the bag. A well timed, chambered shovel hook with a great sword might chop you in half.

[@CountArtha]

Short weapons are a dwarf's best friend. They're low to the ground and can take choppy little steps without tripping, so they'd be surprisingly agile infighters, hard to hit and able to attack up close from unpredictable directions. A polearm or huge sword would force them to fight at distances where a human, with a longer lunge and more reach, would have the advantage.

[@SangoProductions213]

14:46 What was that sound effect for? I don't get it.

[@drofseh]

My phone got a text message while we were filming.

[@AstralS7orm]

It was a sound effect saying "Hide in a box! A dwarf is attacking!"

[@seanc3802]

drofseh I have the same sound effect for my phone as well and thought I got a message while watching this 😂

[@buddyallred1488]

Their mass is distributed quite low. You catch what he is throwin?

[@TheN13]

You're pretty good

[@dylanschulz9118]

I think one important point would be group battles. Clearly these heavily armored dwarfs would be excellent line holders, and because they are short it would be quite easy for missiles to be shot over them at almost point blank range while the front line holds. im thinking a combination of a dwarf frontline with human or elven archers behind them could devastate almost anything, short of a heavy cavalry charge

[@marcz2903]

I imagine dwarves would largely fall into one of two infantry categories: very lightly armored guerilla infantry, to give them as much mobility as possible with their short legs, and heavy phalanx, sacrificing mobility to take advantage of their smaller frames being easier to protect with armor and shields. Probably lots of field artillery like ballista. A dwarf army would probably be a slow moving beast, Ill suited to outmaneuver their enemies, but highly capable of outlasting them in melee. Crossbows would probably be the preferred ranged weapon, dwarves short arms favoring the short draw length and high poundage.

[@avmrb42]

One point you forgot, dwarves are smiths, they have suberb armor for their warriors, and their bodies are naturally bulky and with muscles much more dense than an average human as their are miners making an armored dwarf that much harder to kill all while being as fast as a human, like a boar an armored dwarf just has to bring you down by hooking your leg with the axe or knocking you down with that shield, and you are done for, the biggest threath to a dwarf are muskets, daggers, hammers and heavy crossbows that can pierce trough armor, so the short axe or hammer is a good option with a shield since they can make the same amount of force a human can with much shorter arms. Better yet for a dwarf would be crossbows and pavises as the dwarven lower stature makes them less sugestible to instability making them more precise while standing still, and their smaller profile makes them harder to hit, throwing axes are a good side weapon too for dealing with skirmishers seeing how sharp dwarven weapons should be with every dwarf being a smith.

[@armintor2826]

A common thing for dwarfen armour is a chainmail kilt, meaning it would be pretty much impossible to hit his legs. At least with it doing any damage

[@TheValinov]

14:42 whats that sound? metal gear solid?

[@Harshhaze]

It was a gentleman's joke my friends, "mass distributed pretty low" meaning their pommel is heavier than others, their swords larger, axes greater, enter new scabbards everyday, "dwarves stamina..."

[@drofseh]

Good spotting. It was my phone getting a text message.

[@maldito_sudaka]

TheValinov I heard it too. Thought it was an Easter egg of some sort, like a wild animal appeared somewhere in the frame or something.

[@PowerOfDoi]

Keep in mind with the dual wielding thing, the iconic dual wielding dwarf (warhammer fantasy slayers) are unarmored and have taken an oath to die gloriously to make up for a dishonoreable act (but are not allowed to just off themselves, they have to die as gloriously as possible, killing a dragon or a demon or something, while keeping their figthing skills sharp and fithing like they want to live - yes it drives them insane). The slayers will not sit back and "duel" someone , they LAUNCH themselves at people like a well... cannonball mounting shoulders, thumping people to the ground etc. in a "duel" they'd just tilt they're head forward and rush the adversarry "i don't need a ranged weapon, i AM the ranged weapon!"

[@SonicNitro]

Hey there was one particular weapon that dwarves commonly use (e.g. Warhammer fantasy) that you didn't cover in this. Warhammers. What are you're thoughts on its use as a dwarf?

[@jakes8409]

awesome loved this video another cool thing is if a dwarf had a hand axe with a pike end as soon as he did the takedown he doesnt need to go anywhere or do anything extra to slam the point down onto you repeatedly. also the extreamly thick armor and tower shield would make a dwarf a freaking nightmare for any archer based army they would need scorpions just to pierce the shields and then MAYBE the armor too probably wouldnt even be fatal for the first dwarf shot

[@glad9036]

Very nice video and fun in a way!:) Also, Skallagrim, have you ever played Severance:Blade of Darkness? (If not, you definitely shoud as it is, imo, one of the best examples of melee combat in videogames) This vid reminded me of that game, because it has a dwarf playable character, who is, like any fantasy dwarf, proficient with one handed axes - and oh my god how much does he struggle with reach! Just like you've explained in the video. Fortunately it's a third person view game, so you don't struggle with visibility at least :).

[@Aurilion44]

Yeah, great game. I preferred playing Knight, but Dwarf was also awesome. It was incredible seeing how many enemies attacks just went over your head even without dodging :D. Morover, yes, reach was a problem and drawback, but when you were finally able to exploit that opening and get in close and personal, while pulling of some combo at that time it just became a curbstomp battle :).

[@Gerbs1913]

Round shields would be just as convenient for a Dwarf because they have less to cover, and an axe or a spear for added reach. Or pull a Gotrek Gurnisson and use a huge two handed axe and be a berserker with it. Plus if a Dwarf chops the legs out from under an opponent, the height disadvantage is automatically gone.

[@RaskaTheFurry]

dual wield dwarf can work as a berserker. Run to the opponent and jump at them, using their weight ( which will always be bigger than human's ) to their advantage. They most of the time dont wear any armour to be faster and to look more savage-like. The other types of viable dwarfs are always tanky. They are really small target with incredible weight for their size. So it means a LOT of heavy armor and then shield AND polearm.

[@muhammadsaduddin308]

In my head, in the lore where dwarves have more advanced technology than human, they will use tower shield with a big gun combined with bayonet as their main weapon. Dwarves army will march in testudo formation, encircling their opponents with their better quality heavy armor little by little and then making them entering the killzone of the gun. If the enemy try to break the formation by going melee, the dwarves will simply stab them to the death. The weight of the heavy armor + shield should also keep their Constitution high so their formation can hold any cavalry charge. Try to attack them from afar? Their mortar in behind will reach other enemy army first.

[@emilsgaardsrensen842]

ooh Attack of the knee biters XD

[@SirShadeyy]

The tower shield was really only practical in large battles because if the dwarves make defensive ranks they would be well protected with more dwarves with spears behind them

[@erichobbs4042]

14:42 in the background music, Solid Snake is discovered by Fox Hound.

[@charadreemurr8673]

I was wondering why I heard that

[@CopernicoTube]

The makes the "dwarf defender" concept a lot of sense. Because this first fighting style isn't trust in mobility at all. The goal is protect a place, so be nimble isn't a requirement. But we need to remember that fantasy dwarves are not just short persons: they are really strong. Mainly the legs. And velocity isn't just about the steps, but the acceleration you can achieve. As acceleration is basically (Force / Mass) means that dwarves can be faster than you think. The dwarf "Gim" in "The Record of Lodoss War" show that idea.

[@travis1061]

Dwarves are know to have shorter legs but the same arm length as humans. Also, a Dwarf wearing heavy Pauldrons and a thicker helmet could carry a thicker Heta (jousting) shield with a grip near the point to give better body cover and for better bracing against all the blows from above. Then pair the heavy shield with a long handled hammer or axe (Scottish Warhammer) in the offensive hand.

[@foxymoronvideos3270]

I suppose it also depends upon how fantasy we're talking. Some fantasy worlds have Dwarves with such high dexterity and agility that they can handle katana, and others have so much speed they can outrun a gazelle. Imagine that, getting overtaken by a Dwarf sprinting at 30mph.

[@thomasofsparta6695]

I love dwarves and I know everything about them

[@redtsun67]

Here's the thing about dwarves. They are short, but they aren't *small*. Look at the typical dwarf you see in fantasy. Short legs, short arms, huge muscles, huge chest. Basically you took a human, shortened their bones, and gave them much stronger muscles. This gives the dwarf an amazing platform and a lot of strength to exercise. Having short weapons actually makes sense because their arms are too short to handle things like spears/polearms because of the size of the size of their arms/chest, not to mention how short their legs are. They wouldn't be able to wield them correctly. Short swords/axes/warhammers would be much more effective because of how strong dwarves are, and having a large oval shield means they have amazing protection against any attack.

[@rlwrgh]

do you intend to do similar for other fantasy races elves half-lings etc etc?

[@dirtydard4870]

What would be the point? Halflings are just inferior physically to both dwarves and humans in a straight up fight. Elves are just slender humans for the purposes of this kind of exercise, and wouldn't really entail different tactics.

[@Lexender]

Elves biggest advantage is their magic capacities most of the time (high elves). Other wise they are just more agile (like wood/green elves) but the same strenght and height as a human.

[@mcintoshpc]

“Getting stabbed in the shin is not a lethal wound” but the immediately subsequent stab to the chest probably is

[@StevenBrown-to7ls]

Sing this again I have to say that it is pretty good. However I do think that you have to take into consideration that dwarves in fantasy not only is stronger and have more stamina than humans but they also are able to make better armor and weapons, oftentimes substantially better. Whether it's mithril or some other mystical metal they tend to get the advantage as well as being able to enchant their weapons depending upon the fantasy genre. And so you can tell I am a big fan of the race in fantasy. But it also really does depend on the author and the world that you see them in. You do see a lot of tunnel fights with drawers and working in phalanxes or shield walls. It is often shown with them being able to have quick burst forward partly due to their strength and size being able to hide under Shields and move in hidden ways. It is always interesting to see the elves versus dwarves in fantasy because you get speed and accuracy versus strength and durability. It was cool to see those some more realistic practical applications between weapons.

[@overtotter8639]

I'm no fighting expert, but at the 5:10 mark you could block a downward sword strike and then thrust at the exposed body with a javelin like that of the Romans or another type of short one handed spear.

[@wric01]

Axes are hugely underestimated. Vikings conquered all these sword wielding realms with ease using majority axes (as it was mass produced easily).

[@futbolluva]

Reach aint a problem. Block and then use your natural sprinting heritage to close the gap during the axe swing

[@amirlach]

You have "overlooked" the infamous Dwarven Nugget Punch! When you go high, the Dwarf goes RELLY low!

[@kennymendoza1581]

The Dwarf would probably have to reach up to grab the fruit from its vine.

[@amirlach]

We had short and very stocky guy in kickboxing. Very dwarflike. The last thing you wanted was him getting inside on you. He would kick almost strait up catching you under your short ribs. I was about 220lbs and he could lift me off my feet. Learned real fast to keep away. And he was surprisingly quick despit his short legs.

[@oliverlopez7962]

It is true, the dwarves would not have to see with their shields however it is shown that they are the best working in a team despite being fancy, the type of soldiers that could best work together in a combat with shields is created, also for an inexperienced human according to the fantasy story would be a clear problem because in an individual combat the dwarf would take a two-handed ax and there is if they run ... haha it is still very good explanation

[@kyleschroder9045]

Its just occurred to me. If dwarves are use to fighting eachother, an axe makes sense. Their shield covers so much you would pretty much have to hack through it. It's not like in confined tunnels you could go around it. That also explains them using a pickaxe as a weapon.

[@zeframmann1641]

"So forget about grappling..." NOBODY TOSSES A DWARF!!!

[@michaelrizea3108]

Zefram Mann I was waiting for that

[@whyjay9959]

In realistic fantasy dwarf tosses you

[@Sleepy12ftPanda]

Why not just jump on his shield? He may be strong, but I doubt the average dwarf would be able to support your full body weight. It'd probably knock him on his butt and leave him open.

[@Alik_Odess]

Sleepy 12ft Panda Say goodbye to your ribs in the best case and hello to shitload of broken bones and death. You just gave him the advantage. You are in his reach, he's stronger then you and he is using axe.... You are dead.

[@Ninjaananas]

Sleepy 12ft Panda That can easily deflected to the side and then he backstabs you while carrying the hornet ring.

[@Jamzamurai]

Honestly that's the flyest padded armor I've ever seen. Skall lookin dope as fuck.

[@FusionComet]

Jake Engoian where tf can I get that but not armor? it looks clean

[@spacewalker259]

Yeah dude I was thinking he looks like Geralt from the witcher. Bad ass looking armor either way.

[@flash1face1]

yeah looks sick af

[@navecamnedia]

Jake Engoian LORD SKALLAGRIM

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

Jake Engoian I think it's from armstreet, their stuff is just awesome.

[@JayChampagne]

I now feel slightly better prepared for a dwarven apocalypse.

[@METALGEARMATRIX]

Jay Champagne One day they will emerge from their mountain halls to take back what's rightfully theirs. But then they see that people are being born dwarves and elves and start up local businesses that grow into Megacorps.

[@jedyzichterman358]

WarMachineBrony I feel like that's a shadowrun reference lol

[@davidcrawford9407]

I'm coming for you beware the dwarves!

[@General12th]

slightly slightly

[@helton3425]

Nah, our great grandchildren will deal with that...

[@drake8050]

Forget swords, only short jokes can penetrate dwarf armor.

[@Rudofaux]

Only the snark can cut deeply

[@Jacob-yg7lz]

Drake Sigar And pommels.

[@thegamesforreal1673]

Oh this brings me memories of one of my first DnD sessions... A bard viciously mocking a dwarf to death by insulting his size, i was fucking breathless for 5 minutes straight!

[@zellarcher]

Yeah, but then he penetrates your gut with an axe head.

[@damianmares5338]

Jacob Furrow end him rightly!!!

[@FreaXxShoW]

[Viciously takes down notes for future DMing]

[@kaymansolo]

I am curious why you use a new friend every time you test armor and weapons...

[@procow2274]

You know why :)

[@SleepMoover]

@DeadlyNeedle ! Yeah that's the joke

[@ultrawhale1712]

@DeadlyNeedle ! You didn't need to explain it

[@SleepMoover]

@DeadlyNeedle ! and kill the joke in the process of doing so, wp

[@ultrawhale1712]

@DeadlyNeedle ! You must be fun at parties

[@clantaylor]

Pick on someone your own size Skallagrim :P

[@connerdale4221]

Tell that to a dwarf!

[@Heranara]

Don't worry give the Dwarf a box to stand on and they're on Equal standing.

[@connerdale4221]

+Heranara Yeah. Gimli actually should've accepted Legolas' offer on that box

[@navels553]

BAZOOPER

[@legion999]

Dont worry, that dwarf will cut him down to size

[@Devystator1]

I love how Skall is just teaching us how to fight a dwarf.

[@KanuckStreams]

Or more accurately, teaching us why we SHOULDN'T fight a dwarf.

[@riftdancer1349]

But you forgot the most important fact about Dwarves. They're natural sprinters and very dangerous over short distances.

[@bradenalder9016]

Yes with the exception of a dwarfen slayer they can run for long periods of time as they tend to fight things many many times bigger then them and all with out armor

[@mathieuseres49]

and sometimes they can be thrown against uruks but you have to dont tell it to the elf

[@SahnigReingeloetet]

But remember they burn out quickly because of their „genetics“ and not because of their preferred diet of beer and pastry

[@Petaurista13]

Which is kind of true. Crossing distances fast isn't only about leg length. My dog is faster than me despite his limbs are like 10 times shorter. BTW Although not really true for all Dwarves. In _Witcher_ they are great at long-distances, not short.

[@vipr1142]

03:29 Skallagrim is very wrong. Actually the shorter person has better footwork and can catch more distance than the taller one.

[@tobiasschwarzberger2267]

I Always figured that dwarves Penchant for one handed axes came from Fighting wars against other dwarves, Underground in tunnels that would rarely be very accomodating to larger weapons. And that they would obviously use longer weapons when Fighting against the big folk, while still keeping their trusty axe or hammer at their belt for emergencies. I think it is a reasonable Explanation for why Fantasy dwarves seem to so often have short one handed axes.

[@Areanyusernamesleft]

Interesting theory. Along those lines both axes and especially bludgeons like hammers tend to be more effective against layered suits of armor.

[@vidard9863]

Odds are that fighting axes would all have a spike or pick on the back for dealing with armor. Edit, the other thing is that they can carry more armor on less body, so getting in close is a viable option, especially as they would be out ranged by a human with a similar weapon. In a unit longer weapons would be useful, but one on one odds are that the dwarf will never get the range advantage.

[@KhairulFadzlyAKarim]

I always thought their axe are bigger and heavier, Dwarves are stronger than human so they can bear heavier weight. Imagine them wearing full armor barreling down the tunnel at a fast sprint with their large shield in front. In tight spaces where you can’t evade, they are going to hit you like a ton of bricks, try to defend that.

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

I’ve always thought it was the natural progression from the pickaxe. A blade is much handier in confined spaces.

[@Spiceodog]

It’s probably a cultural thing

[@Darkfreed0m]

oh, i thought your friend was an actual dwarf for a sec

[@ppsarrakis]

omg ye! me too!

[@katenaccios]

He is

[@Eternalnight198]

I thought Skallagrim was an actual dwarf

[@katenaccios]

Nope Skallagrim is a viking

[@jmcantila9104]

That other guys spent such a long time on his knees I actually forgot he wasn't a dwarf

[@joshuataft5541]

I felt bad for him too..you see him sighing ...I bet hes thinking..man when can I stand up...things we do for a vidio lol

[@jekyle1980]

It’s that big beard he was rocking. 🤓

[@TheOmegaXicor]

I'm quite proud of the community that in 6 years no one has made a Yo Momma joke out of that set up.

[@EgaoKage]

I think an often over-looked element in the "fighting a fantasy Dwarf" equation is: experience. In every fantasy source I've seen, Dwarves both live much longer than Humans and are further along in years when they begin venturing abroad (outside the shelter of their homeland). So, the Dwarf you're encountering has likely had a lot more time to refine their martial skills. In all likelihood, they literally began their training before you were even born.

[@TheDude4515]

shit, sometimes they began training before the nation our fighting for was founded.

[@BruceForte]

And that little fully bearded, incredibly buff man is just a teenager.

[@homeycdawg]

Not to mention fantasy dwarves are usually depicted as being incredibly strong for their size, meaning their equipment is likely much heavier, sturdier, and more durable than yours. And their strength would allow them to wield those much stronger weapon without affecting their limited mobility.

[@damienvalentine5043]

If we're talking culture as well as biology... In every fantasy setting I'm familiar with, the dwarf force is always going to be outnumbered by any given enemy force -- potentially even by *elves* -- and they know it. They're also agoraphobic, or at least nervous in open and brightly-lit spaces, because so much of their day-to-day life is spent underground. So the question becomes, not what weapon works best for a short-and-stocky body type, but what weapon works best for close-packed formations and/or restricted terrain, while neutralizing large numbers of enemies at once? I don't know what the answer to that question is...though I have a sneaking suspicion it's "land mines".

[@stupidburp]

In close formations with restricted options for flanking shield wall tactics dominate. Weapons used could be short such as Roman gladius but in a tunnel many ranks of long spears such as with Greek hoplite phalanx would also be a good option.