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/go.htm?go=kult...
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]

👍

[@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.

[@Dagglestone]

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

[@aidenkoontz8188]

"Can't move very fast" "Can't cover distance very fast" DWARVES ARE NATURAL SPRINTARS, VEERY DEADLY OVA SHORT DISTANCES!

[@datguy8805]

Aiden Koontz to the top with you good sir

[@undertakernumberone1]

Also: they don't cover distances fast... but they cover them steadily and more enduring than humans

[@kuronoroux8864]

Aiden Koontz These fuckers were a pain in Dark Souls II

[@Darlos9D]

And humans are already pretty enduring when steadily covering long distances, so that's saying something.

[@ivain8704]

And humans IRL are the big stamina hunters. Dwarves must be nature's worst nightmare

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@appa609]

I just realized that dwarves have a huge advantage in hand to hand combat against humans in that their defense direction is disjoint from their attack direction. They can keep their shields raised up almost all the time and this would in no way block them from attacking your legs.

[@alejandroelluxray5298]

No wonder orks have a hard time fighting them

[@FreaXxShoW]

[Viciously takes down notes for future DMing]

[@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!!!

[@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

[@TheHorseman0fApocalypse]

Karen's crotch goblin?

[@Potato-pn8sg]

Just KICK them.

[@nanoqht285]

It’s so funny the grass covers William’s legs well enough that if you don’t focus on it, he actually looks like a dwarf with exceptionally short legs and a long everything else.

[@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.

[@Dude3210123456]

the tall grass makes it look like he's an actual dwarf

[@A-G-F-]

Dude3210123456 i think he went for that with the robes and the grass

[@davecrupel2817]

@@A-G-F- and the hair and beard

[@qgqsrg1]

With freaky long arms for his size xD

[@rostigerrolf4490]

And the belly.

[@qgqsrg1]

@What' Ev i meant that dwarfs have shorter arms than an average adult human, but that is ignored in this vid.

[@couchbear6108]

Your "dwarf" looks like Zoltan from Witcher series IRL

[@vitornunes07]

YES Imao

[@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.

[@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

[@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?

[@harjutapa]

Dwarves fighting in formation with m,ini-scutum, Roman style. With slashing spears (so like mini glaives). Seems like, combined with their stereotypical discipline, they'd be very tough opponents in mass combat.

[@alexanderflack566]

It's hard to use a slashing spear effectively with a shield. However, dwarves are often depicted as being unusually heavily armored (it's easy to get the metal when your entire civilization is based around mining, and they have less area to cover relative to their strength) so I would forego the shield and just use polearms as the preferred melee weapons, although my choices for those would be something more akin to a halberd, bill, bec-de-corbin, or pollaxe.

[@Hashbeast]

@@alexanderflack566 Agreed. Tho I think he means the style which the front row has the shields and the second row has the spears/ glaives in both hands reaching thru.

[@alexanderflack566]

@@Hashbeast Yeah, but the dwarves in the front row would limit the back row's ability to wield their weapons effectively. It's difficult to fight around someone else, and not especially necessary with every dwarf in plate armor (plus, they already have a reach disadvantage; an enemy could stab someone in the front row while remaining out of reach of those in the second row).

[@21stcenturykelt]

@@alexanderflack566 Nah, it works fine (source, wielding 9 foot spears behind a shield wall at many SCA events.)

[@YesComrrrade]

Perhaps instead of a glaive, a bill hook might be more effective. Its the same forward backwards movement of a spear with some slashing capacity from the hook

[@TheAshenDemon]

I believe the best way to effectively fight a shorter, more stout opponent like a Dwarf would be to make distance, unscrew the pommel of your blade, and throw it at the opponent, which would end them rightly.

[@findout2655]

Classic

[@Kreschavier]

How about the flail? Hit the shield with the stick, and the mace on the chain goes over the shield...*CLUNK*

[@geradosolusyon511]

What about their shields?

[@Kreschavier]

@@geradosolusyon511 what about them?

[@geradosolusyon511]

@@Kreschavier alright. You win this time.

[@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

[@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.

[@AylashWindstorm]

I'm actually in the process of writing a fantasy novel and this video has given me a thousand ideas for writing better combat scenes. Thank you so much!

[@AkenValle]

Did you ever finish it?

[@chrissmyth7769]

"Making it easier to exploit any opening, of which there are many" one of my favorite quotes

[@kylestanley7843]

😏

[@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.

[@soulofresolve9514]

Great thing for a dwarf: a good helmet. Their head would be a lot easier to hit than someone who’s average height.

[@paulbadtram748]

Good thing they have strong necks to carry a heavy helmets.

[@Overlord99762]

They grapple you and headbutt you, and that's good night for you

[@jamesseiter4576]

I feel like Dwarves would have much better armor than humans as well. Say a full suit of armor for a human weighs 60 pounds; a Dwarf would be at least as strong as a human so could also wear 60 pounds of armor just as comfortably, but because they're so much smaller, that 60 pounds of armor would be much thicker, but the dwarf would be just as mobile. And that doesn't even address that in most fantasy settings including Dwarves, they are the best forgers and metal workers of the realm, so their armor would be of a higher quality anyway. I guess my point being I see a dwarf in full plate with a two-handed pole weapon being pretty damn intimidating. I think large almost artillery-type pieces like a Roman scorpion or ballista would be the best way to handle a bunch of Dwarves. Even more so considering Dwarves would likely be a slower moving target than Humans given their shorter legs. And nobody grapples a Dwarf!

[@KevinWarburton-tv2iy]

Dwarves would have their scorpions & ballista for counter-battery.

[@HelDracul]

Zoltan? Is that you?

[@buddyallred1488]

I was thinking the same fuckin thing haha

[@gabemerritt3139]

DEATHMAN1651 my favorite dwarf

[@cnervip]

*polar tiger roar*

[@erebus7306]

Yeah its me, hi

[@Mellowcanuck33]

You've entered grappling range. Your dwarven opponent roars."You're going noooo where. I gotchu for three minutes!"

[@thejamman4070]

Three minutes of playtime!

[@mercerfrey9427]

Bonesaw is readyyyy

[@KermXe]

Roll for strength

[@alex3wielki]

"let's talk now" xD

[@richardlooch2109]

You get just outside his striking range. you fukin kick his sheild

[@johnharvath2522]

As a long,long time dwarf player. I always wondered how a dwarf would do in real combat. You guys are freaking awesome 👍🤘

[@ashtongiertz8728]

14:48 additionally, dwarves are often depicted as living in caves and mines, so they'd have plenty of access to metal

[@DALKurumiTokisaki]

I think most interpretations just flat out depict dwarves being master smiths as well so a Dwarf being head to toe in high quality plate armor is right on brand (best example of this is Iron Breakers from Warhammer Fantasy).

[@olivierbassin286]

Dayum Skall! You look like a Lord in that outfit! Suits you really well :3

[@90lancaster]

He so Handsome Chuckle.

[@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.

[@willemvanstaden3292]

"It is the Dwarfs who go swimming...with LITTLE HAIRY WOMEN!" - Gimli, Son of Gloin

[@ernesto.carloz]

Dwarves

[@Benzy670]

Skall saying, “screw you puny human!” as a dwarf is hilarious.

[@LewisFawley]

We need a recruitment campaign to get more dwarves into HEMA

[@mattbritzius570]

In almost every fantasy world, Dwarves are much stronger than men. Sort of a balance to their shortness.

[@josephhugotjiong6741]

Well, a shorter body tend to have a denser body, so yes they are stronger

[@Johnnythefirst]

@Kevin Warburton In the warhammer universe they are short, bearded gorillas with ham sized fists and arms longer than their legs. They could basically strangle you with one hand.

[@Technoanima]

Not a balance. Physics and environment. Taller dwarves would have a huge disadvantage travelling, fighting and navigating in tunnels.

[@coolintuitivename4910]

Lower center of gravity means that you are more difficult to knock over but your enemy is more easy to topple. Thats why rugby players get so low

[@mattbritzius570]

@@Technoanima Not if they made bigger tunnels.

[@nunyabizness4926]

I love the idea of a fully armored Dwarf just walking at people and laughing with his Battleaxe a-swinging

[@raf4933]

*For the KAZAZ ANKOR*

[@yeraisalgado6146]

THEY HAVE WRONG US

[@calaranisordo5709]

That's a grudgen.

[@seujiraya6450]

Warhammer!

[@TheSilverPhoenix100]

To be fair the only time a dwarf uses a tower shield at least in Tolkiens lore is when they are in a phalanx and forming a shield wall which sort of eliminates the problem you presented otherwise they usually use a two handed axe, maul, or one handed weapon/shield combonation

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

which battle was this, i feel like it was in the Silmarillion,

[@musicplaylists59]

in the Hobbit the dwarf soldiers in Dain's army are described as using large two handed mattocks. I thought that was quite interesting, I dont remember hearing of mattocks being used as weapons before.

[@Yawyna124]

@Tessa Kristiansen I guess nothing gets more dwarven than attacking someone with a broad-headed pickaxe.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

same in some other sources. and in some dwarves never get mentioned with tower shields. i usually picture a two handed axe/hammer or a axe or hammer and a smaller round shield. almost viking like in set up.

[@AstrumG2V]

The idea of a dwarven phalanx should be extremely terrifying as a fighting force. Dwarves, from what I've read up on different lores, are about 120 kilograms on average. Imagine a long wall of thick iron shields with a way lower center of gravity than a normal shield wall. That thing ain't moving! :o

[@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.

[@joaogomes9405]

16:49 from the creators of Techno Viking, introducing the newest innovation in the techno norse culture, the Techno Dwarf

[@khangastain]

15:53 How I combat my girlfriends negativity

[@silverhand9965]

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

[@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

[@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

[@sanguiniusszuiriel4984]

I highly respect your attention to both the topic at hand, and proper technique and physical representation

[@MetoTMGchill1004]

Whatever Skall's wearing looks dope af

[@Rudofaux]

Gambeson "padded armor" with mitten style gauntlets.

[@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.

[@lucasmilone5902]

The one thing I’d add is to consider the terrain where dwarves usually fight. Although they would sometimes find themselves in open ground, their most usual battlefields would be narrow, claustrophobic tunnels and caverns, where long-hafted or bladed weapons could prove difficult to maneuver effectively; this is probably one of the reasons why they are usually portrayed carrying one-handed axes, maces, hammers, and shorter swords.

[@D4l4m4r]

"Classic" dwarven weapons would include hammer, even 2h hammers :D

[@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!!

[@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

[@bassemb]

This is fascinating, thanks for experimenting with this stuff. I'm watching all your dwarven & halfling gear videos.

[@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

[@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.

[@charlespk2008]

i am fairly certain that a tower shield should never stand taller then the eyes of the user, thus a DWARVEN tower shield would not have much of a problem

[@edwardgoncharov5135]

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

[@Cothonian2]

I love all these videos. I'm working on a medieval fiction piece and these are EXTREMELY helpful.

[@Arphemius]

7:43 "Thrust the pommel in his face and then try to shank him" Why would you try to shank someone who's already been obliterated?

[@marhabanramadhan4552]

Arphemius you mean ended rightly.

[@Theladrion]

Arphemius If your enemy is in less than 3 pieces, he is still a potential threat.

[@Nintendonicke]

Double tap, bro.

[@ShamelessDuck]

Arphemius for good measure

[@elixxon]

Pommels have no power if they are not unscrewed and thrown unfortunately.

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

16:45 for *Aggressively Advances in a Dwarven Manner.* Thank me later.

[@dogeposting640]

You are thanked.

[@davecrupel2817]

Lol

[@Blade57331]

"Imagine *this* coming at you"

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Thank you.

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Someone make a GIF out of this.

[@bubbleofa8444]

Best tactic: tickle the dwarf into submition

[@MrTLSfan]

This was actually surprisingly in depth analysis. Nice vid.

[@ryanduffy45]

Your backyard looks like a setting from a fantasy movie. 👍

[@_Lenden_]

Now get an actual dwarf who is experienced in HEMA and see how he holds up.

[@Rudofaux]

I concur.

[@MustbeTheBassest]

Lenden Longbeard real life dwarves != fantasy dwarves

[@_Lenden_]

CaptBeardie Yes

[@amassasa]

That would be golden

[@caracaes]

Elder Scroll dwarves (dwemer) are just a shorter race of elves. Elves are (in the lore, but not really in the actual game) taller than humans, and dwemers would be just as tall as a short human.

[@Kingdomkey123678]

Dwarves are 4-5 feet tall. (At least in D&D) so they aren’t THAT small Hobbits and Gnomes are 4 feet and under

[@aubreyackermann8432]

Many adult women are within a couple inches of five feet... I'm a dwarf?

[@Kingdomkey123678]

Aubrey Ackermann There’s a bit more to it than that but height wise yea, you are a tall dwarf Now a 5 foot tall dwarf would also weigh like 300 pounds if they were muscularity built since I doubt that’s the case for you, you’re probably just a short human :p

[@aubreyackermann8432]

@@Kingdomkey123678 and the lack of a beard would be a dead give away

[@DwarvenKitchen]

This is great! Great analysis and conclusions! I'm saving this video to keep it on hand!

[@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.

[@joshuasheldon7182]

I like the raw footage of you working through the hypothetical technicalities of fighting a dwarf!

[@dantesabbath2107]

You, Skallagrim are easily one of my favorite channels when it comes to dealing with medieval martial arts, melee weapons, and armours

[@fishsohorny]

Skal and Matt Easton all day.

[@Hutchie281081]

14:40 when the guards notice you doing a dwarf fighting tutorial

[@bigenemy000]

You're a genius

[@marcinmon7551]

Skall, that's the type of content I come to this channel for! Keep up the good work and soon the stats analytics gods shall look at you more favourably ;)

[@mjp152]

I love that youtube has given us a platform where a couple of nerds can make a video about a narrow and super nerdy subject and reach all of us other nerds with their content. Great breakdown of the subject. Going to use some of this in an upcoming pathfinder campaign I'm designing.

[@christopher7398]

Really liked the scenery where this was shot, very fantastical feeling :p

[@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

[@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

[@Symbol1313]

Loved the video, was really entertaining 👍

[@user-xf3bp7kr7w]

Hello from C.I.S.! Thanks a lot for your videos - i think that your content is very interesting and quality! Thanks again.

[@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

[@RmRoyalflush]

They should make Games and Movies based on this, i would love to see "realistic" dwarven fights in fantasy, or any fight actually. In Games Dwarves are usually as fast as anyone else, but this shows how strong in defense they are.

[@RmRoyalflush]

Also, does that mean that smaller humans are more effective in plate armor because of the fact that their center of gravity is lower?

[@Robert399]

Eh... bear in mind that these are all things the dwarf could _try_ to do. That doesn't mean he'll succeed or that the human will necessarily be hit if he does. Dwarves only have one defensive advantage: shields provide greater coverage. Also a lot of this stuff falls apart once you have groups. A group of humans with spears/spears and shields would annihilate a group of dwarves with spears and shields. Trying to bind and close against a polearm is much harder when the opponent has a buddy on either side. Armour would be something of an equaliser but not entirely. Armoured humans with halberds/pollaxes would still have an advantage over armoured dwarves. Are smaller people more effective in armour? I don't know but a lot of what Skall was saying depends on the small individual being stronger. Smaller humans tend to be weaker than larger humans so it probably doesn't apply.

[@Robert399]

Sure. The last bit of my comment was about OP's question of whether smaller human are more effective in armour than larger humans and I don't think that's the case.

[@trustypatches8372]

Robert R I do because of the increased protection while having a smaller target but on the flip side that decrease their overall speed so... it depends on the situation like it does normal sized people

[@Robert399]

+mini minotuar People always say so and so "depends on the situation", which is true but kind of missing the point. Even when there are contextual factors, one can still be favoured most of the time and therefore be called generally superior. e.g. Reach isn't _always_ favourable but it is often enough that you can call a spear better than a dagger. Similarly, larger humans almost always have an advantage when fighting smaller humans so we can say being bigger is simply better in combat (for a human). (P.S. I don't know about dwarf physiology. As I've said repeatedly, I'm *not* talking about dwarves. I'm answering OP's question about different sized humans in armour.)

[@SoftwareEngineer3]

This was amazing! Very entertaining and informative, and convincingly vindicates Tolkien's Dwarves! Thank you!

[@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.

[@punchdrunkatheist]

A dwarven army with mithril pommels.

[@aliaseau-vive2699]

End *THEM* RIGHTLY FELLOW DWARVES!

[@radioactiveassassin5218]

weapon of mass destruction

[@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.

[@beziik2357]

12:00 "wherever he has less armor" well . . . less armor ? Dwarfs ?

[@planexshifter]

Excellent work!

[@SedgeSedgicus]

hahah I love how you took the advice, good on you - I have a feeling this will do well.

[@DarkValorWolf]

5:10 a dwarf with its mobillity (not a stationary human on its knees) could push the sword up (and to the left) take one or two steps forward and come in with its short axe where as at this point you would have no use for the length of your sword, this could only be defended against by potentially jumping over the dwarf which would be immensly dangerous or switching to a dagger which would still leave you at a disadvantage to the axe, the dwarf could almost instantly be at its running speed because of the momentum so stepping back would put you at an even greater disadvantage.

[@mondaysinsanity8193]

DarkValorWolf and the human simply wouldn't let him or would move to the side etc.

[@DarkValorWolf]

wouldn't let him? wouldn't let him do what? (if you mean push away the sword, that's not even possible, dwarves are way too strong to let the human resist him, there is also no way to move the sword as any movement that would allow you to maybe hit the dwarf would expose you) If the guy was even able to react fast enough to an immediate reaction and moved to the side the dwarf could, in this case, step to the left as well to counter and stay in close range, and maybe even throw himself at the guy with his shield aimed more to the upper left to assure his opponent can't use his sword, using his weight and low point of gravity agaist the guys torso while while simultaniously swinging with his axe. Once the dwarf gets his shield under the sword and gets up close there are so many things he could do and can counter pretty much anything the human may try. These were just a few of the examples I can give.

[@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.

[@PowerLvL9000]

Very well done, very entertaining, thanks for the videos.