So what does armor training actually entail? How do you train in armor proficiency? Is armor training just a construct of the game? I haven't been able to find anything about it in real life.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Just an game mechanic that makes fighter a bit better in armor than other classes.
In real life I'm guess you would train in armor to use it more effectively.
I imagine it's learning to don appropriately and getting used to the weight and the restricted movement. Since they're grouped, knowing how to don and fight with an entire class of armor seems worth a feat. At least for medium and heavy armors.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Basically, while rangers are off learning herbology and hunters tricks, and paladins are fasting and memorizing litanies, fighters are running agility courses in full plate.
I was thinking more about the training to be proficient in armor. It was just the idea that somehow armor prevents from attacking. Although, I guess if you're playing under the rules where splint mail can bring a competent rider to his knees (-7 to ride checks is pretty brutal), I guess you need intense training to learn to swing your sword in the same armor.
All in all, it just seems like some ridiculous non-sense to me, but I was perusing some forums where I've seen a post or two about how squires would train to use armor before they became knights. So I was curious if there was any bearings in real life however dubious. Unfortunately after hours of searching, I couldn't find anything about knights training in armor or even reenactment training in replicated armor. If there was a such need to train in armor, what kind of courses would one go through?
With such claims and such a such an integrated rule, you'd think there would be more elaboration of what this training is; even if it were made up.
I wouldn't think it was "special" training more than it would just be fighting while wearing said armors, in order to get used to them.
If one were to find a suit to fit me, I could climb into a set of full plate and have it buttoned up around me. I could probably walk but I couldn't run and definitely not swim. Depending on the helmet I also probably couldn't see out of it very well- if at all. Such things would only come with continued use, practice, and instruction in their use. Even simple leather armor restricts your movement enough that you'd need to be at least practiced in its wear unless it was specially crafted for you.
The same would be said also for a shield.
-S
Having fought in a suit of heavy leather and chain that was custom fitted to me, I would say that yes, running around and moving effectively takes practice. Just putting it on right so that pieces don't shift at the wrong time is a bit off a skill. The scaling of proficiency and then fighter armor training fits my experience.
|
Unfortunately after hours of searching, I couldn't find anything about knights training in armor or even reenactment training in replicated armor. If there was a such need to train in armor, what kind of courses would one go through?
With such claims and such a such an integrated rule, you'd think there would be more elaboration of what this training is; even if it were made up.
Reenacters do train in armor.
First of all, armor is ridiculously heavy. A chainmail shirt can easily weigh 10 kilos (22 pounds). Not only does that slow you down, as long as you are unaccustomed to the weight you will get cramps in your shoulders and will be very sore all over your body.
Just wearing it for a couple of hours while sitting down will have you dead tired.
Once the soreness passes as you've gained some muscle mass, you can get to the second part:
Actually doing things. Just being accustomed to the weight does not mean you can move with the same agility. Because at first you certainly cant. Its not just a matter of getting stronger, although if you don't, it wont work at all.
You also need to know how it restricts your movement (metal doesn't stretch), how it affects your reflexes and your footing. Your center of mass has changed. You need to learn how to handle your body again.
And that is just for something as relatively simple as a chainmail and gambeson. Once you go to full plate it gets even harder to become proficient again at fighting.
As my old rugby coach used to say "train as you play" - unless you're familiar with all your gear and how it affects your movement and even body shape you're at a disadvantage. And that's with something as simple as rugby padding, which is a lightweight and flexible affair. Think about Ice Hockey or American Football armor - it limits you a fair amount and it's made of lightweight plastics.
One of my favorite examples of a melee warrior in fiction is Uhtred from Bernard Cornwell's Saxon stories. He makes a point of wearing his chainmail and swords pretty much 100% of the time to make sure he's accustomed to the weight and how it affects his movement.