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How to design an effective polearm-bow hybrid?

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How to design an effective polearm-bow hybrid?


How to realistically create a bow that's also two one-handed swords?A more powerful bowSupersonic bow and its wielderNo One Leaves Africa Without His BowA bow and arrow ..IN SPACE!Rhino Horn in a Composite Bow?Full Recipe For an Alternate Composite BowPolearm problem: how to give a chance to swords with a rock paper scissor situation?Thousand pound steel bow?Would this bow work in real life?Hand Held Hybrid Gas Expansion / Coil Guns






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5












$begingroup$


Full disclaimer : I acknowledge full well that in real life hybrid weapons are completely silly and impractical but I'm currently writing a fantastic-ish story where power fantasy is a key element. This hypothetical weapon will be more of a trick / makeshift weapon rather than a replacement o conventional polearm and bows.



Since there is a structural limit to how much weaponry a humanoid can successfully store on one's body without completely removing mobility,agility,speed, nimbleness. How would one design an effective or at the very least a decent polearm-bow hybrid? I was initially planning on having my heavily armed men carry a spear (2 parts, 1 hard-point to attach into a long ranged spear) + bow + quiver & arrows + throwing knives + a backup sword + smoke pellets or canister + boomerang + cable wires + 2 wrist mounted shields... But let's be brutally honest even with rule of cool factored-in that's just downright silly/ ridiculous and comically so. So now I'm trying to make compromises on rule of cool and semi-plausibility, which is why I'm trying to design/find shortcuts to keep my fictional soldiers as mobile/agile as possible without completely disregarding the fantasy element here.



Many thanks!!!










share|improve this question









New contributor



Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
    $endgroup$
    – Anonymousworldbuilding
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
    $endgroup$
    – Willk
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
    $endgroup$
    – John
    1 hour ago


















5












$begingroup$


Full disclaimer : I acknowledge full well that in real life hybrid weapons are completely silly and impractical but I'm currently writing a fantastic-ish story where power fantasy is a key element. This hypothetical weapon will be more of a trick / makeshift weapon rather than a replacement o conventional polearm and bows.



Since there is a structural limit to how much weaponry a humanoid can successfully store on one's body without completely removing mobility,agility,speed, nimbleness. How would one design an effective or at the very least a decent polearm-bow hybrid? I was initially planning on having my heavily armed men carry a spear (2 parts, 1 hard-point to attach into a long ranged spear) + bow + quiver & arrows + throwing knives + a backup sword + smoke pellets or canister + boomerang + cable wires + 2 wrist mounted shields... But let's be brutally honest even with rule of cool factored-in that's just downright silly/ ridiculous and comically so. So now I'm trying to make compromises on rule of cool and semi-plausibility, which is why I'm trying to design/find shortcuts to keep my fictional soldiers as mobile/agile as possible without completely disregarding the fantasy element here.



Many thanks!!!










share|improve this question









New contributor



Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
    $endgroup$
    – Anonymousworldbuilding
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
    $endgroup$
    – Willk
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
    $endgroup$
    – John
    1 hour ago














5












5








5





$begingroup$


Full disclaimer : I acknowledge full well that in real life hybrid weapons are completely silly and impractical but I'm currently writing a fantastic-ish story where power fantasy is a key element. This hypothetical weapon will be more of a trick / makeshift weapon rather than a replacement o conventional polearm and bows.



Since there is a structural limit to how much weaponry a humanoid can successfully store on one's body without completely removing mobility,agility,speed, nimbleness. How would one design an effective or at the very least a decent polearm-bow hybrid? I was initially planning on having my heavily armed men carry a spear (2 parts, 1 hard-point to attach into a long ranged spear) + bow + quiver & arrows + throwing knives + a backup sword + smoke pellets or canister + boomerang + cable wires + 2 wrist mounted shields... But let's be brutally honest even with rule of cool factored-in that's just downright silly/ ridiculous and comically so. So now I'm trying to make compromises on rule of cool and semi-plausibility, which is why I'm trying to design/find shortcuts to keep my fictional soldiers as mobile/agile as possible without completely disregarding the fantasy element here.



Many thanks!!!










share|improve this question









New contributor



Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$




Full disclaimer : I acknowledge full well that in real life hybrid weapons are completely silly and impractical but I'm currently writing a fantastic-ish story where power fantasy is a key element. This hypothetical weapon will be more of a trick / makeshift weapon rather than a replacement o conventional polearm and bows.



Since there is a structural limit to how much weaponry a humanoid can successfully store on one's body without completely removing mobility,agility,speed, nimbleness. How would one design an effective or at the very least a decent polearm-bow hybrid? I was initially planning on having my heavily armed men carry a spear (2 parts, 1 hard-point to attach into a long ranged spear) + bow + quiver & arrows + throwing knives + a backup sword + smoke pellets or canister + boomerang + cable wires + 2 wrist mounted shields... But let's be brutally honest even with rule of cool factored-in that's just downright silly/ ridiculous and comically so. So now I'm trying to make compromises on rule of cool and semi-plausibility, which is why I'm trying to design/find shortcuts to keep my fictional soldiers as mobile/agile as possible without completely disregarding the fantasy element here.



Many thanks!!!







weapons low-fantasy






share|improve this question









New contributor



Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.










share|improve this question









New contributor



Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 7 hours ago









El El

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1277 bronze badges






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asked 9 hours ago









AnonymousworldbuildingAnonymousworldbuilding

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Check out our Code of Conduct.




New contributor




Anonymousworldbuilding is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • 1




    $begingroup$
    not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
    $endgroup$
    – Anonymousworldbuilding
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
    $endgroup$
    – Willk
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
    $endgroup$
    – John
    1 hour ago













  • 1




    $begingroup$
    not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
    $endgroup$
    – Anonymousworldbuilding
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
    $endgroup$
    – Willk
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
    $endgroup$
    – John
    1 hour ago








1




1




$begingroup$
not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
$endgroup$
– Li Jun
9 hours ago





$begingroup$
not really poleaxe and bayonet exist after all it depend on the practicality. so far i can say an unstring english longbow with spear tip can become a spear at least for your polearm bow, al thouth the shaft probably not as rigid or stronger than common spear (its not a negative thing for spear) im not sure myself.
$endgroup$
– Li Jun
9 hours ago













$begingroup$
Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
$endgroup$
– Anonymousworldbuilding
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
Ah..I see..not quite the imagery I had in mind, guess I might have been dreaming a little too much. Thanks a lot for the help !!!
$endgroup$
– Anonymousworldbuilding
9 hours ago




1




1




$begingroup$
well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
$endgroup$
– Li Jun
7 hours ago




$begingroup$
well you can keep it string if you want but the bow string probably ruined anyway and although the bend of the shaft is awkward (if you keep it stringed) i think the spear tip can be modified in such an angle so you can pierce straight with it at least.
$endgroup$
– Li Jun
7 hours ago












$begingroup$
Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
$endgroup$
– Willk
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
Useful stuff for you here: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/73432/…
$endgroup$
– Willk
5 hours ago












$begingroup$
You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
$endgroup$
– John
1 hour ago





$begingroup$
You really really don't want a wrist mounted shield.that is putting all the force on the weakest joint in the arm in the worst way possible.the roman would carry a shield with three spears and a sword just fine. the spears attacked to the shield when not in use. carrying a spear and bow is possible in the same fashion, you will have to drop the shield to use the bow however.
$endgroup$
– John
1 hour ago











4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















8












$begingroup$

You don't. It's not merely impractical, it's straight-up impossible. A bow and a polearm require contradictory properties from their structural materials.



However, you can do something functionally quite similar. If you are not set specifically on having a bow, as opposed to merely some sort of high-power ranged weapon, then you can quite easily combine a polearm and a staff sling--basically, a small, human-powered trebuchet.



All that is required is a slight modification to the head of the polearm to include a sling-release hook at the end. The sling itself is basically just a bit of thin, knotted rope, which can be wrapped around the shaft when not in use, or just stuffed in a pocket--it is neither bulky nor heavy. And you always have the option of using the sling on its own if you like.



Suitable sling bullets are also considerably easier to source than decent arrows, which reduces the armory supplies you have to lug around with you, and eliminates the need to try to retrieve valuable arrows after a battle.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$










  • 2




    $begingroup$
    This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
    $endgroup$
    – Tim B
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
    $endgroup$
    – Ash
    9 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
    $endgroup$
    – Ash
    8 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    8 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
    $endgroup$
    – Li Jun
    8 hours ago


















3












$begingroup$

You change the bow to a crossbow.



The bayonet turned a firearm into a useful spear. You could start with a crossbow with a long shaft, like the ones in Central Africa...



enter image description here



... and just add a bayonet to obtain a spear.



Such strange hybrids are common in fantasy (I think D&D had them), but also in reality



enter image description here






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$






















    2












    $begingroup$

    I usually take "low-fantasy" to mean either No Magic or Very Little Magic, if you're going for a purely No Magic setting then Logan's answer is on the money, a bow and a polearm require the exact opposite qualities in the wood they're made of to function effectively. I your setting allows a little magic you may have a wood that has those diametrically opposed qualities. In this case the wood needs to be springy when pressure is applied across the grain, making a good bow, while remaining rigid when compressed parallel to the grain in a stabbing situation, thus also making a good spear, natural real-world wood doesn't do this but magic wood could. Or the spear could be enchanted to be bow-springy when the bowstring attached to it is pulled while being made of highly rigid wood that normally doesn't flex.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$






















      0












      $begingroup$

      Yes, it can be done, but the level of craftsmanship required will make it impractical for mass production. It will have to be a specialists weapon, with the majority of each squad having conventional pole arms while one marksman carries this hybrid.



      Also, it will be closer to the function of a crossbow rather than a conventional bow. Tactically, that means that from a distance the marksman can fire and then reload quickly for another shot, but once close combat is engaged, there will be no opportunities for reloading. In face-to-face melee, you will only get one shot.



      The design of the bow portion of the weapon involves hollowing one end of the pole and turning it into a tube to hold the arrow. The bow's wings will project out perpendicularly from the tube, but will be mounted backwards such that they fold forward (towards the tip of the tube-enshrouded arrow) when the bow string is drawn. The bowstring itself will be drawn down into the tube down past the arrow's feathers and held by a hook which can be sprung crossbow style, by pulling a trigger mounted near the middle of the pole's length.



      The arrows will be slightly different than conventional design, having feathers running all the way up to the tip. These feathers serve the additional function of holding the arrow centered within the tube which greatly increases the weapon's accuracy when fired.



      When cocked and loaded, the bow wings of the pole arm bend down to meet the arrowhead. When in this position, the outer facing edge of these wings are sharpened such that the wings and arrowhead join together to form an over-sized spear point. Stabbing someone with this giant spear and then pulling the trigger would cause a sure-kill wound as the sharpened blade wings swung out in opposite directions, cutting through flesh with brutal force.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$

















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        8












        $begingroup$

        You don't. It's not merely impractical, it's straight-up impossible. A bow and a polearm require contradictory properties from their structural materials.



        However, you can do something functionally quite similar. If you are not set specifically on having a bow, as opposed to merely some sort of high-power ranged weapon, then you can quite easily combine a polearm and a staff sling--basically, a small, human-powered trebuchet.



        All that is required is a slight modification to the head of the polearm to include a sling-release hook at the end. The sling itself is basically just a bit of thin, knotted rope, which can be wrapped around the shaft when not in use, or just stuffed in a pocket--it is neither bulky nor heavy. And you always have the option of using the sling on its own if you like.



        Suitable sling bullets are also considerably easier to source than decent arrows, which reduces the armory supplies you have to lug around with you, and eliminates the need to try to retrieve valuable arrows after a battle.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$










        • 2




          $begingroup$
          This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
          $endgroup$
          – Tim B
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago















        8












        $begingroup$

        You don't. It's not merely impractical, it's straight-up impossible. A bow and a polearm require contradictory properties from their structural materials.



        However, you can do something functionally quite similar. If you are not set specifically on having a bow, as opposed to merely some sort of high-power ranged weapon, then you can quite easily combine a polearm and a staff sling--basically, a small, human-powered trebuchet.



        All that is required is a slight modification to the head of the polearm to include a sling-release hook at the end. The sling itself is basically just a bit of thin, knotted rope, which can be wrapped around the shaft when not in use, or just stuffed in a pocket--it is neither bulky nor heavy. And you always have the option of using the sling on its own if you like.



        Suitable sling bullets are also considerably easier to source than decent arrows, which reduces the armory supplies you have to lug around with you, and eliminates the need to try to retrieve valuable arrows after a battle.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$










        • 2




          $begingroup$
          This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
          $endgroup$
          – Tim B
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago













        8












        8








        8





        $begingroup$

        You don't. It's not merely impractical, it's straight-up impossible. A bow and a polearm require contradictory properties from their structural materials.



        However, you can do something functionally quite similar. If you are not set specifically on having a bow, as opposed to merely some sort of high-power ranged weapon, then you can quite easily combine a polearm and a staff sling--basically, a small, human-powered trebuchet.



        All that is required is a slight modification to the head of the polearm to include a sling-release hook at the end. The sling itself is basically just a bit of thin, knotted rope, which can be wrapped around the shaft when not in use, or just stuffed in a pocket--it is neither bulky nor heavy. And you always have the option of using the sling on its own if you like.



        Suitable sling bullets are also considerably easier to source than decent arrows, which reduces the armory supplies you have to lug around with you, and eliminates the need to try to retrieve valuable arrows after a battle.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        You don't. It's not merely impractical, it's straight-up impossible. A bow and a polearm require contradictory properties from their structural materials.



        However, you can do something functionally quite similar. If you are not set specifically on having a bow, as opposed to merely some sort of high-power ranged weapon, then you can quite easily combine a polearm and a staff sling--basically, a small, human-powered trebuchet.



        All that is required is a slight modification to the head of the polearm to include a sling-release hook at the end. The sling itself is basically just a bit of thin, knotted rope, which can be wrapped around the shaft when not in use, or just stuffed in a pocket--it is neither bulky nor heavy. And you always have the option of using the sling on its own if you like.



        Suitable sling bullets are also considerably easier to source than decent arrows, which reduces the armory supplies you have to lug around with you, and eliminates the need to try to retrieve valuable arrows after a battle.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 9 hours ago









        Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley

        14k1 gold badge37 silver badges65 bronze badges




        14k1 gold badge37 silver badges65 bronze badges










        • 2




          $begingroup$
          This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
          $endgroup$
          – Tim B
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago












        • 2




          $begingroup$
          This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
          $endgroup$
          – Tim B
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          9 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
          $endgroup$
          – Ash
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago






        • 1




          $begingroup$
          @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
          $endgroup$
          – Li Jun
          8 hours ago







        2




        2




        $begingroup$
        This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Tim B
        9 hours ago




        $begingroup$
        This or a spear thrower are the answers I was going to give too - although spear throwers have the portability problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Tim B
        9 hours ago




        1




        1




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
        $endgroup$
        – Ash
        9 hours ago




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding This answer assumes a Zero Magic approach and is completely correct in terms of purely technological solutions, if you throw a little magic around you could have a very different picture.
        $endgroup$
        – Ash
        9 hours ago




        1




        1




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
        $endgroup$
        – Ash
        8 hours ago




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding I'll kick you an answer when I have time, it might have to wait until tomorrow though.
        $endgroup$
        – Ash
        8 hours ago




        1




        1




        $begingroup$
        using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
        $endgroup$
        – Li Jun
        8 hours ago




        $begingroup$
        using sling will affect the number of person you can put for your formation and probably space for each person to not hindrance each other bad for melee fighter especially frontliner polearm unit, but as Ash mention at least for me i can think it can be neutralize the cons if they sling a magic stone or whatever magic is with whatever effect you want though like explosion for example.
        $endgroup$
        – Li Jun
        8 hours ago




        1




        1




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
        $endgroup$
        – Li Jun
        8 hours ago




        $begingroup$
        @Anonymousworldbuilding i mean the number of person you can hit using sling due to the formation make it hard for tightly packed unit and require alot of personal space to swing the sling also with such scattered formation make it easy target for cavalry which ruin the polearm unit purpose to scare away the cavalry charge and prevent melee unit to getting more closer.
        $endgroup$
        – Li Jun
        8 hours ago













        3












        $begingroup$

        You change the bow to a crossbow.



        The bayonet turned a firearm into a useful spear. You could start with a crossbow with a long shaft, like the ones in Central Africa...



        enter image description here



        ... and just add a bayonet to obtain a spear.



        Such strange hybrids are common in fantasy (I think D&D had them), but also in reality



        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



















          3












          $begingroup$

          You change the bow to a crossbow.



          The bayonet turned a firearm into a useful spear. You could start with a crossbow with a long shaft, like the ones in Central Africa...



          enter image description here



          ... and just add a bayonet to obtain a spear.



          Such strange hybrids are common in fantasy (I think D&D had them), but also in reality



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$

















            3












            3








            3





            $begingroup$

            You change the bow to a crossbow.



            The bayonet turned a firearm into a useful spear. You could start with a crossbow with a long shaft, like the ones in Central Africa...



            enter image description here



            ... and just add a bayonet to obtain a spear.



            Such strange hybrids are common in fantasy (I think D&D had them), but also in reality



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            You change the bow to a crossbow.



            The bayonet turned a firearm into a useful spear. You could start with a crossbow with a long shaft, like the ones in Central Africa...



            enter image description here



            ... and just add a bayonet to obtain a spear.



            Such strange hybrids are common in fantasy (I think D&D had them), but also in reality



            enter image description here







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 6 hours ago









            Carlos MartinCarlos Martin

            4962 silver badges4 bronze badges




            4962 silver badges4 bronze badges
























                2












                $begingroup$

                I usually take "low-fantasy" to mean either No Magic or Very Little Magic, if you're going for a purely No Magic setting then Logan's answer is on the money, a bow and a polearm require the exact opposite qualities in the wood they're made of to function effectively. I your setting allows a little magic you may have a wood that has those diametrically opposed qualities. In this case the wood needs to be springy when pressure is applied across the grain, making a good bow, while remaining rigid when compressed parallel to the grain in a stabbing situation, thus also making a good spear, natural real-world wood doesn't do this but magic wood could. Or the spear could be enchanted to be bow-springy when the bowstring attached to it is pulled while being made of highly rigid wood that normally doesn't flex.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



















                  2












                  $begingroup$

                  I usually take "low-fantasy" to mean either No Magic or Very Little Magic, if you're going for a purely No Magic setting then Logan's answer is on the money, a bow and a polearm require the exact opposite qualities in the wood they're made of to function effectively. I your setting allows a little magic you may have a wood that has those diametrically opposed qualities. In this case the wood needs to be springy when pressure is applied across the grain, making a good bow, while remaining rigid when compressed parallel to the grain in a stabbing situation, thus also making a good spear, natural real-world wood doesn't do this but magic wood could. Or the spear could be enchanted to be bow-springy when the bowstring attached to it is pulled while being made of highly rigid wood that normally doesn't flex.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$

















                    2












                    2








                    2





                    $begingroup$

                    I usually take "low-fantasy" to mean either No Magic or Very Little Magic, if you're going for a purely No Magic setting then Logan's answer is on the money, a bow and a polearm require the exact opposite qualities in the wood they're made of to function effectively. I your setting allows a little magic you may have a wood that has those diametrically opposed qualities. In this case the wood needs to be springy when pressure is applied across the grain, making a good bow, while remaining rigid when compressed parallel to the grain in a stabbing situation, thus also making a good spear, natural real-world wood doesn't do this but magic wood could. Or the spear could be enchanted to be bow-springy when the bowstring attached to it is pulled while being made of highly rigid wood that normally doesn't flex.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    I usually take "low-fantasy" to mean either No Magic or Very Little Magic, if you're going for a purely No Magic setting then Logan's answer is on the money, a bow and a polearm require the exact opposite qualities in the wood they're made of to function effectively. I your setting allows a little magic you may have a wood that has those diametrically opposed qualities. In this case the wood needs to be springy when pressure is applied across the grain, making a good bow, while remaining rigid when compressed parallel to the grain in a stabbing situation, thus also making a good spear, natural real-world wood doesn't do this but magic wood could. Or the spear could be enchanted to be bow-springy when the bowstring attached to it is pulled while being made of highly rigid wood that normally doesn't flex.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 6 hours ago









                    AshAsh

                    33.3k5 gold badges80 silver badges177 bronze badges




                    33.3k5 gold badges80 silver badges177 bronze badges
























                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        Yes, it can be done, but the level of craftsmanship required will make it impractical for mass production. It will have to be a specialists weapon, with the majority of each squad having conventional pole arms while one marksman carries this hybrid.



                        Also, it will be closer to the function of a crossbow rather than a conventional bow. Tactically, that means that from a distance the marksman can fire and then reload quickly for another shot, but once close combat is engaged, there will be no opportunities for reloading. In face-to-face melee, you will only get one shot.



                        The design of the bow portion of the weapon involves hollowing one end of the pole and turning it into a tube to hold the arrow. The bow's wings will project out perpendicularly from the tube, but will be mounted backwards such that they fold forward (towards the tip of the tube-enshrouded arrow) when the bow string is drawn. The bowstring itself will be drawn down into the tube down past the arrow's feathers and held by a hook which can be sprung crossbow style, by pulling a trigger mounted near the middle of the pole's length.



                        The arrows will be slightly different than conventional design, having feathers running all the way up to the tip. These feathers serve the additional function of holding the arrow centered within the tube which greatly increases the weapon's accuracy when fired.



                        When cocked and loaded, the bow wings of the pole arm bend down to meet the arrowhead. When in this position, the outer facing edge of these wings are sharpened such that the wings and arrowhead join together to form an over-sized spear point. Stabbing someone with this giant spear and then pulling the trigger would cause a sure-kill wound as the sharpened blade wings swung out in opposite directions, cutting through flesh with brutal force.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$



















                          0












                          $begingroup$

                          Yes, it can be done, but the level of craftsmanship required will make it impractical for mass production. It will have to be a specialists weapon, with the majority of each squad having conventional pole arms while one marksman carries this hybrid.



                          Also, it will be closer to the function of a crossbow rather than a conventional bow. Tactically, that means that from a distance the marksman can fire and then reload quickly for another shot, but once close combat is engaged, there will be no opportunities for reloading. In face-to-face melee, you will only get one shot.



                          The design of the bow portion of the weapon involves hollowing one end of the pole and turning it into a tube to hold the arrow. The bow's wings will project out perpendicularly from the tube, but will be mounted backwards such that they fold forward (towards the tip of the tube-enshrouded arrow) when the bow string is drawn. The bowstring itself will be drawn down into the tube down past the arrow's feathers and held by a hook which can be sprung crossbow style, by pulling a trigger mounted near the middle of the pole's length.



                          The arrows will be slightly different than conventional design, having feathers running all the way up to the tip. These feathers serve the additional function of holding the arrow centered within the tube which greatly increases the weapon's accuracy when fired.



                          When cocked and loaded, the bow wings of the pole arm bend down to meet the arrowhead. When in this position, the outer facing edge of these wings are sharpened such that the wings and arrowhead join together to form an over-sized spear point. Stabbing someone with this giant spear and then pulling the trigger would cause a sure-kill wound as the sharpened blade wings swung out in opposite directions, cutting through flesh with brutal force.






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$

















                            0












                            0








                            0





                            $begingroup$

                            Yes, it can be done, but the level of craftsmanship required will make it impractical for mass production. It will have to be a specialists weapon, with the majority of each squad having conventional pole arms while one marksman carries this hybrid.



                            Also, it will be closer to the function of a crossbow rather than a conventional bow. Tactically, that means that from a distance the marksman can fire and then reload quickly for another shot, but once close combat is engaged, there will be no opportunities for reloading. In face-to-face melee, you will only get one shot.



                            The design of the bow portion of the weapon involves hollowing one end of the pole and turning it into a tube to hold the arrow. The bow's wings will project out perpendicularly from the tube, but will be mounted backwards such that they fold forward (towards the tip of the tube-enshrouded arrow) when the bow string is drawn. The bowstring itself will be drawn down into the tube down past the arrow's feathers and held by a hook which can be sprung crossbow style, by pulling a trigger mounted near the middle of the pole's length.



                            The arrows will be slightly different than conventional design, having feathers running all the way up to the tip. These feathers serve the additional function of holding the arrow centered within the tube which greatly increases the weapon's accuracy when fired.



                            When cocked and loaded, the bow wings of the pole arm bend down to meet the arrowhead. When in this position, the outer facing edge of these wings are sharpened such that the wings and arrowhead join together to form an over-sized spear point. Stabbing someone with this giant spear and then pulling the trigger would cause a sure-kill wound as the sharpened blade wings swung out in opposite directions, cutting through flesh with brutal force.






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            Yes, it can be done, but the level of craftsmanship required will make it impractical for mass production. It will have to be a specialists weapon, with the majority of each squad having conventional pole arms while one marksman carries this hybrid.



                            Also, it will be closer to the function of a crossbow rather than a conventional bow. Tactically, that means that from a distance the marksman can fire and then reload quickly for another shot, but once close combat is engaged, there will be no opportunities for reloading. In face-to-face melee, you will only get one shot.



                            The design of the bow portion of the weapon involves hollowing one end of the pole and turning it into a tube to hold the arrow. The bow's wings will project out perpendicularly from the tube, but will be mounted backwards such that they fold forward (towards the tip of the tube-enshrouded arrow) when the bow string is drawn. The bowstring itself will be drawn down into the tube down past the arrow's feathers and held by a hook which can be sprung crossbow style, by pulling a trigger mounted near the middle of the pole's length.



                            The arrows will be slightly different than conventional design, having feathers running all the way up to the tip. These feathers serve the additional function of holding the arrow centered within the tube which greatly increases the weapon's accuracy when fired.



                            When cocked and loaded, the bow wings of the pole arm bend down to meet the arrowhead. When in this position, the outer facing edge of these wings are sharpened such that the wings and arrowhead join together to form an over-sized spear point. Stabbing someone with this giant spear and then pulling the trigger would cause a sure-kill wound as the sharpened blade wings swung out in opposite directions, cutting through flesh with brutal force.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 6 hours ago









                            Henry TaylorHenry Taylor

                            49.1k10 gold badges76 silver badges178 bronze badges




                            49.1k10 gold badges76 silver badges178 bronze badges























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