Art De La Guerre

[AlanCutner]

An idle thought about Highlanders. They are currently defined as Medium Swordsmen with Bow. In 17th and 18th centuries they were renowned for the fierce Highland Charge. I have no particular knowledge on whether their charge was as feared duing the medieval period (hopefully others have), but if it was as fierce shouldn't at least some Highlanders have impact? I would assume this would be the same form of impact as given to Almughavars, ie applied vs foot troops only.

[Black Prince]

I would think adding impact to bow armed medium swordsmen might run the risk of creating a super troop type.

[AlanCutner]

Possibly an option/mix of 'Medium Swordsmen Bow' or 'Medium Swordsmen Impact'?

[Three]

Hi Alan,
Probably the best source for this particular subject is

"Warfare in Gaelic Scotland in the later Middle Ages", Edinburgh University Press 2014

especially the chapter by Martin McGregor.
In short, highland warfare is characterised by each side lining up against the other and engaging in an exchange of missile fire, which would be a mixture of short bow and Javelin (plus anything lying to hand) until one side started to waver. This was followed by a charge by the non wavering side.
I'd probably argue that MSw bow is a bit generous when compared to other MSw bow like Janissaries for example but it does seem to me a better fit than MSw Impact.
Cheers, Gary

[Dickstick]

My impression of the later jacobite highlanders would be MI swd impetuous.
The use of a one shot musket and changing could be equivalent to a heavy throwing spear ie impact, if you consider the ownership of musket makes a person less impetuous
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