User blog:SkullinBones1/Kern vs Peltast

In history, one of the most common and effective type of soldier was the light infantry unit. Often used to distract, ambush, break up and bait heavier more sturdy foes, light infantry filled a very large role in war. And as you might expect, a lot of different nations and peopl used light infantry. From the Might aztec jaguars from mezo America, to the Aboriginal warriors of Australia, light infantry has held a very large postions in war. Today I intend to have 2 fairly impressive versions of these units.

Kerns, The guerrilla Mercenaries of Ireland who fought along side the brutal Gallowglass.

Peltast, The ambushing and baiting units from greece, who fought along side the mighty Hoplites.

== Kern.== The Kern were the Irish guerrilla and Light infantry units who would have been part of the 2 piece military unit called the Galloglaigh. Kerns were the counterparts to the heavy units known as Gallowglass. Kerns would fill a very basic function on the battlefield, that being to cause as much chaos on the battlefield among the enemy ranks. Kerns were not a unit suited for a long drawn out battles, but they were great att sneaking around and making life hell for units who were suited for such a battle.

Kerns didn't really carry much into battle. They often only carried a few weapons, those being the bow, sword and dagger.

''Melee. Scian'': The scian was a very long, sharp and brutal dagger. A good way to describe this blade is a cross between a common European Bollock knife and a Rondel dagger. It was a very long dagger with a sharp thrusting point, but also retained a very high quality cutting edge.

''Ranged. Longbow'': The bow was the bread and butter of the most Kern. Being a long ranged unit who worked as a skirmishing Guerrilla fighter, the ranged nature of the bow compliments thme very well. The bow would have shot stand arrows, and could have launched an projectile well of 100 yards.

''Special. Kern Sword'': This short deadly blade is very similar to the common European Arming/Knightly sword. It was itself shorter then the common arming sword, and would have been highly decotrated and styled.

Peltast.
Peltasts were the light infantry skirmishers who fought within ancient greece and would have worked along the heavier greek hoplites. Peltasts were mainly used to occupy an advancing enemie unit and cover the actions their allies behind them. Peltasts fough primarily on the frontlines, keeping at a fair distance from their foes and launching javelins and slinging stones into their ranks. They also used the function as being a sort of screen for the incoming hoplites and cavalry. They also often filled the function as scouts and watchmen.

Peltast often only used the most simple of weapons and armor in combat, either being given or buying the cheapest of tools.

''Melee. Falcata: ''The falcata was a common slashing and chopping sword used in the ancient world. Called a Kopis (Chopper) in greece, A Falcata would have been used for the sole function of doing massive damage. It could hack and slash with incredible power, being able to hack of limbs and split skulls.

''Ranged. ''Javelins: The Javelin was a very simple and powerful thrown spear, often carried and used in bundels. These thrown spears generally lacked ranged and accuracy in unskilled hands but were suprisingly good in the hands of a skilled fighter like a peltast. This weapon has a ranged between 30 and 45 yards in skilled hands.

''Special. Sling: ''The sling is a very simple, but highly effective and easily deadly weapon. it could launch stones with incredible power, being able to bash open heads and dip into flesh. The Sling has a fairly good range, getting close to 80 yards. The sling has the advantage of using simple stones as ammo, effectivly having unlimited ammo depending on the location.

X factors.
Armor: Neither of these 2 groups wore very much armor. Most Kern wore Kettle helmets an heater shields. The peltasts wore similar items, Wearing Phrygian helmets and carrying skirmishers shields.

Training: Niether of these 2 troops would have been the most professionally trained warriors. The Kern themselves were mercenaries, and would have learned how to fight by fighting on the battlefield. The Peltasts were a militia force, often fighting for their city states and would have only had comparitivly low amounts of professional training.

Experience: Both of these 2 groups of warriors would have fought a lot. Kerns were mercenaries and woud hae been hired a lot during their time, be it to fight the English or other Galloglaigh. The Peltasts would have often went to war, mainly due to the factions and nation of ancient greece often going to war with each other.

Tactics.
The kerns were a very slippery and stealthy foe. They used high level guerilla tactics, often hiding some distance away and jumping out and doing massive damage before running away back into the bushes. They also would function as a normal skirmishing units, keeping an enemy occupied while the heavies followed up. Most of the time the Kerns were used to cause chaos within larger groups of enemies.

Peltasts were used as a standard skirimshers and light infantry. They took up the basic functions of slowing down advancing enemies, picking of rogue enemies, and working as a screen for their allies behind them. Peltasts were used to fill a very basic function in a battle and outside of that function were not very effective.

Notes.
The voting will end on october 15th of this year. The fight will be a very standard deadliest warriors kind of situation, having 5 warriors go head to head with 5 other warriors in a fairly neutral area. This battle will take place in the lower alps in Cisalpine gaul, or what is now norther italy.