Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Floppypig]

Interesting article on armour in Middle Earth as described by the books.

THANK YOU

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I still think plate mail is fine.. I honestly don't care

[Rydel]

I think the more immediate question should be "Can it be removed without balance issues or bugs?"

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I do to think removing all sets of x type of armor from the races would have much affect. Would it?

[Rydel]

Weapons were designed with the assumption of Plate being in the game.  It's it's removed, edged weapons will be relatively more powerful

I also did some checking, and although Breastplates definately don't appear in Middle Earth, Vambraces and Greaves are mentioned, so it seems some smaller plate armor items would be available.

[Quartz_Mace]

For people talking about gunpowder existing, that existed for quite a while before full plate was invented, which it probably was not in Middle Earth, at least at the time of Lord of the Rings. It may have been invented during the Fourth Age (of the Sun), although the books would not cover it.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Then what was that explosive crap they used to blow up the walls?
(I've only read the hobbit and fellowship so this movie scene in talking about may not be in the book)

[Quartz_Mace]

Then what was that explosive crap they used to blow up the walls?
(I've only read the hobbit and fellowship so this movie scene in talking about may not be in the book)

The bomb used in the Two Towers was most likely using gunpowder, perhaps created by Saruman through primitive alchemy or real magic, as he is a Wizard.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Well it could have even just been regular production no alchemy/magic needed, the ingredients are simple and the mix doesn't have to be perfect for bombs

[SalmonGod]

I'm currently re-reading LotR, and am near the end of Fellowship.  It's been 15 years, so I can't remember if there was a bomb in the books or not.  I don't think so.  But we'll see soon enough.

[smakemupagus]

The orcs use a "blasting fire" devised by Saruman in the book, without particularly describing what kind of technology/magic is involved

[Floppypig]

The orcs use a "blasting fire" devised by Saruman in the book, without particularly describing what kind of technology/magic is involved

Maybe some sort of more intense version of greek fire?

[smakemupagus]

The orcs use a "blasting fire" devised by Saruman in the book, without particularly describing what kind of technology/magic is involved

Maybe some sort of more intense version of greek fire?

The Enemy do use incendiaries in other battles, but the device at the Hornburg does not really sound like an effect you'd get from naphtha & quicklime.

"Then there was a crash and a flash of flame and smoke.  The waters of the Deeping-stream poured out hissing and foaming: they were choked no longer, a gaping hole was blasted in the wall."

Did Saruman use chemistry or magic or both...  Who knows?

[Rydel]

Gunpowder existing shows up in more than just the bomb at Helm's Deep - Gandalf is famous in the Shire for his Fireworks.

Gunpowder wouldn't really contradict the technology level.  The technology fits the the Early Medieval period from AD 500-1000.  Gunpowder was invented in AD 900 in China.  So, if the books fit the end of the Early Medieval period, Gunpower would exist, but be rare, strange, and something only the most knowledgeable know about.  This point would also fit the level of armor - Plate was just beginning to appear, but only in small pieces and being very rare and expensive:  The only person mentioned to have any referenced is Prince Imrahil, and it only mentions vambraces)

So, Gunpowder could be in, but very rare, perhaps only creatable by Wizards.  Small pieces of plate could be in the game (Vambraces, Greaves, possibly helms), but not have a reaction to create them, limiting them to artifacts, making the few pieces very rare and valuable.

[Baffler]

Plate is pretty common in the movies, but not the books I guess. Common enough to be standard issue, even.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Is this just an artistic decision? Is their equipment described in the books? I honestly don't remember.