Dwarven Weaponry

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by Simon Lipscomb

Within their underground halls, dwarven armies field spear, shield, pike and crossbow. The usual formation is a front row of spearmen bearing large hoplite shields that form a solid wall facing the enemy, and a second row of pikemen that can attack through the front row. This formation ("Wall of Steel") is ideally suited to tunnel fighting. Lightly armoured crossbow wielders are used as skirmishing troops in more open areas.

Hammers, that famous dwarven weapon, are not particularly suitable for tunnel fighting but have a strong religious significance for dwarves. They are more commonly seen as weapons for officers or for fighting priests.

The other typically dwarven weapon, the battle-axe, is a Neidar affectation. They were able to adopt a weapon more usable outside, and it is as much a symbol of their difference to "mountain dwarves" as it is a tactical decision.

Dwarven tactics are simple and based upon applying overwhelming force to drive the opponents back. There is little in the way of subtlety,

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