[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear

[JaM]

Dan:  Tube and yoke armor if made from leather would be not that great at protecting against spear thrusts anyway ( do i remember it right - Dr Williams managed to penetrate  hardened leather with just 30 joules? ). Plus, with the weighted spear, based on Pauls gifs, actual trajectory of the spear doesn't have that distinct downward path.. so shoulder padding could be used as protection against any attack over the shield rim.

Also, i guess once shields are locked together in formation, you would be unable to rise it up to deflect projectiles, therefore shoulder doubling would be something that could provide some protection against missiles, i see no reason why they should be used just because of the spear thrusts.