Nah, I’m actually not brilliant when it concerns actual tactics as used in battlefields, and I have no academic accolades nor have I received university education for that subject. There are people who really take the time to do the research behind such things. At best I have a surface level of knowledge regarding tactics. However I feel that I have a greater grasp of things when it concerns the smaller details. Such as how people tend to act, and react, in given scenarios when at the clash. These are things that you don’t usually read about in books. Even here I am not the greatest source of knowledge. Which is also why I have a network of friends and acquaintances of more experienced people. We share our respective experiences and memories and sources. That’s one of the greatest things I feel that I have acquired over the years. Occasionally we talk shit to each other. And we always have questions to ask. They are Definitely a great source for me to draw inspiration from.
As to how weapons or armour may or may not perform in a given scenario, there are various internet videos online with these ‘tests’ in mind. I also have some experience with projectile weapons (Slings, javelins.). There is then the holy bible that has to be consulted, ‘The Knight and The Blast Furnace’ by Alan Williams. While I don’t agree with everything within it, the fact that there is data for pretty much most things Down to impact angles... is astounding. There are other academic and not-so-academic sources of information that can provide figures for things such as the energy of lance impacts down to the velocities of warbow arrows shot by archers and the mass of said arrows. This is invaluable information to have on hand. I even have my hand on the Israeli medical journal concerning the damage potential of slingstones. With this in hand, given that you can’t go around with medieval weapons bashing on medieval armour, you’re down to educated guesses. That’s where having a body of information is important. Some other information comes back to having acquaintances who have experience in armoured fighting. Basically, It’s all down to me having confidence in my assumptions and sources and hoping that people agree with them.
And when it comes down to it, the exact things that happened in a battle, and even some of the tactics performed... even academics most of the time are down to assumptions and educated guesses. The who won, the who lost... that is known. It’s the why and the how, the details behind how one won and why one lost that’s gets tricky.
I also have to say ‘Fuck Yeah’ to Dark elves/drow, I’ve always been a fan of dark elves. And don’t tell anybody I told you this but I also fucking love fairies. I wanted to be one when I was a little kid. I had wings and antennae made from steel clothes hangers and fabric. I became popular with the girls! Until they discovered that boys have boy germs... and I haven’t been popular since.
I believe that is a hidden variable.