What's the point of a greatsword like Ice?

[Rob with one B]

The Valyrian steel greatswords Ice and Heartsbane are massive weapons that require two hands to wield. Ice is said to be taller than the teenage Robb Stark. These are truly awe-inspiring, intimidating weapons, but what's the point of them?

The Westerosi lord is primarily a cavalryman, but how can you use a two-handed sword on horseback? Gregor Clegane's ability to wield a greatsword one-handed is remarked upon as being exceptional by Tyrion in AGOT, given his huge strength. Given Randyll Tarly's reputation as the finest soldier in the Seven Kingdoms, it wouldn't surprise me if he fought on foot, but we know that the North's strength is in its cavalry, so how often is Ice ever taken into battle?

[E-Ro]

Well long swords are in fact two handed. The lords just dismount to fight using a lance first then discarding it and fighting on foot. Otherwise yea a great sword would be useless.

[protar]

For what it's worth, Valyrian steel is much lighter than ordinary steel, so it would be more feasible to take Ice into battle. Although seeing as I don't think Ned had been in a proper battle since the Greyjoy rebellion Ice would mainly be ceremonial I'd guess.

[Lady Sansa Stark]

Simple answer: To kill people.

We don't know how often Ice was taken to battle. We do know that he took it into battle however, suggesting he wasn't on horseback. He has used it as well to kill prisoners or the deserter from the Night's Watch, and Lord Eddard Stark himself was also executed by Ilyn Payne using the sword.

[TheZone]

The Valyrian steel greatswords Ice and Heartsbane are massive weapons that require two hands to wield. Ice is said to be taller than the teenage Robb Stark. These are truly awe-inspiring, intimidating weapons, but what's the point of them?

The Westerosi lord is primarily a cavalryman, but how can you use a two-handed sword on horseback? Gregor Clegane's ability to wield a greatsword one-handed is remarked upon as being exceptional by Tyrion in AGOT, given his huge strength. Given Randyll Tarly's reputation as the finest soldier in the Seven Kingdoms, it wouldn't surprise me if he fought on foot, but we know that the North's strength is in its cavalry, so how often is Ice ever taken into battle?

Ice is used to kill , usually a horse black fighter would need a curved wepon like the killage or szabla, but I dont think the most of the fighting would happed off of horse back,at least for eddard.

[willy york]

a two handed sword is good for executing prisoners.

[Valyrian Spoon]

I always had the Impression that Ned used Ice mainly as a badge of office and for executions. It is fairly impractical as a combat weapon as a status symbol though It just screams Warden of the North.

[Ruby Chevrolet]

It could come in handy in a duel if your opponent is using a greatsword forged from meteor.

[RedBean]

I don't think Ned actually used it in battle because it would be too cumbersome. That's why Tywin had it melted down and forged into two swords that could actually be wielded in battle.

[Dementia]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longsword

The longsword as a late medieval type of sword emerges in the 14th century, as a military weapon of the earlier phase of the Hundred Years' War. It remains identifiable as a type during the period of about 1350 to 1550.^[8] It remained in use as a weapon of war intended for wielders wearing full plate armour either on foot or on horseback, throughout the late medieval period. From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. By the 16th century, its military use was mostly obsolete, culminating in the brief period where the oversized Zweihänder were wielded by the German Landsknechte during the early to mid 16th century. By the second half of the 16th century, it persisted mostly as a weapon for sportive competition (Schulfechten), and possibly in knightly duels.

[RoamingRonin]

Not all swords have to be used in battle. Ice sounds more like the kind of sword a House has just for show. Ned might have only used it just for executions.

[Dementia]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zweih%C3%A4nder

These swords represent the final stage in the trend of increasing size started in the 14th century. In its developed form, the Zweihänder has acquired the characteristics of a polearm rather than a sword. Consequently, it is not carried in a sheath, but across the shoulder like a halberd. By the second half of the 16th century, these swords had largely ceased to have a practical application, but they continued to see ceremonial or representative use well into the 17th century. Some ceremonial zweihänder, called "bearing-swords" or "parade-swords" (Paratschwert), were much larger, weighing about 10 pounds.^[2]

Frisian hero Pier Gerlofs Donia is reputed to have wielded a Zweihänder with such skill, strength and efficiency that he managed to behead multiple people with it in a single blow. The Zweihänder ascribed to him is, as of 2008, on display in the Frisian museum. It has a length of 213 cm (84 in) and a weight of about 6.6 kg (14¹⁄₂lb).^[6]

[maximilian]

Makes sense not to actually use it in battle. We know for a fact that Tarly actually does so though.

[MyLittleDirewolf]

To be awesome! Really, what's more awesomer than a Valyrian steel greatsword named Ice?

[Ruby Chevrolet]

On a related note, how big is Widow's Wail? Is it the right size for Tyrion?

[Son of the Smiling Knight]

It was definitely used in battle, like someone else said, Valyrian steel is much lighter than ordinary steel and would give him a huge advantage against other people. Not only was the sword bigger and stronger but lighter too. Arthur Dayne used a two handed sword in Dawn and he was considered the greatest knight in Westeros and history. I think its definitely plausable that Ned brought his bad boy Ice into the battles. Imagine seeing Ned Stark on the battlefield as a common enemy soldier. You would be scared shitless just because of the sword.

Also Randyll Tarly using it in Battle also gives weight to Ice being used in battle.

[Sworn Shield]

I imagine that a lot of Valyrian Steel weapons, especially the two handed variety are mainly ceremonial weapons meant to impress as much off the battle field as much as on it.

We know from Dunk and Egg stories that Valyrian steel bastard swords could be used from horse back, as Daemon Blackfyre was described as using the sword Blackfyre from horse back. Bastard swords are the size down from great swords, so perhaps it is possible to use Valyrian steel great swords from horse back due the weight being much less than normal.

[total1402]

OP

Its a weapon meant to be used on foot by an armoured knight against equally well armoured soldiers. Remember the weapon probably predates the Andal invasion and the very concept of Knights. So Northern fighting was probably more land based. Indeed given the size of Ice and how the Northmen are portrayed you could suggest that it conjures up images of William Wallace and claymores.

Given the presence of melees alongside tournies and Roberts warhammer its fair to assume that lots of knights still fight on foot or have a secondary weapon once the lance is used.

Is it actually stated that Valyrian Steel is stronger and lighter than regular steel?

[Captain Victarion Greyjoy]

Ned was a pimp, he like to showoff , it's like having a golden AK 47 nowadays

[Rob with one B]

OP

Its a weapon meant to be used on foot by an armoured knight against equally well armoured soldiers. Remember the weapon probably predates the Andal invasion and the very concept of Knights.

The Andal Invasion predates Valyria and its steel.