Choice of Uruk-kai weapons

[Gil Galad]

I was just watching The Two Towers there last night and something struck me, in the film the Uruk-hai, knew they were going to fight a siege, and that pikes are more of a defensive then offensive weapon. I was just wondering what everyone else thought of this. thanks

[IronHills Dwarf]

The book published from materials in the movies (Lord of the Rings Weapons and Warfare) covered this somewhat. In that volume it was theorized that the pikes were carried foremost because they Uruk Hai expected to be opposed by the Riders at somepoint on the plain. Obviously the pikes would have been of great use. Its a bit of a hike from Orthanc to Helm's Deep and if we take Tolkien's text, IIRC (I'm not an expert on the TA or mannish cultures), there was some disagreement between the two commanders (one from Westfold, one dispatched from Edoras) on whether the Fords should have been held in strength or if a cavalry charge should have been prepared. Holding the Fords won out, and proved to have a decisive role in the battle and seige of Helm's Deep.

Another reason mentioned on the book based on the movies was that an Uruk Hai could have used his pike to hook (thus the hook on the back of the pike head) men from the walls.

[Gil Galad]

Well i knew in the book, the Uruks didnt expect to be going to a siege(put i cant recall pikes mentioned in the book) so they would need weapons to defend against calvary.

but that is a good point they would probably have expected resistance allong the way. thanks.
the walls of HD would have been very high for such hooking though

[IronHills Dwarf]

You have to remember that in the context of the films Helm's Deep had the much lower wall were the Elves were stationed. I think it would still be a tad high, but that was the reasoning given.