I’ve heard that, in broad strokes, things like zweihanders, claymores and nodachi were used mostly as anti-cavalry.
What I’m struggling to understand is why you’d use them over a simple spear or pike formation. It seems like spears would be easier, cheaper and more effective than those big swords.
Also, what kind of technique would the wielders of these cool, yet impractical weapons use against cavalry?
I’ve heard that, in broad strokes, things like zweihanders, claymores and nodachi were used mostly as anti-cavalry.
I've heard that about the zhanmadao, but not the European ones. For those, their usual ascribed use is 'breaking into pike formations', which is...not quite. While hopefully someone can provide you a solid answer on the specific use of the nodachi, u/wotan_weevil has a look at the typical use of the European two-hander, which also touches on the Scottish in passing, and also how to deal with an opponent using one.
And if anyone else would like to address themselves to this question, please don't let this linkdrop stop you!