Kern usually fought lacking metal armor including helmets, fighting with spears (gae) and a set of javelins or darts (gá-ín), a long dagger (scian), occasionally wielding axes (tua) and bow (bogha), protected by a round shield (sciath) and in the case of higher status and class warriors, swords (claideamh). The Viking invasions saw greater adoption of the shortbow and heavier armor in addition, but never in great numbers.
Kern's combat tactics typically involved little to no metal armor, including helmets, utilizing spears (gae), javelins or darts (gá-ín), a long dagger (scian), occasionally wielding axes (tua) and bow (bogha), shielded by a round shield (sciath). The Viking invasions marked a shift towards greater use of the shortbow and heavier armor, although this was not widespread.