The final and least successful use of the Highland charge (a battlefield shock tactic used by the clans of the Scottish Highlands which incorporated the use of firearms) was in 1746 during the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745, the Battle of Culloden. With the introduction of muskets and cannon, the previous tight formations used by highlanders with their heavy axes and claymores, became vulnerable. As a result, Highlander warriors developed a lighter, one-handed basket-hilted broadsword that protected the hand. This was generally used with a shield or targe strapped to the weak arm and a dirk or biotag "long knife" held in the other hand.The charge required a high degree of commitment as the men were rushing into musket range and would suffer casualties from at least one volley. Speed was essential, so the Highlanders preferred to employ the charge downhill and over firm ground; they removed clothing from their lower body for the same reason. They ran forward in clusters of a dozen (often blood relatives) which formed a larger wedge shaped formation. Once in effective musket range (60 yards) those with firearms would shoot; gun-smoke from this mass discharge having obscured enemies' aim, the Highlanders obtained further protection from the expected return volley from the opposing force by crouching low to the ground immediately after firing. Then, firearms were then dropped and edged weapons drawn, whereupon the men made the final rush on the enemy line with a Gaelic battle cry.