Whats this about hirleings and their weapons?

[Zim.]

I heard through the bush that a hireling needs to have the same type of weapon in hand for you to gain properly!?!?

IE. If Im macroing my fencing on a sword weilding hireling, then my gains will be slower than if I was macroing on a dagger wielding one?

Thanks
-Zim

-EDIT-
Also, can you poison a spear?

[Pro]

nop and ye u can nox a spear

[Baldamier]

For you to gain a weapons skill, they need a weapon equipped they have the most skill in (whatever they start with when you hire them). If they have no skill in their weapon you won't gain because its too easy to hit them. After you GM your weapon skill you still won't be at GM tactics, so give them a weapon they have 0 skill in. This gives you 100% hit chance and you'll have more chances to gain tactics (you only have a chance to gain on a successful hit).