D&D 5E Polearm Master feat...where's my spear?

[random.brown]

The Polearm Master feat (Phb pg 168) applies when using a quarterstaff, but not a spear?

As DM for my group (consisting of my kids, ages 16 to 10), I'm house ruling this to allow spears.

What possible explanation is there for this oversight?

 

[The Crimson Binome]

A spear is a thrusting weapon, and the feat in question involves swinging the weapon (in order to bludgeon with the off-hand). You're not supposed to swing a spear in that manner.

 

[TarionzCousin]

A spear is a thrusting weapon, and the feat in question involves swinging the weapon (in order to bludgeon with the off-hand). You're not supposed to swing a spear in that manner.

This guy begs to differ.

Deviant art image by maeyasun.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Yeah but that guy got wasted with one punch.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Given the base d6 damage on the 5E spear, I think it's meant as a fairly small weapon that you might not be able to bludgeon effectively with.

That being said, I can't think of a reason not to house rule otherwise if you think your players will want to use the spear with that feat.

 

[Gamgee]

Naginata (spear type weapon) get's owned here too. Like they really did in single combat. You would be a fool to use them. Wood vs Metal. It's no less silly than bringing a knife to a gunfight and expecting to do any better.

Now the difference is en mass the spear had a decided edge in combat to it, and it was easy to train in. However it was at a decided disadvantage in a duel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EQWcB1vXXg

My philosophy to fighting is very sensible. Funny enough Bronn here has a vague resemblance to my dad who is also quite the combat pragmatist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN30YMzja6Y

 

[variant]

I think the spear suffers the same thing other weapons suffer when you can only put one type in the book. There are a lot of different types of spears of varying lengths with different points or blades.

I would probably house rule it as even a smaller spear can be technically a polearm, but I would keep an eye out to any issues that come into play combining that feat with a throwing weapon. I haven't read the feat, so I don't know if there would be or not.

Another option is to introduce martial proficiency spears into your game that can be used with the feat. I know I will be allowing much more combat oriented spears that are martial weapons.

 

[Mouseferatu]

A pike is basically a long spear, and there's nothing in 5e about reach weapons having penalties to attack when the enemy is adjacent. I realize it's not accurate to the way pikes were used historically, but mechanically, it really can double as a spear.

 

[variant]

A pike is basically a long spear, and there's nothing in 5e about reach weapons having penalties to attack when the enemy is adjacent. I realize it's not accurate to the way pikes were used historically, but mechanically, it really can double as a spear.

It is a spear, just not what most people think of when they hear spear. A trident is a type of spear as well.

 

[Ravenheart87]

I'm one of those who didn't have any problem with AD&D having a bunch of specific polearms. Instead, I didn't understand why didn't we get as many kind of specific swords. Why did we get only general short sword, longsword, when we could get claymore, zweihander, flamberge, gladius, etc.?