DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
Oh, I'll chime in...
Spears/ pole-arms were still primary weapons even for wealthy warriors since reach was a key advantage. Swords were primarily a back-up weapon, often used with one protected hand on the blade when I shield was not in use.
I think bringing reach back into 5E would go a long way towards showing the value of pole weapons. Of course, unless you can fall back, once inside their reach they are not as effective.
And, honestly, axes, pole-axes, flails, and maces were much more often used as primary weapons than swords. The leverage of pole weapons and the heavy end of the others were more damaging than swords, better able to penetrate armor, etc. Against heavy armors, swords were thrusting weapons (as I mentioned before, with a protected hand often on the blade for leverage).
D&D got away from the combat simulationist POV so much of these concepts were simplified or ignored by design.
Spears/ pole-arms were still primary weapons even for wealthy warriors since reach was a key advantage. Swords were primarily a back-up weapon, often used with one protected hand on the blade when I shield was not in use.
I think bringing reach back into 5E would go a long way towards showing the value of pole weapons. Of course, unless you can fall back, once inside their reach they are not as effective.
And, honestly, axes, pole-axes, flails, and maces were much more often used as primary weapons than swords. The leverage of pole weapons and the heavy end of the others were more damaging than swords, better able to penetrate armor, etc. Against heavy armors, swords were thrusting weapons (as I mentioned before, with a protected hand often on the blade for leverage).
D&D got away from the combat simulationist POV so much of these concepts were simplified or ignored by design.