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General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Fixing the polearm and taking back its seat as generally best nonprojectile weapon from the sword.
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<blockquote data-quote="Cap'n Kobold" data-source="post: 7831567" data-attributes="member: 6802951"><p>I think the issue is that option 3 and maybe 6 is the only realistic one out of them. Personally I do not find them "nonsensically weak" however.</p><p>Spears are a successful battlefield and hunting weapon partly because they are cheap, can be made by people without the technology to make swords, and are relatively simple to use: "The pointy end goes in the other guy."</p><p> The reach advantage is the main reason for their effectiveness against a battle line or when fighting an animal, but D&D requires a feat to be able to make use of that, and there is no mechanic in D&D representing creatures wanting to stay out of reach. - In D&D opponents tend to just barrel in to melee irrespective of being threatened.</p><p></p><p>Spears aren't particularly good are knocking people over or disarming them - or at least no better than most other weapons. There is nothing much about them to suggest more serious hits. Maneuvering a metal head on the end of a solid wooden pole requires a certain degree of strength even before you start trying to push through someone's guard or armour, so I don't think Finesse is appropriate.</p><p></p><p>In terms of stuff that I'd consider for improving the spear: </p><p>Firstly, have you looked at the UA spear feat? </p><p>Make them valid for use as polearms for the Polearm Master Feat.</p><p>Perhaps increase the damage die when used two-handed, at least by a character with Martial weapons proficiency to d10.</p><p>Increase the thrown short range to maybe 40ft: make it effective to throw from standing rather than just moving then attacking.</p><p></p><p>Also perhaps:</p><p>Versatile fighting style: When using a versatile weapon in two hands, you receive a +2 to hit with it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cap'n Kobold, post: 7831567, member: 6802951"] I think the issue is that option 3 and maybe 6 is the only realistic one out of them. Personally I do not find them "nonsensically weak" however. Spears are a successful battlefield and hunting weapon partly because they are cheap, can be made by people without the technology to make swords, and are relatively simple to use: "The pointy end goes in the other guy." The reach advantage is the main reason for their effectiveness against a battle line or when fighting an animal, but D&D requires a feat to be able to make use of that, and there is no mechanic in D&D representing creatures wanting to stay out of reach. - In D&D opponents tend to just barrel in to melee irrespective of being threatened. Spears aren't particularly good are knocking people over or disarming them - or at least no better than most other weapons. There is nothing much about them to suggest more serious hits. Maneuvering a metal head on the end of a solid wooden pole requires a certain degree of strength even before you start trying to push through someone's guard or armour, so I don't think Finesse is appropriate. In terms of stuff that I'd consider for improving the spear: Firstly, have you looked at the UA spear feat? Make them valid for use as polearms for the Polearm Master Feat. Perhaps increase the damage die when used two-handed, at least by a character with Martial weapons proficiency to d10. Increase the thrown short range to maybe 40ft: make it effective to throw from standing rather than just moving then attacking. Also perhaps: Versatile fighting style: When using a versatile weapon in two hands, you receive a +2 to hit with it. [/QUOTE]
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Fixing the polearm and taking back its seat as generally best nonprojectile weapon from the sword.
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