Polearm Gamble - Rules Clarification

[Tony Vargas]

I think the intent is to toss a bone to those who liked 3e reach - that is, the intent is to give the character a form of threatening reach so weak, ineffective, and pyrric that few will opt for it. It wouldn't be so anoying if monsters didn't get threatening reach, but they do.

And for a paragon feat? You can't stick a spear in someone's face as he charges you until you're 11th level? Poking a spear at someone requires the same level of skill and dedication as winning the hundred yard dash while wearing heavy scale armor?

The mechanic of Polearm Gamble would have been a reasonable as the default way to handle proficient use of such weapons, but as a Paragon Feat it's just insulting.

 

[cerealman]

Just as an update, here is what WotC says about PG: "At this time this feat is currently under errata consideration. There is no official ruling on this at the time, so it would be your DM's call."