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

[variant]

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.?

Limited space would be my guess. We didn't get any weapon descriptions (at least in the Basic) either. It would also be a list of a lot of repeating stats. Maybe they will have an extended equipment guide in an upcoming book for those that like little details.

 

[Ravenheart87]

Limited space would be my guess. We didn't get any weapon descriptions (at least in the Basic) either. It would also be a list of a lot of repeating stats. Maybe they will have an extended equipment guide in an upcoming book for those that like little details.

I was talking about Advanced D&D 1st edition (and maybe 2nd too, I don't remember it's equipment list). It had pretty detailed stats for weapons, even if weird here and there. If there was enough place for ~20 specific polearms, it's strange they didn't include more than 5 swords. But I might have went off topic with this.

 

[variant]

I was talking about Advanced D&D 1st edition (and maybe 2nd too, I don't remember it's equipment list). It had pretty detailed stats for weapons, even if weird here and there. If there was enough place for ~20 specific polearms, it's strange they didn't include more than 5 swords. But I might have went off topic with this.

Yes, the same answer. Limited space. They can only put so much in a book.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Also the amount of variation that matters is limited.

For example D20 Modern has an obscene number of firearms, especially pistols, but mechanically they vary very little. Basically small, big and really big ones, though magazine capacity is the biggest variable. Not worth it in my book.

 

[Mouseferatu]

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

Well, yeah, but I meant it's close enough to easily "re-flavor" without needing any actual house rules.

 

[Aloïsius]

To make room for more different weapons, you need more variable, like the crit rang of 3e.

Now, if every weapon has a damage dice, a critical range, an initiative factor, an AC value (you can parry with a sword, you can't with a flail...) plus special properties, then you can create a lot of interesting choices of weapons.

If all you have is damage dice and a few special properties, then you will have a hard time to distinguish between swords and axes anyway...

 

[mariomario87]

A spear, depending on its type, can be used to slash or pierce. So the equivalent pole arm to go with, would be a Pike or a Glaive. Both do 1d10 damage and have the "reach" property.

Being polearms, though, they can't be thrown...

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

What possible explanation is there for this oversight?

A spear is not a two-handed weapon. A quarterstaff is (at least, it is some of the time*). I think what you want is a pike.

* It seems a common houserule that using a quarterstaff with the Polearm Mastery feat requires using it two-handed.

 

[Azzy]

A spear is not a two-handed weapon.

Over the course of history and across cultural borders, there were what we'd refer to in D&D as spears that were used two-handed.

That said, house ruling spears to be included in the Polearm Master feat is something that I agree with.

 

[Tony Vargas]

In spite of 1e's polearm fetish, D&D has always seemed to have trouble giving the spear its due. Same with shields. The spear* & shield* conquered the world for Alexander the Great, just kept on dominating the battlefield through the middle ages (as the arms of knights), and the spear even held on as the bayonet after the advent of effective firearms.
But you wouldn't guess it from the stats they get in D&D.

If we're being remotely fair or plausible: Shields should grant proficiency bonus to AC (and probably most DEX save vs damaging AEs and some other saves, as well). Spears, used one or two-handed, should have a reach advantage over most other weapons employed in the same mode. You shouldn't need an optional rule to bludgeon someone with the other end of your spear (or stab them with it if it has a saroter).






*OK that's a bit of a stretch in describing the Macedonian Phallanx, but still.