Reach weapons vs. large targets

[NPC]

Situation: a medium sized fighter wielding a longspear is attacking an ogre. The fighter is adjacent to the ogre.

Question: since the fighter can't attack an adjacent square with his longspear, can he choose to attack one of the rear squares of the ogre? If so, do cover rules apply?

 

[dcollins]

I think the technical answer is yes, and cover does apply.

 

[MichaelH]

Situation: a medium sized fighter wielding a longspear is attacking an ogre. The fighter is adjacent to the ogre.

Question: since the fighter can't attack an adjacent square with his longspear, can he choose to attack one of the rear squares of the ogre? If so, do cover rules apply?

If you read the weapon description of the longspear in the PH, it says you cannot attack adjacent foes. I don't think the space/squares the ogre occupies is relevant. So if the ogre is adjacent I would say you cannot attack it with the longspear. Of course, you can always take a 5 foot step back and full attack him.