Spear Specialization

[CrimsonWineGlass]

I'm working on a character for an upcoming campaign and I've decided to go with a spear user of some type. I am looking for any feats/classes that revolve around spears and what books they come from. Anything WoTC is allowed. Could I get some suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Do consider Paizo (publisher of Dragon and Dungeon magazines) as a viable source, since they're sort of a subset of WotC? I contributed to an article on polearms a while back, and many of the feats and new weapons made it into the hardcover Dragon Compendium.

 

[CrimsonWineGlass]

Yeah, anything published by WoTC is allowed. Dragon magazine, etc. Also, feel free to suggest things created by other publishers. They will have to be approved first, but as long as they are not overpowered, it should be fine.

 

[frankthedm]

Greatspear Note 4 25 gp Small 1d10 / medium 2d6 x3 10 ft. 9 lb. P CW 154
Note 4 Reach weapon.

Greatspear: This broad−bladed spear has a long, flat blade, and is too heavy to wield properly without proficiency. Characters proficient with the greatspear can treat it as a longspear for the purpose of any of the following feats: Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Weapon Focus, and Weapon Specialization [Complete Adventurer, page 116].

 

[silentspace]

Greatspear Note 4 25 gp Small 1d10 / medium 2d6 x3 10 ft. 9 lb. P CW 154
Note 4 Reach weapon.

Greatspear: This broad−bladed spear has a long, flat blade, and is too heavy to wield properly without proficiency. Characters proficient with the greatspear can treat it as a longspear for the purpose of any of the following feats: Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Weapon Focus, and Weapon Specialization [Complete Adventurer, page 116].

Now that's a spear. 2-handed polearm with reach, damage as a greatsword, double damage when set against a charge, and you can throw it too.

 

[frankthedm]

Now that's a spear. 2-handed polearm with reach, damage as a greatsword, double damage when set against a charge, and you can throw it too.

Uhm, the weapon does not get set VS charge. The weapon is quite strong as it is. Honestly those stats belong on a Exotic Glaive[changing peircing to slashing], not Exotic longspear.

It would make sence for the uber-spear to have set vs charge, but that would be even stronger.

 

[Question]

I dont think the damage increase is worth it. On the other hand use a dwarven warpike......i believe its in the dragon compendium somewhere.

 

[taliesin15]

The Spear is one of the major areas where I think 3.5 got it totally wrong--they had it completely right in 3.0. Half-Spear was usable by small characters, did 1-6, Short Spears, one handed by mediumsized, could be thrown, did 1-8, and Long Spears, 2-handed I think also 1-8. I think a basic set of guidelines like that in 3.0 would be a good place to start if allowed. IMV, Spears are underutilized in most campaigns. AND YET they were extensively used in Heroic Literature.

 

[Pickaxe]

The Spear is one of the major areas where I think 3.5 got it totally wrong--they had it completely right in 3.0. Half-Spear was usable by small characters, did 1-6, Short Spears, one handed by mediumsized, could be thrown, did 1-8, and Long Spears, 2-handed I think also 1-8. I think a basic set of guidelines like that in 3.0 would be a good place to start if allowed. IMV, Spears are underutilized in most campaigns. AND YET they were extensively used in Heroic Literature.

What's wrong with the 3.5 version? Shortspear is one-handed and throwable, spear is two-handed and throwable, longspear is two-handed with reach. The only question is whether the spear should be one or two-handed (though you can still throw it, presumably with one hand). I suppose all those heroes from Greek mythology do use spear and shield quite a bit, but that could be shortspear.

The intriquing thing about the spear is that it's both melee and ranged, so you use Weapon Focus/Weapon Specialization on one weapon for both kinds of attacks. The fact that it's two-handed is fine, since it makes it better for Power Attack. It's under-utilized because characters tend to specialize in melee or ranged attacks, and that attracts them to the greatsword and the longbow.

--Axe

 

[Herobizkit]

I think most people are put off by the general appearance of a spear. I mean, you can't really stow it, so you're always either carrying it around with you or have it slung on your back like a staff. And then you have to cover the business end of the spear just in case you nick someone's ear off as you turn to greet your friends.

And what's with "shortspear"? It's a spear, man. A longspear is just that, but then you can have a small longspear if you're a halfling. But would that be a short longspear, or a long shortspear? You can't tell by the damage dice...

Plus, if your spear is your most powerful melee weapon, who would even dare to throw it at anyone?