The Awl Pike

[Nifft]

Even with the EWP, 15 ft. is a lot of reach.

Suggestion: you threaten a cone, not a circle. This is why there are ranks and ranks of pikemen, and why someone flanking them is such a big deal. Each round, select a cone to threaten. You only threaten that area until your next round.

-- N

 

[Hodgie]

Hmm... there are a lot of great suggestions in there. I think it is important to detail out the vision you have for the Awl Pike. From where I am sitting I'd like to see it as a weapon that is used in formations by militia, which excludes Exotic Weapon Prof.

Here would be my suggestion, ripped off and condenced from many other posters:
Triple reach, d8 x3 for medium. Martial weapon that only threatens three squares at a time (Nifft's cone). Likewise, because of its great reach it is treated similarly to a missile weapon and thus provokes an AoO when used.

The exotic weapon proficiency removes the AoO and also allows the wielder to threaten all squares normally (24 squares?) allowed.

This means that it will be pretty poweful in a formation, terrible if the formation is broken, and only the moderately trained soldiers (those with martial weapons) will be using it. This also means that those wielding it will die less as they are in the back, and it seems intuitive that you would sacrafice your peasants and save your army.

 

[S'mon]

I'm not sure awl pikes can plausibly be set to receive a charge. I would tend to make it a 15' reach Martial weapon (peasants can use longspears), or Exotic if used 1-handed like Greek hoplite phalanx. 1d8/x3 seems right. Threatening only squares to the wielder's front makes sense, obviously requires use of Facing (burn the heretic!)

 

[the Jester]

Well, as hippiejedi2 implied above, I used a phalanx style group of pikemen and longspear wielders (2 ranks of longspears followed by a ranks of awl pikes) a while back ago on my halfling group. It was very cool- as long as they kept in ranks, the soldiers did surprisingly well (considering they were largely 1st-level warriors against a party of prolly 6th-7th level pcs).

I submit that awl pikes rawk the hizzouse.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Compared to the Awl Pike in this months Dragon, it (looks exactly the same) is balanced.

 

[the Jester]

Does that article on pole arms have anything cool in it? Are there more pole arms in it? Do we get the return of the guisarm-voulge? How about a Bohemian ear spoon?

 

[lgburton]

yes, actualy, the ear spoon is mentioned in the article =p

there are about 10 new poles, as well as new polearm specific feats, and discussion of the old poles (and where to find them) as well.

pretty good article, imo. but i've always loved having lots of choices on how to poke people from afar...

 

[the Jester]

stuff about new Dragon

Just got it on my way to work tonight, and the article is really spiffy!

I am pleased. I too am a pole arm lover.

 

[Tetsubo]

Just got it on my way to work tonight, and the article is really spiffy!

I am pleased. I too am a pole arm lover.

Isn't that illegal in Utah...?

 

[palleomortis]

You know that is was in the latest dragon mag, right? I can help you if you want it from there.