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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Terath Ninir" data-source="post: 2052784" data-attributes="member: 47">A single dude with an awl pike is going to be monster food.  The key to using them is that they were used in formations.  Often, there would be halberdiers in front of them (D&D notwithstanding, halberds are a reach weapon), then one or two ranks of pikemen.  There would also often be swordsmen being the pikemen in case anyone got past all the cutlery on poles, because the pikemen were basically defenseless if anyone got past their pikes.  The key, though, is that even heavy cavalry usually couldn't survive attacking a pike formation.Individually, though, the awl pike is pretty much a one-way ticket to deathsville.  However, it is a fantasy game, so you can go ahead and make it usable by an individual.One suggestion I would HIGHLY recommend against, however, is Elephant's idea of allowing a secondary bludgeoning attack.  I think that is a cool idea for other pole arms.  It is very cinematic.  However, that is NOT at all possible for an awl pike.  It's way too long.  The weapon was awkward to begin with, but it is NOT possible to use both ends of it.Another problem with using the awl pike in D&D is that D&D lacks facing.  You can't just instantly change what direction your pike is pointing.  I suppose that one can just ignore it, but it really shows off the failings of the D&D combat system.Final suggestions: martial weapon.  It is not exotic -- at one point, half or more of the soldiers in Europe had pikes in their hands.  d8 damage, x3 critical, 15 ft. reach.  You could adjust the reach upwards or downwards by the creature's size.  Yah, nonstandard, but it's an important part of the weapon.  Hmm.  I'd say that the user should have a -2 penalty to AC against melee attacks while using the weapon.  You could create a Weapon Style feat that removes that, to let people be 1337 pike ninjas.</blockquote>

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