Using A Long Spear In Combat

[nittanytbone]

The baddie has soft cover, giving +4 to his AC.

I'd allow a polearm user to use his weapon as an improvised weapon similar to a staff (thus threatening the nearby squares) at the normal -4 penalty for improvised weapons. It'd do 1d6 bludgeoning damage.

 

[Unkabear]

Generally, it's not allowed in the rules (barring some feats called, usually "Choke Up" or "Shift Grip" or similar).

I'd allow him to do it with a -4 penalty, however.

EDIT: Oh, and Frank? A nice Ultima or two will solve your T-Rex problem.

The Short Haft feat from PHBII allows you with a swift action lose the benefit of the reach weapon to all reach weapons but spiked chains and whips and threaten the spaces around you.
PHBII pg.82

 

[Felix]

If so that still seems kind of wrong to me since that is how the long spear is actually meant to be used in the first place.

But that is how the long spear is being used, as a reach attack even with people in the way.

You've several options with that longspear:
A. Aid another. Hit AC 10 and grant a +2 to attack.
B. Aid another. Hit AC 10 and grant a +2 to AC.
C. Attack. Hit the creature's AC+4.
D. Trip*.
E. Sunder*.

*Dependent upon the type of reach weapon you are wielding.

This permits things like shield walls to work where you have long, long pikes sticking out from several ranks of men, but it doesn't mean they can attack as easily as someone who is standing next to an enemy with a sword. The advantage of those reach weapons is distance twixt you and your opponent and the ability to fight easily in ranks. The drawback is the enemy gets +4 to his AC. Good trade, I think.

 

[Thurbane]

Long Spear = Pike?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Long Spear = Pike?

Longspear as per the one in the PHB.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Felix]

Long Spear = Pike?

I think there was a Pike in some supplimental book that gave it 15' or 20' reach, so it could be used several ranks deep in formation.

But the Long Spear is seperate and distinct from a Pike, in game terms.

 

[pallandrome]

You ever want to annoy the crap out of a melee pc? Have an NCP with a ranged melee weapon hold an action to trip the opponant when they get into range. It's like keep-away, but with deadly weaponry.

 

[frankthedm]

Look at the diagram yourself.

How far is Mr Mysterious from the mummies? 5 feet. How far is Lance from the mummies? 10 feet. How far are Mr Mysterious and Lance from each other? 15 feet, but within reach of a reach weapon due to the exception on p137.

So Mr Mysterious and Lance can both reach each other, but Mr Mysterious is five feet closer to the cover than Lance is.

-Hyp.

Ok, now i got it.

 

[glass]

I think there was a Pike in some supplimental book that gave it 15' or 20' reach, so it could be used several ranks deep in formation.

In Ari's article in Dragon IIRC. I forget the issue number.


glass.