Weapons on Sticks

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

I did a wiki-search on polearms recently as a result of an argument with a fellow DM over this very issue.

It was actually surprising to see how many identified types of polearms were not covered by DnD.

The Roundhead was my particular favorite

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

I did a wiki-search on polearms recently as a result of an argument with a fellow DM over this very issue.

It was actually surprising to see how many identified types of polearms were not covered by DnD.

The Roundhead was my particular favorite

Remember to take everything you read about medieval weapons and armor with a 5 pound bag of salt. A LARGE amount of it is the result of crummy 19th century amateur scholarship (very similar to a lot of what you find online these days, lol).

Most of the names of the various pole arms for instance were never contemporary, they were terms invented in the 19th century. Over time things have gotten even more confabulated by people mistaking a lot of this pseudo knowledge for established fact (hey it was in a book, its a fact).

Beyond all the questionable information floating around on the subject though there is a whole other issue, which is that there really isn't much functional difference, if any, between the majority of pole arms. They fall into a few broad classes, which Nytmare pretty much covered (though I think a light blade on the end of a stick IS a spear, but lets not nitpick too much).

So honestly, I would consider it more historically accurate to do what nytmare suggests and simply extend the pole arm family to include the couple of weapon types not already covered, pick and hammer. I think the concept for a hook might work too. You would have to experiment with that and it might not be worth the trouble, but perhaps a new keyword "dismounting" could work. On a hit against a mounted opponent a dismounting weapon will force the rider prone. Meh, probably too powerful, but maybe a skill check when using such a weapon, something.

 

[Nytmare]

Are there any existing feats or powers out there that handle setting against charges?

 

[Pickles JG]

"Remember to take everything you read about medieval weapons and armor with a 5 pound bag of salt. A LARGE amount of it is the result of crummy 19th century amateur scholarship (very similar to a lot of what you find online these days, lol)."

But I havent even got to the Chinese ones yet I need to find a copy of 1e Oriental Adventures - that's proper research


While this was not intended to be serious it does show off the keyword functionality of 4e pretty well.

The viability of most of these weapons in battle was pretty dubious - the only types that seemed to stick around were pikes. That is of course looking at military applications - the utility of a pike to a typical adventurer must be very marginal indeed. Let alone the Awl, Sarissa or Kontos

 

[Pickles JG]

Are there any existing feats or powers out there that handle setting against charges?

Polearm Gamnble is the best one.

There is at least one warlord powers that does something (L5 Daily one) & I guess any of those powers that give threatening reach?

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Remember to take everything you read about medieval weapons and armor with a 5 pound bag of salt. A LARGE amount of it is the result of crummy 19th century amateur scholarship (very similar to a lot of what you find online these days, lol).

Most of the names of the various pole arms for instance were never contemporary, they were terms invented in the 19th century. Over time things have gotten even more confabulated by people mistaking a lot of this pseudo knowledge for established fact (hey it was in a book, its a fact).

All right sure, but two points:

1.) The Roundhead is described from a 17th century source describing a 17th century weapon.

2.) Shoddy 19th century amateur medieval research is part of the fun!