(08-03-2014, 01:28 PM)Coatleque Wrote: Addendum on Polearms:I did some revising based on this information, as the hooking of armor is something I did not think of and could be very vital in combat.
The polearm is the weapon of the commoner. Â This category of weapon includes any long wooden hafted weapon with a metal blade/hook/tip at the far end. Â The spear was the most common until the Halberd in later times. Â Most polearms were simply taken up and fashioned from whatever farming equipment was available at the time. Â Hoes, shovels, pruning forks, things that could easily be hammered and sharpened into a weapon. Â The weapon itself is one of the most versatile in skilled hands. Â The blade can be used to keep opponents at range, and if they close distance the shaft can be used like a bo staff.
The primary function of a polearm is the line of pikes at the head of a column which is set to receive a charge. Â After that, it depends on the type of polearm. Â A simple spear is obviously a piercing weapon and may be short enough to throw. Â The more elaborate halberds were, in reality, glorified can openers. Â They had many edges, spikes, and hooks which can pierce, slice, pry, grapple, and disarm.
There is no one effective armor against a polearm. Â They may be used to exploit the vulnerabilities of all, but are most effective against fully armored knights and cavalry. Â Halberds were designed to easily hook onto plates to pull men off horses, or force knights to their knees so they can be easily finished off at close range.
