Quoting gem6868 <gem6868@verizon.net>:
A pole arm used as a "planted defense" vs a charging attacker only has an edge if they are approaching so fast that they are rendered slower to react than the person ready with the pole arm. Anyone making a measured approach should still act in order of DX. While there is certainly an advantage in a longer weapon, it is often lost by the more cumbersome nature of the weaponitself.
This is not so in the real world. And polearms are really not cumbersome. Set vs. charge does not mean that the polearm is planted. And while I might say that in reality I doubt there's a DX bonus to be had for taking a charge with a polearm, I assure you that the longer weapon does get the first strike in almost every case, even those where the DX differential is quite high.
This can change when you are talking about large formations of people. But at the scale of Melee / Wizard, a pole arm's main use is to gain reach v a mounted opponent (or a larger one ie Giant, Dragon), and it is at a disadvantage against the sword/shield combo, and quite possibly just a skillful broadsword. When I get to Advanced Melee, I'll try and post morespecific thoughts.
This is also not so. If it were so, the shield would have stayed in use in the Middle Ages. And while Fiore had methods for dealing with a polearm with nothing but a sword, I doubt he'd recommend it. Talhoffer either.
What is your experience with weapons and armour? Neil Gilmore raito@raito.com ===== Post to the entire list by writing to tft@brainiac.com. Unsubscribe by mailing to majordomo@brainiac.com with the message body "unsubscribe tft"