Weapon Proficiency Polearms

[Bill]

What would you add to WP Polearm to make it a more distinct and attractive (but not too attractive) option?

[zerombr]

I like the extra 1d6 damage you get with it, and if you keep in mind that you actually do have range, like enough to help ward off simultaneous attacks, I think it has some good flavor.

[Bill]

The proficiency rules grant +2 damage at level 2 and 8, not an additional 1D6. That's from the Horsemanship skill and should only apply when executing a mounted charge. The proficiency also grants no specific reach related benefits. While the GM can certainly take the weapon's length into account, there's nothing in the rules that would require it.

[Tinker Dragoon]

To some extent, it depends on which version you're using (RUE vs. HU2 vs. PF2 vs. Mystic China, etc.), but overall, I think the main attraction of polearms is in the design of the individual weapon (i.e. does it have back-spikes, baffles, hooks, a sword blade, an axe blade, a hammer head, etc.). I think the weapons themselves should offer inherent bonuses to certain maneuvers, rather than relying solely on W.P. bonuses.

[Bill]

Such as?

[Tinker Dragoon]

E.g. damage bonuses or increased critical strike chances for heavy chopping blades, disarm/entangle bonuses for hooks, ability to ignore a certain amount of A.R. for picks, etc.

Actually, this could be tied to one's W.P. via a floating bonus (probably totaling no more than +4 or +5 at upper levels) that can be applied as needed for a given weapon.

[Levi]

Pole arm users should be able to learn to do multiple parry, double strike, and parry strike. Much like the abilities of paired weapons.

[Tinker Dragoon]

For what it's worth, W.P. Reverse Stroke (Splicers, p. 205) allows you to strike with both ends of a pole arm (but not to strike and parry in one action, unfortunately).

[Alrik Vas]

I've thought for a while that Fencing should be changed to just be "Melee Specialization" and apply to any weapon you purchase it for specifically.

Of course a GM could get specific about what bonuses might be different depending on the weapon in question.