Enhanced Polearms (5e Variant Rule)
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Enhanced Polearms[edit]
For as long as I've been playing D&D (not very long), the polearms listed in the weapon-set bugged me, and looking it up revealed that a 18lb pike maths out to about 33feet in length. There were clear inaccuracies, the only difference between a Halberd and a Glaive was the name, and Tridents are just worse than Spears.
This is intended to specifically enhance polearms without rendering other melee weapons unviable. The Fending property is intended to be used with readied attacks to enable the formation of a pikewall capable of stopping a rampaging barbarian dead-on, or for Reach(10') weapons to prevent opponents from marching past unhindered by opportunity attacks. The unwieldy property is a counterbalancing debuff primarily for the Pike. Small creatures using Lances on Mastiffs might be excepted from confined space limitations by their DM.
Optional Rule: Diagonal Reach[edit]
This rule requires Optional Rule: Diagonals (DMG P.252).
Under this rule, melee weapon reach diagonally may be counted as 5'-5'-10', rather than 5'-10'-5'. This is intended to improve Reach(10') polearms in particular, removing gaps in the corners of their range.
Introduced Properties[edit]
Unwieldy[edit]
Weapons with this property suffer disadvantage below half of their Reach.
Weapons with this property cannot be wielded in confined spaces.
If a creature wielding a weapon with this property and the Fending property moves, a creature targeted by that creature's Fending property may choose to follow an equal distance up to their maximum speed unless the wielder performs the Disengage action.
Fending[edit]
When making an attack with this weapon (hit or miss), the target creature of between Small and Large sizes (inclusive) is prevented from moving more than 5 feet closer to the wielder on their turn until either:
- The wielder attacks a different target (hit or miss).
- The wielder moves or is moved out of Reach.
- The wielder begins a new turn and the target creature is out of Reach.
- The weapon has the Unwieldy property and the target creature moves inside half of the weapon's Reach.
- The wielder is disarmed or unequips the weapon.
The wielder also gains +1 AC (Limit of +2) per 10 feet of distance between the wielder and target creature, specifically against the target creature, while it is within Reach, unless this weapon has the Unwieldy property and the target creature is within half of the weapon's Reach. This AC gain represents the wielder's ability to use the haft of the weapon to deflect or disrupt attacks.
Polearm Stat Changes[edit]
| Name | Type | Damage | Cost | Weight | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halberd | Martial | 1d10 Piercing OR 1d6+1 Slashing | 20gp | 6lbs | Fending, Heavy, Reach(10'), 2H |
| Glaive | Martial | 1d10 Slashing OR 1d6+1 Piercing | 20gp | 6lbs | Fending, Heavy, Reach(10'), 2H |
| Javelin | Simple | 1d6 Piercing | 5sp | 2lbs | Range(30/120), Thrown |
| Lance | Martial | 1d12 Piercing(Mounted) OR 1d8 Piercing(Dismounted) | 10gp | 6lbs | Reach(10'), Special(2H unless mounted), Unwieldy |
| Pike | Martial | 1d10 Piercing | 20gp | 18lbs | Fending, Heavy, Reach(20'), 2H, Unwieldy |
| Quarterstaff | Simple | 1d6 Bludgeoning | 2sp | 4lbs | Versatile(1d8) |
| Spear | Simple | 1d6 Piercing | 1gp | 3lbs | Reach(10'), Range(20/60), Thrown, Versatile(1d8, Fending) |
| Trident | Martial | 1d6 Piercing | 5gp | 4lbs | Range(20/60), Thrown, Versatile (1d8), Special(Disarm with Advantage) |
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