Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - Dueling Halberds: one skill 2 hd but two 1 hd?

hal · 09-13-2017, 05:27 AM

Just to add a thought...

Using a poleaxe technique requires the use of two hands/arms correct? If one uses it one handed, they aren't using the normal techniques for two hand use. The halberd in effect becomes little more than an ax in this character's hand even though it has the potential to be used as a polearm by a size 0 creature/being. Would you expect a smaller sized humanoid to use a dagger two handed because for it, the dagger is like a two-handed sword, or like a dagger because to size zero humanoids, that is precisely what the weapon is and how it would be used?

In the end, that is a GM call. As a GM, I'd say that using a halberd one handed is not using it with the required two-handed grip necessary to get the best use of the weapon. It will lack the extra leverage gained using 2 hands. For intents and purposes, it becomes a long handled ax with a point on it. And for the record? I've seen reference to an ax being used to poke in a thrusting manner despite it having little in the way of a business end at that point of impact. It becomes largely little more than a hefty club used to jab. People need to realize that even though a sword may be a blunt tipped, there were times using it to thrust made sense. As has been pointed out in other threads, the shield is more than just a defensive contraption, it can be used very offensively, even to the point of using it to knock an opponent's shield out of line enough to force an opening for a follow up attack.

09-13-2017, 05:27 AM	#10
hal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Buffalo, New York	Re: Dueling Halberds: one skill 2 hd but two 1 hd? Just to add a thought... Using a poleaxe technique requires the use of two hands/arms correct? If one uses it one handed, they aren't using the normal techniques for two hand use. The halberd in effect becomes little more than an ax in this character's hand even though it has the potential to be used as a polearm by a size 0 creature/being. Would you expect a smaller sized humanoid to use a dagger two handed because for it, the dagger is like a two-handed sword, or like a dagger because to size zero humanoids, that is precisely what the weapon is and how it would be used? In the end, that is a GM call. As a GM, I'd say that using a halberd one handed is not using it with the required two-handed grip necessary to get the best use of the weapon. It will lack the extra leverage gained using 2 hands. For intents and purposes, it becomes a long handled ax with a point on it. And for the record? I've seen reference to an ax being used to poke in a thrusting manner despite it having little in the way of a business end at that point of impact. It becomes largely little more than a hefty club used to jab. People need to realize that even though a sword may be a blunt tipped, there were times using it to thrust made sense. As has been pointed out in other threads, the shield is more than just a defensive contraption, it can be used very offensively, even to the point of using it to knock an opponent's shield out of line enough to force an opening for a follow up attack.