[combat] giant issue in weapon reach question

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Ji ji

In regard of real combat techniques, I must make some remark to Walrus.
Spears aren't awkward at all. They are one of most nimble and swift weapons. For me, requiring a ready maneuver to adjust reach is totally foreign to spear techniques, which is made of very quick movement of hands along the shaft.

To make your spear really swift and nimble, you want Form Mastery (Spear) (See MA 50). This lets you switch freely between using the spear two-handed with Spear skill and using it with Staff skill during your turn. In addition to a defensive bonus when using Staff skill (which you can use at default at Spear-2), staffs have free range adjustment.

Reach Mastery (Spear) (PU2 7) would let you adjust reach as a free action when gripping one-handed as well but is otherwise less useful. If you usually use your spear one-handed it's the good solution, but for a two-handed spear user it is less useful.

Grip Mastery (Spear) (MA 50) may also be useful but isn't much to do with reach adjustment.