Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 bondman Jan 02, 2015 13:02:55	im trying to use a pike and shield at the same time, im not find any rules  that says  i cant, am i missing  something?  If not not possible  can i attack then as part of my move grab a shield?
#2 AaronOfBarbaria Jan 02, 2015 13:20:39	Pike entry in weapons table: lists weapon as two-handed.   Two-handed weapon property: states requires two hands to use (which in this case "use" means "make attacks with").   Shield description: states is carried in one hand.   Donning and Doffing Armor table: states putting on or taking off your shield takes 1 action.   If you don't think that all adds up to clearly saying "no, you can't pike and shield." I don't at all know what to tell you.
#3 Bloodscythe Jan 02, 2015 13:24:16	If you're going for a phalanx, the front line can be shield and spear, and another layer behind the front line can wield pikes which provide reach to attack the space in front of the front line.   No, you cannot wield a pike and a shield.  You potentially can carry a pike while wearing a shield, but you can't use the pike to attack unless you have both hands available, which means you'd have to get rid of the shield before you can attack with the pike.
#4 bondman Jan 02, 2015 13:36:55	Is there a penalty to use a weapon not in the way it was intended? And thank you for the confirmation of what i thought.
(Reply to #4) AaronOfBarbaria	bondman wrote:
(Reply to #5) Yunru	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #6) Bloodscythe	Yunru wrote:
#8 DM_HEEGZ Jan 02, 2015 15:56:03	For a hoplite phalanx style of fighting you will need to use spears, not pikes.
#9 whatisaman Jan 02, 2015 17:11:57	Using the pommel to strike an opponent is something every experienced swordsman knows how to do. Indeed, it was considered a viable tactic in combat. That doesn't ring of "improvisiation" to me. True, its primary function is to counterbalance the blade, but it's also designed to be used as a weapon. My contention, thus, is that anyone with the proficiency to wield a blade should also be considered proficient in the use of its pommel.
(Reply to #9) Bloodscythe	whatisaman wrote:
#11 Kalani Jan 02, 2015 20:07:26	Bloodscythe wrote:
(Reply to #9) steelwulf99	whatisaman wrote:
#13 BRJN Jan 03, 2015 8:21:31	whatisaman wrote:
#14 whatisaman Jan 03, 2015 20:06:12	Using a pommel to deliver a "murder stroke" was considered a viable tactic in combat, especially against armored opponents. There's nothing nonlethal about it.
(Reply to #14) Bloodscythe	whatisaman wrote:
#16 Kalani Jan 03, 2015 23:18:45	Bloodscythe wrote:
(Reply to #16) Macv12	Kalani wrote:
#18 Horwath Jan 04, 2015 0:43:04	Macv12 wrote:
#19 Undrhil Jan 04, 2015 6:15:12	tl;dr - Using a Pike in one hand to make an attack equals making an attack with an improvised weapon.  But that means it doesn't have reach and it only does 1d4+modifier damage.  Also, most people aren't proficient with Improvised weapons, so you will be less accurate attacking that way.   Now then, on to this whole Sword and Pommel discussion.   I would simply not allow it.  Why?  Because it means that a Fighter can have a Greatsword but then start using the bludgeoning Pommel against creatures which are vulnerable to bludgeoning damage.  Sorry, but no.  If you want to deal bludgeoning damage, you need to buy or find a bludgeoning weapon.
#20 Horwath Jan 04, 2015 6:22:28	Undrhil wrote:
#21 Horwath Jan 04, 2015 6:42:54	On topic: It's not allowed by RAW, but I would say that you can attack with two handed weapon in one hand with disadvantage as a house rule.
#22 etcetera Jan 04, 2015 10:10:45	Wiki (pike): "generally, a spear becomes a pike when it is too large to wield with one hand in combat"
#23 Caliburn Jan 04, 2015 10:32:09	~~The sarissa, made of tough and resilient cornel wood, was very heavy for a spear, weighing approximately 5.5 kg (12 lb) for a 4.5 m (15 ft) sarissa and approximately 6.5 kg (14 lb) for an 5.5 m (18 ft) sarissa.[3] It had a sharp iron head shaped like a leaf and a bronze (to avoid rust) butt-spike that would allow it to be anchored to the ground to stop charges by enemy soldiers.[4] The butt-spike served to balance out the spear, making it easier for soldiers to wield. The butt-spike could be used as a back-up point should the main one break. The sheer bulk and size of the spear required the soldiers to wield the spear with both hands, allowing them to carry only a 60 cm (24 in) shield (pelta) suspended from the neck to cover the left shoulder.[5] Its great length was an asset against hoplites and other soldiers bearing shorter weapons, because they had to get past the sarissas to engage the phalangites. However, outside the tight formation of the Phalanx the sarissa was useless as a weapon and a hindrance on the march. As such, it was usually composed of two lengths and was joined by a central bronze tube only before a battle.[6]   An excerpt from Wiki about the Phalanx weapon that matches the OPs post - the Sarissa.   Things to note;   Useless outside of a phalanx Had to held in two hands with the light shield (Peltast) hung from the shoulder for protection. Disassembled when on the march due to the general impracticalities of such a long weapon when travelling...   I'd allow it if someone insisted, but I'd enforce two-handed wielding, +1 AC from a slung shield and a full round to hang said shield.   The first few combats spent either throwing the shield away due to losing actions fumbling around with a shield necksling in combat, or drawing a sword instead due to not having the room to move with an unwieldy pike, and the player trying to munchkin 2 handed reach weapon damage with shield bonus would not bother trying to square the circle anymore...
#24 Kalani Jan 04, 2015 14:34:05	Undrhil wrote: