by Rob Morgan
Jim’s question on the plethora of staff or pole weapons and their potential ‘hits’ is worded as a rules question, but of course the sheer magnificence of the range of these weapons offers so much to the medieval wargame, and the early Renaissance too.
The point on efficiency against armoured or harnessed men suggests Jim’s thinking of the pole-axe, which, by the time of the Wars of the Roses, had become the main weapon of the foot knight or man-at-arms- being far more efficient than the sword. It was seen on every battlefield and in the champ-du-clos.
Staff or pole weapons were provided with a range of devices, but it’s very easy to get bogged down in the details of what were, in many case,s overelaborate and rarely-seen oddities.
Mind you, Jim, when considering a specific pole-weapon’s effect on armour, well- how does the Glaive compare with the Ranseur or Voulge when used against the pauldron or vambrace wearer?
It’s a big field!
In 1485, King Richard III, (The Usurper) was able to fight on foot effectively, it seems, until he lost his Sallet (helmet) then, death was inevitable. He was killed with a pole-axe. The offensive rule for staff weapons used to be, point, hook and blade, but not all weapons had all three features.
Keep the rules simple.
Concerning polearms and bills and such like:
For those interested, the old TSR “Chainmail” rules (as in pre D&D) have a very good set of skirmish rules for Man to Man combat (I still use them). There is an order of precedence for weapons : pages 25 to 27 and page 41.
Link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwivgr_90cT9AhVItIsKHTRsCjwQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.4pcdn.org%2Ftg%2F1377070286261.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1cdOL7Nstb6hboB_NEaEuS
The Magazine ” The Strategic Review ” has a supplement about different polearms for these rules on page 5 by Gary Gygax. Perhaps it might be useful for ideas>
Link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwimh7Li0cT9AhWBtIsKHe34CcUQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fannarchive.com%2Ffiles%2FStrv102.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2DGFvvjT0mOgpGOef9f1sn
Regards
All the input on pole weapons and their utility in different eras has been very thought-provoking. I have tentatively concluded for simplicity that I will leave them out of armies after 1600. One hundred years earlier, I think I will give equal hit points to infantry with any kind of pole weapon or sword. However, levies will be weaker and elite units will be stronger.
Landsnecht and Swiss mercenaries will have halberds in the 16th century but not in 17th century. The percentage of pikes will increase. Swordsmen will be reduced and also heavy armor.