Polearm/Halberd Warrior

[Element Zero]

So I need some help. I want to build something that uses a polearm, preferably a halberd but I'm not married to it, but I don't know what I want to play. Looking to see what is optimal, or to see if there are any creative class/feat/archetype combos using a polearm that I haven't encountered.

Any advice is appreciated.

[legomaster00156]

Is Path of War allowed? In addition to a few other disciplines that have polearms as a discipline weapon, DSP's Piercing Thunder (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/disciplines-and-maneuvers/piercing-thunder-maneuvers) discipline is built entirely around such things.

[Element Zero]

Is Path of War allowed? In addition to a few other disciplines that have polearms as a discipline weapon, DSP's Piercing Thunder (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/disciplines-and-maneuvers/piercing-thunder-maneuvers) discipline is built entirely around such things.

Sadly, no. My GM doesn't even lile going outside of Core Rulebook, but she's allowing me to this game. She won't even entertain 3rd party material. I do keep hearimg about Path of War though.

[legomaster00156]

Well, without DSP and going barely outside of Core, you'll probably be looking at a pretty standard reach/AoO build. Combat Reflexes, Stand Still, and Power Attack will be your most important feats. The Fighter has a few archetypes you might look into.

[Geddy2112]

The phalanx fighter and polearm master fighter archetypes are good with polearms.

As stated, combat reflexes/reach/AoO is the standard go to. It works well with most martial classes, and clerics can do it as well. I personally like the abberrant bloodrager, as you can use long arm and get the 5ft reach increase when you bloodrage, as well as enlarge person to get an utterly stupid reach.

[Elkad]

If you are stuck with core, Horizon Tripper (guisarme instead of halberd) is solid.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?80415-The-Horizon-Tripper-(Core-Melee-Build)

[Castilonium]

Well, without DSP and going barely outside of Core, you'll probably be looking at a pretty standard reach/AoO build. Combat Reflexes, Stand Still, and Power Attack will be your most important feats. The Fighter has a few archetypes you might look into.

Just your obligatory friendly neighborhood reminder that Stand Still (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/stand-still-combat---final) in Pathfinder is terrible and only works when a foe provokes an AoO by moving through your adjacent squares. It doesn't work with reach weapons.

[legomaster00156]

By RAW, that is true, but I have yet to meet a GM who actually rules it as anything other than moving through your threatened area.

[exelsisxax]

By RAW, that is true, but I have yet to meet a GM who actually rules it as anything other than moving through your threatened area.

But this is with a GM who begrudgingly allows a player to use non-core sources.

[legomaster00156]

These two points have no relation to one another. One can attempt to infer that the GM will not allow RAI as opposed to RAW due to being a bad GM, because they dislike non-core sources (a matter of opinion), but we don't know how it will be ruled.

[denthor]

Ran a fighter that was halberd great damage 1 1/2 from strength d10 dice of damage. But as I recall halberd was two handed but not a reach weapon. 5 foot just like long sword.

[Blyte]

I suggest going polearm light.

Go overrun build with bulette style, and enjoy the AoOs with a pole arm when they try to stand back up.

I would go fighter brawler, and use armor spikes for your close attacks, and polearm for reach.

1-pow attk
1-imp overrun
1-bulette style
2-bulette style 2
3-bulette style 3
4-combat reflexes
5-spiked destroyer
6-greater overrun

Progressing with this path will make you dangerous up close and still get to take advantage of pole arm AoOs and standstill etc in the future

[grarrrg]

The phalanx fighter and polearm master fighter archetypes are good with polearms.

I prefer Dragoon (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/dragoon) Fighter myself.

At level 7 you can freely makes attacks with/without Reach as you feel.
And your Weapon Training gives double the normal Damage bonus.
You do get a couple (potentially) wasted feats at level 1 though.