Reach weapons and level adjustments

[haplot]

Just a few quick(ish) queries.

A medium sized creature wielding say a longspear threatens squares 2 squares away (even on the diagonally) (page 137 of players handbook). I can't find anything about being able to attack normally 2 squares away diagonally. Does this mean, they can't or they can do this? Also do they just threaten the squares 2 away, and not immediately surrounding them? Or can they use the 'butt' of the weapon at closer range, but at say a -4 to hit for not using the weapon optiminally?

Same questions, but with a large creature (eg a minotaur)

With level adjustments, for example a minotaur has a level adjustment of +2. Does this mean that at lvl 3, the minotaur only has 1 class level? or do you add on their racial hit dice?

[JNAProductions]

Just a few quick(ish) queries.

A medium sized creature wielding say a longspear threatens squares 2 squares away (even on the diagonally) (page 137 of players handbook). I can't find anything about being able to attack normally 2 squares away diagonally. Does this mean, they can't or they can do this? Also do they just threaten the squares 2 away, and not immediately surrounding them? Or can they use the 'butt' of the weapon at closer range, but at say a -4 to hit for not using the weapon optiminally?

Same questions, but with a large creature (eg a minotaur)

With level adjustments, for example a minotaur has a level adjustment of +2. Does this mean that at lvl 3, the minotaur only has 1 class level? or do you add on their racial hit dice?

Not sure on reach.

For determining ECL (effective character level) you add:

-Racial Hit Dice
-Level Adjustment
-Class Levels

And the total is your ECL.

So, a level 8 Human Wizard has an ECL of 8.
A minotaur, that has 6 RHD and +2 LA, would ALSO have an ECL of 8.
Meaning you don't get your first class level till ECL 9.

[ExLibrisMortis]

Creatures with 10' reach threaten and can attack the 2nd diagonal square, which is an exception to the general rule that the 2nd square counts as 10'. A medium creature with a reach weapon doesn't threaten adjacent squares with their reach weapon, but they may threaten it with another weapon (unarmed strikes and gauntlets are the classic option--basically, you kick or punch anyone who comes too close to stab).

You add the RHD to the total. A 4 HD creature with +2 LA is level 6 (without class levels) or level 7 (with a single class level).

[MisterKaws]

You need to take the Short Haft feat(I think it's PHB2) to threaten adjacent squares with a reach weapon.

And if you use it you lose the reach. It's really only useful if you can't afford a Morphing weapon. Though it'd be better to use a Changeling Spear in that case, since it's only a +2000 gp cost.

[haplot]

Thank you for your replies

Much appreciated