Are there any bludgeoning weapons with reach?

[Brock Samson]

Just curious if there are any bludgeoning weapons that have reach. I'm sure there's got to be. I'm also wondering if there is a bludgeoning equivalent to the Spiked Chain, that can hit adjacent and the next square?

[Teron]

I suppose you could use a plain old spikeless chain to deal bludgeoning damage, though it might warrant a reduction in damage. Come to think of it, it's kind of odd that the spiked chain doesn't deal both types of damage like a morningstar. Beyond that, there might be something in the issue of Dragon that had stats for a bunch of polearms. I think there was some kind of long staff...

EDIT: It's issue #331.

[Brock Samson]

Well that makes sense. Does anyone know if there are stats somewhere for just a chain?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

In OA there's a basic 'chain' weapon, described as having weighted ends. It deals 1d6 bludgeoning base damage as a two-handed exotic weapon. You can choose to use it as a double weapon, or as a reach weapon with which you can also strike adjacent foes. It has the same tripping and disarming qualities of a spiked chain, and may as well be identical except for dealing bludgeoning damage and lower base damage.

[arguskos]

Ramhammer, from the Planar Handbook. Exotic weapon, does d10 damage with a x2 crit. It does bludgeoning and has reach. Can be used to make bull rush attacks from reach.

[Brock Samson]

Can the ramhammer also attack adjacent creatures?

[arguskos]

No, it's a traditional reach weapon, such as the ranseur. However, 5-foot steps are quite useful for this.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Armor spikes can threaten adjacent squares, and is an easy way to get around the drawback of using a reach weapon.

[Brock Samson]

I think I like the idea of the basic chain more than. I'm a fan of Shapechanging into the form of a Titan lately, and with Greater Mighty Wallop on the chain and Heroics myself some decent weapon feats, much fun shall ensue with the reach craziness! I'm hearing: Knockdown, Improved Trip, Cleave, and Great Cleave. I never gave much thought to the Cleave feats before, but now that I can pound out over 250 damage/hit it just sounds like fun.

[BraveSirKevin]

AD&D had a much more comprehensive list of pole-arms, including the real-word Lucerne Hammer



Stats would be
Prof: +2
Damage: 2d4
Range: -
Price:25gp
Weight 12lbs
Group: Hammer, Polearm
Properties: Reach

Naturally, like the halberd, it was designed for use in formations and it's primary purpose was for unhorsing cavalry, and not really ideal for bashing up goblins in a claustrophobic dungeon.

[Coidzor]

http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php The equipment index has a section on polearms if you're involving DnD 3.5.

Lucerne Hammer: B or P. 2d4 20/x4 crit. 10' reach.

Ankus: B 2d4 20/x2 crit. 10' reach. Tripping. Exotic.

Goad: B or P. B is subdual. P is lethal 2d4. 10' reach. Exotic.

Longstaff: B 1d6/1d6. Can't be flanked while wielding. 20/x2 crit. I think has reach if not used as a double weapon. Exotic.

Sasumata: 1d4 B 20/x2. Grapple, Reach 10', Subdual. Exotic.

Pincer Staff: 1d10. Exotic. Grapple. Reach 10' Bashing.

Dragon Chain: As spiked chain but 19-20/x2 crit. 1d6 Bashing. Can grapple and if a creature is grappled can constrict for 1d8 +1.5 str damage. Tripping. Exotic.

Chain: 1d6 bashing. exotic. Reach 10' and adjacent or double weapon.

Duom: Martial. Reach 10' and threaten adjacent. 1d8 Piercing, 20/x3 crit.

[arguskos]

AD&D had a much more comprehensive list of pole-arms, including the real-word Lucerne Hammer

Do note that 3.X also has stats for the Lucerne Hammer, but it's not a bludgeoning weapon, as was requested.

[Kaiyanwang]

Lucerne Hammer is in Dragon Magazine Compendium, too.

There is a 2d4, crit x4, Bludgeoning or Piercing. I use that.

Where is elsewhere described?

[BraveSirKevin]

I just updated the stats from the 2nd ed AD&D Player's Handbook. It lists it as a piercing/bludgeoning weapon in there. I agree it's not a blunt weapon though... pretty likely to draw some blood with that

[arguskos]

Lucerne Hammer is in Dragon Magazine Compendium, too.

There is a 2d4, crit x4, Bludgeoning or Piercing. I use that.

Where is elsewhere described?

It was originally printed in Arms and Equipment Guide. Dragon Compendium is newer though, and should be used. I didn't recall it was printed there. It's pretty much the best non-chain reach weapon out there then. I'd use that one, Brock Samson.

[Hazkali]

If you want to use a feat, there is the Short Haft feat from (I think) Complete Warrior. This allows you to attack adjacent squares with a reach weapon, so if you did go along the Lucerne or Ram hammer route, that would cover threatening.

[Brock Samson]

Doesn't Short Haft require you to use a swift action???

[Kaiyanwang]

Doesn't Short Haft require you to use a swift action???

Yes, it does.

[olentu]

Well assuming that you do not want to use armor spikes or some other hands free weapon I think the feat that would work if I am remembering it correctly is Shorten Grip.

[Brock Samson]

Crystal Keep says you are correct. But it is a feat from a Dragon Magazine, depending on DMs that may not fly.

[SilverSheriff]

Over-sized Q-tip.

[Kaiyanwang]

Yeah, if you have enough to-hit, shorten grip rocks without be OP. It transform any polearm in a Duom.

[Coidzor]

What's it do mechanically other than the reach and threaten adjacent? -2 to adjacent or on reach or both?

[Brock Samson]

I think it's only a -2 on adjacent.

[Ravens_cry]

Over-sized Q-tip.

Also good for cleaning out giant monkey head ears, eh?

[Hat-Trick]

Short Haft is from PHII. And using a swift action to switch doesn't sound all that bad, really.

[Keld Denar]

It does when you consider 3 things. A) While "choaked" up on a weapon, you don't threaten at reach. B) If you are using ToB or are a gish, your swift actions are extremely useful for boosts or swift/quickened spells. C) Requires Weapon Focus

Plus, if you are spending a feat on Short Haft, you might as well spend a feat one EWP: Chain, Spiked Chain, or Drow Scorpion Chain (B, P, and S respectively).

Short Haft is BAD.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Just curious if there are any bludgeoning weapons that have reach.

Longstaff?

[snoopy13a]

You could also get the Quick Draw feat and simply drop your reach weapon in favor of a greatsword (two free actions).

[Twilight Jack]

Short Haft is from PHII. And using a swift action to switch doesn't sound all that bad, really.

The problem is that you only get one swift action a round, on your own turn. So you have to decide whether you're using the polearm as a reach weapon or not during your own turn, and are stuck there until your next one.

So, by way of example, you're fighting with a glaive and have Combat Reflexes and a decent Dex. A wave of baddies charges you, and you use your reach to make three AoOs as they come in. All three of them survive though, so you're using your swift action to shorten the haft and full attack them, finishing all but one off. Two more baddies charge in to replace the dead ones. No AoO for you, since your weapon is currently without reach. And you won't have reach next round either, unless you manage to kill all three of your opponents with your attacks this round.

Alternately, you don't bother with Short Haft. Same situation crops up and in most circumstances you can just take a 5-foot step back every round to reestablish your ability to attack any opponent who's closed the gap with you.

So Short Haft really only has any worthwhile application in situations where it would be impossible or disadvantageous to take a 5-foot step. Situationally, it might be worth taking if your DM is a huge fan of difficult terrain, but it's usually not worth the feat.