One of the most comical things about the 1st ed. AD&D rules was this odd combination of information overload with no definitions. For instance, they seemed to list every single polearm used around the world, feeling the need to differentiate between obscure weapons such as Spetums and Partisans, but didn't bother to actually define what the heck each weapon looked like.
This led to some understandable confusion. For instance, the Cleric class in 1st edition AD&D was only allowed to use blunt weapons. In the weapon list, next to the easily understood Hammer was listed "Hammer, Lucern" which had a way better damage profile. Many clerics opted to use the Lucern Hammer along with a shield, when in fact the Lucern Hammer was a very pointy polearm that would both violate the Cleric's weapon restrictions, and required two hands to use to boot (thus precluding the use of a shield).
They did describe things somewhat in an appendix of Unearthed Arcana, but that was in the days before Wikipedia. Here is a breakdown of all the polearms and what they actually were.
Bardiche: Cutting, 2-H. A large two-handed axe. Ostensibly a pole arm, but with no extra reach. Axe blade is a D-shaped curved blade which takes up a quarter or more of the length of the weapon.
Bec de Corbin: Cutting, Piercing, Blunt, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm used for penetrating hard armor targets. The name literally means 'crow's beak'. A later version of the Lucern Hammer (see below). Both sport a spike, but the Bec de Corbin utilizes a broad, short and edged spear tip rather than a long tapered point, and a claw-like hammer rather than a flat peen. Fun fact: This weapon also doubles as a crowbar!
Fauchard: Cutting, Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm that is basically a short sword on a stick.
Fork, Military: Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm that is basically a military version of a pitchfork.
Glaive: Cutting, 2-H, Reach 2. A polearm with a large curve-bladed head. This is different than a spear as it is mostly used as a slashing weapon rather than a stabbing weapon.
Guisarme: Cutting, Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. A polearm with a spear-like head with a hook on one side. Used for dragging people off horses and the like.
Halberd: Cutting or Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. A polearm with an axe-head and a spear point.
Hammer, Lucern: Blunt, Cutting and Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. A polearm with a hammer-head, a small point, and a pointed beak. Used for piercing hard-armored targets.
Mancatcher: Cutting, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm with U-shaped head covered with barbs. Used to catch hold of a man-sized target.
Partisan: Impaling or Cutting, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm which combines a spearhead with sharp double-edged protrusions on each side, often at right angles.
Pike: Impaling, 2-H, Reach 4. A massively long spear, usually used by large groups in battle formation rather than as an individual.
Ranseur: Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm which combines a spearhead framed by shorter, curved pointy spines.
Spetum: Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. A polearm with a spearhead flanked by two shorter pointed blades coming out at about a 45-degree angle.
Trident: Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. A triple-headed spear.
Voulge: Cutting, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm consisting of a cleaver attached to a pole.
*And don't forget the ever-comically named combination polearms!*
Bill-Guisarme: Cutting, Piercing, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm combining the spear-and-hook of the Guisarme with a reverse-Glaive head.
Fauchard-Fork: Cutting, Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Polearm combining a Fauchard and a military fork. It looks like a jitte-on-a-stick, with one forward facing tine sticking out of the back of the fauchard blade.
Glaive-Guisarme: Cutting, Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Combo of a glaive blade with the spear-and-hook of the guisarme. Basically the reverse of the Bill-Guisarme.
Guisarme-Voulge: Cutting, Impaling, 2-H, Reach 2. Combo of a voulge cleaver chopping blade with the spear-and-hook of the Guisarme. Ends up looking like a primitive Halberd.
Also, the old rules insisted on a separate weapon proficiency skills for each and every weapon. Since all of these polearms are slight variations of the others, requiring separate specializations just seems ridiculous. I instead divided the polearms into types: Choppity, Forky, Slashy-Pokey, Multi-Tool and Spear. Training in one of these types allows a combatant to mix and match amongst the forest of polearms available.
So know you know about polearms. And knowing is half the battle.
-Mike Keith
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