The Halberd, reach weapon or not?

[Elwood Slayer]

I believe that Halberd is not denoted as a reach weapon in the 3.5e Player's Handbook, although intuitively one would think that Halberds would work like other Polearms.

A friend forwarded me an excellent 3.5e D&D excel spreadsheet character sheet (the one originally created by Dexter Lieu, and Updated/Modified by Travis Woodall). In this spreadsheet, Halberd is denoted as a Reach weapon.

Has the 3.5 player's handbook been errata'd to make halberd a reach weapon, or is the spreadsheet incorrect? Or am I actually just misremembering my PHB?

 

[The Souljourner]

Spreadsheets are not official errata

The spreadsheet is incorrect. Halberds are not reach weapons.

-The Souljourner

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Actually, halberds, as represented in D&D, aren't the same length as polearms. They're more like a quarterstaff with a pointy end.

You could certainly design a reach halberd, but it might be easier to just use one of the polearms already present; might I recommend the guisarme?

 

[Storm Raven]

I believe that Halberd is not denoted as a reach weapon in the 3.5e Player's Handbook, although intuitively one would think that Halberds would work like other Polearms.

It does, just like spears and scythes. That doesn't make it a reach weapon though.

 

[Aaron2]

I believe that Halberd is not denoted as a reach weapon in the 3.5e Player's Handbook, although intuitively one would think that Halberds would work like other Polearms.

Despite their length, Halberds were held more like a staff. They were mainly close combat weapons. Here are some pictures from the 1400s to illustrate ....

http://www.thehaca.com/arttalk/Montfort1.JPG
http://www.thehaca.com/essays/polaxe1.JPG

Compare those to the use of a spear where one hand is on the butt and the majority of the weapon is in front of the wielder.
http://www.thehaca.com/NewArchive/Hcavacalbo.jpg

The Royal Armories in Leeds made some great videos of re-enactors dualing with this weapon. It really gives you a good feel for it. They also have videos of a knight donning full plate, a dude shooting and reloaded a crossbow with a windlass, and a pretty good look at a Japanese swordsmith making a katana. Fantastic museum.

Aaron

 

[Darklone]

Agree with the posters above on the short length of most historical halberds and their use.

Just wanted to add the nice feat in CW that allows a halberd user (only weapon with slashing, bludgeoning and piercing damage) additional attacks with TWF.

 

[nimisgod]

In CW, there's also the halberd with reach... that is the Exotic Weapon called the Poleaxe