I made several observations about pointy pole arms. I would also categorise them in as: general; infantry vs infantry; infantry vs archers; infantry vs cavalry; infantry versus horse archers; I will also provide useful links every time I would like to use a reference.
General:
- Infantry with spears should have their own section
by default because this is the
de facto infantry back in the era that Bannerlord is loosely based upon and it goes way further until guns dominated the battlefields.
- Spears should be, and are, easily blocked with any type of a shield but spearman should have the ability to easily attack behind their shields. 1*
- Spears should stop an attacker in place
by default because they are long sticks you can just hold your enemy with at a distance.
- Pole arms in general are
SUPERIOR to any other melee weapon (with exceptions). 2 *
Infantry vs Infantry:
My general feeling about this section: it is nicely balanced for now BUT i feel it would change whenever the developers would like to make the spear a more important weapon the battlefield.
Infantry vs Archers:
- Archers are a powerful counter against infantry in general so I think it is okay.
- EVERY SINGLE FOOT SOLDIER SHOULD HAVE A SHIELD. Even few broken planks held together with a rope is a far superior option in a battle that no shield at all. Even recruits should have them. 3 *
Infantry vs Cavalry:
- Infantry with spears should be able to counter charging light cavalry much better.
- Pikes should be MUCH longer. 4 *
Infantry vs Horse Archers:
Infantry dies easily against Horse Archers. Which is balanced, as all things should be. Khuzait will dominate you on the battlefield but when it comes to sieges, well - they are not as powerful. When you finally get to them with your ladders, siege towers and rams, break into their cities and castles, they deliver little to none resistance against other units. This is why it's better to stay behind your walls' battlements and slaughter them when they finally come to you.
In general, there is much work to be done, either by modders or TaleWorlds itself.
Nonetheless, i love the game.
1. One such organisational unit was the:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonian_phalanx
2. Spear vs Sword by Matt Easton:
3. There is a mod for that but in my opinion it would really upgrade the experience for the base game.
4. There are multiple historical sources for that:
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org