One handed/Two handed polearms + polearm/1h/2h skills

[Luthius]

I've just noticed some polearms are one or two handed. Is this just meaning that without a shield it can be swung instead of only thrusted?

Im thinking about making a character that uses a bow and polearms and thought if i could use a polearm thats combat worthy on the ground but can be used for lancing it would be great. I don't want to go lancing without a shield but due to the 4 weapon slots i couldn't take both a 1 and a 2 handed polearm with me.

Finally, Is a 2 handed polearm reliant only on the polearms skill or does it balance between the 2 handed and polearms skill. or, is the polearms skill used just for lancing? I want to know because i don't want to put no points into 1 and 2 handed weapons when theyre needed to fight with polearms.

I could just make a character with throwing weapons and have 2 polearms but i've never made an archer/xbowman before and quite fancy it.

 

[Sir Saladin]

The pole arms with blades can be used for slashing and lances can only do piercing damage, two handed skill doesn't work for pole arms or lances, just big axes and swords. You have an interesting idea and it could work. When you are in the inventory screen you can see what type of damage a weapon does. I think it is B for blunt crushing damage, S for slashing and P for piercing or stabbing. I haven't noticed if this changes when you use a weapon with one or two hands but I doubt it. Edit I didn't mean that bladed pole arms can't do pierce damage.

 

[Mage246]

I have been playing a build with a scythe and a bow. The scythe CAN lance, but I choose not to use it like that, instead relying on its range (180!) to keep my foes away from me. And, if I am threatened by a ranged unit, I can equip my shield with it . Of course, I'm going to switch to a better polearm when I have enough money, but for now it rocks.

Also, the scythe's speed clocks in at a fairly decent (for a weapon of its range) 83. It's damage isn't very good, but you can wield it 2-handed and it can slash, so you can kill plenty of enemies with it. Also, since it is a polearm it forces enemy horses to rear!

 

[namster]

I think in the past once you equip a shield you can't unequip it.
that's no longer true - which would be an advantage when approaching archers with a polearm. get in close with your shield up and drop it before you swing your scythe

 

[jrawlings]

Anyone know the advantage/disadvantage of using a 2 handed weapon with only 1 hand?

Also, can you wield a two handed weapon with one hand even if you don't have a shield?

 

[ThVaz]

Anyone know the advantage/disadvantage of using a 2 handed weapon with only 1 hand?

The advantage is that you can use a shield. The disadvantage is that you have penalties in speed and damage.

Also, can you wield a two handed weapon with one hand even if you don't have a shield?

No, you cant.

 

[Yellonet]

Can you couch a two-handed lance?

 

[Worbah]

Can you couch a two-handed lance?

I'm not sure. you probably mean two-handed polearms. You couldn't in 0.632, but in 0.700 I did couch a glaive.

 

[Daimyo]

The advantage is that you can use a shield. The disadvantage is that you have penalties in speed and damage..

It seems it's not true. I did some tests and the results demonstrate that for some reason, either the difference is too little to be noticed, or they all work in the same way. Look here to see my tests:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/viewtopic.php?p=64660#64660

The only noticeable difference seems that some polearms (like the scythe btw) lack some attack types when used one-handed, mainly forcing them into piercing attacks that usually have a lower damage output.