Ok, it reads as:
Bramble Armor (Su): At 6th level, you can cause a host of wooden thorns to burst from your skin as a free action. While bramble armor is in effect, any foe striking you with an unarmed strike or a melee weapon without reach takes 1d6 points of piercing damage + 1 point per two cleric levels you possess. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
If I (a half-orc) am fighting an Ogre armed with an ogre hook I know that when he is 10 feet away and striking me that he takes no Bramble damage.
However, if he is 5 feet away and we are beating on each other does he take the Bramble Damage? I would think so as he is not using his 10 foot reach (for being Large) and he is not using a weapon with reach ability. Under weapon descriptions ogre hook does not have it listed under special abilities.
I ask as we are starting to face ogres and giant in Runlords and this situation will come up a lot.
Thanks!
A melee weapon must have the reach property for the damage to be avoided. Since all creatures have a reach of some distance, therefore this ability specifies "a melee weapon without reach", not creature with long arms and swords. If you want to argue realism check out some pictures of long swords.