In the class acts for Fighter, the Pikeman, the Shield and Pike Style feat says that "You may weild a light sheild with its full Armor Class Bonus when using a two-handed peircing polearm weapon with reach." My question is this: The feat doesn't say anything about the weapon no longer being considered a 2-hander, so do the normal benefits of a two handed weapon apply (double power attack to damage and one and a half strength bonus to damage)?
The feat was designed to allow a character to retain normal benefits of using a longspear or pike. The light shield is treated almost like a buckler, but without attack roll penalties.
The basis for the feat comes from historical depictions of Macedonian/Successor infantry attacking (pikes lowered) with both hands, yet they appear to be receiving significant coverage from shields. The pikemen shields have two straps (and probably an actual grip, though it could not be used in this style of fighting): one for the forearm and a much wider one for the neck and shoulder, like an arm sling.
To recreate the classical pikeman from a gaming perspective, this meant either designing a new shield or shield strap that provided the desired effect, or designing a feat to replicate the skill. I opted for the skill. I don't think an untrained character could gain the same type of benefit from simply having extra support from an shield sling strap.
Regards
Paul
That's all well and good, but it doesn't answer my question. I get that the feat is designed after a real world regional fighting style, the article explained that. But what I need to know is this: When using the feat, am I 2-handing the polearm? With all that that implies?
The answer was yes.
The answer was yes.
Thank you.