Long weapons and initiative

[slimykuotoan]

Should longer weapons like the voulge, provide the weilder with first initiative?

[Omote]

By the book, any weapon that is 10 feet or longer automatically gains the initiative. Since there are no specifics in C&C regarding weapon length, and other than a pike/long spear I'm not sure there are any melee weapons that are actually 10-ft in length, I just let the pike, long spear, and all halbard-like weapons have automatic initiative.

~O

[slimykuotoan]

OK thanx Omote. I missed that reference in the book.

[Treebore]

OK thanx Omote. I missed that reference in the book.

Its easy to miss.

[Aramis]

Should longer weapons like the voulge, provide the weilder with first initiative?

By the book, they do. One thing not noted by the other posters is they only get this benefit in the first round. So roll initiative normally for pikemen, but let them go first in the first melee round. (p128, 4th) Also applies when a large creature melees with a medium or small creature, like, say, an ogre with a mattock of the titans

[T1Hound]

Would the Arms & Armor book provide additional info on weapon length?

Regarding these weapons we had rules (I think TSR combat and tactics) that would allow a nearby fighter to block with a polearm by making an opposed roll against the attack. I.e., party's front line fighter is going to get hit, the fighter with a polearm nearby could make an opposed check to block one of the attacks by having to roll higher.

[Captain_K]

This also assumes the person is closing to allow the long weapon person first attack. Stay out of range (10 to 15 feet), throw some daggers. When they get pissed you did not charge in and let them have first attack they have to close with you the next round, keep backing up, they'll wish they had a ranged weapon. Alternately when they close with you parry their first attack then stay within close range.