Polearms are long, hafted weapons designed for two-handed use. Hundreds of varieties exist, each with its own specialized function. Polearms were introduced to give the foot solider a weapon capable of dealing with the heavily armored knight. The first type of polearm are the spearlike weapons. These are primarily thrusting weapons and are especially effective when set against charges. The pike is a very long weapon with a small iron head; the ranseur, spetum, and partisan are shorter weapons with side blades. Pole axes are heavy weapons with axe-like heads that are designed for maximum striking power. Poleaxes include the bardiche, halberd, and the voulge or Lochaber axe. Glaives are simple polearms that consist of a single long, curving blade used for both slashing and thrusting. They lack the cutting power or strong straight point of poleaxes or spearlike weapons, and are generally not as effective as their polearm counterparts. Bills are multi-function polearms that include a cutting surface, a spearlike spike, and hooks or curved blades on the back for dismounting riders. Bills, bill-guisarmes, glaive-guisarmes, and guisarmes all fall into this category.
