[BECMI] Combat Maneuvers: Set Spear vs. Charge

[Havard]

I think this has come up maybe once in my time playing and running BECMI. Maybe because noone uses spears? Has anyone used this combat maneuver in your campaigns?

-Havard

[RobJN]

I do believe I used it in the first part of your Vales campaign.

Edit: Yup! In the fight against da bears in the first chapter (and it actually worked!)

[Havard]

I do believe I used it in the first part of your Vales campaign.

Haha, that may be true! So I guess I've seen it used twice then!

-Havard

[snorri]

In almost every fight during my longest Becmi's campaign.

Dagger throw and even sword throw (thanks to weapon masteries and Ladyhawke) were pretty common too.

[RobJN]

I do believe I used it in the first part of your Vales campaign.

Haha, that may be true! So I guess I've seen it used twice then!

-Havard

I think it's equal amounts lack-of-spear and lack-of-charging-enemies

[DaveB]

Used on PC's.
That got their attention and interest in maneuvers in combat.

[Havard]

I think it's equal amounts lack-of-spear and lack-of-charging-enemies

That is a good point. I also wonder if DM's fall into the trap of having the enemies not charge when they know one or more of the PCs is carrying spears, which is unfortunate since the PC's should have a chance to shine. I know I have been guilty of this at times.

-Havard

[Havard]

Used on PC's.
That got their attention and interest in maneuvers in combat.

That is great! I need to be more tactical when I DM my monsters.

-Havard

[RobJN]

Used on PC's.
That got their attention and interest in maneuvers in combat.

That is great! I need to be more tactical when I DM my monsters.

-Havard

.... after your next Vales campaign, right? Right??

[Havard]

Used on PC's.
That got their attention and interest in maneuvers in combat.

That is great! I need to be more tactical when I DM my monsters.

-Havard

.... after your next Vales campaign, right? Right??

Well....

-Havard

[DaveB]

Teaches the Player's to read the freakin books.

[barrataria]

I think it's equal amounts lack-of-spear and lack-of-charging-enemies

That is a good point. I also wonder if DM's fall into the trap of having the enemies not charge when they know one or more of the PCs is carrying spears, which is unfortunate since the PC's should have a chance to shine. I know I have been guilty of this at times.

-Havard

Maybe, but spears can't be concealed so I'd think opponents generally wouldn't run into that.

[snorri]

Spears are a typical second rank weapons, so a first line of shield bearers could conceal a second Line of Spear-users, especialy on a Dark place.

I wonder if it could extend to polearms and two-handed Swords, which had the same use in battle.

[Cthulhudrew]

Maybe, but spears can't be concealed so I'd think opponents generally wouldn't run into that.

It would definitely seem to be more useful against enemies of animal intelligence level or lower, although cavalry might also be tempted to try their luck against it (as they did in real life).