Talk:Man-at-Arms/@comment-199.243.36.51-20110910002015/@comment-4673267-20150727105137

@Milo1933: The problem is that in real life, polearms and swords have situational advantages and disadvantages. Spears and pikes are great to defend against a charge by both infantry or cavalry, but depends on a tight formation to really work out. Once the lines are broken and a more chaotic skirmish breaks loose, the swordsbearer is better off, because swords, axes, maces etc. are great for small spaces and personal defense.

A halberd is actually good at both of these things, but not as good as either, because it was shorter than the 5 meter pike and more unwieldy than any weapon held in one hand.

It still makes sense that the halberdier is an upgrade from the pikeman, since the halberd was basically the pinnacle of polearm evolution.