Polearm - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: Undo revision 195140 by A1 (talk) not esp. necessary

2026-01-15T22:11:14Z

Undo revision 195140 by A1 (talk) not esp. necessary

A1: /* Polearms skill */ inserting spetum at correct place alongside #tnntstats

2025-11-18T01:47:50Z

‎Polearms skill: inserting spetum at correct place alongside #tnntstats

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ touch-up

2025-11-13T17:35:07Z

‎Origin: touch-up

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ copyedit

2025-11-13T17:23:50Z

‎Description: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: generation

2025-11-13T17:04:57Z

generation

A1: /* Polearms skill */ removing whitespace

2025-11-13T16:36:35Z

‎Polearms skill: removing whitespace

A1: /* Polearms skill */ sorting list based upon #tnntstats

2025-11-13T16:36:18Z

‎Polearms skill: sorting list based upon #tnntstats

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ and tweaks here

2025-07-24T19:45:40Z

‎Strategy: and tweaks here

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ tweaks

2025-07-24T19:42:10Z

‎Description: tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: upcoming

2025-05-13T08:31:41Z

upcoming

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 * [[partisan]]
 * [[ranseur]]
 * [[glaive]]
 * [[halberd]]
@@ Line 29: / Line 28: @@
 * [[lucern hammer]]
 * [[bec de corbin]]
+* [[spetum]]
 There are no [[artifact]] polearms.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 * [[partisan]]
 * [[ranseur]]
 * [[glaive]]
 * [[halberd]]
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 * [[lucern hammer]]
 * [[bec de corbin]]
-* [[spetum]]
 There are no [[artifact]] polearms.

@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 A polearm or pole weapon is a type of weapon that is predominantly designed for melee, and typically has the "business" end fitted to a long and usually wooden shaft to extend the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms can be divided into three broad categories: those designed for extended reach and thrusting tactics used in pike square or phalanx combat; those designed to increase leverage via the pole and maximize swinging force against cavalry; and those designed for throwing tactics used in skirmish line combat.
-Polearms were common weapons on the post-classical battlefields of Asia and Europe, and many were adapted from agricultural implements or other fairly abundant tools that contained relatively little metal - poorer-class soldiers who could not pay for dedicated military weapons would often appropriate these tools as cheap weapons. This made them readily available to manufacture and kept cost of training comparatively low, since these conscripted farmers had spent most of their lives using these "weapons" in the fields. As a result, polearms are historically the favored weapon of peasant levies and peasant rebellions the world over.
+Polearms were common weapons on the post-classical battlefields of Asia and Europe, and many were adapted from agricultural implements or other fairly abundant tools that contained relatively little metal&mdash;poorer-class soldiers who could not pay for dedicated military weapons would often appropriate these tools as cheap weapons. This made them readily available to manufacture and kept the cost of training comparatively low, since these conscripted farmers had spent most of their lives using these "weapons" in the fields. As a result, polearms are historically the favored weapon of peasant levies and peasant rebellions the world over.
-Because of their versatility, high effectiveness and low cost, there were many variants of polearm that saw use: bills, picks, dane axes, spears, glaives, guandaos, pudaos, pikes, poleaxes, halberds, harpoons, sovnyas, tridents, naginatas, bardiches, war scythes, and lances are all varieties of polearms. The hook on weapons such as the halberd was used for pulling or grappling tactics, especially against horsemen, and there are also a subclass of spear-like designs fit for thrusting and/or throwing. As time went on, the various different polearm types borrowed heavily from each other, leading to a great deal of confusion over classification&mdash;this is a subject that [http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/Fun/polearms.html Tom Fine] touches on with one of his many personal pages, detailing the classification of polearms in ''NetHack'' as it relates to the real-life historical weapons. Of note is that the lance in particular is most likely to be used ''by'' mounted soldiers, which is why it is given a separate skill and categorization in ''NetHack''.
+Because of their versatility, high effectiveness and low cost, there were many variants of polearm that saw use: bills, picks, dane axes, spears, glaives, guandaos, pudaos, pikes, poleaxes, halberds, harpoons, sovnyas, tridents, naginatas, bardiches, war scythes, and lances are all varieties of polearms. The hook on weapons such as the halberd was used for pulling or grappling tactics, especially against horsemen, and there are also a subclass of spear-like designs fit for thrusting and/or throwing. As time went on, the various different polearm types borrowed heavily from each other, leading to a great deal of confusion over classification&mdash;this is a subject that [http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/Fun/polearms.html Tom Fine] touches on with one of his many personal pages, detailing the classification of polearms in ''NetHack'' as it relates to the real-life historical weapons. Of note is that the lance in particular is most likely to be used ''by'' mounted soldiers, which is likely why it is given a separate skill and categorization in ''NetHack''.
-Polearms in modern times are largely constrained to ceremonial military units such as the Papal Swiss Guard or Yeomen of the Guard, or traditional martial arts: Chinese martial arts in particular have preserved a wide variety of weapons and techniques, and there is much focus on polearms and classification among enthusiasts of the relevant historical periods, including re-enactment troupes. The fascination with medieval polearms extended to early editions of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', which were infamous for giving stats for many exotic polearms, while describing none of them - ''NetHack'' in particular draws from these early editions, hence the abundance of polearms available in the game.
+Polearms in modern times are largely constrained to ceremonial military units such as the Papal Swiss Guard or Yeomen of the Guard, or traditional martial arts: Chinese martial arts in particular have preserved a wide variety of weapons and techniques, and there is much focus on polearms and classification among enthusiasts of the relevant historical periods, including re-enactment troupes. The fascination with medieval polearms extended to early editions of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', which were infamous for giving stats to many exotic polearms while describing none of them&mdash;''NetHack'' in particular draws from these early editions, hence the abundance of polearms available in the game.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 As mentioned above, polearms are unique among most weapons in ''NetHack'', in that they can be [[applied]] to attack monsters from two squares away. The [[hero]]'s skill level affects the precise range of squares they can pound at when applying a polearm, with the article linked above providing more details&mdash;while no [[role]] in ''NetHack'' can attain Expert in polearms, [[Knight]]s can reach Expert in lances, which use the same mechanic.
-Applying polearms to pound monsters will not trigger [[passive attack]]s against the wielder, but will scuff engravings on their square and cause [[Elbereth]] on the hero's square to fade, and the polearm itself is still subject to the effects of passive attacks (e.g. [[erosion]], [[disenchantment]], etc.) as normal.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3102|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polearms can only be properly used in melee by a hero that is [[riding]]: otherwise, they will only deal d2 damage by bashing them with the pole, which does not train the skill.
+Applying polearms to pound monsters will not trigger [[passive attack]]s against the wielder, but will scuff engravings on the wielder's square and cause an engraved [[Elbereth]] to fade if the hero pounds while standing on one. The polearm itself is still subject to the effects of passive attacks (e.g. [[erosion]], [[disenchantment]], etc.) from monsters that are pounded as normal.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3102|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polearms can only be properly used in melee by a hero that is [[riding]], and otherwise will only deal d2 damage by bashing with the pole, which does not train the skill.
 For monsters, they can only use polearms if they are [[strong]] and not wearing a [[shield]], and monsters will both use them in melee and apply them at the same range as an unskilled-level hero&mdash;trolls as a monster class are an exception, as they can apply polearms at the same range as a hero at Skilled level. Monsters will [[Monster weapon preference|prioritize polearms]] in the following order: halberd, bardiche, spetum, bill-guisarme, voulge, ranseur, guisarme, glaive, lucern hammer, bec de corbin, fauchard, and partisan.
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|fa41d5fe66d9452fdc2d33d7b8df2b9f9f9f6529}}, a hero's polearm can be [[fired]] via {{kbd|f}} to pound with it if there is a single valid target&mdash;the <tt>fireassist</tt> option can swap weapons to a polearm when firing this way. "Firing" a polearm in the inventory requires an empty quiver along with the <tt>autoquiver</tt> option being off. The feature is refined via {{commit|953a534cc52cdf685dc3892f51ea004fd770f524}} so that it avoids a loop if attempted while the hero is wearing a shield. Per {{commit|57abae29e8721a2bdf3d280faffe7b8615d311c0}}, using {{kbd|f}} will not switch away from a wielded polearm if a monster is in range, even if the hero also has quivered ammo and an appropriate [[launcher]].}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|fa41d5fe66d9452fdc2d33d7b8df2b9f9f9f6529}}, a hero's polearm can be [[fired]] via {{kbd|f}} to pound with it if there is a single valid target&mdash;the <tt>fireassist</tt> option can swap weapons to a polearm when firing this way. "Firing" a polearm in the inventory requires an empty quiver along with the <tt>autoquiver</tt> option being off.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Generation==
-Collectively, polearm-skill weapons make up {{frac|8|125}} (6.4%) of all randomly-generated weapons, and general [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock polearms. The probabilities of each type among random weapons range from 0.4% to 0.8%, and certain types of polearms may be more common due to appearing in [[Monster starting inventory|the starting inventory]] of certain monsters:
+Collectively, polearm-skill weapons make up {{frac|8|125}} (6.4%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s&mdash;used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock polearms. The probabilities of each polearm type among random weapons range from 0.4% to 0.8%, and certain types of polearms may be more common due to appearing in [[Monster starting inventory|the starting inventory]] of certain monsters:
-* [[Troll (monster class)|Trolls]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a [[ranseur]], [[partisan]], [[glaive]], or [[spetum]], with an equal probability of each polearm.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|439|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+* [[Troll (monster class)|Trolls]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of being [[generated with]] a [[ranseur]], [[partisan]], [[glaive]], or [[spetum]], with an equal probability of each polearm.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|439|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-* A [[strong]] [[humanoid]] monster with a weapon attack, the ability to wield weapons and no other ruleset governing its [[monster starting inventory]] has a chance of generating with a [[lucern hammer]], unless they are being generated on the [[Rogue level]]: the base odds are {{frac|14}} for normal monsters, {{frac|12}} for a monster that is a [[Lord (monster attribute)|lord]] or [[nasty]], {{frac|10}} for a monster that is either an [[overlord]] or else is both a lord ''and'' nasty, and {{frac|8}} for a monster that is both nasty and an overlord.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|545|version=NetHack 3.6.7|common=Case for crossbows in "default" monster weapon generation}}
+* A [[strong]] [[humanoid]] monster with a weapon attack, the ability to wield weapons and no other ruleset governing its monster starting inventory has a chance of generating with a [[lucern hammer]], unless they are being generated on the [[Rogue level]]: the base odds are {{frac|14}} for normal monsters, {{frac|12}} for a monster that is a [[Lord (monster attribute)|lord]] or [[nasty]], {{frac|10}} for a monster that is either an [[overlord]] or else is both a lord ''and'' nasty, and {{frac|8}} for a monster that is both nasty and an overlord.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|545|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Case for lucern hammers in "default" monster weapon generation}}
-* [[Watchmen]] and [[soldier]]s may [[Monster starting inventory|be generated with]] a random polearm.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|194|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+* [[Watchmen]] and [[soldier]]s may be generated with a random polearm.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|194|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Polearms skill==

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 The following weapons use the '''polearms skill''':
 * [[halberd]]
 * [[bardiche]]
 * [[voulge]]
 * [[fauchard]]
 * [[guisarme]]
@@ Line 29: / Line 28: @@
 * [[lucern hammer]]
 * [[bec de corbin]]
 There are no [[artifact]] polearms.

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Polearms deal less damage than other two-handed weapons in most circumstances, but they are an attractive option for heroes that are limited in many of the better melee options and seek to use steeds, such as [[Ranger]]s and [[Wizard]]s. The ability to transition from pounding to melee without switching weapons can be a tactical advantage for these builds, allowing them to retain the secondary weapon if they are dismounted.
+Polearms have the usual drawbacks of other two-handed weapons and deal less damage than other two-handed weapons in most circumstances, but they are an attractive option for heroes that are limited in many of the better melee options and seek to use steeds, such as [[Ranger]]s and [[Wizard]]s. The ability to transition from pounding to melee without switching weapons can be a tactical advantage for these builds, allowing them to retain the secondary weapon if they are dismounted.
-Special rooms such as [[zoo]]s and [[throne room]]s can be taken apart with relative ease by a hero with a polearm and [[stealth]]: they can use adjacent hostile monsters as a barrier to freely pound at the hostile monsters behind them, limiting retaliation from them to [[ranged attack]]s such as [[wand]]s and [[breath]] weapons. Heroes using polearms as their main weapon can more easily handle monsters with passives and dangerous melee attacks, such as the [[drowning attack]] used by some [[sea monster]]s - others can use them as a last resort if they lack other viable ranged options and/or want to save valuable charges (usually from wands).
+Special rooms such as [[zoo]]s and [[throne room]]s can be taken apart with relative ease by a hero with a polearm and [[stealth]]: they can use adjacent hostile monsters as a barrier to freely pound at the hostile monsters behind them, limiting retaliation from them to [[ranged attack]]s such as [[wand]]s and [[breath]] weapons. Heroes using polearms as their main weapon can more easily handle monsters with passives and dangerous melee attacks, such as the [[drowning attack]] used by some [[sea monster]]s&mdash;others can use them as a last resort if they lack other viable ranged options and/or want to save valuable charges (usually from wands).
-In terms of differences between polearms, the halberd deals the most damage against small monsters, and the bardiche is best against large monsters, but both are also among the heaviest polearms. The spetum and ranseur deal decently high damage to monsters of both sizes while being some of the lightest polearms; conversely, the bec de corbin and lucern hammer both offer poor damage for their high [[weight]].
+In terms of differences between polearms, the halberd deals the most damage against small monsters, and the bardiche is best against large monsters, but both are also among the heaviest polearms. The spetum and ranseur deal decently high damage to monsters of both sizes, while also being some of the lightest polearms; conversely, the bec de corbin and lucern hammer both offer poor damage for their high [[weight]].
 ===Comparison table===

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 ==Description==
 {{main|Pounding}}
-As mentioned above, polearms are unique among most weapons in that they can be [[applied]] to attack monsters from two squares away. The [[hero]]'s skill level affects the range they can pound at when applying a polearm, with the article linked above providing more details - no [[role]] in ''NetHack'' can attain Expert in polearms, though [[Knight]]s can become Expert in lances, which use the same mechanic.
+As mentioned above, polearms are unique among most weapons in ''NetHack'', in that they can be [[applied]] to attack monsters from two squares away. The [[hero]]'s skill level affects the precise range of squares they can pound at when applying a polearm, with the article linked above providing more details&mdash;while no [[role]] in ''NetHack'' can attain Expert in polearms, [[Knight]]s can reach Expert in lances, which use the same mechanic.
-Applying polearms to pound monsters will not trigger [[passive attack]]s against the wielder, but will scuff engravings on their square and cause [[Elbereth]] to fade, and the polearm itself is still subject to the effects of passive attacks (e.g. [[erosion]], [[disenchantment]], etc.) as normal.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3102|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polearms can only be properly used in melee by a hero that is [[riding]], and will otherwise only deal d2 damage by bashing them with the pole, which does not train the skill.
+Applying polearms to pound monsters will not trigger [[passive attack]]s against the wielder, but will scuff engravings on their square and cause [[Elbereth]] on the hero's square to fade, and the polearm itself is still subject to the effects of passive attacks (e.g. [[erosion]], [[disenchantment]], etc.) as normal.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3102|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polearms can only be properly used in melee by a hero that is [[riding]]: otherwise, they will only deal d2 damage by bashing them with the pole, which does not train the skill.
-For monsters, they can only use polearms if they are [[strong]] and not wearing a [[shield]], and monsters will both use them in melee and apply them at the same range as an unskilled-level hero&mdash;trolls as a monster class are an exception, as they can apply polearms at the same range as a hero at Skilled level. Monsters will prioritize polearms in the following order: halberd, bardiche, spetum, bill-guisarme, voulge, ranseur, guisarme, glaive, lucern hammer, bec de corbin, fauchard, and partisan.
+For monsters, they can only use polearms if they are [[strong]] and not wearing a [[shield]], and monsters will both use them in melee and apply them at the same range as an unskilled-level hero&mdash;trolls as a monster class are an exception, as they can apply polearms at the same range as a hero at Skilled level. Monsters will [[Monster weapon preference|prioritize polearms]] in the following order: halberd, bardiche, spetum, bill-guisarme, voulge, ranseur, guisarme, glaive, lucern hammer, bec de corbin, fauchard, and partisan.
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|fa41d5fe66d9452fdc2d33d7b8df2b9f9f9f6529}}, a hero's polearm can be [[fired]] via {{kbd|f}} to pound with it if there is a single valid target&mdash;the <tt>fireassist</tt> option can swap weapons to a polearm when firing this way. "Firing" a polearm in the inventory requires an empty quiver along with the <tt>autoquiver</tt> option being off. The feature is refined via {{commit|953a534cc52cdf685dc3892f51ea004fd770f524}} so that it avoids a loop if attempted while the hero is wearing a shield. Per {{commit|57abae29e8721a2bdf3d280faffe7b8615d311c0}}, using {{kbd|f}} will not switch away from a wielded polearm if a monster is in range, even if the hero also has quivered ammo and an appropriate [[launcher]].}}

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 Applying polearms to pound monsters will not trigger [[passive attack]]s against the wielder, but will scuff engravings on their square and cause [[Elbereth]] to fade, and the polearm itself is still subject to the effects of passive attacks (e.g. [[erosion]], [[disenchantment]], etc.) as normal.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3102|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polearms can only be properly used in melee by a hero that is [[riding]], and will otherwise only deal d2 damage by bashing them with the pole, which does not train the skill.
-For monsters, they can only use polearms if they are [[strong]] and not wearing a [[shield]], and monsters will both use them in melee and apply them as an unskilled-level character - trolls as a monster class are an exception, and can apply polearms at the same range as a hero at Skilled level. Monsters will prioritize polearms in the following order: halberd, bardiche, spetum, bill-guisarme, voulge, ranseur, guisarme, glaive, lucern hammer, bec de corbin, fauchard, and partisan.
+For monsters, they can only use polearms if they are [[strong]] and not wearing a [[shield]], and monsters will both use them in melee and apply them at the same range as an unskilled-level hero&mdash;trolls as a monster class are an exception, as they can apply polearms at the same range as a hero at Skilled level. Monsters will prioritize polearms in the following order: halberd, bardiche, spetum, bill-guisarme, voulge, ranseur, guisarme, glaive, lucern hammer, bec de corbin, fauchard, and partisan.
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 45: / Line 47: @@
 Special rooms such as [[zoo]]s and [[throne room]]s can be taken apart with relative ease by a hero with a polearm and [[stealth]]: they can use adjacent hostile monsters as a barrier to freely pound at the hostile monsters behind them, limiting retaliation from them to [[ranged attack]]s such as [[wand]]s and [[breath]] weapons. Heroes using polearms as their main weapon can more easily handle monsters with passives and dangerous melee attacks, such as the [[drowning attack]] used by some [[sea monster]]s - others can use them as a last resort if they lack other viable ranged options and/or want to save valuable charges (usually from wands).
-In terms of differences between polearms, the halberd deals the most damage against small monsters, and the bardiche is best against large monsters, but both are also among the heaviest polearms. The spetum and ranseur deal decently high damage to monsters of both sizes while being some of the lightest polearms; the bec de corbin and lucern hammer both offer poor damage for their high [[weight]].
+In terms of differences between polearms, the halberd deals the most damage against small monsters, and the bardiche is best against large monsters, but both are also among the heaviest polearms. The spetum and ranseur deal decently high damage to monsters of both sizes while being some of the lightest polearms; conversely, the bec de corbin and lucern hammer both offer poor damage for their high [[weight]].
 ===Comparison table===
@@ Line 87: / Line 89: @@
 Polearms were common weapons on the post-classical battlefields of Asia and Europe, and many were adapted from agricultural implements or other fairly abundant tools that contained relatively little metal - poorer-class soldiers who could not pay for dedicated military weapons would often appropriate these tools as cheap weapons. This made them readily available to manufacture and kept cost of training comparatively low, since these conscripted farmers had spent most of their lives using these "weapons" in the fields. As a result, polearms are historically the favored weapon of peasant levies and peasant rebellions the world over.
-Because of their versatility, high effectiveness and low cost, there were many variants of polearm that saw use: bills, picks, dane axes, spears, glaives, guandaos, pudaos, pikes, poleaxes, halberds, harpoons, sovnyas, tridents, naginatas, bardiches, war scythes, and lances are all varieties of polearms. The hook on weapons such as the halberd was used for pulling or grappling tactics, especially against horsemen, and there are also a subclass of spear-like designs fit for thrusting and/or throwing. As time went on, the various different polearm types borrowed heavily from each other, leading to a great deal of confusion over classification - this is a subject that [http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/Fun/polearms.html Tom Fine] touches on with one of his many personal pages, detailing the classification of polearms in ''NetHack'' as it relates to the real-life historical weapons. Of note is that the lance in particular is most likely to be used ''by'' mounted soldiers, which is why it is given a separate skill and categorization in ''NetHack''.
+Because of their versatility, high effectiveness and low cost, there were many variants of polearm that saw use: bills, picks, dane axes, spears, glaives, guandaos, pudaos, pikes, poleaxes, halberds, harpoons, sovnyas, tridents, naginatas, bardiches, war scythes, and lances are all varieties of polearms. The hook on weapons such as the halberd was used for pulling or grappling tactics, especially against horsemen, and there are also a subclass of spear-like designs fit for thrusting and/or throwing. As time went on, the various different polearm types borrowed heavily from each other, leading to a great deal of confusion over classification&mdash;this is a subject that [http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~fine/Fun/polearms.html Tom Fine] touches on with one of his many personal pages, detailing the classification of polearms in ''NetHack'' as it relates to the real-life historical weapons. Of note is that the lance in particular is most likely to be used ''by'' mounted soldiers, which is why it is given a separate skill and categorization in ''NetHack''.
 Polearms in modern times are largely constrained to ceremonial military units such as the Papal Swiss Guard or Yeomen of the Guard, or traditional martial arts: Chinese martial arts in particular have preserved a wide variety of weapons and techniques, and there is much focus on polearms and classification among enthusiasts of the relevant historical periods, including re-enactment troupes. The fascination with medieval polearms extended to early editions of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', which were infamous for giving stats for many exotic polearms, while describing none of them - ''NetHack'' in particular draws from these early editions, hence the abundance of polearms available in the game.
@@ Line 95: / Line 97: @@
 [[SLASH'EM]] adds the [[fishing pole]] as a [[weapon-tool]] that uses the polearm skill. The range of pounding is also unrestricted, and can hit any square that is two squares away from the wielder.
-Four of the five roles that are new to SLASH'EM can raise their skill in polearms:
+Four of the five roles that are new to SLASH'EM can train their skill in polearms:
 {| class="prettytable"
@@ Line 116: / Line 118: @@
 ===NetHack brass===
-In [[NetHack brass]], pounding [[floating eye]]s with polearms can cause [[paralysis]], as opposed to ''NetHack'' where doing so avoids their passive. There is also an "autothrust" feature that allows a character to hit the nearest monster with their wielded polearm by pressing {{kbd|v}}.
+In [[NetHack brass]], pounding [[floating eye]]s with polearms can cause [[paralysis]], as opposed to ''NetHack'' where doing so avoids their passive. There is also an "autothrust" feature that allows a hero to hit the nearest monster with their wielded polearm by pressing {{kbd|v}}.
 ===GruntHack===
@@ Line 122: / Line 124: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] reduce the weight of many of the polearms retained from ''NetHack'', and add the [[Naginata (dNetHack)|naginata]] and [[poleaxe]] as weapons that use the polearm skill. The [[diskos]] uses the higher between a character's [[axe]] and polearms skill for damage if they are not twoweaponing or using a shield.
+[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] reduce the weight of many of the polearms retained from ''NetHack'', and add the [[Naginata (dNetHack)|naginata]] and [[poleaxe]] as weapons that use the polearm skill. They also add the [[diskos]], which uses the higher between a hero's [[axe]] and polearms skill for damage if they are not performing [[two weapon combat]] or using a shield.
-Wielding a polearm while wearing a shield improves the wielder's [[AC]] by 2, though this is generally only possible with large monsters (and their polyforms) or smaller polearms. Polearms and other items can also be resized via [[upgrade kit]].
+Wielding a polearm while wearing a shield improves the wielder's [[AC]] by 2, though this is generally only possible with large monsters (and their polyforms) or smaller polearm weapons. Polearms and other items can also be resized via [[upgrade kit]].
 [[Shiro]] is a [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] that grants skill in polearms while bound.