Pounding

Pounding is the action of applying a polearm on a target. The target must be at a distance of exactly two squares from the wielder. At Basic and Unskilled level the target must be in a straight line from the wielder. At Skilled level, it can be a knight's jump from the wielder. At Expert level the target can also be at a diagonal, meaning that any of the sixteen squares at a distance of two can be hit.

Notice that unlike normal combat against an adjacent target, a lance can be used for pounding without any penalty even when the wielder is not mounted.

Pounding is an excellent strategy for hitting both melee and ranged targets; if you have at least Skilled level with speed you can attempt to kill a group of opponents at a choke point (such as a door) a knight's move away. If you plan on pounding in corridors, though, you will need a source of lighting, as you cannot pound a monster you cannot see (even if you can detect it via other means).

Most monsters can only use polearm with a skill level equivalent of unskilled. Trolls, however, can use them with a skill level equivalent of skilled, meaning they can hit you from a Knight's jump away.