http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/03/18/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-preview/

I invite you guys to checkout this article. Polearms are apparently confirmed

Yes, we've known for a long time.

It seems like an example. I whouldn't say that this confirm anything.

Pics from the concept art in the Game Informer video. This article's combat layout example. Not sure about other evidence, but so far that seems fairly convincing.

It's not official been spoken by a dev afaik, but it's pretty much a done deal imo.

Good article, too. That actually cleared up some questions I had about the change from the Attribute system.

if youre refering to concept arts its not a good reference because they do many concept arts every day and not everything makes it into the game

..I'm referring to Todd Howard himself stating there would be polearms in Skyrim in an interview months ago.

We know, Todd himself made it clear a while back.

I don't know who wrote that article, but they were not a developer. They refer to "demons from Oblivion" twice, and in On Oblivion it says that "It is improper but customary to refer to denizens of Oblivion as demons", or something like that. Or was it Darkest Darkness? I think it was On Oblivion. I don't know. It's one of them.

At the moment I think Pole-arms will be limited to Halberds on the spear scale. Spears in the traditional sense are tentatively confirmed out at the moment.

Thank goodness! Two handed weapons were SO boring in OB. Now they might have some variety. I might actually use them now.

Spears require more stabbing motions. Halberds have more swinging motions. So adding spears requires new animation. Bethesda must be so busy that they can't add spears at the moment.

Cool vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gix9XTCaYe0

I thought he only said "not spears in the traditional sense" which was suggestive but not confirmation.

It also seems to confirm dual weilding shields!

I wouldn't be so sure it confirms dual shields. It doesn't mention lightning magic for example and I'm pretty sure that was confirmed as something of most use versus other magicians. It sure will be interesting if you can dual wield shields though!

It doesn't mention axes either. It's just a basic example diagram.

This will certainly bring some variety to the game!

I don't see this as proof. I am pretty sure they're trying to add them, but might have to skip polearm/(Spears in particular) for whatever reason.


I'm willing to bet we'll at least see Halberds since they're a little easier to animate with some variety, and the special "Killshot" animations could be token impalement, which would suit me just fine. Halberds tend to be more of the Close-Quarters "Polearm" weapon people think about anyway, in terms of combat functionality. Most spears were actually thrown, Pikes were used defensively more often than not, and Lances were generally unwieldy for anyone and used only for sport.

The lance was the primary weapon of the mounted medieval knight. In war time and in tournaments (blunt in the latter case obviously).

The footman's lance or spear was used as one- or two handed weapon by infantrymen during large parts of the middle ages - especially in early medieval times, as in, what Skyrim is based on.

The throwing spear or javelin type weapons were indeed thrown, the roman pilum being a popular example.

Pikes were indeed mainly an anti-cavalry weapon, but it's not like the greek phalanx (who used such weapons) - or, at the reinvention of the pike, swiss footmen (and later the Landsknechts and soon everyone in Europe) would not have fought other footmen as well.

The halberd was invented in late medieval times based on earlier similar weapon designs, and was used by the swiss (and like the pike, everyone who copied their excellent anti-cavalry tactics) in formation. They were the weapon that was used when the pikes became too unwieldy; to kill dismounted knights whose horses had run into the pike walls, or to break the pikes (and skulls) of enemy infantry. They weren't suited for real close quarter combat though, being 2ish meters long and relatively heavy. They were certainly not used mainly for wide swings and such; their primary attack was the thrust, with the axeblade and spike (or hook, depending on its exact shape) were used mainly against slow or disabled targets (such as afore mentioned dismounted knight).

None of these would realistically share any animation with your average 2h fantasy axes.

^^that

/thread.

Todd Howard did NOT confirm spears. It was hinted. Not to mention that diagram is not something made from the developers of Skyrim. It is probably just something funny the articles author put in.

i hope we can use a THRUST attack with them

hint hint

Nice preview. Thanks OP.

I think i will create 10 different kind of characters, one for each race. I like this system more than previous games.

I already knew they were confirmed but that was a good read. thanks for posting!

"Confused turtle" LOL

I won't accept it as 'confirmed' until I hear from a developer.

That article is simply a 'mock up' made to illustrate the way the weapons will work - its not official

Two things on that PC Gamer article

1) They probably should have said two-handed weapons. As Todd has mentioned in other places, there are no spears
2) You do not have the ability to wield two shields…. that’s inaccurate”