Dear dev team
I’d like to suggest adding the ability for the shaman class to use polearms. Currently shamans can wield axes (one-handed and two-handed), maces (one-handed and two-handed), daggers, staves, and shields. Polearms are missing from this list, even though they are a perfect fit for shamans both thematically and in terms of gameplay.
* Thematic consistency. The shaman is a class closely associated with spirits, nature, and primitive weapons. Polearms (spears, tridents, halberds) have historically been associated with hunting, rituals, and tribal traditions.
* The logic behind halberds combat. Shamans already know how to use staves —and that is the key argument. In real fencing, staves and polearms are technically very similar: the grip, stances, management of distance, and strikes with the shaft and pommel—all of these are practically identical. Moreover, in historical military training, soldiers were first taught to fence with staves (as a safe and inexpensive alternative) and only then moved on to polearms—spears, halberds, and pikes. Thus, a shaman who wields a staff, by definition, already possesses the basic skills required to use polearms. The distinction between these two categories in the game seems artificial.
* Minimal impact on balance. Adding the polearm proficiency skill will not require any rework of talents or abilities. Shamans will simply gain the ability to train this skill with a weaponsmith and use the corresponding items. Given that shamans can already wield two-handed axes and bludgeoning stuff, these weapons won’t be “overpowered,” but will simply expand their range of options.
Adding polearms to shamans is a small but significant change that will increase equipment variety, enhance role-playing immersion, and remove an illogical restriction. This restriction seems particularly odd given that shamans already wield staffs—weapons that are technically almost identical to polearms. I hope you will consider this suggestion.