Billhook vs. Pollaxe

[General Sherman]

To me the pollaxe and billhook are variations of the same basic weapon type (for the purposes of this discussion "Billhook" refers to the weapons of that name in the 2 handed axes catergory), albeit w/slightly varying focuses.

Basically I think of the billhook as more general purpose and the pollaxe as an anti-armor specialized variant. I have noticed in game though that the billhook is superior in every way to the pollaxe. It has a larger hit box, does more damage, swings faster, causes more bleeds, gets more instakills, AND is better against armor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel that the pollaxe's hammer head at the least should get a damage buff agaisnt heavily armored opponents vis the billhook. That, or the Billhooks effectiveness against heavy armor should be reduced.

For the record I have come to this conclusion after playing w/both pollaxe and billhook (I prefer the spiked Billhook).

What do you guys think? Is there any reason to use the pollaxe IF the billhook is better in every way?

[Monte]

I use the pollaxe, it has more health for a start so doesn't break like a twig like the billhook does. Most of the points you raise though are good, although most people's approach to armoured foes when they have a bill is just spam stab, I've seen lots of people be very successful with it, that's how it's successful against armour atm because it's so damn fast and has no minimum stab range. I'm pretty sure the pollaxe deals more damage to light armour, and has better penetration. The stats should be up in the in-game custom class thingo and you can see there what's up. It also depends what style you take I take Imperial so obviously my pollaxe does quite a bit of ♥♥♥♥♥-♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[Monte]

That and the pollaxe looks BADASS. haha but you do have a point

[General Sherman]

I used to use pollaxe alot, until i started using billhook recently (which is why i bring it up now). I also use imperial style on the pollaxe and the damage just dosen't stack up, even against plate opponents. I'm pretty sure pollaxe attacks slower too. It bums me out because I also think the pollaxe is the most badass weapon in the game (Billhook is a close second even if it was underpowered) and would like to see both weapons be viable, but for me the pollaxe just isn't cutting it right now (no pun intended).

Any pollaxe users got any tips? Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

[jackx]

Pollaxe is faster afaik, with comparable to better dmg output, but much harder to use due to its smaller striking surfaces (including the thrust, which is much easier to land with the bills) and the hit/deflect nature of blunt attacks.
With the pollaxe, you have to use all available attacks, with the bills, yuo can rely on thrusts as your main damage dealer with the odd swing for variety, though admittedly part of that is due to people having a suicidal desire to simply run into pointy sticks for no reason and with zero defense.

Many times in battle, the pollaxe is overkill because you don't need it's speed and versatility to land 2-3 solid hits on someone to take them out, but the better you get as a player, the better a weapon compared to the bills it turns into.
I'm still firmly in the learning stage myself, experimenting with styles and techniques while able to hold my own, with the biggest difficulty for me being to effectively land (repeated) stabs - once I get that down, though, I don't really see a reason to go back to the regular bills.

[General Sherman]

@ jackx I have been finding that the billhook routinely matches or surpasses the pollaxe in both thrust AND slashing damage. I regularly get slashes in the 70s or higher. That said since my original post i have been going back and forth alot w/the 2 weapons and the difference between the 2 seems less severe than i originally thought.

[capybara man]

And what is a billhook? I've never seen a weapon with that name. There is a whole load of bills as pole arms and 2h, but no "billhook"?

[IcEye]

Technically the simple bill is the real Billhook - well actually the simple bill is a weapon made by peasant blacksmiths that adapted farming tools (i.e. the original bill or billhook, the names are interchangeable) into weapons for conscript troops.

Though argueably the spiked bill - which is an english version of the french guisarme - with its hook to pull down riders or pull away peoples legs from beneath them could be called a billhook.

At the end of the day just replace billhook with bill as this thread discusses all of these weapons.
Also note that the issues discussed here may not be as they were in October.

[capybara man]

Thanks IcEye. I've noticed some other problems that made me think it is still valid discussion. There are players that are incredibly fast with axe/bill/pole weapons and really annoying. Even some 2H swords... Full plate, 2H and they still are as fast as raggs peasant with dagger. Strange?