Glaive
The Long-Bladed Infantry Polearm
Historical glaive, Cleveland Museum of Art (CC0). View the museum record. This original weapon photograph is retained as a reference until the wide painted hero is installed.
A glaive is a long-shafted cutting polearm with a single-edged blade at its head. Infantry use its reach to threaten approaching enemies, but the wielder needs room to bring the blade to bear. Unlike a bardiche, its blade is usually narrower and more sword-like.
Weapon Statistics by Edition
| Weapon | Damage | Properties | Mastery | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaive | 1d10 slashing | Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed | Graze | 6 lb. | 20 gp |
Martial melee weapon. Reach increases the weapon’s attack reach by 5 feet.
| Weapon | Cost | Damage | Weight | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaive | 20 gp | 1d10 slashing | 6 lb. | Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed |
Martial melee weapon. Unlike the 2024 rules, the 2014 weapon table does not assign Weapon Mastery.
About the Glaive
The glaive is a cutting polearm with a long, single-edged blade mounted at the end of a wooden shaft. Unlike a spear, which concentrates force at a point, it delivers sweeping cutting blows while keeping the wielder away from shorter weapons.
European infantry used glaives in several forms. The long haft made them effective in an open formation or at a defended approach, but awkward in confined rooms. The narrower, sword-like blade distinguishes a typical glaive from the broad axe head of a bardiche.
Rules references: D&D Player’s Handbook (2014 and 2024), Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, and D&D 3.5e Player’s Handbook. See edition tabs above.
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