After playing a non-giant pole warrior I would like to make the following suggestions.

Make charge like ambush. Its currently better to get attacked as a pole spec more often then it is to iniate attack except when you can bash which just makes this spec so entirely one dimensional.

Add one more defensive special thingy for pole specs. I think since they have so little in the way of versatility it would be a good idea.

suggestions:

Make a distance based check to avoid attacks made with shorter weapons. for instance...

Blagon attempts to artery you but you keep him at bay blah blah.

I think this should be highly dex based to give the low str smaller size races a bit of a leg up to make this spec not their worst possible choice.

or:

same kind of idea but have a chance to chargeset any combat move. Wouldn't stop the move but would give you a hit and this little extra can help out especially when getting ganged and plays to current strategies of using a polearm.

Lastly I thought these two might be cool. Increase charge damage if its off of a dash. Lastly add charge damage to drive when using a polearm. This would give a little more tactical variety in some situations and dispromotes ganging.

Not all giants use polearms, but its generally thought of as a good weapon specifically for giants, and it makes sense that a giant wielding a 9-foot polearm would be a lot better at it than, say, a svirfneblin or a human.

Charge is awesome in the right hands. With Norkibjorden, I was able to do unspeakables on standing mobs with only moderate equipment pre-hero. I don't think it needs tweaking.

I agree with giving them something else to do, even if it isn't something maledicting. Chop can be awesome, but something that can be used once a round with less damage would be nice too.

I actually like these ideas, but also agree that Pole needs another combat option. I'm thinking maybe a mvs reducing one, like something about tripping them up by cutting their legs, or a maledicting one...maybe a mini-spinebreak by throwing the pole over their back and squeezing them into you (if you've ever seen troy, think Ajax vs Hector).

Anyhow, some ideas. Its a useful spec, but is definatly the least tactical of all.

Polearms while they have a lot going for them, are absolutely the boringest spec I can think of. Legsweep has advantages over trip, but since it was changed that you cannot legsweep flying oponnents, it has nowhere near the advantages it once did. I'd be happy giving that up for some type of in combat utility type attack.

If I were going to do anything to polearm, it wouldn't be to give them another autoskill. Polearm + bash is already damned good on anyone it works on.

If the spec needed anything, it'd be something else to do during combat.

Charge has a number of advantages.

Firstly, you can choose to do it.
Secondly, you can do it multiple times against opponents with good defenses. I think it works up until about them gushing.
Thirdly, you can get bonuses for them being asleep etc.

Charge is fine as is, no need to add unspeak opening moves to someone with cutoff.

Distance means you get hit a lot less during rounds, generally, so I can't see why they need it between rounds. Want to dodge moves, pick the legacy for it.

Chargeset in combat... ummm, hell no.

The last two are nice ideas, although frankly I don't think the spec needs it. Maybe as questy skill loving or something, although full charge damage on a drive is a bad idea. As for that last line, everyone gets ganged, any particular reason a pole spec should have special defenses against it?

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix