Anyone have insight into AD&D 1e's "Weapon Space Required" values?
I always have trouble getting people to vary weapon usage. Pretty much the same ones kept showing up. Realized while I used Speed Factor vs spells and AC adj in controlled situations, I never really did anything with space other than occaisionally limited 2H sword or allowing a spear holder (RARE) to poke across a front line.
I haven't had much luck with the google, did see some references in one thread where they quoted both Gary and Rob, neither seemed to clarify it in the way I was looking for although offered some other insights (and apparantly house rulings)
Is the space in feet referring to radius around the character, 3' square, 5'square? Or is it diameter? or anything else you can offer as insight - hmm shift key acting starting up after last question mark, sorry fyi...
no idea if its like 4' = tiny point in center plus 4' to left and right or 2' to left and right or assumes a 3 1/3' human with either 4' to left and right or 2' to left and right for 11.33' or 7.33' taken up on map.
this pc probably needs a reboot [smily-face]
From what I can gather and remember, it is the minimum amount of space required to use the weapon in a manner sufficient to cause damage. Some pole arms have only 1' because they can be used to stab like daggers (though this would not be the case in really twisting, narrow tunnels without cutting the shaft down), club takes 3' because it needs a full swing due to its bludgeoning nature..and so forth. Like most AD&D stuff, it is base information that the DM is required to make some common sense adjustments to depending on the other conditional factors in play at the time of combat.
I assume anyone using their weapon to stay alive (by their weapon their weapon of choice or common use) is pretty good at it and a fighter even more so. That said, its a fine detail I save for special occasions. "Sorry guys, he's wrapped up in what was the rugs, rolled up tight (its a lurked damn it). He cannot shoot his long bow, he cannot even draw his long sword, maybe he can get his dagger drawn.
Sheathed edged weapons need their length to draw and as a simple rule to swing.
Whatever you rule, keep it simple or be ready to know all sorts of detailed facts about why the hell an Pike, awl needs 18+ feet of space yet a helbert needs 5'+?
If it does not add to the fun why do it? If it slows things way down? But if it makes a challenge or the little Kobolds have spears in tight spaces, low ceilings, with vines hanging as your way to make them dangerous, by all means, enforce problems with big swinging weapons in this case.. its THE challenge then.