Polearms in Mount and Blade II Bannerlord are not as clean as a sword, not as straightforward as a mace, and yet somehow end up being the most devastating thing on the battlefield when used properly.
If you have ever ridden full speed into a line of infantry and watched damage numbers climb into the absurd, you already know. If you have not, this is your sign to stop ignoring polearms.
This guide breaks down the strongest options in the game, how they actually feel to use, and where you can get them without wasting half your campaign wandering between markets.
What Makes a Polearm Worth Using
Not all polearms are created equal, and Bannerlord does a decent job of making that obvious once you start testing them.
The ones worth your time usually tick at least two of these boxes:
- High couch damage or charge bonus
- Long reach without becoming unusable in tight fights
- Decent swing damage if the weapon allows it
- Manageable handling so you are not fighting your own weapon
There is also a quiet split between cavalry-focused polearms and infantry polearms. Try using the wrong one for the wrong role and you will feel it immediately.
Best Polearms in Bannerlord
Rhomphaia
If Bannerlord had a “this feels illegal” weapon, it would be the Rhomphaia.
It is technically a polearm, but in practice it behaves like a long, angry execution tool. The swing damage is absurd, especially from horseback, and it deletes lightly armoured troops in one hit.
Why it stands out
- Massive cut damage on swings
- Long reach without feeling slow
- Devastating from horseback
Where to get it
- Commonly found in Battanian towns
- Can appear in late game markets
- Occasionally dropped by elite Battanian troops
You do lose the ability to couch it, which matters less once you realise you are one-shotting people anyway.
Glaive
The Glaive is what happens when a weapon refuses to pick a lane and somehow benefits from that indecision.
It works on foot, works on horseback, and feels consistently strong in both. The swing arc is forgiving, which makes it ideal if your aim is more “enthusiastic” than precise.
Why it stands out
- High swing damage with good reach
- Flexible for cavalry and infantry
- Easier to handle than most long polearms
Where to get it
- Khuzait towns are your best bet
- Often sold mid to late game
- Can be looted from Khuzait nobles and troops
If you only want one polearm for an entire playthrough, this is a very safe pick.
Vlandian Lance
Sometimes you just want the classic experience. Ride fast, point stick, remove enemy from existence.
The Vlandian Lance does exactly that. It is built for couching, and when used properly it hits harder than almost anything else in the game.
Why it stands out
- Extremely high couch damage
- Reliable for heavy cavalry builds
- Long reach for clean charges
Where to get it
- Vlandian towns and markets
- Equipped by Vlandian knights
- Easy to acquire early compared to other top-tier weapons
The downside is obvious. On foot, it feels awkward. This is a cavalry tool first and everything else second.
Menavlion
The Menavlion sits in a slightly underrated spot. It does not look flashy, but it performs.
It excels at keeping enemies at a distance and punishing cavalry that get too confident.
Why it stands out
- Strong thrust damage
- Good reach for infantry defence
- Effective against cavalry
Where to get it
- Imperial towns
- Carried by Imperial infantry units
- Common mid-game purchase
If you spend a lot of time fighting mounted enemies, this starts to feel less optional and more essential.
Pike
The Pike is not glamorous, and it is not meant to be.
It exists for one purpose, and it does that job well. Stop cavalry. That is it.
Why it stands out
- Extremely long reach
- Strong defensive tool
- Ideal for formation fighting
Where to get it
- Available across multiple factions
- Cheap and widely sold
- Common in infantry loadouts
Just do not expect it to feel good in chaotic melee. It is a formation weapon, not a hero weapon.
Billhook
This one feels a bit scrappier, and that is part of the appeal.
The Billhook is shorter, quicker, and more forgiving in tight spaces. It trades raw power for control.
Why it stands out
- Better handling than most polearms
- Useful in close quarters
- Solid hybrid option
Where to get it
- Common in Vlandian regions
- Sold in early to mid game markets
- Used by infantry units
If long polearms keep getting you stuck in doorways or crowd fights, this is a quiet fix.
Choosing the Right Polearm for Your Playstyle
This is where things get personal.
If you live on horseback and treat infantry like speed bumps, go for a lance or a glaive. The Rhomphaia is there if you want something a bit more chaotic.
If you prefer fighting on foot, the Menavlion or Billhook will feel far less frustrating. You keep control of your spacing without constantly clipping walls or allies.
And if you are building around formations or commanding troops more than fighting yourself, the Pike earns its place even if it is not exciting.
Seven Swords Takeaway
Polearms in Bannerlord are one of those weapon classes that feel awkward until they suddenly do not. There is a moment where everything clicks, your timing improves, your positioning makes sense, and you start deleting enemies in ways that feel slightly unfair.
The trick is picking the right one early and sticking with it long enough to learn its rhythm.
Or, if we are being honest, just grab a Rhomphaia and lean into the chaos.
