Pikeman Archive

Beyond the movies I know very little about the Star Wars Universe (read one book, played the West End PnP rpg), but I was wondering if we could collect all the Star Wars canon references to pikemen in one place it would help for us to build a case for the role of the class (SWG mechanics aside for the moment) and help many of us with roleplay issues.

The only references that I can think of at the moment are:

1. Imperial Guards (What I wouldn't give for one of those robes!)

2. Jabba's Guards (and Lando in his role as a guard)

I know there is more than this in the extended universe as somebody mentioned (long) vibro axes being a ship boarding weapon of choice, and another mentioned some type of double bladed vibor axe in a comic.

Any takers?

Leonhard Eulin

Master Brawler Novice Pikeman

Valcyn

As an avid reader of the swg:eu novels (read 90-95% of them) I don't remember much in the form of pikeman refrences. Most of the "melee" weapons mentioned were vibro-blades.

Most used vibro blades but there is a character in the chrimson empire comics series who uses a long vibro axe. In star wars episode II the genotians use what look very much like nornal FP lance controllers during the final battle scene. Old jedi master (ahh forgot his name) who trained exar kunn often dueled with a quarter staff and NOT a lightsaber.

The reason I think this is important is that without a strong concept the design for pikeman is always going to just be manipulating a bunch of numbers and effects in relation to the game mechanics -- there is no guiding concept of how or why the pikeman fits into the Star Wars Universe. If the best EU fans and die-hard pikeman can't identify anything, then how are the devs going to do it.

My feeling is that the reason that TKAs get a lot of loving is that there is at least a concept guide from the Star Wars oevre; something that the rest of the melee elite professions are pretty much missing.

If our only role/concept is as a heavy weapons tank (seems to be where we're headed), then this profession has no heart, it's just a collection of stats and a functional role that could fit into any MMORPG.

I hate to join the whiners, but I find all of this a little disappointing. Where is the sense of some master plan in how this universe fits together, how and why the players fit in? Why does the pikeman exist in the Star Wars Universe?

Leonhard Eulin

Novice Elite Brawler

The guy from the 2 Crimson Empire comic series is Kir Kanos. He doesn't use a vibro axe, he uses a double bladed vibro staff(think Darth Mauls weapon as a short staff with 2 pop out blades, one at each end). It's one of the weapons that the Imperial Royal Guards use. The other is the Force Pike you see them carrying in the ROTJ movie and in several comics. This weapon is designed to not only be used as a pike/staff and also to fire Force bolts(think Stargate staffs), but also is able to parry lightsabers and laser/energy beams. Personally i'd like to see the Royal Guard weapons made into Imperial Fp rewards(and the armor also), but it's just a dream i'm sure............

Also Imperial sentinals from the Dark empire series. these guys were like elite imperial guards.

And don't forget Darth Maul, yes he was a sith but the 2 bladed light saber is about as close to a pike as we get.

Kir Kannos did use a LVA breifly in CE2 in hiw disguise as Klenix. Though it could have just been a mistake in the graphics.

Also who are we to complain about lack of SW people using pikes. We are the only brawler class to have 2 graphic novels based on a character who uses our weapon. I seem to remember a total lack of TKA, and swords men in SW books and comics. Also pikes appear in the films. I don't remeber seeing any swords in them. Also most people who fight hand to hand seem to do it street fighting style, besides Darth maul there is no real TKA.

go watch return of the jedi, especally the first half, i was amazed with the amount of pikes i saw : LVA, VL and L

They originally were thinking of putting the Gamorreans (Jabbas Guards) in as a playable species. In that case a pikeman profession was essential for continuity sake...

Eventually they decided that they had Wookies for a tough melee tank and didn't think people would choose to play such a big dumb species...

Gamorreans went bye-bye

Pikemen fit but in a very small niche

I would have played a Gamorrean. I think that would have been fun Stupid creature that smacks things hard with the polearm...yep, let's do it!

Forgot one last thing on my last post....at the rate the pikeman problems are going we'd have to be Gamorreans to be willing to stick it out while we kill ourselves

I was realy hoping to play a jawa. Was kind f dissappointed when I found out which races were available

Yes, Kir Kanos is the guy from the crimson empire. He is also known as Kenix Kill. HE become a Bounty Hunter in hopes of destroying all the traitors to the empire and finally get to Luke.

There is another comic in which nitko (its one of the races) are jiered to kill jedi, Quin Lan vos And Ayla Secura. Thy use cortosis metal staffs to fight. Cortosis is a metal that lightsabers cannot cut through.

my 2 creds.

One more thing. Crimson guard use somethin called a force pike. As far as I know they do not shoot lightning. Is just that that the have an electrical charge (as in stun batons), quite powerfull, therefore causing electrical damage.

Ive seen this info in the RPG guides for SW.