Polearm build: Nimble reach utility

Polearms attack from the second rank, keeping a brother out of many adjacent threats. This Nimble reach-support build uses a Billhook for a 5-AP single-target strike and Quick Hands flexibility, or a Swordlance when a safe Reap can hit several lightly armored enemies. Swordlance Reap costs 23 fatigue after mastery, compared with 12 for Billhook Strike, so repeated sweeps need more fatigue; drop Berserk if the recruit cannot support the kill-and-swing loop. It is a mobility and support build, not a peak-DPS claim. Swordlance requires Blazing Deserts; Billhook needs no DLC.

Nimble Billhook damage

Billhook Swordlance

Give this role to a recruit with dependable melee attack, workable melee defense, and a healthy fatigue pool. Raise melee attack and defense, then health and fatigue as needed. Nimble-compatible light armor keeps the recruit agile; choose a stronger helmet if available. Equip a Billhook for single targets or a Swordlance for groups, plus a one-handed backup weapon and no shield. The two-handed weapon does not use Duelist.

Immediate combat

Level	Perk
2	Colossus
3	Gifted
4	Quick Hands
5	Polearm Mastery
6	Pathfinder
7	Nimble
8	Berserk
9	Killing Frenzy
10	Fearsome
11	Recover

For a recruit protected while leveling, use these changes. Keep other levels unchanged; at 11, spend the normal and returned points. Student and Gifted.

Student route	Perk
2	Student
3	Colossus
11	Recover + Gifted

Polearm Mastery reduces either weapon’s 6 AP attack to 5 AP. Quick Hands allows a 4 AP melee attack from a stowed one-handed weapon after that polearm attack, if the turn began with all 9 AP. Berserk can refund 4 AP after a kill, enabling a second 5 AP swing only if fatigue also permits; without a kill, two such attacks do not fit. Recover costs a full 9 AP, so use it on a safe, quiet turn after fatigue-heavy Reaps. Keep the frontline between this brother and enemies, and do not walk out of an enemy zone expecting a safe retreat: leaving can trigger a free attack. The main tradeoff is lower armor efficiency on Swordlance Reap and the fatigue cost of repeated sweeps. Polehammer uses Hammer Mastery, Spetum uses Spear Mastery, and Pollaxe uses Polearm Mastery but has only one-tile reach. See the weapon reference before choosing.

Before mastery, use the regular strike from the second line and save fatigue for the next turn. Once mastered, choose a Billhook when armor damage on one target matters, or Swordlance when a safe Reap can hit several enemies. Do not step forward just to reach a target if it exposes the brother; this build has no Footwork or shield. Recover is useful after a taxing round, but the best fatigue management is taking only attacks that serve the frontline plan.

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Sources

Build context: Turtle225 and Abel’s perk guide, polearm build discussion, and Calandro’s weapon mechanics notes. The developer’s Southern Arms article identifies Swordlance among the Blazing Deserts city-state arsenal. Game values: 1.5.2.3 weapon and perk data. Further viewing: Proving Why Pure Polearm Bros are Bad Builds.