4.41 The Parry

(h) Polearm Parry Using Two-handed Sword
Polearms may not be blocked by dueling weapons, with the exception of the two-handed sword. A character with the Polearms martial skill may attempt to parry and break an attacker’s polearm. The attempt to parry is resolved normally, including modifiers for the type of attack, attacker’s weapon attack bonus, weapon parry bonus, and expertise; because the attack of a polearm may always be guessed, there is always a + 3 bonus when parrying a polearm. A polearm is treated as having a weapon strength of 3 for purposes of weapon breakage (section 4.42, Weapon Breakage).

On a successful parry, the defender may attempt to break the attacker’s polearm. This is a normal action. Compare the weapon strength of the two-handed sword to the weapon strength of the polearm and roll for breakage; if the defender’s strength equals or exceeds the two-handed sword’s Advantageous Strength (section 4.53, Weapon Damage), add one to the difference in steps between weapon strengths. Roll a D6, if the number is equal to or less than the difference in steps, the polearm breaks. A broken polearm may be used as a club.