Weapon Reach & Zone Control: Turning the Battlefield Into Yer Playground

Aug 12

Mike’s Personal Experience
In a battle against frost giants, our dwarf fighter had a reach weapon — a lucerne hammer. He controlled a 10‑foot radius, stopping giants from closing in and punishing those who tried. Meanwhile, our paladin with a regular sword kept getting smacked before he could swing. Reach and zone control are about owning space.

Here’s how to turn the map into your personal arena.

1. Use Reach Weapons

Glaives, halberds, pikes, or whips allow you to strike foes from farther away. In PF2e, you can even combine reach with Combat Grab to keep enemies pinned outside your allies’ range.

2. Threaten Multiple Squares

Reach lets you threaten a broader area. You can make opportunity attacks on anyone entering or moving through that area. This discourages enemies from advancing.

3. Control the Choke Points

Plant yourself in a narrow corridor, and nothing gets past you without paying the toll. See Stonehearth Grudgeplate for armor that complements this strategy.

4. Combine With Spells

A Spirit Guardians spell around a reach weapon wielder is murder. In PF2e, Lightning Aura or Magical Strikes also work wonders.

5. Zone Out

In PF2e, the No Escape feat forces enemies who try to leave your reach to take an AoO. Keep them close; watch them fall.

A Quick Word Over Ale

Ready to claim your zone? Explore more reach weapons in the Tavern Armory, read GM Wisdom on battlefield control, and drop by the Contact page to brag about your own ring of death.

Final Thoughts

Reach and zone control aren’t just for marshals — every class can benefit. Own your space, deny your foe’s, and watch as they fall before even touching you.