A subtrope of Weapon of Choice. A polearm--such as a poleaxe, spear, halberd, or any other weapon that's a long stick with something sharp and metal on one end--is often the province of hapless Mooks: city guardsman, honor guard, angry natives, and so on. Anyone who needs something long to cross over a portal to prevent someone from entering will use a polearm. When not in the hands of mooks, they are the weapon of choice for calm collected individuals, or The Lancer. See also Harpoon Gun, X on a Stick, Javelin Thrower and Telephone Polearm, for the giant-bladeless-stick version.