War pick

War picks, also known as military picks, were a type of pickaxe designed specifically for warfare.

Description
War picks generally consisted of one or two curved, heavy piercing flukes mounted upon a shaft. Some shafts were known to be spiked at the end. These thick curved flukes, also known as "crow's beaks," help to balance the war pick's hammer head.

Weaponology
All war picks were designed to pierce through heavier armor types, from chain mail all the way up to full plate armor. However, they could get stuck if swung too hard. Some training was required to wield them effectively, thus they were often considered martial weapons.

Despite having a similar appearance, war picks were noted as being ineffective tools for climbing compared to ice axes.

Footman's pick
Footman's picks were the larger and heavier variety of war pick. Their name derived from the fact that they were most often wielded by infantry soldiers. They generally were long.

Horseman's pick
Horseman's picks were the lighter variety of war pick, their name derived from the fact that they were most often wielded by mounted knights and heavy mercenary horsemen. They imparted less force than a footman's pick, but their smaller size allowed wielders to fight with greater speed and agility. They generally were long.

Notable War picks

 * Blingdenstone warpick: a war pick that originated from the city of Blingdenstone.
 * Ironfang

War picks of Deities

 * A dragon head: a heavy pick that was wielded by the god Tiamat.
 * A lion's head: a heavy pick that was wielded by the god Nobanion.
 * Tyrannosaur head: a heavy pick that was wielded by the god Ubtao.

Groups

 * Despite being designed for the purpose of warfare, footman's picks were often utilized by prospectors as a digging tool.
 * Footman's picks were a common weapon among both human and demihuman races all across Faerun.
 * War picks were known to be frequently used by smaller races such as dwarves, gnomes, deep gnomes, duergar, and halflings. Gnomes often favored the lighter variety as an off-hand weapon, though they and halflings were both known for using the heavier variety as a two-handed weapon.
 * War picks were popular among knights and the footmen of some mercenary companies.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
 * Video Games
 * Pools of Darkness • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Treasures of the Savage Frontier • Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder