I'll try to make this explanation as easy as possible to understand. Crush/Slash/Thrust (and flex for reavers) are damage speclines. They determine not only the minimum/maximum damage dealt, but any damage variances. The higher you spec in slash/thrust/crush, the tighter your damage variance will be, meaning the more you will hit for near the same damage every time. now. polearm/2h is an addictional specline for armsmen. they spec in this because of the additional damage from the styles. Armsmen (and many other classes) are forced to "double spec," which results in less points to spend in things like parry. Questions?