If pikemen were such crappy attackers why did the late medieval armies come to be dominated by them? In western Europe historically only pikes and longbows were able to defeat knights/men-at-arms. It took way too many years to train longbowmen for them to become the mainstay of large armies. Pikemen were far easier to recruit and train to the level of discipline required. Nobles would chafe at the disciple required but the burghers could handle it as they weren't out for glory and honor but sought to stay alive and perhaps get some loot.