Voynuks, Billmen, Swiss Halbs, and Kazanchis are all available in early I thought, and I lump them more or less together as a tie for the worst polearms available. Compare to the boosted Halberdiers proper which are no longer marked Slow, DCK, and JHI. I suppose though, that they are polearms nonetheless.
There might be some differences in application, especially with the heavier types of halbs but as far as the Volga Bulgars are concerned, it's irrelevant - it's all they got and it's not that great. Especially if you don't start in Early and start in High. :p
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