[Dedas]

CBM tried to address that by increasing the pikes attack bonus but that only makes it more strange. The pike probably was a good weapon (IRL) to stop a cavalry charge with but was it a good weapon to attack someone with? I think not. It must have been very cumbersome and unwieldy to actually use it offensively. I see it as a basically defensive weapon (keeping something away from you). A spear on the other hand is much shorter and could probably been used both ways somewhat effectively.

As for the repel mechanics they are much more potent than they seem. You have to remember that they bend both ways. With a long weapon you can repel a lot and not get repelled a lot.