Following suggestion is only to be considered AFTER WSE implementation!!!So, made that clear.
The suggestion is as follows:
2h Animations for sideswings and overheads, polearm animations for thrusting on all 2h weapons with a thrust attack longer than X (I'd say 110 range or so).
Why only after WSE implementation?
It should only be implemented after the devs are able to fix the polearm collision issues, polearm stun and other small bugs with the various weapons around.
What would this do?
Nerf 2h stabbing rance ofc.
Imo, there should be a difference between polearms and 2h in the way they're used. Right now the differences are minor and the balance is tipped to the favor of polearms (versatility, polearm stun, horse stopping) compared to 2h (less obvious animation makes them better dueling weapons).
In my vision, the difference should be:
2h - slashing weapons or bashing weapons (or cutting from the 2h axes)
polearms - poking weapons
To compensate for the now reduced thrusting functionality in terms of reach, there should be something done about the swing damage of polearms to make it more interesting to thrust with them. Maybe even increase thrusting damage a bit, but after this change, the polearms will have their reach advantage back for thrusting, while at the same time the reach advantage in sideswings for 2h weapons remains.
A 150 lenght polearm will now actually outrange a 120 length 2h sword while thrusting.
TL;DR - 2h Weapons should be slashing weapons wih some thrusting and polearms should be thrusting weapons with some slashing.
It's an idea open for discussion, I don't have all the wisdom. Please post here to help improve the idea or point out why it should never be implemented.