We still need them, and the sooner the better.
I had another interesting idea about differentiating the polearm skill line from other weapon types, in that it would have two subweapon types: Polearms and Battlestaffs, similar to how 2handed has battleaxe / greatsword / maul.
However, this setup would make each ability in the polearm tree dual-purpose. If you've got a polearm equipped, the abilities in the tree cost stamina and have more physical-oriented effects. If you have a battlestaff equipped, the abilities in the tree cost magicka and have more spell-oriented effects.
Some ideas for abilities:
Low Sweep
Damage and knock down nearby enemies.
With a polearm equipped, enemies bleed for X damage over 10 seconds.
With a battlestaff equipped, enemies take X magic damage.
Spinning Strike
A radial attack that damages all enemies around you.
With a polearm equipped, enemies are knocked back 5 meters and disoriented for 2 seconds.
With a battlestaff equipped, you create a vortex that pulls enemies closer and then detonates for X magic damage.
Javelin
Throw your weapon at a distant enemy dealing heavy physical damage.
With a polearm equipped, activating the ability a second time causes you to charge towards the target, dealing damage to any enemies in your path.
With a battlestaff equipped, activating the ability a second time causes you to teleport to the target, gaining a damage bonus on your next attack.
Deflection
For 30 seconds, while you are blocking you gain increased armor, spell resistance, and all attacks have a chance to miss you.
With a polearm equipped, you will automatically counter-attack melee attackers, dealing X physical damage.
With a battlestaff equipped, you will reflect negative single-target spells back at their casters.
impale
A powerful stab against a single target. Deals 300% increased damage to targets below 25% health.
With a polearm equipped, reduce the target's armor by 50% for 10 seconds.
With a battlestaff equipped, regain magicka when hitting targets below 25% health.
This kind of dual-purpose weapon, with the same skill tree having different effects based on the type of subweapon used, would greatly encourage hybrid builds. Imagine using a polearm on one weapon bar and a battlestaff on the other - you essentially have completely different attacks with each weapon bar and they function off of different resources.
PS4 / NA
M'asad - Khajiit Nightblade - Healer
Pakhet - Khajiit Dragonknight - Tank
Raksha - Khajiit Sorcerer - Stamina DPS
Bastet - Khajiit Templar - Healer
Leonin - Khajiit Warden - Tank