N-17

I don't like the idea of the lance in front. First of all, it could immediately trade with the other lance. Not that this is necessarily bad, but it gives the first player control over the first few moves, should he choose to exchange. Also, if lances were not immediately exchanged, then the pawn cannot move. If a player wants to move his lance so his pawn can advance, he must move his lance away from the pawn defending it, leaving it open to counter attack. Just to make the lance or pawn effective in the early moves, it would require moving other pieces from behind. It really limits a lot of options.

It might actually be best to completely remove the piece. But at the same time, it's kind of nice holding a piece that can't jump but can cover so many squares. It sort of is a two-edged sword.