Weapon range

[temnix]

What role does melee weapon range play? Is this distance in feet added to the standard distance between creatures, determined by their personal space - 3 by default, I think? I have made a creature armed with a custom spear which has range 3, hoping that it would be able to get at enemies from farther away. It makes sense for spears, halberds and two-handed swords to have longer reach. Possibly also morningstars and staves. But my creation in a fight has tried to put distance between itself and the oncoming ogre, backing up several times. I don't know if this had to do with its script or if weapon range doesn't just permit a creature to attack from this distance but forces it to.