What role did pinnacles play on Gothic flying buttresses?

In Gothic architecture, pinnacles serve a dual purpose when placed atop the piers of flying buttresses. While they function primarily as decorative, vertical ornaments that provide visual emphasis and break up the building's hard outlines, they also play a critical structural role.1

By adding significant weight to the top of the buttress pier, the pinnacle enhances the overall stability of the structure. This added mass helps to counteract the lateral thrust exerted by the vault, effectively directing the forces downward and ensuring the integrity of the support system. Representative examples of this integration can be found at Notre-Dame de Paris and Reims Cathedral.12