Maybe having an actual attack chain could help. A quick downward jab (makes sense to keep that as first attack since the spear can be quickly thrown when held like that) followed by some longer reach or advancing attacks?

Agreed. It's really unfortunate that a spear (a LONG pointy thing) has one of the shortest attack ranges in the game (1.9 compared to for example 2.4 a sword has).
It feels like that defeats the purpose of a spear, being able to attack from a somewhat safe distance and keep the enemy at that distance. That combined with the derpy looking spear animation that also has no attack chain makes them just not fun to use.

According to the main dev, who is an avid re-enactor BTW, all animations are based on real world combat.

What you folks are looking for when using the spear is actually the polearm. Equip an atgeir and you have what you guys call "spears".

I was surprised that the Devs had go the down ward jab so correct!
Yes the animation needs work but come on folks the upward thrust uses all your SECONDARY muscle groups the downward jab as well as having gravity on its side uses the main musculature of the arm! What would you use if trying to pierce chain-mail etc?

That said, yup needs work and "sexing up" for the game. Its not a historical re enactment and I am tired of having to throw my spears at point blank as the only way of hitting anything slightly down-slope of me!

The attack animations for spear are quite similar to the javelin in Diablo 2. I don't see those a problem at all.

For the 'can't hit things below me' problem, it's actually true for many other melee weapons. Spears are a bit even worse for small enemies like necks, surtlings and leeches, but they can be dealt with by the throwing attack. I can one shot leeches with a thrown fang spear.

On the other hand, I found spears very good at killing drakes. Just hide behind some obstacles and use jump attack to poke them after they fly close. The jump attack trick is much easier to do for spear than other melee weapons.

Throwing attacks can one shot drakes too, but I don't recommend that unless you fight on a very flat ground, or you'll risk wasting hours looking for your spear which slid down the mountain :(

For summary, spear is a very versatile weapon. Throwing attack gives you more combat strategies than all other weapons. Even Odin's weapon Gungnir is a spear.

Originally posted by blprice61:

I'd get in to this discussion but... it's a game.. not a simulation. Weapons, shields, and *shudder* bucklers are not portrayed or used in much like any way resembling historical usage. It is fairly evident that the experts consulted for that portion of the game were... other gamers.

That said, it is fun, it is challenging at times, and its what we have. I've seen worse!

Do not disagree and lol@ buckler shudder XD XD. For me it is just one of those things that is not "terribly" immersion breaking.........until the spear. All of the others do not bother me enough to kill the experience.........but the gods forsaken SPEAR!!! lmao. Can we at least get a proper thrust for the main strike? lololol. overhanded.....one handed as a main strike? normally I do not pick......but this was not even a try. Placeholder animation at best. The others get a pass for me. The spear........I am sorry........I just can not ceptin to throw em, as mentioned before......but I would rather just shoot an arrow for range. Spear as it stands just serves nothing really to me.

A spear is meant to have range, but it feels awkward to use and it's not easy to gauge how far of a reach it has if it's even different at all from other weapons, I only ever use it if I need to, the axe and even mace/club feels better to use.

Originally posted by Rhapsody:

I don't really care about how it looks like, I just feel like it's awkward to use in many situations. Fortunately throwing the spear is pretty good so it's not out of use at least for me.

Agreed. I def throw a few from time to time........it IS much fun to do.......but the rest? I just cant really bring myself to use it for main combat. Do not even get me started on shield placement and form....sighs (lolol)

now that I think about it, the spear is rather ubiquitous to all armies and warriors of all time as far as we know. It was likely the first true "weapon", crafted solely for the use of offense and defense. I am not sure there was ever an army that did not train main line troops with the spear. Most warriors would at least be familiar with it. It REALLY should get some love in this game.

I'd get in to this discussion but... it's a game.. not a simulation. Weapons, shields, and *shudder* bucklers are not portrayed or used in much like any way resembling historical usage. It is fairly evident that the experts consulted for that portion of the game were... other gamers.

That said, it is fun, it is challenging at times, and its what we have. I've seen worse!

I agree there should be another look at the combat mechanics some time, its not bad per se but could be improved considerably, and it may be a good idea as other games show off more deeper combat mechanics.
Like as suggested above, seperate 2 handed vs 1 + shield modes would make a lot of depth.

and make you be able to hit smaller things with your spear...
its really broken :/

I don't really care about how it looks like, I just feel like it's awkward to use in many situations. Fortunately throwing the spear is pretty good so it's not out of use at least for me.