I basically just use them for hunting when I don't want to waste wood on arrows but want a ranged attack.

It's very good in the early game for throwing at deer - and then quite fun for taking down trolls, again thrown. And, well, a pointless spear is a broken spear. Unfortunate pun there.

Spear with shield should allow you to keep opponents back at a longer range than sword, mace etc. and should be a strong defensive option. But as pointed out the elevation issues make the weapon useless in many situation where it should shine. Fighting in mountains with many weapons is broken, I am hoping in Mistlands, with the screenshots seen showing dramatic vistas that the pointy end of weapons will actually strike the target when wielded.

I honestly don't like to use it but I think it is balanced enough for what it does.

It's advantage is speed. You have a short range but can get multiple hits in quickly.
Opposite of the Atgeir.

Think of it like this Atgeir is good for AOE group /range and spear is more for in-fighting.

The spear definitely struggles a LOT on uneven terrain.

In addition to a shorter range than most other weapons, AND a narrower cone of effect, it also has a significantly higher "bottom" on the attack. Things like boars, wolves, fulings, slimes or leeches that are on even a slightly lower elevation than you are very unlikely to get struck with a melee attack.

I absolutely get the narrower cone of attack....its a spear thrust, not a swing in any direction. I've used a spear before, you have to be pinpoint accurate....

But either the elevation, or more appropriately, the RANGE should be improved.

I can kinda see keeping the range short is they allow the spear to strike lower (you can fairly effectively arc a thrust slightly downwards when holding it like the character in the game, covering a larger range of elevations at the expense of range)....

But much more effectively, a 1 handed spear, even held at the balance point in a throwing position, is used in melee as a long-range, pinpoint accuracy weapon. A spear the size of one in the game would VASTLY outdo the size and style of sword in the game for effective melee threat range (it would recover between attacks much more slowly though, despite having a quicker initial attack....a spear thrust doesn't have a followthrough strike to set up for another thrust the same way you can backswing a sword to ready it for another attack)



TL:DR

Spear should have a longer range than all the other 1-handed melee weapons, but have a longer attack delay. The narrow cone of effect is fitting for how a spear actually functions, even if the spear in the game incredibly annoyingly struggles to melee hit enemies below your waist.

Originally posted by 420Viking:

I would love if they changed the way you hold the spear because in its current state doesn't act like a traditional spear and more of a javelin and when using it as a melee weapon becomes painfully frustrating when you have to stand so close to any enemy to even get a hit, as a spear it renders it useless for its role. It would make so much sense if you could change your stance from holding it with 2 hands like a traditional spear or with a shield as well as the stance you hold it currently for when you wanna throw it, Hopefully they'll sort this because iv seen so many people with the same feed back so they'll have to have acknowledged it at some point.

spears need a rework

The spear's secondary attack has two distinct modes: at medium+ range, and at short range. At short ranges, beyond spear attack range but not much beyond that of a two handed weapon, the 'throw' acts exactly like a long thrust *if* you hit the target. The spear will immediately recover back into your hand, no hitting the ground.

It does take a bit of practice and you definitely do *not* want to miss.

IMO, the biggest problem with the spear is that it has a separate skill from the Atgeir - the spear skill should be polearm.

I like the spear. It's a nice throwable weapon. Maybe more of a javelin than a spear. Should they change the spear mechanics? I think not. They could perhaps rename it to javelin or something, but why change a weapon that serves a good purpose and niche in the game? Better to introduce a new weapon - 2 handed spear at a later stage, if they deem it appropriate.

it is a bit of an unnatural and uncanny animation

I hear ya. the overhand attack motion negates the reach that you'd expect from the spear. an underhand thrust would make more sense with a shield and there should also be two-handed options as well, like a longer pike or glaive style weapon. you can get good with the spear but it's a niche weapon for most people

The weapon you actually want to use is called the atgeir.

Spear is one handed animation for throwing and stabbing, works very well to me. Theres the polearm thats two handed that jabs from long distance. Maybe you might like the atgeir instead

You're missing the point

Originally posted by Gunnar Hurtya:

You're missing the point

They only have two ends, 50/50 of getting the one with the point.

Originally posted by Fzanco:

Spear is one handed animation for throwing and stabbing, works very well to me. Theres the polearm thats two handed that jabs from long distance. Maybe you might like the atgeir instead

Yeah i understand, Like loads of folk use it and don't find nothing wrong with it but i just think it would be a better way of having the spear used in the game. I do enjoy the atgeir but i would love if i could use the spear for what its actually designed for! I hope they make the change :)