But is a spear really the best weapon for multiple attackers? I would think a sword would be quicker. Not to derail the thread...
Might be good for the samurai theme. Still kind of a bad weapon because if the blade gets caught in the zombie's head, you need to take the time to pull it out, and every millisecond is valuable in a fight. Iron bo-staffs are probably more effective. It might be a good idea though, to have different members of these futuristic samurais use different weapons. So there could be katanas, but also nun-chucks, chain scythes, etc.
Actually no. The sword is slower in its swing arc, while a spear is a jab weapon. Its quicker and easier to avoid attacks. An axe is the best of both worlds, and is cheaper and easier to produce. But pole arm weapons are easier to use overall. And easier to mass equip overall. Everyone has an axe. It is a slashing weapon, the sword is a jab weapon and a slashing weapon. It is not always the best weapon to use in all circumstances, in quarters where it is open and you have to face multiple opponents yes it would be better, but in alley or a tight corridor it is harder to use. A spear would be easier to usse.. Wait what? Your just stabbing and pulling out, a sword is a slash weapon and is heavier than a spear meaning the weapon is harder to use and noticeably slower.
What are you going to do when an adversary gets to close to use the spear? Then you are always backing up, and then you get cornered and you're fucked.
A spear is kind of long though, and so harder to wield. Not to say I am biased towards swords. My bias is toward nun-chucks.
With nun-chucks, what are you going to do if you go up against a race that can only be killed if you cut off their heads?
Your charging someone with a spear. Whats going to stop them from standing still and holding up. The best thing about spearmen is that there are usually ten or thirty of them. Spearmen are usually veterans, the roman legions had these badasses who had spears and javelins and they would run around and beat the opponents with spears. Gladius's were not standard equipment. In terms of actual armed combat spears were used more often. The sword would slow down while the spear can stab and has reach. The swordsmen is disadvantaged by their reach. Swords are not the be all end all of melee weaponry.
Spear men were put on the front lines to be the first line of defense and worked well against fighters on horse back, BUT once the attackers were in close, the spear men would eventually open up their shield wall and allow some attackers to come through so that the next line of men using swords could kill them. So your argument is flawed.
So is the use of only swords. Swords do not have reach, charging someone with a spear is suicide. I am going to stick to that point. Medevil combat had warhammers which were extremely interesting weapons, I am wondering no heroes ever use it. I mean a warhammer is pretty cool. You slam it down on someone and crack their bones and they wont be able to move at all, along with anyone with a sword. Trying to block a warhammer is like trying to stop a car. Its going to do too much damage so avoid it. warhammers do a ton of damage, swords can stab and slice, but they are heavier.
Like with nun-chucks, what are you going to do if you are fighting against a race that you can only kill by cutting off their heads like in the movie, "Highlander."
What about smashing their heads? I mean a spoonton (A sword on a stick) is used might be similar and just as useful
Thats a swinging weapon Scythes are incredibly hard to use. You need a ton of space to swipe and swing or cleave. It would you leave you largely open to attack. A warhammer is pretty small compared to a spear/scythe/sword. Warhammers are puncturing weapons. and can smash and batter people easily. There is a sharp end at one end that you can easily switch to. Which is meant to bash through someones skull. A warhammer is as big as an axe. And smashes armor and heavy equipment pretty easily. Maces smash basically anything but are extremely heavy.
I don't think nun-chucks really have the weight to bash anyone's head in. A large hammer maybe or a club, but definitely not nun-chucks.
Only one missing is the Glaive and the Spoonton Spoonton http://kultofathena.com/images\XH2036_l.jpg Glaive http://www.outfit4events.com/runtime/cache/images/productFull/mo_3552-01.JPG warhammer http://medieval.stormthecastle.com/images/warhammers/warhammer-large.jpg various spears http://www.beerandbattle.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DNDWeapons3rdEd1.jpg various weapons http://i40.tinypic.com/2ep7kgx.jpg
BTW I saw on one episode of Deadliest Warrior that samurai also used big ass clubs. It was Viking vs Samurai and the viking tried his shield, but it was quickly crushed by this samurai club thing. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
