Spears are better than swords (longer version)
Why Worldbuilding Stack Exchange recommends it
Worldbuilding Stack Exchange users link it as evidence when arguing which melee weapons suit a fictional race or army, since it shows spears generally beating swords in one-on-one and group fights.
Recommended by 2 people across 2 different months, 2018 to 2022.
What it is
Lindybeige (Lloyd Lindybeige) presents the longer cut of an informal test in which spears fought against swords and other weapons in 65 bouts at a historical fencing event. It includes footage of all the bouts plus his commentary on the results.
What people said
Recommends user55267 · 2018-11 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “What melee weapon should winged humans use?”
Spears might be great. Spears are very effective (and lethal). The only way to counter is shooting a projectile, using a spear too, or closing up the gap. due to a flap with the wings anglars can hold the gap pretty good. This might help too [this video] . Also spears are better throwable than swords
Recommends Ynneadwraith · 2020-01 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “How to realistically deal with a shield user?”
Shield and spear isn't a useful combo in one-on-one combat. A spear in one hand limits its speed, and limits the ability to shorten or lengthen its reach. Practically, you get all the drawbacks of a spear and none of the benefits. The reason it was so popular is it dominates in formation combat, when your buddies can cover your problems and you can help them out too much easier than with a sword. This video does a great job of demonstrating it: [this video] Other than that minor quibble, fantastic answer :)
Cites Ynneadwraith · 2019-02 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “Mermaid Land (and Sea?) Combat”
Apologies if it's not done to answer old questions, but this one's quite interesting! Movement What movement mermaids would be capable of depends entirely on the anatomy of their tail. Do they propel themselves through the water with vertical up-down movements of their tail, or lateral side-to-side? Because of our historical spinal structure, most seaborne mammals use the up-down stroke, with limited movement side-to-side. For similar reasons, seaborne reptiles and fish use lateral motion with limited up-down movement. Neither of these options allow for particularly efficient movement on land, and depending on the length of their tail will make moving on land exceptionally difficult (think f
Cites VLAZ · 2019-12 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “How would sword design change if the aim was to cause as much immediate bleeding as possible?”
I'm going to go against the general direction of the question and answers here: You need a pointy stick Pretty good to have extras with it Long stick The point being made well. Behold, a blood mage (artistic take): [LINK] When it comes to weapons, the spear is pretty good : It is very easy to make (literally a pointy stick) It is easy to use with little training It can cause quite a lot of injuries It can be used more tactically to trip opponents Can be very light, so easy to wield and just carry Most importantly, it keeps you away from harm Since a blood mage's fight would basically be: draw blood -> use blood -> repeat but with blood Then it stands to reason that the mage would want to avo
Cites KeizerHarm · 2022-02 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “Best handheld melee weapons for dragons to use?”
Long range: glaives. Short range: gauntlet-swords Every hand-held weapon but the knuckleduster shares one feature: they extend a person's reach. Generally you always want a longer weapon over a shorter one: as evidenced by an interesting set of fights by HEMA practitioners, spears tend to beat swords in personal or group combat [this video] . The limit is when the thing becomes unwieldy or unusable for specific kinds of combat (close quarters, scuffle on the ground). Reach is funny thing for flying dragons. Most of the time you are really, really far away; and occasionally you get really close. We humans have a middle range because we can keep a consistent two-step distance from an opponent; from
Critical Demigan · 2021-05 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “Most Effective Ancient Weapons System if Combined Arms isn't an option”
@Archelaos [this video] I haven't seen any of your comments in this question have any sources and I'm not going to search this site to find it. I suspect that your sources would need to mention that the sword wielders in question likely had superior armor as swords were for richer classes rather than the bumpkin that you simply gave a spear. And yes a sword sword+shield+charging was the best offense... against a lone spearman. Against groups you would run into more spears. That was the point of spear formations.