The only downside is that it’s not good for slashing (unless you count some variants, like halberds, as spears), but the extra range makes it usually better for 1-on-1
Most of the pull arm weapons eventually devolved into halberd type pulling and slicing weapons. They were used primarily to remove mounted troops from the tops of horses, while slicing off their limbs.
There were lots of variations of halberds, pole axes and the English Bill.
There is a great book on the matter. Weapons in international encyclopedia from 5000 BC to 2000 AD.
Poleaxes were certainly used for more than yanking people off horses—they were the knightly weapon of choice for a couple centuries at least. I’d hardly call it a “devolution” of the spear.
You can bonk them on the head with the haft too. Every part of the spear is dangerous. If you are trying to get in under a good spear user it is so scary. They are so dangerous you can’t really practice with them at full speed.
Worth pointing out that long sticks in general are pretty OP. Low cost, low skill floor, high skill ceiling, lightweight, works well one on one and works well in a formation. It’s only downside is the inability to cut, but that’s why you end up with a spear and not just a staff. Spear gets all the glory but the staff does most of the heavy lifting in that relationship.
The only downside is that it’s not good for slashing (unless you count some variants, like halberds, as spears), but the extra range makes it usually better for 1-on-1
You can definitely slash with most spears, there’s just less surface area to cut with compared to a sword.
Most of the pull arm weapons eventually devolved into halberd type pulling and slicing weapons. They were used primarily to remove mounted troops from the tops of horses, while slicing off their limbs.
There were lots of variations of halberds, pole axes and the English Bill.
There is a great book on the matter. Weapons in international encyclopedia from 5000 BC to 2000 AD.
Poleaxes were certainly used for more than yanking people off horses—they were the knightly weapon of choice for a couple centuries at least. I’d hardly call it a “devolution” of the spear.
Yeah I meant to say evolved, but you know autocorrect…
I would even say the weapon of choice for men-at-arms in general, not just knights.
You can bonk them on the head with the haft too. Every part of the spear is dangerous. If you are trying to get in under a good spear user it is so scary. They are so dangerous you can’t really practice with them at full speed.
Breath of the Wild gave me a strong appreciation for spears.
Worth pointing out that long sticks in general are pretty OP. Low cost, low skill floor, high skill ceiling, lightweight, works well one on one and works well in a formation. It’s only downside is the inability to cut, but that’s why you end up with a spear and not just a staff. Spear gets all the glory but the staff does most of the heavy lifting in that relationship.
That’s why the smartest Ninja Turtle chose one as his weapon.
It’s the only turtle that you can beat the SNES game with too because of said weapon