Difference between revisions of "Spear"

Latest revision as of 07:21, 15 November 2024

This article is about a specific weapon called spear. For other uses, see Spear (disambiguation).

The spear is a melee weapon that does a large amount of sharp damage with high AP.

Acquisition[edit]

Spears can be crafted at a fueled smithy or electric smithy once the long blades research project has been completed. Each requires 75 Stuff (Metallic/Woody, 750 for SMVs), 12,000 ticks (3.33 mins) of work modified by the general labor speed of the crafter and the work to make factor of the material, and a crafting skill of 4.

Spears can be purchased from any combat supplier or war merchant, or obtained from several kinds of melee raiders.

Analysis[edit]

The spear is a sharp weapon with a very similar damage output to the longsword, despite the in-game tooltips stating otherwise. This is because the game does not account for the melee verb selection mechanic introduced in 1.1.

Spears and/or longswords are the best sharp melee weapons that colonists can craft. They compete with maces and warhammers for best overall craftable weapon. In-depth comparison can be seen in the below section.

Comparison to longswords[edit]

Spears have very slightly less DPS. The longsword is +1% stronger in raw DPS than the spear, after considering melee verb selection. In exchange, the spear has noticeably more AP (+14%) and costs 25 materials less. This makes the spear numerically superior, but that is not the full story.

Longswords can either Cut or Stab, while spears can only Stab. Cut damage has a chance to "cleave" through body parts. This increases damage per swing by 140%, but its damage is split between body parts. The spear can only stab: its damage is weaker, but always concentrated on one body part. The cleave will cause pain shock faster, due to increased damage. Generally, pain shock is much more likely than body part destruction.

If a cut happens to reduce a body part to 0 HP, it is more likely to be destroyed. But since cleaving will spread out damage in the first place, Cut remains less likely to destroy larger limbs (like the arms and legs). Also, stabs are more likely to hit internal organs. However, both of these factors tend to be less important than the aforementioned cleaving.

Overall, which option is better depends on expected targets:

At normal to excellent qualities, longswords are often better (definitely more consistent) for fighting against unarmored humans, lightly armored humans, and light mechs like scythers and lancers. This is due to the increased damage from cleaving. Spears would be better for fighting against armored enemies, like centipedes, due to the higher AP.

A masterwork plasteel spear / sword is able to one-shot body parts like head and neck, though not the torso. The masterwork spear will more consistently one-shot human enemies, as the damage won't be spread out. Empirical testing suggests that the longsword remains better against unarmored targets.^{[More testing needed]} Spears still have more AP, so are better against armored enemies.

It's worth noting that the spear faces competition with the mace as a cheaper, anti-armor weapon.

Comparison to maces[edit]

The spear shares a niche with the mace, as both offer better Armor Penetration (AP) than the longsword, gladius, or knife. Compared to the spear, the mace requires fewer crafting materials, is best made of uranium rather than plasteel, and is unlocked with Smithing research rather than Long Blades. Before armor, spears deal +12% more damage than a mace of equal quality. Maces are good against armor despite having low AP, since most enemies have very little Blunt armor.

At normal quality, a plasteel spear deals more damage than a uranium mace until fighting enemies with 68% Sharp armor. This is before considering quality; at higher quality, the spear only gets better. For example, if both weapons are excellent, then the mace only starts to become better at 78% armor. For reference, centipedes have 72% armor. So while a mace would be stronger against flak vests (when hitting the vest) and power armor, spears are noticeably better against unarmed foes, and roughly equal against armor up to centipedes'. Enemies with power armor aren't very common.

This assumes plasteel vs. uranium. If both weapons are made out of steel, then the mace becomes relatively better against centipedes and plate armor and the like. Also remember that maces are cheaper, and that uranium is generally used less than plasteel.

Notes:

Once you reach masterwork quality, the plasteel spear's AP gets very high. No enemy, short of the empire's absolute best soldiers, has enough armor to justify using the mace. The spear is roughly equal against most power armor (a few % DPS worse), but can ignore all of a centipede's armor for the full 112%-of-mace damage.
This comparison does not account for the strong melee damage gene. With strong melee damage, the mace comes out ahead due to overkill mechanics (see below).

With strong melee gene[edit]

With the strong melee damage gene, the comparisons change.

High quality longswords can now one-shot the torso. Legendary plasteel swords can one-shot the torso even in a cleave attack, assuming it split between 2 parts.
When an excellent plasteel longsword (or better) does a cleave attack, its damage so high that it causes pain shock in a single swing.
Meanwhile, the spear can only ever hit a single body part. If a 62 damage spear hits a 25 damage arm, the arm is destroyed and 37 damage (over 60% of the attack) is wasted. If a sword cleaves, much less damage is wasted. Blunt weapons like maces and warhammers will hit the parent part if it would overkill (e.g. destroying the arm will damage the shoulder for remaining HP).
Strong melee damage also boosts the AP of longswords. But due to the quirks of the game, it does not boost the AP of spears. Longsword AP becomes nearly identical to the spear.

This results in high quality swords with the damage gene being virtually better against all targets, short of tough pawns. Against humanoids, a sword can either (1-shot torso/head or cleave to pain shock), while a spear can only (1-shot torso/head). Against mechanoids, the cleave damage results in the sword coming out ahead regardless.

The masterwork steel longsword given at the start of the The Sanguophage scenario reaches both relevant thresholds. With your sanguophage, it can one-shot through a torso stab and one-shot through cleaving pain. This longsword is actually stronger per-hit than an excellent plasteel longsword, and likely better than any weapon you'll be seeing for a while.

Attack table

Feature	Toggle
Attacks
Quality

Spear				Shaft (Blunt)					Shaft (Poke)					Point (Stab)					Human: Left & right fist (Blunt)					HP	Value
Quality	Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value
Awful	Bioferrite	7.97	42.3%	9.36	2.6s	14.4%	3.6	6.25%	9.36	2.6s	14.4%	3.6	6.25%	23.92	2.6s	52%	9.2	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	82
Awful	Gold	5.02	26%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	13.8	2.6s	30%	5.31	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	3770
Awful	Plasteel	8.39	36.3%	9.36	2.08s	14.4%	4.5	6.25%	9.36	2.08s	14.4%	4.5	6.25%	20.24	2.08s	44%	9.73	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	385
Awful	Silver	5.57	29%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	15.64	2.6s	34%	6.02	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	395
Awful	Steel	6.39	33.5%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	10.4	2.6s	16%	4	6.25%	18.4	2.6s	40%	7.08	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	93
Awful	Uranium	6.6	37.5%	15.6	2.86s	24%	5.45	6.25%	15.6	2.86s	24%	5.45	6.25%	20.24	2.86s	44%	7.08	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	265
Awful	Wood	3.87	12.73%	9.36	2.6s	14.4%	3.6	8.33%	9.36	2.6s	14.4%	3.6	8.33%	7.36	2.6s	16%	2.83	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 37.5%	65	60
Poor	Bioferrite	8.92	47.4%	10.53	2.6s	16.2%	4.05	6.25%	10.53	2.6s	16.2%	4.05	6.25%	26.91	2.6s	58.5%	10.35	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	123
Poor	Gold	5.6	29.06%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	15.53	2.6s	33.75%	5.97	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	5655
Poor	Plasteel	9.38	40.65%	10.53	2.08s	16.2%	5.06	6.25%	10.53	2.08s	16.2%	5.06	6.25%	22.77	2.08s	49.5%	10.95	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	575
Poor	Silver	6.21	32.44%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	17.6	2.6s	38.25%	6.77	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	595
Poor	Steel	7.13	37.5%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	6.25%	20.7	2.6s	45%	7.96	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	139
Poor	Uranium	7.37	42%	17.55	2.86s	27%	6.14	6.25%	17.55	2.86s	27%	6.14	6.25%	22.77	2.86s	49.5%	7.96	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	400
Poor	Wood	3.83	15.08%	10.53	2.6s	16.2%	4.05	18.75%	10.53	2.6s	16.2%	4.05	18.75%	8.28	2.6s	18%	3.18	25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 18.75%	65	90
Normal	Bioferrite	9.75	53.25%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	12.5%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	12.5%	29.9	2.6s	65%	11.5	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	164
Normal	Gold	6.17	32.13%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	17.25	2.6s	37.5%	6.63	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	7540
Normal	Plasteel	10.53	45.75%	11.7	2.08s	18%	5.63	12.5%	11.7	2.08s	18%	5.63	12.5%	25.3	2.08s	55%	12.16	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	770
Normal	Silver	6.86	35.88%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	19.55	2.6s	42.5%	7.52	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	795
Normal	Steel	7.88	41.5%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	13	2.6s	20%	5	6.25%	23	2.6s	50%	8.85	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	186
Normal	Uranium	8.15	46.5%	19.5	2.86s	30%	6.82	6.25%	19.5	2.86s	30%	6.82	6.25%	25.3	2.86s	55%	8.85	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	530
Normal	Wood	4.36	17.17%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	37.5%	11.7	2.6s	18%	4.5	37.5%	9.2	2.6s	20%	3.54	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	65	120
Good	Bioferrite	10.73	58.58%	12.87	2.6s	19.8%	4.95	12.5%	12.87	2.6s	19.8%	4.95	12.5%	32.89	2.6s	71.5%	12.65	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	205
Good	Gold	6.75	35.19%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	18.98	2.6s	41.25%	7.3	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	8040
Good	Plasteel	11.58	50.33%	12.87	2.08s	19.8%	6.19	12.5%	12.87	2.08s	19.8%	6.19	12.5%	27.83	2.08s	60.5%	13.38	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	960
Good	Silver	7.5	39.31%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	21.51	2.6s	46.75%	8.27	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	990
Good	Steel	8.63	45.5%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	14.3	2.6s	22%	5.5	6.25%	25.3	2.6s	55%	9.73	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	230
Good	Uranium	8.93	51%	21.45	2.86s	33%	7.5	6.25%	21.45	2.86s	33%	7.5	6.25%	27.83	2.86s	60.5%	9.73	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	665
Good	Wood	4.75	18.68%	12.87	2.6s	19.8%	4.95	37.5%	12.87	2.6s	19.8%	4.95	37.5%	10.12	2.6s	22%	3.89	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	65	150
Excellent	Bioferrite	11.7	63.9%	14.04	2.6s	21.6%	5.4	12.5%	14.04	2.6s	21.6%	5.4	12.5%	35.88	2.6s	78%	13.8	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	245
Excellent	Gold	7.33	38.25%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	20.7	2.6s	45%	7.96	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	8540
Excellent	Plasteel	12.63	54.9%	14.04	2.08s	21.6%	6.75	12.5%	14.04	2.08s	21.6%	6.75	12.5%	30.36	2.08s	66%	14.6	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1155
Excellent	Silver	8.15	42.75%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	23.46	2.6s	51%	9.02	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	1190
Excellent	Steel	9.38	49.5%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	15.6	2.6s	24%	6	6.25%	27.6	2.6s	60%	10.62	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	280
Excellent	Uranium	9.71	55.5%	23.4	2.86s	36%	8.18	6.25%	23.4	2.86s	36%	8.18	6.25%	30.36	2.86s	66%	10.62	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	800
Excellent	Wood	5.13	20.2%	14.04	2.6s	21.6%	5.4	37.5%	14.04	2.6s	21.6%	5.4	37.5%	11.04	2.6s	24%	4.25	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	65	180
Masterwork	Bioferrite	14.14	77.21%	16.97	2.6s	26.1%	6.53	12.5%	16.97	2.6s	26.1%	6.53	12.5%	43.36	2.6s	94.25%	16.68	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	410
Masterwork	Gold	8.77	45.91%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	6.25%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	6.25%	25.01	2.6s	54.38%	9.62	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	9540
Masterwork	Plasteel	15.27	66.34%	16.97	2.08s	26.1%	8.16	12.5%	16.97	2.08s	26.1%	8.16	12.5%	36.69	2.08s	79.75%	17.64	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1925
Masterwork	Silver	9.76	51.34%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	6.25%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	6.25%	28.35	2.6s	61.63%	10.9	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	1985
Masterwork	Steel	11.43	61.63%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	12.5%	18.85	2.6s	29%	7.25	12.5%	33.35	2.6s	72.5%	12.83	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	465
Masterwork	Uranium	12.09	70.69%	28.28	2.86s	43.5%	9.89	12.5%	28.28	2.86s	43.5%	9.89	12.5%	36.69	2.86s	79.75%	12.83	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	1330
Masterwork	Wood	6.08	23.99%	16.97	2.6s	26.1%	6.53	37.5%	16.97	2.6s	26.1%	6.53	37.5%	13.34	2.6s	29%	5.13	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	65	300
Legendary	Bioferrite	18.98	107.25%	19.31	2.6s	29.7%	7.43	0%	19.31	2.6s	29.7%	7.43	0%	49.34	2.6s	107.25%	18.98	100%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	820
Legendary	Gold	9.92	52.03%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	6.25%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	6.25%	28.46	2.6s	61.88%	10.95	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	10540
Legendary	Plasteel	17.37	75.49%	19.31	2.08s	29.7%	9.28	12.5%	19.31	2.08s	29.7%	9.28	12.5%	41.75	2.08s	90.75%	20.07	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	3770
Legendary	Silver	11.37	60.84%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	12.5%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	12.5%	32.26	2.6s	70.13%	12.41	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	70	3795
Legendary	Steel	13.01	70.13%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	12.5%	21.45	2.6s	33%	8.25	12.5%	37.95	2.6s	82.5%	14.6	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	100	930
Legendary	Uranium	13.76	80.44%	32.18	2.86s	49.5%	11.25	12.5%	32.18	2.86s	49.5%	11.25	12.5%	41.75	2.86s	90.75%	14.6	75%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	250	2660
Legendary	Wood	6.84	27.03%	19.31	2.6s	29.7%	7.43	37.5%	19.31	2.6s	29.7%	7.43	37.5%	15.18	2.6s	33%	5.84	8.33%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 8.33%	65	600

^{For the full effects of qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.
↑ Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder

Version history[edit]

0.7.581 - Added
1.1.2610 - Implementation of new melee verb system. Previously, spears were more likely to use their shaft rather than their point. This now results in spears having higher DPS than what the game's infobox states.
1.5.4062 - Received a new texture

Texture prior to 1.5

Weapons

Melee | Neolithic: Breach axe • Club • Ikwa • Knife (Jade) • Spear

Medieval: Gladius • Longsword • Mace • Axe • Warhammer

Ultra: Eltex staff • Monosword (Persona) • Plasmasword (Persona) • Zeushammer (Persona)

Improvised: Beer • Elephant tusk • Thrumbo horn • Wood

Ranged | Neolithic: Greatbow • Pila • Recurve bow • Short bow • Flamebow

Medieval: Nerve spiker

Industrial: Assault rifle • Autopistol • Bolt-action rifle • Chain shotgun • Heavy SMG • Launcher (EMP, Incendiary, Smoke, Toxbomb ) • LMG • Machine pistol • Minigun • Pump shotgun • Revolver • Sniper rifle • Hellcat rifle • Incinerator

Spacer: Charge lance • Charge rifle

Consumables: Doomsday rocket launcher • Triple rocket launcher

Throwables: EMP grenades • Frag grenades • Molotov cocktails • Tox grenades

Mechanoid: Heavy charge blaster • Inferno cannon • Needle gun • Thump cannon • Beam graser • Charge blaster turret • Hellsphere cannon • Mini-flameblaster • Mini-shotgun • Slugthrower • Spiner • Toxic needle gun

Structures: Autocannon • Mini-turret gun • Mortar (Weapon) • Uranium slug cannon • Auto-mortar • Inferno cannon (Turret) • Light charge blaster • Mini-slugger • Tactical turret gun

Related | Body part weapons: Prosthetic arm • Bionic arm • Archotech arm • Power claw • Field hand • Drill arm • Venom talon • Venom fangs • Knee spike • Elbow blade • Hand talon • Flesh whip

Integrated weapons: Grenadier armor • Phoenix armor

[Actual-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.

[Chance-2] Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{rewrite|reason=Updating, verification and proper analysis needed}}{{infobox main|weapon|
+{{About|a specific weapon called '''spear'''}}
-|name = Spear
+{{Infobox main|weapon
-|image = Spear.png|Spear
+| name = Spear
-|type = Equipment
+| image = Spear.png
-|type2 = Weapons
+| type = Equipment
-|description = A polearm tipped with a sharp point for stabbing opponents.
+| type2 = Weapons
-|class = Neolithic
+| description = A polearm tipped with a sharp point for stabbing opponents.
-|mode = Melee
+| tech level = Neolithic
-|meleeattack1dmg = 13
+| class = Neolithic
-|meleeattack1type = blunt
+| mode = Melee
-|meleeattack1part = shaft
+| meleeattack1dmg = 13
-|meleeattack1cool = 2.6
+| meleeattack1type = blunt
-|meleeattack1ap = 20
+| meleeattack1part = shaft
-|meleeattack2dmg = 13
+| meleeattack1cool = 2.6
-|meleeattack2type = poke
+| meleeattack1ap = 20
-|meleeattack2part = shaft
+| meleeattack2dmg = 13
-|meleeattack2cool = 2.6
+| meleeattack2type = poke
-|meleeattack2ap = 20
+| meleeattack2part = shaft
-|meleeattack3dmg = 23
+| meleeattack2cool = 2.6
-|meleeattack3type = stab
+| meleeattack2ap = 20
-|meleeattack3part = point
+| meleeattack3dmg = 23
-|meleeattack3cool = 2.6
+| meleeattack3type = stab
-|meleeattack3ap = 50
+| meleeattack3part = point
-|MeleeWeaponAverageDPS = 7.35
+| meleeattack3cool = 2.6
-|MeleeWeaponAverageAP = 38
+| meleeattack3ap = 50
 | production facility 1 = Fueled smithy
 | production facility 2 = Electric smithy
-|resource 1 = Stuff
+| research = Long blades
-|resource 1 amount = 75
+| resource 1 = Stuff
-|stuff tags = Metallic, Woody
+| resource 1 amount = 75
+| stuff tags = Metallic, Woody
 | skill 1 = Crafting
 | skill 1 level = 4
-|damage type = Sharp
+| damage type = Sharp
-|mass base = 2
+| mass base = 2
-|work to make = 12000
+| has quality = True
-|weaponTags = NeolithicMeleeAdvanced, MedievalMeleeAdvanced
+| work to make = 12000
+| work speed stat = General Labor Speed
+| weaponTags = NeolithicMeleeAdvanced, MedievalMeleeAdvanced, Spear
 }}
-The '''spear''' is a [[Weapons#Melee Weapons|melee weapon]] that does a large amount of [[damage]], has a fairly long cooldown, and deals [[Damage Types|sharp damage]].
+The '''spear''' is a [[Weapons#Melee Weapons|melee weapon]] that does a large amount of sharp [[damage]] with high {{AP}}.
-==Acquisition==
+== Acquisition ==
-Spears can be crafted at [[fueled smithy|any]] [[electric smithy|smithy]] once the [[Research#Long blades|Long Blades]] research has been completed, from 75 of any one type of [[metal]]lic or [[wood]]en [[materials|material]], and {{ticks|17000}} of work.
+{{Acquisition}}
 Spears can be purchased from any combat supplier or war merchant, or obtained from several kinds of melee [[raider]]s.
-==Analysis==
+== Analysis ==
-As is typical with any sharp weapon, spear attacks cause bleeding, and generally fares poorly against [[armor]] when compared to blunt weapons. Just like the [[club]], the spear is a melee weapon that [[Factions#Tribes|tribals]] use - but unlike the club, spears must be produced at an [[Electric smithy|electric]] or [[fueled smithy]].
+The spear is a sharp weapon with a ''very'' similar damage output to the [[longsword]], despite the in-game tooltips stating otherwise. This is because the game does not account for the [[Weapons#Melee formulas|melee verb selection]] mechanic introduced in 1.1.
-Spears have the second highest base damage output out of all melee weapons, with the highest being the [[longsword]]. On that note, the spear seems to serve as a middle-ground between the [[gladius]] and the longsword, seeing as its damage output and cost also stands right between the two weapons.
+Spears and/or longswords are the best sharp melee weapons that colonists can craft. They compete with [[mace]]s and [[warhammer]]s{{RoyaltyIcon}} for best overall craftable weapon. In-depth comparison can be seen in the below section.
-It has a great advantage against armored targets, with the stab attack having much greater armor penetration, at 50% base.
+=== Comparison to longswords ===
+<!-- Cut v Stab sources: https://steamcommunity.com/app/294100/discussions/0/3042732243097084212 & https://steamcommunity.com/app/294100/discussions/0/3111394035968026504 . You can test the x1.4 damage multi by going into devmode and hitting things with a plasteel knife. -->
+Spears have very slightly less {{DPS}}. The longsword is {{+|{{%| (7.96 / 7.88) - 1 round 3}} }} stronger in ''raw'' DPS than the spear, after considering [[melee verb selection]]. In exchange, the spear has noticeably more {{AP}} ({{+|14%}}) and costs {{Icon Small|stuff}} 25 materials less. This makes the spear numerically superior, but that is not the full story.
-==Spear vs. Comparable Weapons==
+Longswords can either ''[[Damage types#Cut|Cut]]'' or ''[[Damage types#Stab|Stab]]'', while spears can only ''Stab''. Cut damage has a chance to "cleave" through body parts. This increases damage per swing by 140%, but its damage is split between body parts. The spear can only stab: its damage is weaker, but always concentrated on one body part. The cleave will cause [[pain shock]] faster, due to increased damage. Generally, pain shock is much more likely than body part destruction.
-<!--
-    Table cell hex colour values for win rates:
-- 20.83% win rate = #FF6969
-.84 - 31.24% win rate = #FF9B72
-.25 - 43.74% win rate = #FFCD7B
-.75 - 56.25% win rate = #FFFF85
-.26 - 68.75% win rate = #CDFF7B
-.76 - 79.16% win rate = #9BFF72
-.17 - 100.00% win rate = #69FF69
--->
-This section goes over how well the spear fares against comparable weapons (similar value, tech level or similar characteristics) in 1 vs. 1 combat.
-=== Methodology ===
+If a cut happens to reduce a body part to 0 HP, it is more likely to be destroyed. But since cleaving will spread out damage in the first place, Cut remains less likely to destroy larger limbs (like the arms and legs). Also, stabs are more likely to hit internal organs. However, both of these factors tend to be less important than the aforementioned cleaving.
-<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px;overflow:auto">
+Overall, which option is better depends on expected targets:
-<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
+* At normal to excellent qualities, longswords are often better (definitely more consistent) for fighting against unarmored humans, lightly armored humans, and light mechs like [[scyther]]s and [[lancer]]s. This is due to the increased damage from cleaving. Spears would be better for fighting against armored enemies, like [[centipede]]s, due to the higher {{AP}}.
-* All testing is semi-automated which allows for large sample sizes to be gathered per set of results with ease
-* All pawns have a skill level of 8 in melee
-* No pawns have any traits that affect combat performance
-* All pawns are of 18 years of age and completely healthy</div>
-</div>
-Results in the table below are the percentages of battles that spears either won or tied against the weapon listed in the first column of said table, with a sample size of 2,000 battles per result. Higher percentages are better.
+* A masterwork [[plasteel]] spear / sword is able to one-shot body parts like head and neck, though not the torso. The masterwork spear will more consistently one-shot human enemies, as the damage won't be spread out. Empirical testing suggests that the longsword remains better against unarmored targets.{{Check Tag|More testing needed|At legendary, when sword killed 100 adult pawns, spear killed 92 - 97. This was done 3x, in all 3 sword was better}} Spears still have more {{AP}}, so are better against armored enemies.
-The following armor categories are:
+It's worth noting that the spear faces competition with the [[mace]] as a cheaper, anti-armor weapon.
-* '''Unarmored - '''[[Plainleather]] [[button-down shirt]] and plainleather [[pants]]
-* '''Flak - '''[[Steel]] [[simple helmet]], [[flak jacket]], [[flak vest]], plainleather button-down shirt and [[flak pants]]
-* '''Marine - '''[[Marine helmet]], [[marine armor]], plainleather button-down shirt and plainleather pants
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
+=== Comparison to maces ===
-! Steel spear vs. !! Unarmored !! Flak !! Marine
-|-
-! Steel ikwa
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 50.95% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 62.60% || style="background: #9BFF72" | 72.85%
-|-
-! Steel gladius
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 46.40% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 60.45% || style="background: #9BFF72" | 69.60%
-|-
-! Steel mace
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 50.75% || style="background: #FFFF85" | 44.15% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 31.85%
-|-
-! Steel longsword
-| style="background: #FFCD7B" | 36.05% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 42.30% || style="background: #FFFF85" | 52.30%
-|-
-! Plasteel spear
-| style="background: #FFCD7B" | 31.63% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 33.30% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 35.50%
-|-
-|}
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
+The spear shares a niche with the [[mace]], as both offer better [[Armor]] Penetration (AP) than the longsword, gladius, or knife. Compared to the spear, the mace requires fewer crafting materials, is best made of [[uranium]] rather than [[plasteel]], and is unlocked with [[Smithing]] research rather than Long Blades. Before armor, spears deal {{+|{{%| 7.88/7.01 -1 round 2}} }} more damage than a mace of equal quality. Maces are good against armor despite having low AP, since most enemies have very little Blunt armor.
-! Plasteel spear vs. !! Unarmored !! Flak !! Marine
-|-
-! Plasteel ikwa
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 49.35% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 60.00% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 66.90%
-|-
-! Plasteel gladius
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 49.00% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 59.15% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 67.35%
-|-
-! Uranium mace
-| style="background: #FFFF85" | 48.75% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 40.75% || style="background: #FF9B72" | 25.70%
-|-
-! Plasteel longsword
-| style="background: #FFCD7B" | 36.75% || style="background: #FFCD7B" | 39.20% || style="background: #FFFF85" | 46.10%
-|-
-! Steel spear
-| style="background: #CDFF7B" | 68.37% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 66.70% || style="background: #CDFF7B" | 64.50%
-|-
-|}
-== Version History ==
+At normal quality, a [[plasteel]] spear deals more damage than a [[uranium]] mace until fighting enemies with {{%| (9.56/10.55 -1)/(-0.75) + 0.55 round 2}} <!--
+We are solving for 1 / (Spear DPS Improvement%) = (Armor Reduction%). The spear's DPS Improvement can be approximated as (DPS Spear / DPS Mace). 1% AP reduces 1% of armor, and every 1% of armor negates 0.75% of an attack's damage. The spear's only Sharp attack has 55% AP, so 55% AP is used in the following calculations instead of the spear's average AP of 20%.
+Substituting variables produces (9.56 / 10.55) = (100 - 0.75(x - 55))%. Solving for x yields (9.56 / 10.55 - 1) / -0.75 = (x - 0.55), after converting percents into decimals. ---> Sharp armor. This is before considering quality; at higher quality, the spear only gets better. For example, if both weapons are excellent, then the mace only starts to become better at {{%| (11.48/12.63 -1)/(-0.75) + 0.66 round 2}} armor. For reference, [[centipede]]s have 72% armor. So while a mace would be stronger against [[flak vest]]s (when hitting the vest) and [[power armor]], spears are noticeably better against unarmed foes, and roughly equal against armor up to centipedes'. Enemies with power armor aren't very common.
+This assumes plasteel vs. uranium. If both weapons are made out of [[steel]], then the mace becomes relatively better against centipedes and plate armor and the like. Also remember that maces are cheaper, and that uranium is generally used less than plasteel.
+'''Notes:'''
+* Once you reach masterwork quality, the plasteel spear's AP gets very high. No enemy, short of the [[empire]]'s absolute best soldiers{{RoyaltyIcon}}, has enough armor to justify using the mace. The spear is roughly equal against most power armor (a few % DPS worse), but can ignore all of a centipede's armor for the full 112%-of-mace damage.
+* This comparison does not account for the strong melee damage [[gene]].{{BiotechIcon}} With strong melee damage, the mace comes out ahead due to overkill mechanics (see below).
+=== With strong melee gene ===
+With the [[Genes#Strong melee damage|strong melee ''damage'']] [[gene]],{{BiotechIcon}} the comparisons change.
+# High quality longswords can now one-shot the torso. Legendary plasteel swords can one-shot the torso even in a cleave attack, assuming it split between 2 parts.
+# When an excellent plasteel longsword (or better) does a ''cleave'' attack, its damage so high that it causes [[pain shock]] in a single swing.
+# Meanwhile, the spear can only ever hit a single body part. If a 62 damage spear hits a 25 damage arm, the arm is destroyed and 37 damage (over {{%|1-(25/62) round 2}} of the attack) is wasted. If a sword cleaves, much less damage is wasted. Blunt weapons like [[mace]]s and [[warhammer]]s{{RoyaltyIcon}} will hit the parent part if it would overkill (e.g. destroying the arm will damage the shoulder for remaining HP).
+# Strong melee damage also boosts the {{AP}} of longswords. But due to the quirks of the game, it does ''not'' boost the AP of spears. Longsword AP becomes nearly identical to the spear.
+This results in high quality swords ''with the damage gene'' being virtually better against all targets, short of [[tough]] pawns. Against humanoids, a sword can either (1-shot torso/head or cleave to pain shock), while a spear can ''only'' (1-shot torso/head). Against mechanoids, the cleave damage results in the sword coming out ahead regardless.
+<!-- Gene + Sword > Gene + Spear should be clear for humans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXpLrQR7jI4 , 9:50 in particular is empirical proof that sword > spear for big mechs w/o pain shock -->
+The masterwork steel longsword given at the start of the [[Scenario_system#The_Sanguophage|The Sanguophage]] scenario reaches both relevant thresholds. With your [[sanguophage]], it can one-shot through a torso stab and one-shot through cleaving pain. This longsword is actually stronger per-hit than an excellent plasteel longsword, and likely better than any weapon you'll be seeing for a while.
+{{Weapon Stats Table}}
+== Version history ==
 * [[Version/0.7.581|0.7.581]] - Added
+* [[Version/1.1.2610|1.1.2610]] - Implementation of new melee verb system. Previously, spears were more likely to use their shaft rather than their point. This now results in spears having higher DPS than what the game's infobox states.
+* [[Version/1.5.4062|1.5.4062]] - Received a new texture
+<gallery>
+Spear Old.png|Texture prior to 1.5
+</gallery>
-[[Kind::Weapons| ]]
+{{Nav|weapon|wide}}
-{{nav|weapon|wide}}
+[[Category:Equipment]] [[Category:Weapons]] [[Category:Neolithic Weapons]]
-[[Category:Weapons]]
+[[Category:Melee Weapons]] [[Category:Sharp Weapons]] [[Category:Spears]]
-[[Category:Equipment]]