Spear

The spear is a melee weapon that does a large amount of damage, has a fairly long cooldown, and deals sharp damage.

Acquisition

Spears can be crafted at any smithy once the Long Blades research has been completed, from 75 Stuff (Metallic/Woody, 750 for SMVs) and 12,000 ticks (3.33 mins) of work.

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

Analysis

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.

As is typical with any sharp weapon, spear attacks cause bleeding, but most armor have higher Sharp armor values than their Blunt armor values. The mace requires less research and resources to create, and can outperform the spear against high armor, from flak vest-level equipment onwards. Higher ranking tribals often use spears for melee fighters.

Compared to longswords

For the "Best" category attacks (75% to be selected), the spear has the exact same base DPS as the longsword. The "Mid" attacks of the spear are also better. The spear has a noticeably greater AP, too. Additionally, the spear is cheaper, costing 25 materials less. This makes the spear numerically superior, but this is before considering the type of damage.

Longswords can Cut or Stab for its best attack, with an equal chance for each. Spears can only Stab. Cut damage can cleave, meaning it is spread throughout multiple body parts. However, when an attack cleaves, it deals a total of x1.4 damage (spread throughout body parts). If a Cut attack actually reduces a part's HP to 0, it is more likely to destroy it. However, the stab attack is more likely to destroy longer limbs, as it is always concentrated on a single part.

At normal-excellent qualities, longswords would generally be better (at least more consistent) for fighting against unarmored humanoid pawns, due to the increased pain from the cleaving damage. Spears would be better for fighting against armored enemies due to the higher AP.

However, a masterwork plasteel spear / sword will be able to one-shot a human's torso, the most likely body part to be hit. The spear will more consistently one-shot human enemies, as the damage won't be spread out. With this advantage, the spear becomes practically better against any sort of humanoid enemy, while retaining its bonus against armored enemies.

With strong melee gene

With the strong melee damage gene, the comparisons change drastically. High quality longswords can now one-shot the torso, which was a major advantage of the spear. The spear's AP becomes less of a factor, as the gene boosts the AP of both weapons to where high quality longswords will outright ignore many types of armor.

Swords gain another big advantage when combined with the damage gene - their cleave attacks. High quality longswords now deal enough damage, that a single cleave attack is able to down through pain shock, even if it doesn't destroy any body parts. In order to reach this threshold, you must reach, at least, excellent plasteel or masterwork steel longsword. The spear, being restricted to Stab attacks, can only ever damage 1 part at a time. If a spear stabs an arm, then it can only damage the arm, resulting in a large waste of damage. If the sword procs the cleave attack, then it is likely to down a human, regardless of where it lands.

Therefore, high quality steel / plasteel longswords will end up outclassing the equivalent spear. They share the same one-shot kill chance, but the sword has a greater chance to down humans due to the cleave attack. Masterwork plasteel swords have so much AP, that no non-human enemy has enough armor to resist it. Against enemies much larger than humans, the spear/sword can not longer one-shot; the sword ends up having more DPS due to the cleave bonus. The spear may be better against large mechanoids, who cannot be downed from pain, but this has yet to be tested and both weapons are incredibly strong anyways.

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