Spear

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

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

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.

Comparisons

Comparison to longswords

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

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 almost zero 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

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

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