Spears or Swords?

Discussion of topics concerning life in the middle ages around the world, including architecture, history, and warfare.
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Brickninja
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Spears or Swords?

Post by Brickninja »

Hey guys, I wanted to know whether I am the only one who thinks that spears are far superior to swords.I don't want hate messages, just want to know if anyone hares my opinion. Here's my defense:
Swords
Pros-
Can be durable if made right, and hard to break
Good for close combat and duels
Can look nice if it's a well crafted sword
Large blade area

Cons-
Cannot be thrown or launched
Small reach
Hard to build up a lot of momentum when swinging
Against a cavalry charge, useless
Can be expensive to make
Not easy to repair

Spears

Pros-
Long reach
Can be thrown
Effective against a cavalry charge
If broken, can still be used like a quarter staff or a bhuj
Easy to repair
Cheap to make
Modular heads
Easy to build up momentum when swinging
Cons-
Easier to break
Unwieldier

As you can see, the sword' s cons outnumber its pros, whereas the spears case is quite the opposite. If anyone has anything to add I am willing to discuss
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Crazycrownieguy »

In the defense of swords, it actually isn't super hard to get some momentum with a sword, especially if you use gravity to your advantage. Though once you get that momentum going it can be hard to control. Short reach depends on the type of sword, if you had a claymore, or some other very large sword, those could easily reach up to 5 1/2 maybe even 6 ft long, especially if the wielder is over 6 ft or so. And you could throw a sword :twisted: I'm not sure how well it work, but you still could. And a sword could be useful against mounted archers, maybe not spearmen or swordsmen. A con for spears would be, being totally ineffective in hand to hand, honest all they are good for is as a distance weapon, or as defense against cavalry, and their long abilities aren't even that good when compared to a good long bow.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by AK_Brickster »

It really depends 100% on the application. If I were going to go hand-to-hand, I'd say an experienced swordsman beats an experienced spearman a majority of the time. If I were facing a cavalry charge, then yeah, I'd want a spear.

You can't really compare the two in a general sense. They both have their applications. That's like trying to compare a Porsche with a 3/4 ton pickup truck. If you're racing around a track, you'd want the Porsche. If you need to haul logs, you'd want the truck.

You might enjoy learning more about both weapons here: http://www.medievalwarfare.info/weapons.htm
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by mpoh98 »

I agree, I don't really think that you can compare them. I as a knight would carry a sword AND a spear. In different circumstances, I would want one rather than the other. But swords are definitely my style (actually archery is first, and quarterstaffs are cool), so I tend to lean on there side. You CAN throw swords, it just won't be as accurate. (hence LOTR in the Mines of Moria when Aragorn saves Borimir) :wink:
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Lil_Curt »

This is a debate i get into constantly. I prefer a quarter staff/speare any day. Sowrds were mostly for show and not really used very well. Everything has an advantage and disadvantage
sowrds were easy to blunt, can be heavy an combersume, almost never stayed sharp in battle. I like the look of sowrds, we have several kit rae's as a mater fact. But in a fight i prefer my quater staff, just me :tasty:

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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Brickninja »

AK_Brickster wrote:It really depends 100% on the application. If I were going to go hand-to-hand, I'd say an experienced swordsman beats an experienced spearman a majority of the time. If I were facing a cavalry charge, then yeah, I'd want a spear.

You can't really compare the two in a general sense. They both have their applications. That's like trying to compare a Porsche with a 3/4 ton pickup truck. If you're racing around a track, you'd want the Porsche. If you need to haul logs, you'd want the truck.

You might enjoy learning more about both weapons here: http://www.medievalwarfare.info/weapons.htm
I guess you're right. It really depends on the situation.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Kev »

Can I go with a spear in my hand, and a sword in my scabbard?
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Aeridian »

I agree with Kev, that's probably the best way to go. You get the pros of both weapons for your far or close-combat needs.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by mpoh98 »

Aeridian wrote:I agree with Kev, that's probably the best way to go. You get the pros of both weapons for your far or close-combat needs.
That's exactly what I said. :)

Any other comparisons? How about 2 different types of swords? For instant, a katana and a claymore?
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Kev »

Historically though, spears were cheaper to make and required much less training than swords. I always keep that in mind when building my lego armies.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Brickninja »

Yeah, kev is right I would go into battle holding a spear and having a sword in a scabbard. This brings up the topic of what would your battle loadout be? I would have a hoplite style helmet, a round shield about 2 feet in diameter, a tunic on the bottom, with a sleeveless chainmail shirt over that, a breast plate that only covers my chest on top of that, the tunic' s sleeves continuing down the length of my arm where I'd have thick leather gauntlets on my hands and heavy duty leather boots on my feet. Maybe some steel shin guards too.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Sir Erathor »

Most of my men in my armies are spearmen, for the reason Kev stated. I would, however, say that swords are better overall, though it's really hard to compare. Swords, once the owner's being attacked, can defend him/her a lot better than a spear, but a spear keeps the enemy at bay for longer. I for one would prefer a sword, but if on horseback would have it sheathed whilst holding a spear :)
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by ForestFriend »

I prefer swords m'self . Having said that, my Wolf Clan outlaws are mostly skilled archers as well as swordsmen/women. This suits our hit and run style of combat nicely. A well timed volley of arrows is highly effective in many situations and especially from behind cover. Granted swords need upkeep and are not cheap. Yet our Clan leaders issue good quality swords to our warriors,to be paid for by low interest loans, with versatile repayments. :lol:
Seriously, spears and quarterstaffs are always useful, especially against cavalry,if you're training is good enough.
Give me bows and arrows and a quality blade and I'm happy and well armed. :)
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Brickninja
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by Brickninja »

Actually,if anyone's heard of a show called deadliest warrior, they tested a Spartans battle gear on that, and the spear was much more effective. I still say I'd have a spear in my hand and a sword in a scabbard.
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Re: Spears or Swords?

Post by AK_Brickster »

I think since the question is "Spears OR Swords", that saying "spear in hand and sword in scabbard" is kind of cheating, don't you agree? ;)
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