Arena and the Spear

[Not Anonymous]

I been stuck in novice for a time now, I just get destroyed every then and now, tried different approaches, weapons or being overly defensive by backsteping and circling around a lot before commiting. All this takes TOO LONG and everything feels like a gamble at times (im really afraid of spiked clubs for life).

And then, after hours of frustation, I go to watch a video of some guy reaching Master in 45minutes. The trick?

First: metal bar up to novice (metal bar= greatsword for peasants), which is a thing I was doing already since I found out its much more consistent and safe.

Second: Gets the spear and from there is just a simple motion; Step back and then lunge attack and foward at the same time... it may not always hit, but it will eventually and the IA doesnt have an answer to that, Ive not been hit even once while doing this, thats an improvement from my previous attemps.

Im just pointing it out since its blatantly obvious after you try it.

[k9]

I dont think the spear is op. Its more like youre new to the game and havent developed solid skills yet. thrusting is just a relativ easy thing to do.
when I first played the game I thought thrusting is op too, today I almost never use it.

the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ pitchfork is op though xD

[Not Anonymous]

Thats the thing. Im new, i dont even fully understand how to use parry or feints, and still end up doing spins from time to time when pulling out after a clash.
But with the spear... I dont have to and I just wreck the IA. There is no contest. its a 100% certainty.
Thats why im pointing it out now.

[k9]

yeah, I agree. ai is kinda clueless against thrusts

[Ernie Jay Sorona]

The first weapon I always try to purchase is the iron shod quarterstaff, it's effective even against some adept-level enemies. After that I get a two handed spear or a bardiche for novice, and then a voulge. The voulge is even useful up to master level despite its mediocre stats, because of its reach, and its also very cheap. You either save up for better armour or for a polehammer or greatsword. Never skimp on padded armour and when reaching to adept level, always get a helm before even considering in purchasing chainmail or anything better than leather armour.
Many of my characters died by a mace or morning start to the head. Even an exceptional arming cap won't protect you against a morning star, let alone a flanged mace or even a spear.
Even some characters died on novice level when facing an enemy armed with a spiked club or a one handed spear. The developers should really make a leather helmet for novice level.

[Not Anonymous]

I reached those conclusions when playing, the head obviously its the number one priority also thats why i said I feared spike clubs...
My spear tactics got me past novice, also, after getting better armor, doble handed weapons like the bill and then the bardiche (not the axe, that one sucks), hell even double wielding swords worked prety well too.
I must admit the spear tactics didnt fare as ridiculously well past expert and master as I tought it would happen but are still efective, IA with shields or fast double handed weapons usually respond much better, but I can handle it when they got double handed or no shield (me still being adept of course, I was doing challenger matches)

[Pug]

The only thing that makes the spear feel OP is the balance rating. If you time it correctly, you can spam spear jabs where you take a single step to thrust almost full power after couching the jab for optimal momentum. It's all in the timing. You can 2 or 5 jab most enemies up to Novice with this method, usually finishing the fight against anyone without a shield in under 10 seconds. You don't even need any particular skills. It's all in the movement. You can also couch and then swing your stab to get a sprinting-level penetration, often into an enemies hip or head, while only taking one or two steps to pull the maneuver off. I'd call the swing-stab more of a finisher or counter-shield tactic. It will almost never miss when used on their weapon arm's side.

[Pug]

Originally posted by Not Anonymous:

I reached those conclusions when playing, the head obviously its the number one priority also thats why i said I feared spike clubs...
My spear tactics got me past novice, also, after getting better armor, doble handed weapons like the bill and then the bardiche (not the axe, that one sucks), hell even double wielding swords worked prety well too.
I must admit the spear tactics didnt fare as ridiculously well past expert and master as I tought it would happen but are still efective, IA with shields or fast double handed weapons usually respond much better, but I can handle it when they got double handed or no shield (me still being adept of course, I was doing challenger matches)

If you want to learn how to effectively wield polearms, start with the smallest and most vicious one: the Pitchfork.

It doesn't take much time to figure out how dynamic the pitchfork is. It's actually a joke. Once you figure out how to start a fight by plowing an enemy off their feet while catching their opening attack, allowing you to finish them while they're down, then you can definitely say you've got a feel for couching your thrusts. The metal rod works almost exactly the same except it won't gloriously catch most attacks. Ultimately the Pike/Halberd is your endgame weapon. Mind the weakness that comes with length vs balance, though. You lose way more stab momentum with more pole-length, constricting you to basic metal rod tactics again.

But you know what? That's all too much work sometimes. Come across an enemy in the arena with weapons or skills you can't keep up with? That's alright, throw your weapons down and throw hands. They become helpless after the first slap. I can't tell you how many dozens of full plate enemies I've punched unconscious when I simply don't want to risk red damage before acquiring plate armor for my fighters.