Need help on spear/javelin + shield melee dps build

[Ponku]

I want to build my character with a spear and a shield, mostly fighting in melee, but i'm not sre how to even create it.

What is actually the difference between spear and javelin? Does it make sense to take at the start javelin expertise, and as a second one spear and shield? Should i then have two sets of weapons, one spear+shield and one javelin+shield? Seems kinda redundant, since javelins have melee attacks and first javelin i pick up from the ground already have melee strength of my basic spear.

Or maybe i should just double up on javelin expertise at character creation and stick only to javelins and light shield on my playthrough? But then, javlin skills are in ranged tree, and that's not the one i want to pursue...

I read about some people takin jvelin + dual wield, but they are mostly using dual for melee and javelins for range, so not sure if this is what i want.

I want to be melee dps that fight with spear and have some bit of protection. Something kinda like Spartans or Amazons :)

For this kind of character, should i go with agility tree or power tree?

Any help on that would be much appreciated.

[Kernest]

AFAIK the only difference between a Javelin an a Spear is that Javelin has a possible ranged attack, that and of course stats may vary.

Starting weapon sets do not matter, you should look only at the skills and talents the expertises give you. You'll find or be able to buy something palatable before it becomes an issue.

If you're going with a shield+1H (melee), the obvious primary talent tree would be Defense, boosting the effectiveness of your shield as well as 1H damage + chance for multiple hits.

Power tree does offer multiple desirable talents however, such as Cleave, Sunder and Concentrated Force (add stun to Sunder).

Getting to Arrow Shield in Agility tree quickly might be more important, but you wouldn't need much beyond that, or at least there are better options out there.

[Ponku]

So, if i realise it correctly, there is really no difference if i go for mele fighter with a shield that uses a spear or any other 1H weapon.. just the look and stats on a certain weapon..

So i think if i would like to properly utilise javelin i would need to go for some kind of ranged skills suplementing it with melee skills. Creating a ranged/melee hybrid. How viable is that kind of build? Wouldn't i be just either fight in range behind my frontlines, or be a frontline myself through all the fights?
Is that kind of versatily a viable choice in game, or specialisation is prefered (if i'm going to play with party, not solo) ?

[Kernest]

Javelins and other thrown weapons (such as Lantry's Quill) use 1H skill also for their ranged hit chance, so a Thrown/Melee hybrid is totally viable, skill-wise it's not really a hybrid even.

IMO as far as "physical" attack skills are concerned (different ball game for spells) versatility gets you killed on higher difficulties, but by that I mean like trying to rank up both Bows and 2H or something.

The build you're planning can totally work, you just need to be careful with the talents (and how they relate to your skills). For example, ranged tree has that one talent that makes you use Dodge instead of Parry if Dodge is better. With that you'd want to use a shield with better Dodge and avoid talents relating only to Parry.