In an unarmored context, which applied very often throughout history, the spear is easier to use and especially lighter, which makes it a better and more nimble weapon. Spears can also be much longer than heavier pole arms whilst remaining usable, keeping the danger further away from the user

The speed at which one can move a spear tip is impressive and getting stabbed by it has large stopping power. The spear can also parry attacks in a large sweeping area, which makes it hard for anything else than another spear to get through

The more complex pole weapons start to shine in an armored context, where stabbing someone at the end of your long pointy stick becomes harder. Then, the hook-y, chop-y and spike-y bits of the halberd can really help tackle the armor

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

A truly determined (re: suicidal) person can also just impale themselves further on your spear to disarm you. Can't do that against a halberd.

Shield walls help with this problem as well though, so spears are still really versatile.

[–] trigonated 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

A truly determined (re: suicidal) person can also just impale themselves further on your spear to disarm you.

The boar technique

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Exactly what I was thinking about (read a post about that the other day on how boars are so batshit crazy they'll impale themselves further just to try to gore you)

[–] [email protected] 18 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Spears are also easier to make, so you can make them faster.

So basically it's a numbers game

Yeah halberds are more versatile and can be incredibly effective, but you can equip a lot of dudes with spears and less training.

At least that's my understanding

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 months ago

While the halberd's blade offers a lot of options for hooking your opponent, it equally gives them an opportunity to hook your polearm and manipulate it themselves. The simpler spearhead is also lighter than that of a halberd, allowing for more sustain when fighting for long periods.

I would definitely prefer a halberd (or billhook) over a spear given the choice, but it's not as much of a direct upgrade as you might think.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I just read about swiss mercenaries a while ago and wondered the whole read why they didn't have a short range weapon like a knife or axe too. Probably because of this.

Btw, they needed a whole century to equip the army with spears. Things sure moved slower back then.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

When the point of your weapon is heavier, you have to not only lift the weapon, but cancel out the torque from the unbalanced weight. The further away the point of the weapon is, the more torque, and the more effort. So the additional weight of a halberd has an outsized effect on a polearm compared to the same weight on a shorter weapon like a sword. A halberd will tire out your arms faster and you'll make more mistakes.

This is why spears are the superior weapon.

[–] Fleur__ 6 points 3 months ago

Spear is the deadliest weapon in human history. Cope halberd stand

[–] Sine_Fine_Belli 6 points 3 months ago

Another banger by Centurii-Chan