Context: I often see a lot of people fawn over spears like they’re the pinnacle of weaponry. In particular, a lot of people don’t seem to get why swords are more popular in fiction than spears, and constantly harp on about how spears should be more popular. Historical associations with nobility aside, swords just frankly make for better weapons for protagonists to have.
saxonmaniac on
Sword goes swoooosh me likey
lifasannrottivaetr on
Odin sacrificed himself to himself with a spear, as I recall…
HistoryGeek00 on
Halberd
Level_Hour6480 on
Swords are a sidearm: you have them at your side if you lose your primary weapon, and you have them on you when dealing with muggers/assassins.
shino4242 on
Spears have actually having a bit of a glow up in Korean Comics. Several feature MC’s with spears as their main weapons. It was really only seeing them that made me realize “holup, there’s like no spear users in fiction, wtf”
And I think you point out why acceptably well here.
Crazed-Prophet on
Kalladin Stormblessed would like a word.
my_name_is_iso on
I mean personally, my main problem is the sword, particularly longsword, being the popular weapon; I agree with OP on their points on spears.
But consider; axes, blunt weapons like clubs and maces, and the queen of side arms, KNIVES. Of course, it’s cheating a little bit since they are both blades, but knives come in a shitload of shapes and sizes, not to mention they were historically easier to acquire. I think they are represented but underutilized compared to the generic description of sword or the cliche longsword.
bondzplz on
Counterpoint: swords are polearms, just with very little pole and very many arm.
BreadentheBirbman on
Kaladin vs Adolin
ShayCormacACRogue on
Spears do deserve more representation
HOWEVER
I do agree that swords are good for protagonists
bfadam on
Dude no spears are THE weapon before firearms ( and even then a rifle with a bayonet is just a spear ) it shouldn’t be a weapon you have actually look for in a movie or game it should be there in every battle every group armed at least one or two it’s like people in a WW2 movie all be armed with pistols for some reason or a movie about about a hacker and he uses some cheap outdated blackberry instead of a computer or something
It is unfavorably underrepresented in media
RichisLeward on
Sorry, but those are a bunch of non-arguments. Spears work best in a formation? Who determined that? The romans would disagree with you there. And how does that imply that they aren’t also superior in a duel? HEMA guys on youtube tested that again and again. A normal spear user can keep most trained swordsmen at a distance.
Spears can be of differing sizes, same as any other weapon. There are short spears that are much more nimble and still manage to outrange most swords. Not every spear needs to be a macedonian sarissa. [Is this “cumbersome”?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WxphPKKzAc) Not to mention that in tight spaces, you are reduced to basically only stabbing with a sword as well.
The reason swords are associated with personal combat is because of Hollywood, I’m afraid, and their depictions of knighthood. Ritual combat in reality happened with all kinds of weaponry. Hell, we have historical depictions of people beating on each other with socks full of stones.
In the end, whatever weapon makes the story work is the right one for fiction. If the narrative works around the hero having a magical toothbrush to skewer people with, so be it.
AccomplishedAdagio13 on
“B-but YouTubers told me spears are like totlaly rad!”
Shuruia on
I feel like the “spears are cumbersome” argument would have more merit if fantasy protags weren’t already lugging around massive greatswords and battle axes. Makes sense for low fantasy adventurers, at least.
Gavinus1000 on
Kaladin Stormblessed wants to know your location.
These_Marionberry888 on
i mean, historically speaking, if your protagonist wasnt very well off, the weapon of choice for personal protection would most likely have been some form of quarterstaff, or club,
and a short spear is basically just a pointy quarterstaff,
the advantage besides the price being that its far more simple. and a stick has non weapon usage, and is litterally unregulatable.
but swords carry this aspect of prestige, and knightly association, while also showing of that you can afford and wield a sword.
since fantasy is basically just ripping of Tolkien, and Tolkien was taking inspiration from arthurian legend that stuck .
DOSFS on
**BE HOLD!! COLLAPSIBLE SPEAR!!!**
~~modern time only~~
Grimlok_Irongaze on
Troy did justice for both the sword and spear. I still remember the long spear throw where Hector was like “wtf was that”
19 Comments
Context: I often see a lot of people fawn over spears like they’re the pinnacle of weaponry. In particular, a lot of people don’t seem to get why swords are more popular in fiction than spears, and constantly harp on about how spears should be more popular. Historical associations with nobility aside, swords just frankly make for better weapons for protagonists to have.
Sword goes swoooosh me likey
Odin sacrificed himself to himself with a spear, as I recall…
Halberd
Swords are a sidearm: you have them at your side if you lose your primary weapon, and you have them on you when dealing with muggers/assassins.
Spears have actually having a bit of a glow up in Korean Comics. Several feature MC’s with spears as their main weapons. It was really only seeing them that made me realize “holup, there’s like no spear users in fiction, wtf”
And I think you point out why acceptably well here.
Kalladin Stormblessed would like a word.
I mean personally, my main problem is the sword, particularly longsword, being the popular weapon; I agree with OP on their points on spears.
But consider; axes, blunt weapons like clubs and maces, and the queen of side arms, KNIVES. Of course, it’s cheating a little bit since they are both blades, but knives come in a shitload of shapes and sizes, not to mention they were historically easier to acquire. I think they are represented but underutilized compared to the generic description of sword or the cliche longsword.
Counterpoint: swords are polearms, just with very little pole and very many arm.
Kaladin vs Adolin
Spears do deserve more representation
HOWEVER
I do agree that swords are good for protagonists
Dude no spears are THE weapon before firearms ( and even then a rifle with a bayonet is just a spear ) it shouldn’t be a weapon you have actually look for in a movie or game it should be there in every battle every group armed at least one or two it’s like people in a WW2 movie all be armed with pistols for some reason or a movie about about a hacker and he uses some cheap outdated blackberry instead of a computer or something
It is unfavorably underrepresented in media
Sorry, but those are a bunch of non-arguments. Spears work best in a formation? Who determined that? The romans would disagree with you there. And how does that imply that they aren’t also superior in a duel? HEMA guys on youtube tested that again and again. A normal spear user can keep most trained swordsmen at a distance.
Spears can be of differing sizes, same as any other weapon. There are short spears that are much more nimble and still manage to outrange most swords. Not every spear needs to be a macedonian sarissa. [Is this “cumbersome”?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WxphPKKzAc) Not to mention that in tight spaces, you are reduced to basically only stabbing with a sword as well.
The reason swords are associated with personal combat is because of Hollywood, I’m afraid, and their depictions of knighthood. Ritual combat in reality happened with all kinds of weaponry. Hell, we have historical depictions of people beating on each other with socks full of stones.
In the end, whatever weapon makes the story work is the right one for fiction. If the narrative works around the hero having a magical toothbrush to skewer people with, so be it.
“B-but YouTubers told me spears are like totlaly rad!”
I feel like the “spears are cumbersome” argument would have more merit if fantasy protags weren’t already lugging around massive greatswords and battle axes. Makes sense for low fantasy adventurers, at least.
Kaladin Stormblessed wants to know your location.
i mean, historically speaking, if your protagonist wasnt very well off, the weapon of choice for personal protection would most likely have been some form of quarterstaff, or club,
and a short spear is basically just a pointy quarterstaff,
the advantage besides the price being that its far more simple. and a stick has non weapon usage, and is litterally unregulatable.
but swords carry this aspect of prestige, and knightly association, while also showing of that you can afford and wield a sword.
since fantasy is basically just ripping of Tolkien, and Tolkien was taking inspiration from arthurian legend that stuck .
**BE HOLD!! COLLAPSIBLE SPEAR!!!**
~~modern time only~~
Troy did justice for both the sword and spear. I still remember the long spear throw where Hector was like “wtf was that”