Especially since they have a lower skill floor than swords do, any beginner can pick up a lance and be able to use it decently enough to defend themselvesIf you've got a shortage on metal, you want spears more than swords. They're not as good in cramped spaces, but generally better everywhere else.
Spears are the oldest, and longest-serving, military weapon in human history for a reason. Swords get all the glory, but spears were the workhorse that got shit done.Especially since they have a lower skill floor than swords do, any beginner can pick up a lance and be able to use it decently enough to defend themselves
Not only that, spears are far more intuitive to use as a weapon for unskilled warriors. If you put two untrained people in a gladiator pit, one with a sword and one with a spear, the spear-wielder will win 9/10 times due to its innate advantages that beginners can take advantage of. With more advanced users it becomes more nuanced, but a beginner swordsman will not be able to use the sword optimally, unlike a spear.If you've got a shortage on metal, you want spears more than swords. They're not as good in cramped spaces, but generally better everywhere else.
All else being equal, spear is still better one-on-one. It changes with shields, or if the sword is a large two-handed sword.With more advanced users it becomes more nuanced, but a beginner swordsman will not be able to use the sword optimally, unlike a spear.