Why aren't there Spears or Polearms in Skyrim? : V - Skyrim

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:31 pm

Naginatas (japanese) were designed for SINGLE USE against GROUPS OF OPPONENTS. Some of the skilled people could use it to take on dozens of enemies at once

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:09 am

Really has nothing to do with streamlining....like at all.

Actually it does. They (Beth) specifically said that spears and the like were one of the things they left out due to the difficulty incorporating them into the game, i.e. 'streamlining' the game. The mechanics are different than other hand held melee weapons. Basically you swing the stuff that is in game and spears are pretty much entirely a longer range stab. (although you stab with swords and slash with halberds...eh, I digress). Bottomline is they wanted to get some basic weapons in the game without adding another level of complexity, so no spears.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:04 pm

Skyrim doesn't take place during Medieval Times, it takes place during and after the 201st year of the 4th Era.

As for polearms, I think they would be far too slow in any case. In caves they would be useless tactically and unless you are on the front line of an army with hundreds of other lance-toting common soldiers they are inneffective against enemies, as their attacks are incredible easy to parry.

Most every cave in Skyrim has narrow spots that only 1 person kan fit through, this would be perfect for using a spear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePg-gkwfLBs

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:39 pm

Most every cave in Skyrim has narrow spots that only 1 person kan fit through, this would be perfect for using a spear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWn-g_AfcF4

i really doubt if that thing can work agaisn't Dragons and Giants.Serilious....magic is is 20x times better than a spear.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:53 am

Bethesda have a Belief that "Less is better"
Which makes so much sense in an open-world RPG.

It would seem that survey results showed that indepth stories, quests and so many options and paths just confuse the masses and when they get confused and lost, they get angry.
All surveys answered by previous TES players were ignored (Obviously)

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:31 am

I'd like to play with a spear/pole arm. If they had their own "finishing" moves that's be cool. At this point the perk system doesn't support it. Technically they are two handed weapons, but they are completely different weapons from the Axe or Sword type weapons so they'd need their own perk tree.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:20 am

Its sort of a time-space thing. Nirn is undergoing a bizarre magical event over the past few games where items that once were plentiful simply vanish from existence. Magic and spells are also subject to this strange phenomenon.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:11 am

wow. the thought pattern of these forums. Skyrim is indeed simplified (not exactly in a bad way) but to say that's why they don't have spears....my god.

Heh, I even saw consoles blamed numerous time for the absence of spears. These forums though, what can you do?

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:24 pm

At least we get to pick up tankards.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:41 am

You answered yourself with the first comment. "Medieval times". Dwemer lore or not, if this game had guns it wouldn't be TES.

Uldred

There were firearms in Medieval times. But I agree, they don't really fit the setting.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:46 pm

Well, I consider the removal of spear to be linked to the fact they were totally overpowered in Morrowind. My Argonian scout went through a decent portion of the game without being hit in melee combat against a single opponent. I would just be able to hit them at a long range and then move a small space backwards while they were stunned and repeat that. I really don't think it's down to streamlining because I'm pretty sure modelling spears, animating them etc could have easily been done in the time they were given.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:13 am

Crossbows are already partially implemented in game..... this is something I plan to look at when the CK finally comes out. May have to wait for SKSE to add the appropriate script commands for it though......

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:02 am

There were firearms in Medieval times.

True, but it depends on the exact time frame. I didn't want to get into a "name that date" with respect to when guns - of some type- entered medieval warfare.

Uldred

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:14 am

Well, I consider the removal of spear to be linked to the fact they were totally overpowered in Morrowind. My Argonian scout went through a decent portion of the game without being hit in melee combat against a single opponent. I would just be able to hit them at a long range and then move a small space backwards while they were stunned and repeat that. I really don't think it's down to streamlining because I'm pretty sure modelling spears, animating them etc could have easily been done in the time they were given.

So because they were overpowered in Morrowind, they absolutely had to be omitted from Oblivion and Skyrim? They couldn't have just been balanced, like pretty much all the weapons were (supposedly)? Heh.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:47 am

Well, I consider the removal of spear to be linked to the fact they were totally overpowered in Morrowind. My Argonian scout went through a decent portion of the game without being hit in melee combat against a single opponent. I would just be able to hit them at a long range and then move a small space backwards while they were stunned and repeat that. I really don't think it's down to streamlining because I'm pretty sure modelling spears, animating them etc could have easily been done in the time they were given.

I've read plenty of times here how people just stunlock enemies and hardly get hit in Skyrim. So how is this any different?

Uldred

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:32 pm

Well think on it like this folks, you can only really throw a spear once in combat and then you must retrieve it. Its a tedious mechanic that would need changing. Now the two solutions I see that are viable are conjured spears, meaning you could recast and throw again without retrieval or have spears stackable like arrows. The first is doable and in with the current magic system and gameplay mechanics. The second would not work, as spears as a main weapon would require a weight value and stacking enough for any engagement would bring you close to the encumberance limits every time you restocked.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:29 pm

You answered yourself with the first comment. "Medieval times". Dwemer lore or not, if this game had guns it wouldn't be TES.

Uldred

And of course, looking at human history, we have been 99,99% of our existence without guns.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:13 pm

Well, you're free to provide your own reasoning as to why they may have been removed.

If they had actually spent any decent amount of time on their own forums, they wouldn't have been surprised.

Again, if they had actually spent any decent amount of time on their own forums, they would have known that people wanted spears and crossbows back after Oblivion was released. It should never have been an issue or a surprise for them.

Because you have developed massive game worlds which win GOTY at many different websites.

The forums are hardly an area where everybody agrees, if they listened to the forums, the game would svck badly because of the mass of ideas, good or ill (guns for example). Don't tell them how they are supposed to make the game. They won't make it personally for you, no matter how many letters/emails you send them. Are you having fun with the game? Yes? Play it then. No? Then just shut up and get off these forums.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:57 am

True, but it depends on the exact time frame. I didn't want to get into a "name that date" with respect to when guns - of some type- entered medieval warfare.

Uldred

Understandable. Just pointed it out to avoid spreading the misconception. And also, I think it's quite easily established that the current ES universe would be close to a period well past the introduction of gunpowder. There's elaborate plate armor around for instance, akin to the late 14th or 15th century, while the earliest firearms I've heard of were recorded in the 13th century (even though at the moment I cannot recall any cases of extensive usage until the Hussite wars in the 1420's).

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:26 am

I'm pretty sure they had Spears and Polearms in Medieval times...or at least Lances...

Bethesda has a hard time with animating, hence removal of different weapon types.

And just FYI (to some of the posts above), in tight spaces, the spear would be even more useful because of it's reach and the ability to force enemeis to come at you head on with the cave removing their ability to flank you. Forward stabbing motion and ability to block = dead bandits trying to get at you.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:51 pm

because since the majority of the Bethesda team doesn't like spears or polearms they feel that everyone else feels the same as they do about them... at least that's my theory.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:03 am

Also another point i want to make.

Bethesda removed short blades from the game, merging them into daggers and 'swords'.

hate to tell ya, but Bethesda will remove anything that the majority doesn't use.

I USED SHORT SWORDS!!!! I USED SPEARS!!!!!! THOSE WERE MY TWO FAVORITE WEAPONS IN OBLIVION AND MORROWIND RESPECTIVELY!!!!

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 11:44 pm

And of course, looking at human history, we have been 99,99% of our existence without guns.

We're not talking about spears as a throwing weapon, we're talking about them as a weapon wielded as a main weapon, like a halberd or pike.

Edit: Has anyone considered that crossbows could still be added to the game under Archery, and spears under one and two handed? I may be hoping beyond hope, but it could be in DLC.

» Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:26 pm

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know you were all professional game makers on Bethesda's level and knew everything about how to make video games. I for one am truly happy with the game and would like to say, Thank you Bethesda for a job well done.

» Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:15 am

Well imo they could only then be halberds or pikes and make them 2h only. That way you have some semblence of balance, since the attack range of most 2h weapons is longer and its also more powerful than 1h. Leave 1h to close up weapons.