Only two spears truly modify the game include War Pike (slower than any of the top polearms, but with the most damaging base) in addition to Mancatcher (faster than all of the top polearms, however with lower the base damage).

The other spears come with roughly similar polearms with respect to speed and damage, and so nothing alters, other than having two additional options based on the results you get.

Stygian Pike Stygian Pike and Ghost Spear are roughly the identical to Great Poleaxe (and Ogre Axe however, it only has a maximum of 3os, so it isn't an Infinity base). Same speed, same average damage, but wider damage range. The dex requirement for Ghost Spear is pretty high however, it's still usable and isn't as good as Colossus Voulge An Eth Ghost Spear should be wearable with an 85 level Merc (91 in non-eth). There's not much new in this when compared to the Great Poleaxe.

Hyperion Spear is pretty much identical to Tresher and Giant Thresher however Hyperion Spear has a maximum 3os, so it can't be an Infinity base.

20. War Pike

10, Cryptic Axe Colossus Voulge

0. Ogre Axe (max 3oz), Great Poleaxe, Stygian Pike, Ghost Spear

10: Thresher, Giant Thresher, Hyperion Spear (max 3os)

20: Mancatcher

Within each speed range the damage per unit is typically pretty close to the same. The higher speed weapons are less effective in base damage. It's all choosing the speed you'd like to achieve.

There's a bit of consideration when it comes to the max sockets, too. Ogre Axe and Hyperion Spear are automatically eliminated since they aren't able to get four sockets. Bases that can get the maximum 4os (Colossus Voulge or Stygian Pike) are more accessible as if you come across one without sockets you can use Larzuk to gain four sockets (or taking 3/6 odds by using Cube's recipe). With the five and six max socket bases, you'll be rolling on a one-in-six chance of success using the cube recipe, or looking for a natural drop of 4os.

Stygian Pike is an excellent alternative, but mainly because it's less difficult to locate as it comes with maximum 4 sockets, but isn't able to meet the strong requirements for strength like Colossus Voulge (the one other maximum 4 socket option) is required to meet, and is slightly quicker than Colossus Voulge as well. It's not my best choice since it's somewhat slower than Thresher/Giant Thresher/Mancatcher. However, St Pike will be the simplest to locate an eth with 4os, so it's ideal to have it.

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