Which weapon is best for a hoplite?

[Socrates]

half of your attacks glance and they all leave you open for counterattack for about a full second, which is a death wish

That's why I say stick with your buds and you got it. And I barely glance with my Bamboo Spear unless the guy is wearing Transitional and above armor.

[Cyclopsided]

I use the Warspear for it seems the more accurate choice to the real Hoplite Spear.

way too short, light lance is most accurate choice by length & look. But it is slowww due to being usable on horse.
Hence the petitioning for the ashwood to be used with a shield and + 2 to speed or so.

[Panoply]

As an aside, what would you guys recommend as a good hoplite build? I don't just mean a spear + shield hoplite, I mean a spear + broad short sword + shield hoplite. I realize it will not be an optimized build at all, but it might be a fun concept to try, and I'm hoping it's at least viable. I'm mostly looking at how to balance dual wpfs while maintaining respectable PS.

[Cyclopsided]

As an aside, what would you guys recommend as a good hoplite build? I don't just mean a spear + shield hoplite, I mean a spear + broad short sword + shield hoplite. I realize it will not be an optimized build at all, but it might be a fun concept to try, and I'm hoping it's at least viable. I'm mostly looking at how to balance dual wpfs while maintaining respectable PS.

21/15.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 21
    Agility: 15
    Hit points: 70

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 7
    Power Strike: 7
    Shield: 5
    Athletics: 5
    Riding: 0
    Horse Archery: 0
    Power Draw: 0
    Power Throw: 0
    Weapon Master: 5

    One Handed: 104
    Two Handed: 1
    Polearm: 120
    Archery: 1
    Crossbow: 1
    Throwing: 1

[7000bc]

21/15.

(click to show/hide)

24-15

Ditch ironflesh for 8ps, the extra str hp makes up for it

[Cyclopsided]

24-15

Ditch ironflesh for 8ps, the extra str hp makes up for it

That is the other flavor of the build. 11 more HP for 21/15 than 24/15. It can be a big difference. 8% damage increase from PS is nice though.

[Civilian]

or prepare to die alot going my build (make a mistake good chance you are gonna die)

@ Level 32
Strength    15    
Agility    24    

One Handed    83
Polearm    163

Skills
Power Strike    5
Shield    8
Athletics    8
Weapon Master    8

was 15-21 @ Level 30

[Panoply]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I tried a stf agi heavy hoplite, similar to civilian's suggestion, but I felt I lacked damage output.

The 21/15 and 24/15 look pretty good. I'm inclined toward the latter since I typically play no IF chars, and I feel the shield goes a long way to make up for the lack. That said, while I can see 100 wpf being enough for 1h especially given the 102 speed broad short sword, is 120 wpf enough for polearms?

What is the exact speed penalty for using a spear with a shield? What spear did you envisage this build using? I'm ok with relying on the short sword for duels or close combat, and the spear for supporting teammates, if that lets me get away with less pole wpf. I'd prefer not to use the awlpike because I don't like the look. I'm intrigued by the idea of the light lance, but I imagine I'd need more wpf to make that work? Red Tassel then?

[7000bc]

120 is enough to serve the purpose of simply being support, but if you're a really  dedicated hoplite max that shit out.

[Cyclopsided]

120 is good. I've played a lot with hoplites, and 120 is perfectly fine for it.
100 is good for 1h because they are already so fast, and you need 100 WPF to use a weapon as the stats are listed.

Light lance is good for dedicated hoplite, but can't be sheathed. If you need to sheath it since you'll be using the broad sword when alone, go with the war spear or red tassle.
Double sided lance works too, although it is a little short. Fits the theme though. Decent speed and high damage.

I will note that i have a 21/15 character with 117 1h and 105 pole arm that does fine as a hoplite.

[Phalanx300]

way too short, light lance is most accurate choice by length & look. But it is slowww due to being usable on horse.
Hence the petitioning for the ashwood to be used with a shield and + 2 to speed or so.

Not really:

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Mmmm. We do need overarm animation though.

[Cyclopsided]

In the picture shown, the hoplite's weapon is closer in length to the light lance. Also, if used in the proper underarm grip would have more reach than the light lance in game by a bit. :X.

I don't know what you are trying to say.

[Spawny]

100 is good for 1h because they are already so fast, and you need 100 WPF to use a weapon as the stats are listed.

Assuming no armour is worn. Need a bit more to compensate for weight wpf penalty.

[Cyclopsided]

Assuming no armour is worn. Need a bit more to compensate for weight wpf penalty.

I always put 105 for that reason.
BTW just made a hoplite STF character, going to have some fun with it.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 21
    Agility: 15
    Hit points: 56

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 0
    Power Strike: 7
    Shield: 5
    Athletics: 5
    Riding: 0
    Horse Archery: 0
    Power Draw: 0
    Power Throw: 7
    Weapon Master: 5

    One Handed: 52
    Two Handed: 1
    Polearm: 106
    Archery: 1
    Crossbow: 1
    Throwing: 107

That is how I distributed the WPF and it works. 1h are really fast, you can skimp on it if you have a good reason. also, the 1h is not my primary.

[Konrax]

Huscarl and Awlpike with the 0 slow hammer and 0 slot dagger as side arms.

I would try 15/21 first for a build with around 120-130 pole and rest in 1h.

Hammer gives you knock down so you can retreat, dagger gives you extra speed against those really light agi spammers with 2h weapons, 7 shield gives you faster shield movements.

5ps might be a bit low if you don't have a MW awlpike, if you do than I think its sufficient.