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[Dr.Propz]

Which weapon would be better, a spear or a knife? I know a spear has better stabbing power, but a knife can cut, so what do you think is the better choice?

[NedeN]

Well without getting any proof from the Wiki, I would say spear. You can still butcher with it and its just got some plain badassery behind it. You can still sever limbs and gore villains with one key press, but I keep the knife anyways just to throw it before hand, you ALWAYS need the upperhand when it comes to df, especially adv mode

[Matheld]

A spear is also useful for taking down large beasts if you get to that point.

[Dwarfoloid]

The knife is crap and glances off clothing articles. You can, however, use it as harmless training weapon and later on switch to real knives, which IIRC, use the same skill.

By real knife I mean the slicing, boning and carving knives that civvies carry, not the useless military grade crap.

[Gabeux]

The knife is crap and glances off clothing articles. You can, however, use it as harmless training weapon and later on switch to real knives, which IIRC, use the same skill.

By real knife I mean the slicing, boning and carving knives that civvies carry, not the useless military grade crap.

That kind that can tear the brain off a legendary armor user/shield user/dodger with full iron armor, and superhuman stats.
Oh yes I know those ones.

[Megaman_zx]

for role playing purposes, i usually toss both, or pretend to be a peasant and keep the knife... if i'm challenging myself i toss both and grab a real weapon from the nearest keep.

[NedeN]

Well I went ahead and took ten dorfs with large steel knives and ten dorfs with every other steel weapon, and ill tell you, those knifedorfs really kicked some ass. I dunno if its just necause it was steel but i might be switching over to knives from now on

[Funk]

the civvy ones are loads better, like therecave spider silk stab vests tht can stop a sword.

[Hummingbird]

a spear has better stabbing power

Not necessarily. In the raws, the tip of a spear has contact area 20. The tip of a large dagger has contact area 5. The dagger is four times sharper. If you ever get the chance to switch to a boning knife, that's contact area 2—ten times as sharp as a spear.

[CursedBurger]

Boning knives are amazingly sharp and very easy to get a hold of, if you're willing to kill peasants (hey, you ARE an outsider, might as well be an outcast too).

[Kilroy the Grand]

Boning knives are amazingly sharp and very easy to get a hold of, if you're willing to kill peasants (hey, you ARE an outsider, might as well be an outcast too).

Why would you HAVE to kill them? Have animals do it.

[Loud Whispers]

a spear has better stabbing power

Not necessarily. In the raws, the tip of a spear has contact area 20. The tip of a large dagger has contact area 5. The dagger is four times sharper. If you ever get the chance to switch to a boning knife, that's contact area 2—ten times as sharp as a spear.

It's this that makes adamantine spears great for chopping off limbs.

Observe the humble naginata:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Garath]

Boning knives are amazingly sharp and very easy to get a hold of, if you're willing to kill peasants (hey, you ARE an outsider, might as well be an outcast too).

Why would you HAVE to kill them? Have animals do it.

recruit one to your team and send him/her out to fight a pride of lions alone

[Geen]

Get a civie knife. It's like a lightsaber. No, seriously. They can pierce full candy plate.

[Shinziril]

More like an icepick.

What's that?  Your armor has tiny holes in the joints?  That's just too bad.