Yeah, I agree. I'd much prefer doubled fortify bonuses and damage reflection against mounted units.

I'm no expert, but that's the sort of thing that spears have traditionally been used for, right?

Not in video games

Imo, the only touch up spears need is such that you need to move your unit out of position to use it. Doesn't get the swarm bonus then and breaks up the line. If the AI recognizedthat and was able to single out a flank, I think combats could become very interesting indeed...

Total War Series

I'd like to see a few more one-handed spears. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think only Kraxis get one-handed spears right now. Would be nice to use a spear and shield for the ultimate defender.

@alstein Most powerful weapon? Right now spears get no love from the warrior tree, only axes, clubs, swords. Also Impale being better than Cleave? How do you figure? Impale hits two targets, Cleave hits three. Also the Backswing ability on Axes really comes in handy. The strongest spear I've seen is the Lightning pike and even with it's 66% armor penetration I'd still take a Sythe of the Void (Stardocks spelling not mine) Sword of Wrath or Doom Maul, or pair Heartseeker or Pyre Brand with an Obsidian Shield

It depends on the map I guess, some maps favor impale, and some favor cleave. I know this because I've ran an all Spear Cavalry army, and I've ran an all Axe Cavalry army. What army I roll with typically depends on the heroes I come across, if I get Bragni I tend to go all spear, if there ever was a spear god on the battlefield it's Bragni.

They really do, it's crazy not to use Horses because of the vast advantages: Can wear heavier gear, can move further (On both maps), can't be knocked prone and beat on.

Edit: Can't forget the nice dodge increase vs. ranged as well

I don't agree with too many people, but, I have to agree with you here the power of the spear just doesn't seem right. A PIKE would be more like what should have that kind of power or maybe it's a halbred. It's a spearlike weapon that is part axe part spear? I guess though some things just have to go beyond plausible for the sake of balance and having more than one weapon type used all the time. I personally liked the old system with piercing, slashing and bashing. But, someone got a wild hair and thinks the way it is now is better. It's more fluff basically I don't see it as being better.

I like the Impale ability, it encourages me to not bunch up too much or the enemy will use it against me.

An alternative could be to be able to hit a unit one tile away with the spear, but that would have to be evry turn, not just every 5th turn.

Anyways, I like the current mechanic too. As people say her it has added alot to tactical battle.

Spears would not be able to impale heavily armored units without breaking right through them.  At the very least, the damage for the further unit should be reduced to 75% or even 50%, even if there is no unit in the first square.

Couldn't agree less.

I do tend to design things based on how fun they are instead of realism (and people have different opinions on how much realism plays into making the game fun).  So I like spears and crossbow mechanics even though they are very gamey (especially crossbows).

But it sounds like a great opportunity for a mod.  Im sure some people would enjoy more realistic weapon effects (even the damage types are still in, they just need to set in XML) and its easy to create weapons that give bonuses vs mounted units, give spears counter attacks, move the special abilitiea around to different weapons, etc.