The Best Soulslikes To Play If You Want To Fight With Spears

Highlights

Soulslike games offer immersive worlds and challenging combat systems, making them unique in the action RPG genre.
Melee combat, especially using spears, is a common and beginner-friendly style in most Soulslike games.
Games like
Elden Ring
and
Nioh
provide a variety of spear options with unique skills and high damage output for players to enjoy.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the spear builds in these Soulslikes games are nothing short of delightful. Having dabbled in all sorts of weapons throughout my gaming journey, I can confidently assert that spears offer an exquisite balance between offense and defense that caters perfectly to a wide range of playstyles.

Games that resemble Soulslike don’t typically win points for being easy to grasp in the action RPG category. Instead, they offer an immersive and tough experience, often with a steep learning curve. However, their vast worlds and intricate combat systems introduce an unpredictable aspect that distinguishes them from other action games. For newcomers, the abundance of weapon choices along with the lack of a clear progression path can be quite daunting.

In these Soulslike games, it’s often the case that hand-to-hand fighting, or close combat, is the most prevalent and accessible style. A variety of weapons, such as swords, halberds, scythes, sabers, hammers, even rose bouquets (a nod to Elden Ring), are all suitable for close combat. However, for a beginner’s build, a weapon that offers both safety and power is particularly noteworthy – I’m referring to the spear. Though each game may have unique stats and techniques for using a spear, the fundamental principles stay consistent: maintaining a safe distance from enemies while dealing substantial damage.

6 Dark Souls

Ten Unique Spears

The Best Soulslikes To Play If You Want To Fight With Spears

Dark Souls stands out as the pioneering Souls game, sparking the wave of Soulslike and Soulsborne games we see today. It serves as a model for many in the genre, embodying the essential qualities that make a Soulslike game exceptional. A notable feature is its precise and intricate spear combat, which is both commonplace yet demanding in its execution.

In the game Dark Souls, there are approximately ten spears to choose from, each with varying levels of power. These spears make for a great choice for players who prefer a defensive playstyle rather than a full-on offensive approach due to their extended reach and long-range attacks. Indeed, the distance covered by these weapons can rival that of some top-tier ranged weapons in the game. However, unless players get their hands on a very powerful spear early in the game, the damage output may not be as impressive, requiring frequent upgrades or replacements. Among the best options are the Silver Knight Spear, Demon’s Spear, and Winged Spear. Of these, the Winged Spear is particularly valuable for players starting out.

5 Elden Ring

A Variety Of Spears And Great Spears

When discussing Elden Ring, there isn’t much new to be said, as it is already a widely recognized and cherished game within the gaming industry. If Dark Souls serves as the esteemed legacy for Souls-like games, then Elden Ring stands out as the exceptional offspring surpassing those expectations. The sheer size of the game allows players an unprecedented level of freedom to explore various paths, customizing their character builds and runs, ultimately transforming themselves into powerful, godlike characters.

In Elden Ring, spears might not be the weapon of choice due to other options in the game that scale more impressively. However, if preferred, Elden Ring provides both Spears and Great Spears with considerable range, making them suitable for a powerful horseback combat build. The Great Spear, known as the Serpent-Hunter, is the only weapon capable of causing substantial damage to Rykard, and it’s excellent for high-strength builds designed to stun enemies. The Bolt of Gransax, the strongest spear, transforms the player into a godlike figure, making it a beneficial choice. With the launch of Shadow of the Erdtree, spears have become more versatile, and a Spear-and-Shield build has emerged as one of the first viable strategies for the expansion’s final boss.

4 Ashen

Six Spear Types, All Ranged

In the game titled “Ashen“, spears are prominently featured due to their significant role in combat. This unique feature sets it apart from other games like FromSoftware’s Souls series, as it uses a typical crafting item called a Spear Head. It’s an open-world, third-person adventure that focuses on the player’s character development through weapons and building strategies. Therefore, having a dependable weapon is essential for success in this game.

In the game Ashen, each character sports six projectile-capable spears. Unlike traditional long-range melee weapons found in other games, these spears function as fully ranged projectiles, ideal for swiftly eliminating clusters of unaware enemies at a distance. These spears are often fashioned using Spear Heads at Vorsa and serve as handy secondary weapons. Despite their challenging learning curve due to the small hitbox and occasional inaccuracy, regular practice can make you proficient. The most powerful spear in the game, the Shield Maiden’s Spear, boasts an extended range and substantial damage output.

3 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Five Spears Perfect For Thrusting Attacks

If you’re a fan who yearns for an action RPG steeped in historical context, with a stronger affinity for the combat style of Sekiro than Dark Souls, then Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty should be right up your alley. This 2023 game is set amidst the Yellow Turban Rebellion within a fictionalized Han Dynasty, where it seamlessly blends Chinese mythology and folklore into its narrative. Similar to other titles from Team Ninja, such as Nioh and Nioh 2, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty features an intense combat system that promises a challenging and immersive gaming experience.

In the game titled “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty,” there’s a significant concentration on spear combat, boasting some of the most potent spear builds within the Soulslike genre. Given its emphasis on close-quarters fighting, newcomers might need to experiment to discover a playstyle that feels comfortable. However, a spear build can provide a well-rounded offensive-defensive strategy and could be ideal for beginners. The game provides five distinct spears for players, each with its unique martial arts skill and damage output scaling. The most powerful spear, acquired by defeating the boss, Zhao Yun, serves as an exceptional end-game weapon, featuring a Martial Arts skill that’s exclusive to this spear.

2 Nioh

Over 20 Spear-Type Weapons And Numerous Spear Skills

Nioh is the second title on this list developed by Team Ninja, showcasing an extensive spear combat system. Although FromSoftware’s Soulslikes are renowned for their intricate battle mechanics, other creators inspired by the genre, such as Team Ninja, don’t shy away from offering equally complex gameplay. Similar to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Nioh combines historical and imaginative elements, resulting in a distinctive portrayal of Japan’s Sengoku Era during the 1600s. The story follows an Irish sailor’s transformation into a Samurai and his role in assisting Japan amidst the intense power struggle between Japanese clans and malevolent Yokai entities.

In Nioh, the spear combat is remarkably well-crafted, as previously stated. The game offers more than twenty unique spears and an array of spear techniques that can be employed creatively to subdue adversaries. These spears are generally secure and mobile, often utilized for mid-stance strong attacks, although they may require some practice to master. What sets them apart is their mid-stance attacks, but their high-stance abilities, such as Spearfall, boast some of the highest damage potential in the game and can effectively eliminate enemies with a single strike.

1 Lords Of The Fallen

13 Spear-Type Weapons With Unique Buffs

2023 sees the return of “Lords of the Fallen,” a reimagining or sequel to the 2014 game that bore the same name, which was one of the initial attempts to emulate the “Souls” series format. However, the 2014 iteration didn’t receive the warmest welcome, prompting the development of the 2023 version. The game is set in a grim fantasy realm and follows a character known as a Lamp Bearer, who embarks on a mission to prevent an ancient demon god from being resurrected.

Drawing heavily from its source of inspiration, Lords of the Fallen embodies the spirit of Dark Souls through its dark, imaginative, pseudo-Medieval environment. As expected, spears play a significant role in the combat mechanics of the game. Similar to other titles, spears in LoTF serve as long-range weapons, ideal for engaging foes from a secure distance. The game provides 13 distinct spears, several of which come with potent status effects and enhancements such as bleed, poison, smite, frostbite, and burn. Notably, the Veil-Piercer and Skinstealer spears boast extremely effective frostbite and burn effects, respectively. The Lightreaper spear boasts the highest physical damage in the game and scales exceptionally well.

2024-08-11 02:35