Hi.

In EDU file there are written some rules about this:

Code:
; stat_pri_attr
;               primary weapon attributes any or all of
;                   ap = armour piercing. Only counts half of target's armour
;                   bp = body piercing. Missile can pass through men and hit those behind
;                   spear = Used for long spears. Gives bonuses fighting cavalry, and penalties against infantry
;                   long_pike = Use very long pikes. Phalanx capable units only
;                   short_pike = Use shorter than normal spears.
;                   prec = Missile weapon is only thrown/ fired just before charging into combat
;                   thrown = The missile type if thrown rather than fired
;                   launching = attack may throw target men into the air
;                   area = attack affects an area, not just one man
;                   spear & light_spear = The unit when braced has various protecting mechanisms versus cavalry charges from the front
;                   spear_bonus_x = attack bonus against cavalry. x = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12
So, unless there is an error in this description, the spear attribute only gets bonus against cavalry and even gets penalties against infantry.

I made some tests putting sword units against spear units with similar strengths and attributes and could not find such a clear advantage as is being said here.
Besides, it was very difficult to find similar units because they have so many variables that you can't say they won just because they had a bonus due to the spears.

However, against cavalry, as was expected, spears are deadly. I play EB with BI and use the spear_bonus_x attribute to give even more bonus against cavalry.

Can you show me an example of 2 opposing units where I can clearly see the spear bonus? Or is this an inside information that someone has from CA?