Spears

Spears are the term used to refer to long spike weapons that were used offensively. Best examples of spears are the dual spikes of Spikasaurus and the pioneer T.R.A.C.I.E..

Definition
The difference between spears and spikes is the length, with spears being quite long whilst spikes can be of any length. The purpose of spears is to specifically puncture or pierce enemy robots, which is different from other types of static blades, which aim only to batter and damage enemy robots.

Retracting Spears
Retracting Spears, such as the useful one employed by 101, solve many of the problems of ordinary spears; the fact that they retract into the bodyshell of the robot protect them from being damaged in combat. Also, it improves manoeuvrability, as robots can turn without catching their spears on something else.

Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
 * Advantages of spears are that they can be used to great effect if used by a robot with a good driver. An effective spear-wielding robot can puncture robot armour with a good run up, as Spikasaurus managed to do to Suicidal Tendencies and Killerhurtz, or immobilise a robot by striking the wheels
 * Retracting spears can be combined with elements of the robot's design. The best example is Spawn of Scutter, whose slight wedge, combined with the incredible fast spear, allowed Spawn of Scutter to use a very effective flipping weapon.

Disadvantages
 * Disadvantages of spears are that spears can be fragile, and can break easily, particularly the longer ones. Also, they can only be used from one side, and only with a run-up. Otherwise, it is hard to use the weapons effectively.
 * Often they are so sharp that they catch on parts of the arena and trap a robot in place. This cost Spikasaurus in the Heats of Series 4, and would have halted T.R.A.C.I.E. at the Trial stage if not for Stock Robot The Mouse. Alternatively, they can be hard to detach from an enemy robot - Suicidal Tendencies and Spikasaurus had to be dismantled in order to be seperated during the annihilator.
 * Retracting spears can not pierce other robots as effectively as static spears.

Robots with spear weapons
Robots are listed alphabetically. Robots that are not heavyweight are listed with a green background. Robots with retracting spears are in bold.