Advice for Spear/Shield user

[Leondegrance]

Hi, I'm wanting to go conqueror or warden. I want to stick with the spear and shield--it looks like the consensus is warden on this but I just like the warfare tree better. However, I am hearing that if I go conqueror I am only hurting myself by not using the club/mace. Will I get comparable DPS for a spear using conqueror as I would going warden? Suggestions please...Thanks in advance.

[apocalypse80]

The general consensus is that warfare is about axes and maces , while hunting is about spears and bows.
And the general consensus is quite correct.

It's not so much that you'll lose that much damage by going with warfare.
You'll definitely lose damage from your spear and gain damage from your shield (that doesn't do piercing damage).
It might even out or it may not.

The dealbreaker for a piercing based conqueror comes in 2 words ; piercing resistance.
It's everywhere and it comes in huge doses ; lots and lots of monsters will laugh at that pointy stick of yours.
If you have hunting , you can wipe that smile of their faces (study prey) - if you have warfare , you can only pray that your shield will pull you through.

As far as I'm concerned , piercing damage is not an option for a conqueror.
The dps counter might like it , reality doesn't.