Quote from jerrytt

Spearton archer at 1200-1500k? are you sure?

Haven't played in a while, but I saw it alot when playing as my brother's account which was in the 1300s. Got it up to 1500 before I started seeing things other than spear + archer, spear rushing and (unsuccessful) turtling.

Quote from pumuecils

So then which is quicker? Sword arch or spear arch?
Quicker Eco disrupt or later Eco disruption.
With the latter, your opponent has the opportunity to build a wall without putting themselves behind.

Swords will get out much faster (unless you're going for 3 swords rather than 1 spear)

I know that. But I'm wondering how this competes in the higher ranks

In higher ranked games on say, ice, most players usually get up to like, 3 swords in a given game. then its all spears from there. I only usually get 1 sword.

I usually end up getting 4-5 archidons quickly for reason before I ever get a spear and one sword.

ive spear rushed into mid 1600s
and i know someone who spear rushed to 1700
the strat only sucks if you dont know how to work it properly

And someone who knows how to counter it properly is the reason the strat isn't seen in the 18's

ive beaten a 1800 with it before
just sayn
but i wouldnt dare try it on a 1900
though ive beaten three of those too
Only the people who work great under pressure can turn the spear rush around on someone who knows what their doing
id say 1800 up
usually
but u can make past that when you start bringing in other units
ill tell you this:
spears are the most compatible unit of all
they fit in nicely with just about every other unit and because of this they are the most natural to mass

Quote from pumuecils

And someone who knows how to counter it properly is the reason the strat isn't seen in the 18's

I've been using it effectively against people my level. You just need to know some tricks.

Plz explain

Well generally I go for an early spear, not as the first unit, but the 3rd or fourth, putting a miner on mana early. When eco can support itself, I start buying spears, but only send out 1-2 to where the rest of my units are (archers and maybe 1 sword). This makes the enemy think I have a decent eco, but am going for the general spear archer meric build.

The next trick is to fake some rushes, holding the main contingent of spears back. If they go for a turtle early, apply a few shinobi. If they instead do the usual spear archer strategy, when they pull ahead in terms of army and charge your frontal force, you pull back those units and have the rest of your spears meet up with them. Rush the archers instead of the spears and take them down. If he garrisons them , kill off eco. If he garrisons all units other than spears, you can either try to pick them off or just continue pressuring. If you manage to get him to garrison long enough early on, your eco is far superior.

After he pushes your spears back with his army you've been holding prisoner, pull injured spears back. Have a Giant queuing asap. When your new builds come out to defend with a few other units, attack again with the giant and a few spears. Spears rush the archers and the giant eats up the spears. Rinse and repeat.

But how would you start? I'll usually begin. Sword arch. I charge opponent garrisons or has already bought Ca or happens to have gone arch sword themselves which I will win most likely ;P
I then harass Eco and build miners all the while.
I get a spear as my third unit.
Dependent upon the situation either buy next more spears, miner hustle, an albow, or whatever the situation calls for.

the trick is to time when to tech up to spears...also when to put miners on mana, and how many...

I usually put 3 on mana if I'm going for spears primarily.

Quote from pumuecils

I usually put 3 on mana if I'm going for spears primarily.

You only need one miner on mana if you want to pump out spears.

3 on mana to be also able to quickly get enough for spears miner hustle and anything else that I might need should the situation change.
Instead of waiting those extra few seconds that could cost one the game if I'm lacking gold or mana at the time.