On: Medieval staircases were not built going clockwise...

[dexwiz]

Who said anything about a phalanx? You can have a spear and a makeshift barricade at the top of the stairs.

[thaumasiotes → dexwiz]

> Who said anything about a phalanx?

I did. It's right there in my comment.

I'm supporting the idea that a spear is superior in any defensive position by pointing out that the problem with an offensive block of spears is the need to move, which doesn't apply to defense.

[pas → thaumasiotes]

it sort of does very much. defenders need to move a lot to compensate for their smaller numbers, no?

[thaumasiotes → pas]

No, that's what fortifications are for.