>1) legsweep only cares about skill % for success. Trip cares
>about a few other things. That all being said, the lag for
>them is the same.
>
>2) You cannot thrust with every spear, you can crescent with
>every spear. Obviously you cannot pugil with a spear.

This is false. You can thrust with any spear, you can only thrust with piercing pole-arms. Crescent is literally useless and you shouldn't waste the practices.

>3) Misdirect lags you for 3 rounds and your victim for 2
>rounds. One of the best parts of misdirect is that there are
>practically 0 ways to avoid it for the victim.

It is also not terribly reliable. I believe it is str dependent on your part, which generally doesn't go well with high-dex spear/staff.

>4) There is a slight difference in their ability to parry.
>Staffs tend to be a little lighter than spears which is an
>upside in PK situations where people try to maledict.

You'll only use a staff fighting AP's and Orcs unless you have eagle-inscribed.

>5) Crossing 30 is where things start to get more complicated
>in terms of mobs being "scarier" in a lot of situations. They
>start to hit more often and harder, as well as having more
>skills/abilities they do. The best way to learn is to keep
>slowly plugging away at it.

This is true, but without healing (titanium spear/a buddy) you pretty rapidly lose the ability to tank as a spear/staff spec, which is sort of the one thing you are sort of good at. Keep plugging along, but chance are impale is the only skill you'll use long term in spear/staff spec.