>3) It's not exactly a high-probability event.

As an arial spear spec, I saw no benefit of ranking with a spear levels 1-19. Instead I ranked dual wielding swords, sword/dagger, or sword/shield. Never even picked up a spear until rank 20 when I specialized (level gains actually put it right at 80%). Spear was perfected prior to level 21. Staff I worked on a couple of levels later and was perfected equally as fast.


Were I to specialize in polearm, I'd probably do something similar.