Long weapon

The Spear and Halberd appear as usable weapons in Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, but you can only acquire it by disarming a guard. as Shops do not have them for sale. Spears and Halberds in the game classify as long weapons due to their length. Once combat is over, or if you sprint away, Ezio will discard the new weapon; since whether the weapon is intact or broken, Ezio would not have enough inventory space to safely keep it. Also, a Spear or Halberd would be too difficult to carry while moving freely across streets and rooftops. The length of the shaft keeps enemies at bay and makes it very difficult to evade. Dodging maneuvers against Halberdiers frequently fail to make sufficient distance, while blocks are overpowered. Long weapons can only be countered by Long or Heavy weapons, with the Hidden Blade being an exception as it counters any weapon, although the timing involved makes the maneuver more difficult and risky. Also, if you are equipped with your pistol or poison blade, Ezio will automatically counter with his hidden blade. Maximum Combo length for Long weapon is 3 hits. The Long weapon is usually equipped by the Seekers, though some Brutes have also been seen wielding a Spear or Halberd as well. In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood it is shown that you can throw a spear at long distances as well as use it in close melee.

Special Technique
The Sweep Attack is another charged move that can be interrupted, but is one that can be unleashed at any time during the charge. The longer the Sweep is charged, the greater the arc it will affect. Acquired from Training, it is an attack that requires a long weapon. A brief hold of the Weapon Hand Button performs a quick, short Sweep. Keep it held, and Ezio will turn the Long shaft over his shoulder, changing stance in readiness to perform a long Sweep spin when released. Enemies in front of him will trip and fall to the ground, while those behind are knocked over by a blow to the head. Sweeping more than three times with the same long weapon will cause it to break. There is an achievement that requires this skill.

Breakability
It is possible to block a heavy weapon's smash attack with a Long weapon. The defender will avoid all damage, but the parrying weapon will shatter in two (bottom of spear/halberd in left hand, top of spearhead/halberd with spearhead in right hand). When a Long weapon breaks, the owner may continue to wield the remaining half as if it were a bladed (or blunt, depending on which half) medium weapon. An individual half can be kept in an empty primary weapon slot for later use, however it will vanish if you save and reload. You may also counter as soon as the weapon is broken, which stabs both pieces into the attacker.

Trivia

 * Spears and Halberds have the longest reach out of any other melee weapons in Assassin's Creed II, making them very effective at close quarters.
 * Out of the many weapons in the Italian Guard's arsenal, the Long weapons seem to be the rarest melee weapons.
 * Seekers can more commonly be found wielding the Spear than the Halberd.
 * Long Weapons are one of the only two weapon types used by mercenaries.
 * Long Weapons are more challenging to counter than any other weapon in Assassin's Creed II.
 * The Papal Staff (aside from the Sword of Altaïr) is the only weapon to have the Damage, Speed, and Deflect stats maxed out.
 * It is possible to wield the Papal Staff for a little while; it involves either poisoning Rodrigo Borgia, or taking a Heavy Weapon from a Brute outside and performing the Heavy Weapon Disarm on him.
 * The achievement/trophy 'Sweeper' can be earned by sweeping five guards at once using a long weapon.
 * In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio will be able to impale guards by throwing the spear at them.
 * Also in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood using the technique to trip guards will slit the throats of all guards around you