Yew spear being downed.

[Lyr]

Before the yew spear was downed, I had 277 defense, dismounted, on wimpy, carrying nothing extra.

I now have 251 defense under the same conditions, dismounted, on wimpy, carrying nothing extra.



You are a 1524 year old human.
Your mood is currently: Wimpy
Height 164 cm, Weight 131 pounds, Weight carried 0 lbs, Worn: 68 lbs.
Offensive Bonus: 172, Dodge Bonus: 104, Parry Bonus: 147, Defense: 251.
Your abilities are: Str: 19, Int: 18, Wis: 11, Dex: 16, Con: 19
Your armor absorbs 51% damage on average.
You are affected by:
NOTICE




And here I am with a heavy steel spear under the same conditions as the previous.


You are a 1524 year old human.
Your mood is currently: Wimpy
Height 164 cm, Weight 131 pounds, Weight carried 0 lbs, Worn: 69 lbs.
Offensive Bonus: 160, Dodge Bonus: 100, Parry Bonus: 136, Defense: 236.
Your abilities are: Str: 19, Int: 18, Wis: 11, Dex: 16, Con: 19
Your armor absorbs 51% damage on average.
You are affected by:
NOTICE



Ok, so a Yew Spear weighs 1 pound less, gives 12 more ob, and gives 15 more defense than a heavy steel spear.

A Yew Spear is a rare spear, especially now that there are only 3 in the game and yet it seems not much better than a heavy steel spear now. Why were Yew Spears downed so much?