Certainly there are rules for reach, for simple weapons versus martial weapons. But D&D does not do a particularly good job representing those things.
In the real world, spears often reigned supreme, for their simplicity, leverage, and reach. In Dungeons and Dragons it's possible to offer a bit more objective analysis. Sword and shield? Two swords? One big sword? A spear? A bow? Sword and dagger? It's often a topic of contentious debate which fighting style is best.
