Actually Dog, I forgot it was in a thread I started!! Sorry to mislead you. I had the same questions you did, and Thom chimed in and set it straight. Yes, Brace is great against the wall of Stygian coming at you!! It makes sense that a spear between you and an attacker would go first for units trained to use their spears this way. Some models like the Vulture Impaler, which is permanently braced, have axes, so go figure!?!?
For the most part, I've found that even playing some elements wrong over the years, my experience has been fun, as the idea goes that if both players are playing the same way, it all comes out in the wash.
Have a great weekend.