Spike has the standard powers and vulnerabilities of a Buffyverse vampire and is highly skilled and adaptable in both armed and unarmed combat. For example, he is able to briefly overcome Illyria during a testing of her abilities when she is at the height of her powers (cf. "Time Bomb"). Illyria criticizes his (and others') ability to adapt, calling it "compromise." He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended periods of time, particularly when properly motivated, as seen in the episodes "Intervention" and "Showtime." While not as skilled or as cruel as Angelus, Spike also proves himself to be effective at torture in "Shells", noting that he had gained "screams, various fluids, and a name" from Doctor Sparrow.

Spike often displays insight and skills in perception and observation, especially with regard to relationships and personalities. This ability allows him to wield powerful psychological weapons as easily and effectively as physical ones. For example, when he wants to create disharmony among the Scoobies, Spike divides-and-conquers with the "Yoko Factor," exploiting tensions that exist under the surface to alienate Buffy and her friends against each other. When competing against Angel for the Cup of Perpetual Torment, Spike uses verbal taunts and insults to further demoralise an already insecure Angel to gain an upper hand. He explains to Buffy that he was able to defeat two Slayers because he sensed and exploited their secret desires to be free of their burden. Spike's skillls of analysis allowed him to see through Tara's abusive and controlling family (cf. "Family"), forced Buffy and Angel to admit that they were more than "just friends" (cf. "Lovers Walk") and identify when and why some relationships, such as that between Buffy and Riley, are not meant to last.

Although capable of developing sound battle strategies, Spike (particularly in the days before receiving his chip and being ensouled) often loses patience with anything more complicated than outright attack, as mentioned in the episode "In the Dark".

He is also impatient to fight the Slayer upon his initial arrival in Sunnydale; the attack is supposed to coincide with the Night of St. Vigeous (when a vampire's natural abilities are enhanced), but he "couldn't wait" to go after the Slayer and attacks the night before. However, Spike did exercise patience throughout the latter half of Buffy Season Two; feigning weakness and enduring tortuous weeks watching Angelus sexually pursue Dru as he waits for the right time to strike.

Spike's "vampire constitution" provides him with an extremely high tolerance for alcohol (which he regularly consumes in copious quantities). He is also seen picking locks; driving a car, a motorcycle, and a motor home; using video game systems and a computer; treating injuries; pick-pocketing; and playing poker and pool. Spike is also seen speaking Latin, Luganda (a language of Uganda, where he meets the demon shaman), and the language of Fyarl Demons. It is implied that he has some minimal familiarity with Italian (he can at least say "ciao" and "strada").