The Difference Between A Spade And A Shovel 

Ok this is not the real difference .... SHOVELS HAVE A OFF ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE SHAFT ... SPADES HAVE A BLADE IN LINE WITH THE SHAFT

Whatever is nearer to you 😆

Depends on the kind of trench

The kind that drones can't just hover over and drop rocks on my head.

An E-tool, as it is versatile. You're looking to make tunnels, as most drones nowadays can effectively drop their payload on your trench no matter how good you try to cover it. I find that using shorter shovels/spade to make tunnels is a lot easier than one with long handles, as you'll be working with a limited space. Though I guess you can cover the top of your trench with multispectral tarps/nets and vegetation to make it harder for drones to spot it.

A pointed shovel is indeed the most multipurpose. It can do everything but straight line edging. Spades are great for straight line cutting and digging but that's all they are good for.

Either your using it wrong, or you got an awful one (like the one that sounds like a sad goose every time I use it!)