Why are the Borg able to adapt so quickly to phaser fire but not to a punch?

Question

In multiple episodes drones adapt quickly to phaser fire. Within a few shots they develop a shield that can block phaser blasts.

How is it possible that they are susceptible to a physical punch?

Data and other officers have punched and physically assaulted drones with both their fists and hand weapons, and made contact with them after a phaser blast could not.

How is that possible?

And on that note of just plain physical force, as the drones transported down why not just transport boulders or other large objects above their heads and let gravity do the rest?

Answer 1

Borg are looking to achieve their idea of perfection: a melding of the ultimate technology and biology. To achieve this they must assimilate species with a high technological or biological quotient (or preferably both: see species 8472).

Because 99% of the technologically advanced species in our galaxy are physically very similar to the Borg, the Borg wait for them to develop significantly interesting technology. Coincidentally, most species that develop something interesting to the Borg have also developed and become dependent upon energy weapons as their primary means of attack and defense. In the process they have abandoned martial prowess and physical firearms as by-products of a less civilized age.

Because of this, almost any physical attack that a Borg is likely to be on the receiving end of will be ineffectual against their cybernetic bodies. This leaves energy attacks as the only conceivable threat, for which the drones have adaptive shielding.

There are obvious exceptions, of course. But as others have pointed out, effective physical attacks against the Borg are singular events caused by hero characters. Any time that a regular schmoe has tried to assault a Borg drone physically they have typically either been killed or assimilated.

Answer 2

It is mentioned in at least one episode (can't remember which just now) that the Borg don't innovate, they acquire technology from the species they assimilate. If no species has ever developed "punch blocking shields" (which actually seems quite likely if all species develop energy weapons before shields) then the Borg can't possibly have them as they can't do their own research. 7 of 9 mentions the Borg acquiring the adaptive shield technology from another species, so all the Borg have to do is rotate the frequencies until they find the one that blocks the phaser fire they are currently receiving, no imagination required.

Answer 3

Get zapped with phaser -> raise shields -> annoy adversary -> they come in for a punch -> inject with nanotubules

Looks like a good defense strategy to me.

Answer 4

Most of the time, the Borg drones do not deal with physical threats. When fighting the Borg hand-to-hand, you have to dismember the drone before it becomes useless, as the nanoprobes can keep the body alive through almost anything. You might be able to stun and disable one for awhile, but it will repair itself, and continue its advance. The few times we have seen physical attacks work on the Borg, it's been done by hero characters. These moments are amazing, out-of-the-ordinary things that happen infrequently in the various series or movies. A physical assault would not be a good way to engage the Borg, as being in close proximity to a drone threatens you with getting infected by nanoprobes, and becoming a Borg yourself.