User blog comment:Tomahawk23/Tomahawk23 Sci-fi tourny Alpha-17 Vs Marcus Fenix/@comment-143604-20120301222946

Drayco90's Edgy Edges of Edginess
 * Close Range- Marcus Fenix. The Gnasher is a devestating shotgun, and the Snub is a handy sidearm. The DC-17, being a laser weapon, is more accurate and probably longer ranged, but the Gnasher will allow Fenix to dominate this category.
 * Mid-Range- Alpha. The effective range of weapons in Gears is pretty short, and the Lancer doesn't have the range or the punch to do the damage that Blaster Rifle can. Add the increased accuracy at greater distances, and th Lancer's only real edge is the Chainsaw, which will slice right through Alpha's armor.
 * Long Range- Even. The Longshot seems to have better range, and seems to be a bit more useful, as it has more ammo and can also be used as a melee weapon in an emergancy, but the DC-15x sniper, being a laser weapon, would probably be more accurate, not to mention doing more damage. Another mark in the favor of the DC-15 is that Marcus doesn't wear a helmet (and sleeves if this is 3 we're talking about.) Leaving a vulnerable target for sniper fire. Still it's not enough of an advantage for me to give it an edge on the Longshot, just enough that I can tie it.
 * Special Weapon- Marcus. The Boomshot will tear Alpha's armor apart and him with it at long and mid ranges, and while it's a threat to him at close range, and rather cumbersome, it's more useful than a small blade coming a few inches out of the hand.
 * Explosive- Alpha. The Thermal Detonator is the most effective grenade in fiction, it seems- it sticks, it has a massive blast radius and is extremley easy to use. The Bolo Grenade? It's difficult to throw, cumbersome to use, and bulky enough that it's also pretty hard to miss (making stick-traps irrelevant.) The Rocket Launcher is just gravy.
 * Deadliest Warrior- Marcus Fenix. His weaponry is more effective in close range, but his Special and Long ranged weapons easily help him take this match. The Explosives and Blaster Rifle are a major threat, but Marcus' higher strength, physicality and experience (and I think he should have gotten Independent Thinking too- seeing as almost every action he takes in the series is in complete ignorance of orders to do what /he/ thinks is right.) will allow him to overcome the clone trooper.