User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 8: Gaius Leopold (Skully) v Tiberius Proditus (EA)/@comment-17814994-20160706150051

Elgb's "BOWL huh... Anyone out there watching FIBA instead?" EDGES!!!

Initial: I have to give this one to Tiberius. He's carrying two weapons against Leopold's single bastard sword. The Roman has a shield that he can use to block attacks and push Leopold at bay, and he's got a short sword as well to cut at him while he bunkers with his shield. Leopold's bastard sword is more versatile than the galdius, but he needs to get pass that scutum first in order to draw blood. EDGE: EA

Short: Again, I have to give this one to Tiberius. His scutum shield covers a larger area than the circular viking shield. His gladius too is the superior weapon with the larger surface area than the axe. Besides that, a sword and a shield is a better combination than an axe with a shield. It allows Tiberius to both hack and stab with his sword and shield, while Leopold will be stuck with only axe swings as an attack. If the battle gets close, the larger scutum shield will protect Tiberius more, and his galdius is slim enough to easily pinpoint Leopold's unprotected parts when both are pushing against each other. EDGE: EA

Mid: This is a tough one. The pilum is a range weapon and it can render shields useless when it penetrates. It can get rid of Leopold's shield easy, but it also leaves Tiberius with no weapon. However, in this category, Leopold's carrying a halberd with no shield at all. That means that he's open for Tiberius to throw his pilum and strike him down. But there's a huge chance that if he ever misses or the pilum doesn't kill Leopold, the latter will butcher him down with his halberd. And a halberd has three ways of killing a unarmed Tiberius when Leopold gets close. EDGE: Skully

Long: While a bow has the longer range and penetration than a dart, the arena is only 20m long so range won't do much to help. But a big advantage that the composite bow has is its draw time. Leopold would still need to draw an arrow, put in the bow, string, aim and fire. Tiberius' plumbata darts can be drawn and flung faster. It doesn't need to kill. Threee plumbata will maim and stall Leopold enough for him to lose his bow and for Tiberius to come forward for a finishing blow. EDGE: EA

Armor: I have to give this one straight to the Skyrim armor. While the lorica hamata is the lighter weapon with great protection, it lacks a helmet. Leopold's armor almsot completely protects his body, from head to the tips of his fingers. And those gauntlets can also be used as an offensive weapon to beat the hell out of anyone without a helmet. EDGE: Skully

X-Factors: Both have trained considerably but it seems Tiberius is the one who's military trained. While he's cunning enough to escape one of the greatest butcher fest in Antiquity, as well as evading assassins in theor home turf, Leopold himself is also smart himself, organizing raids and battles with his mercenary group. In terms of physicality, Tiberius is superior, due to the fact that Leopold has lost an eye that would be a disadvantage. However, in terms of tactics and experience, Leopold completely takes this. Tiberius has only fought in one significant battle, while Leopold has won several in his career (not to mention that he himself has fought his own sahre of single combat). Tactics and experience, for me, are the most important. EDGE: Skully

Deadliest Warrior?

Leopold seems to have the better melee weapons and armor while Tiberius has the better range weapons and shield. Tiberius' shield will be the biggest hindrance for Leopold here, as he lacks any decent armor busting weapon in this battle. He can use his axe to bash through the shield but that would exhaust him and leave him open for a counterattack. The only thing Leopold can do is to keep Tiberius at bay, and with his long bastard sword and halberd, he would do more than just keep him at bay. While Tiberius has some great range weapons, none of those can go up against Leopold's armor. While his pilum can disable the wooden viking shield that Leopold has, his darts will not go through Leopold's armor. He can wound him in the unprotected upper arm and in his legs, but all he can do is wound. His only chance is to get up close with his sword and pugio and hack away at Leopold's unarmored parts. With his shield Tiberius will have a chance, but he still needs to get past Leopold's halberd first. So in terms of weapons, I think that they are both equally matched.

However, weapons aside, Leopold takes the important x-factor edges. He has fought in a single combat before and that's a big advantage. Count also the other battles he's led and fought over the years. His tactics will give him an edge to adapt and get pass Tiberius' armor and shield. I like Tiberius' feat of turning against an unwinnable situation and getting away from his pursuers, but in a single combat such as this there is no way for him to talk his way out or escape. Leopold just takes the edge needed in a fight when weapons itself won't do much.