User blog comment:Cfp3157/Season 2 Episode 7: Persian Immortal vs Saxon Huscarl/@comment-379205-20130209022840

119's "Not Exactly Living Up to Their Name" Edges


 * Swords: The Saxon Longsword takes this as it has a longer, heavier blade, making it more effective for both thrusting and slashing attacks. Edge: Huskarl


 * Axes: While the Spear has a longer handle on average- six feet for the spear vs four feet for the Dane Axe, as El Alamein stated, the Huskarls were legendary for their skill with the axe, and the blade of the Dane axe could easily break as spear shaft, and cut right through the Persian's Bronze Armor. Edge: Huskarl


 * Long Range: Actually, as per El Alamein's, I'm not sure about actual Huskarls, according to Wikipedia, the Saxons would have used Franciscas. From what I know about weapons of the period, every Germanic tribe had their "weapons of choice"- the Saxons had the saex, the Franks their Francisca, the Vikings their Dane Axe, but weapon designs did diffuse throughout early medieval northern Europe, meaning Vikings would sometimes wield saexes, Saxons Dane Axes etc, so it is not improbably that Wikipedia is correct on this one.

However, That said, while the Francisca could be devastating when hurled in large numbers, particularly given their tendency to bounce like an 18th century cannon ball, a hand thrown weapon simply cannot come close to the range, accuracy, and rate of fire provided by the composite bow. Edge: Persian


 * Special: While the Sagaris has a greater range, the Huskarl's saex is made of stronger metals, which will allow it to punch through the Persian's armor.


 * X-Factors: This easily goes to the Huskarls, with their superior weapons, armor, larger physical size and greater experience, not to mention their knowledge of the terrain.


 * Overall Winner: While the Persians are well trained, organized, and have the devastating composite bow, the Huskarls dominated the other three categories, as well as the X-Factors. Because of this, the Persian Immortals definitely aren't going to be living up to their names in this battle. Winner: Huskarl.