User blog comment:Undead RVD/Battle of the Bronze Armies: Spartans vs Easterlings/@comment-4661256-20130730030316

El Alamein's "Formation" Edges:

 Close Range: Xiphos vs. Scimitar:  The Scimitar is made of steel, better than the iron Xiphos, and it's 3 feet long compared to the measly 11 inches of the Greek dagger-sword. The Scimitar's slashing attacks will also be marginally more effective against Spartan bronze than the Xiphos will be against Easterling steel.

Edge: Easterlings

 Mid Range: Dory vs. Halberd:  The Dory is the classic weapon of the phalanx - it's the bread and butter that makes up that wall of bronze, its heart and soul. But its wooden shaft is quite susceptible to splintering or being broken outright, and a broken spear is no weapon I'd want to be using in battle. Its iron spearhead won't fare well against the steel armor of the Easterlings. The halberd, by contrast, is multifunctional, with a spearpoint, axehead, and hook, allowing for stabs, chops, and slashes while the spear can only stab. Add the fact that the halberd's made of steel and you have a much more durable weapon than the spear.

Edge: Easterlings

 Long Range: Javelin vs. Composite Recurve Bow:  The javelin's a piss-poor weapon that wasn't used very often by the Spartans, who prized close-quarters combat for its display of strength and glory. And of course, its iron tip won't penetrate steel armor, assuming it even hits an Easterling. The bow, alternately, has much longer range and accuracy, as well as the ability to fire multiple arrows in rapid succession - if you throw the javelin you're out of your long ranged weapon. If you shoot an arrow you've got a dozen and a half more in your quiver.

Edge: Easterlings

 Armor: Bronze Cuirass & Shield vs. Steel Lamellar & Shield:  Okay, firstly, it's "lamellar," not "lamalar," which sounds more like llama-hide rugs than armor. Spelling aside, the Easterlings have the advantage with their superior metallurgy, which will offer much greater protection against slashes, stabs, and blunt trauma. Sure, the Spartans can be downright deadly with the shields, but the Easterlings can also lay a beating down on their Greek opponents, and it won't be a wall of bronze slamming into them - it'll be a wall of steel.

Edge: Easterlings

WINNER: EASTERLINGS

This isn't an unfair fight, but it's sure a one-sided one. The Spartans really will be hard-pressed fighting an opponent who has better armor and weapons and is more flexible in their tactics. The Spartans are kind of a one-trick pony in that respect: phalanx, phalanx, phalanx. They like to get packed in closer together than a can of sardines. The Easterlings can also meet muscle with muscle head-on, but in case the phalanx falls apart they can adapt. And of course, halberd > spear, bow > javelin, and scimitar > xiphos.