User blog comment:Leolab/User Siege Tourney, Round 43 of 50: Swg66 (Cadwalader) v Leolab (Lloyd)/@comment-24189690-20140327004829

Well, to start with, I suppose I'll take a look at the soldiers....

Longbowmen vs Crossbowmen

To start with, I have nothing but respect for Longbowmen. In fact, I admire them so much I would definitely pick a longbow over a crossbow... If I was trained. The biggest issue with the longbow is the amount of training needed for it, making fielding skilled longbowmen expensive. On the flip side, crossbows were much easier to use. While they have less crossbowmen than longbowmen, crossbows are superior in piercing armor, and could be used by untrained men. This makes it so that, given enough crossbowmen fall, I can actually see some of the other infantry utilize their crossbows. The crossbow will be much more useful in this battle Edge- Defender

Infantry: Please don't be mad, this is just a quick skimover, but I noticed something. While both wear riveted chain mail.... I don't see any maces or warhammers on the defenders side.... These sorts of weapons are essential to warfare, because of the heavy punishment they can dole out. A common myth with medieval warfare is that is was primarily done with swords, while in truth maces and crossbows mere more prevalent, maces for punching through plate armor, and crossbows for chainmail and other such enemies. Plate armor was actually worn just to protect from the crossbow, since crossbows COULD pierce through chainmail. Swords are actually very fragile in comparison to maces, and SHIELDS were more often used than swords, as swords were mainly used for a Kill stroke, not as a slashing machine. Fighting styles were actually developed to AVOID sword contact unless it could do damage. The reason is that, over time, the sword will lose its edge, and, in even shorter time, swords weren't that durable to begin with, and could easily snap. For this reason, I'm giving edge to attackers. Edge- Attacker

Siege weapons: I honestly see the defenders doing more damage, since they don't have to move their siege equipment. Ignore this one, as I know little to nothing about siege weapons.

Support: Giving this to the Attackers, for the reason that the Defender's support main flair for me was the swordbreaker daggers, which were actually extremely useful.... But the problem is that, after facing a weapon like that, men would most likely stick to other weapons, not only that, but there was a reason swordbreakers aren't widely known. (Hint, it has to do with what I said about swords in Infantry).

Tactics: Unfortunately, I also know little about siege warfare, (Sorry!)

X-Factors: I feel like Lloyd's higher intelligence and mental health is a bigger benefit than soldier loyalty in such low numbers. After all, a good commander and orator knows how to twist people to his side, loyal or not. Edge- Lloyd

Now, for the Single Duel

Long Range: Well, I don't know too much about armor piercing arrows, but I do know that arrows in general don't fare well against plate mail. Designed to be used against crossbows, less powerful bows don't really stand a chance imo. I find the English longbow has much more strength and ability to get a good shot off over the Composite bow. Edge- Cadawalder

Polearm: I find that the poleax's blunt trauma outweighs the favor of the halberd's spike, as, again, it would need to penetrate against both the chainmail and steel plate. The blunt trauma of a poleax can EASILY break bones of someone just using riveted chainmail, as chainmails weakness is blunt trauma without use of padded cloth. Edge- Cadawalder

Main-Hand: Again, I won't find sword's that useful in the fight. However, that being said, the Talwar is much lighter, if there was ANY hope of getting a lucky hit in, the Talwar would be able to do it. Edge- Lloyd

Off-Hand: As usual, I prefer the blunt trauma weapons. Edge- Cadawalder

Armor: Yeah, I think Cadawalder has the armor down. Edge- Cadawalder

X-Factors (see above)

Deadliest General: Cadawalder

Now. For the possibilities.

Attacker:

Overrun Castle: I find this quite viable, and in fact, I think this is the most likely scenario, with Cadawalder having a heavy weapons superiority (except in range)

Force Defender to Surrender: I.. don't think that'll happen, in all truth. Lloyd may have lower trust from his men, but this could be a juicy contract for the mercenary....

Win Single Combat: Yeah... I don't think Lloyd will accept that.

Defender: Force Attacker to Surrender: No.

Survive 4 Months: With the tactics Cadawalder is using, I really don't think it's that viable. Again, it IS a possibility.

Annihilate Attacker: I... really can't see it. Sorry.

Final Score: In total, I find Cadawalder and his men much more suited for medieval combat, with their superior armor and weaponry, I simply find them the better warriors. Sorry, Lloyd.

My Vote: Cadawalder