User blog comment:Kazanshin/Sun Tzu vs Hongi Hika (Maori)/@comment-2600:1700:F7B1:4D20:D4F7:147F:ED79:B934-20180822002453

GT25's Edges

Close Range (Jian vs. Toki Kata Poto): To me, I'd say the Jian is better. While many have pointed out that the Jian is a gentleman's sword, from the research I've found during the Spring and Autumn period the Jian was the main sword used with the Dao gaining prominance during the Han Dynasty. As such, I'll side with the bronze sword over a jade axe. Edge: Sun Tzu

Medium Range (Zhua vs. Taiaha): I would have gone with Ge Halberd, or Dagger-Axe, but whatever. I'll say the Taiaha gets the edge, since it has more options even if the Zhua is made of metal. Edge: Hongi Hika

Long Range (Repeating Crossbow vs. Trade Musket): ............um, I have a problem with this. Sun Tzu made use of the Recurve Bow and wasn't alive when the Repeating Crossbow first appeared, at the earliest, in the 4th century BCE (Sun Tzu traditionally is said to have died in 496, the beginning of the 5th century). The bow was prominant even to the Ming Dynasty and would have been used by Sun Tzu thanks to the use of Flaming Arrows. Okay, rant aside...I'm calling this one a draw. While the Trade Musket would have a psychological effect and be frightening...this a Trade Musket we're talking about. These were often poorly made on purpose as a way to be cheaply sold and often were worse than those used in armies. On the flip side, the Repeating Crossbow would lack range but ultimately makes up for it with its speed in reloading. Edge: Draw

Special Weapons (Bi Shou vs. Mere Club): Typically thought that the term 'Bi Shou' referred to a type of dagger, but let's just go with this. Honestly, I'd rather choose the Bi Shou in this comparison. The Mere Club is an extrordinary weapon as proven in the show, but the Bi Shou has a metal blade that could be used to quickly take out an opponent. Yes, it's a bronze era dagger, but I often prefer to use a dagger over a small club. Edge: Sun Tzu

Armor (Lamellar Armor, Bronze Helmet, and Bronze Shield vs........Nothing....): Okay, I added the other two since those was the armor set typically used during his time, but Sun Tzu gets the edge. It's really no contest here.

X-Factors: To start off, it's Sun Tzu's 63.75 to Hongi Hika's 72.5. While Sun Tzu does have better tactics (which, at least to me, could be used in a small scale battle), that's really the only category he has here. So, based off that, it's really no contest. Edge: Hongi Hika

Overall: Okay, so we have a match up that seems rather unbalanced yet has two variables that could have been changed for a more even match (kinda wish the Recurve Bow was used instead of the Repeating Crossbow, but seems too late now). However, if I'm being honest with myself...I have to say that Sun Tzu takes this. Hongi Hika may have the edge in X-Factors and Medium Range and a psychological advantage with his Trade Musket, but what fails him for me is his weapon's make up. Or, more to the point, how three of his weapons could be neutralized by Sun Tzu's armor since he did have access to a helmet and shield, both of which are made of bronze. On the flip side, while Sun Tzu only has the edge in close range, all of his weapons can kill his opponent as Hongi Hika has no armor to back him up. Plus, the only real weapon that I could see helping Hika is his musket, which was poorly made so accuracy is completely screwed there. Plus, as I said before, I can see Sun Tzu implementing his own strategies into a small scale battle like this or even when fighting one on one. True, Hongi Hika has many advantages over Sun Tzu, but at the end of the day I feel that the advanatages that Sun Tzu has outweigh those of Hongi Hika.