User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 2: Oliver Moreau (Winter) v Sir Bors of Newcastle (Elgb)/@comment-422690-20160526040154

So…

Initial Weapons: Longsword and Targe wins. The naginata has reach, yes, but it’s one weapon. It’s limited to a single attack vector, be it a slash or thrust. Bors’ longsword and targe are an excellent offense-defense combo. Oliver is going to need to be very agile to exploit any openings, since a six-foot polearm is not all that maneuverable. Further, even if Oliver gets a hit in, he’s going to have trouble penetrating Bors’ armor unless it’s a stab. A crushing blow with the staff is also probable, but that’s likely not going to be quick enough to get past the Bors’ defenses. Bors is going to have an easier time exploiting and making openings with his weapons. Further, the musketeer’s armor mainly covers the chest. The spike on the targe is going to be very useful at puncturing that chest plate, and the longsword is able to slice into those unprotected femoral and brachial arteries.

Short Range: Longsword and Targe wins. Similar reasoning as above; the cutlass is a slashing weapon when you want a puncturing tool. Oliver’s going to be a little more mobile, since a targe is actually fairly heavy, but that’s not going to help him if he can’t get through Bors’ armor. As mentioned above, the longsword and targe is a very, very effective weaponset for this match.

Mid Range: Halberd wins. It’s got a better chance at killing than the naginata does. As mentioned ad nauseum, Bors’ armor requires a puncturing or crushing weapon to get a kill. Slashes aren’t going to do a lot unless there’s a lot more force behind them than Oliver can provide. The spike and pike are going to rip into Oliver’s breastplate, and all the blades will tear into his unprotected limbs. While strikes with the shaft can provide a crushing blow,

Long Range: Persian Composite Bow wins. As mentioned – and shown – in round 1, the crossbow is an absolute shit choice for this tourney. You have 20m. Can you grab your crossbow, crank it, load a bolt, aim, and fire in the space it takes for your foe to cross less than that distance and stab you? This is 10 seconds max, by the way. If you answer yes, you’re going to need to give video proof with a period-accurate crossbow.

Special: Katars win. Those mantraps are worse than useless here. This is an open arena, no cover, and as mentioned less than 20m separating you from your foe. Bors’ mantraps come disarmed and unset. So – just like the crossbow above – he’s not going to have time to set up and Oliver isn’t going to step in them. Oliver’s katars are his best bet to penetrate Bors’ armor in this match. The force behind those weapons are not to be underestimated; the entire punching force of the warrior is concentrated in a single, sharp point. This will puncture steel plate armor.

Overall: All in all, I think Oliver Moreau takes this one. He’s travelled far and wide enough to realize that his naginata won’t work quickly and to switch to the katars as soon as possible. Bors is experienced, but he’s only ever fought in Europe. He doesn’t have enough experience to figure out a counter to the katars, and will likely be done in by Oliver’s superior mobility with them.