User blog comment:YoungSamurai18/We Duel In the Shadows! Araluen Ranger Corps vs Dark Brotherhood/@comment-26395956-20180515143001

MD 33's Vote: "All Quiet on the Araluen Front"

Close Range: Saxe Knife vs Steel Dagger

Weight won't matter here since both parties will be delivering quick, killing blows anyway. The Saxe has twice the length and a greater weight that perhaps increases its power in penetration. Sure, throwing your knife isn't always accurate and quite foolish, but at least we know that the Saxe got an extra functionality compared to the monotonous dagger. The Araluen Rangers get this.

Mid Range: Throwing Knife vs Steel Sword

Like I said, throwing a knife won't always be accurate and quite a foolish move, which is why comparing a literal throwing knife here instead of a dagger like the saxe knife (which has dual function) against a big sword is stupid. The Dark Brotherhood takes this. The sword can kill people easier than the throwing knife since throwing one at an armored chest isn't always a fatal blow. The sword is more devastating and efficient.

Long Range: Longbow vs Hunting Bow

The longbow has greater power but the hunting bow is lighter, permitting more mobile options. The longbow and hunting bow's ammo capacity may be similar since one Dark Brother could happen to bring 24 arrows as well. Hey, they're not Dragonborns that can bring unlimited arrows, right? Anyways, I'll have to side with the Ranger Corps here because greater power is the key here. Bring up weight however you can, but it won't matter when both of you are going to hit each other with armor anyway. So here, the bigger strength is the breaker.

Special: Striker vs Lotus Extract

So, a giant blunt weapon versus a weapon enhancer? Dayum, I don't know what to chose. The Striker can definitely screw people up when it hits the Dark Brothers. But the Lotus Extract does the same thing. Poison is definitely more devastating even if temporary due to its damage over time. And hell, getting poisoned for ten seconds is more painful than getting your ass handed over by a blunt weapon.

But wait a second! The poison needs time to act! What if the Rangers act first and beat the shit out of the Dark Brothers before they can even hit them? Amazing! Apparently the Ranger Corps take the edge! Well, seriously though. The Striker is a practical weapon and that basically gives the Rangers more weapons than the Dark Brotherhood even if their weapons are statistically stronger (Shrouded Armor, ahem).

Armor: Studded Leather and Molted Cloak vs Shrouded Armor

The Shrouded Armor's bonus damage on backstabs and bows will be amazing, but they can't backstab people if they're well aware of their whereabouts (both of these guys are Radar Sense-spies!). And the bow can't be used forever, they have to get close eventually. Plus, the main purpose of the armor is to provide protection, not style. The Shrouded Armor is made of freaking leather while the Rangers' combination of armor has iron in it, which while it is kinda awful (studded metal sucks, ja?), is still better than a single leather. Oh and the cloak helps them blend in, so that gives another practical advantage. Can't +backstab people if you can't see 'em. Rangers, lead the way.

X-Factors: Rangers vs Brothers

The Rangers definitely take the edge in experience. They're far more active, fought all over the globe, while the Brotherhood simply refined their techniques without actively doing shite. Well, based on what the page said anyway. Training also goes to the Ranger not due to bias, but the fact that the rangers get consistent training and true "experience" from their predecessors. The Dark Brotherhood trains themselves upon a set of random principles which is "smaller" than the Rangers' century-old training methods. Stealth is equal I have to say. The Rangers are naturally stealthy, but the Brothers have a suit of armor that basically gives them Caveira's Silent Step and have stealth training themselves just like the Rangers. For brutallity, the Rangers are willing to be as brutal as they could so they get the edge here.

Overall, the Rangers get the edge in X-Factors.

WINNER: ARALUEN RANGERS

Yeah the edges say it. The Rangers might've lost the mid-range section but aside from that, they're utterly superior from the dagger to the training. Their weapons are more numerous even by a margin, mostly superior as well, a greater bow and better training. Training is really important here alongside experience, and in this battle of shadows they will triumph over their lesser and more stylish counterparts even with magic and tricks backing the latter.