User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 7: Hirai Norio (Cfp) v Oliver Moreau (Winter)/@comment-4661256-20160626231229

El Alamein's Edges:

 Iconic: The Exiled's Companion vs. Naginata:  The naginata's reach advantage is a bit counterproductive in this comparison, simply because Hirai Norio is already familiar with this weapon and will be able to anticipate its technique. In addition, the naginata has much less killing surface area than the katana does (despite its longer reach), since it has a smaller blade. Once Hirai Norio is able to close the distance, Oliver Moreau will be forced to switch over to a different weapon or else attempt to create more distance in an effort to make the naginata a viable option--neither of which will really be an optimal course of action when your opponent is right in your face with a sword.

Edge: Hirai Norio

 Close Range: The Exiled's Companion vs. Cutlass:  These swords are nearly identical in length and in weight  (two and a half feet and two and a half pounds), and both warriors seem to be quite proficient with their respective blades. I don't see from where everyone is extrapolating that Norio is better trained with his katana than Moreau is with his sword--yes, the katana is Norio's starting weapon, but Moreau is explicitly stated to be "an expert swordsman" who was instructed by "numerous masters." While this is not very specific, we can still recognize that Moreau will be competent with his cutlass. Maybe Norio would get a slight edge because his armor will protect him more from a sword strike than Moreau's armor would, but in terms of the weapons themselves and their users' skill with the weapons, I have to call it even.

Edge: Even

 Mid Range: Kanabo vs. Naginata:  The kanabo would probably be better suited against an opponent with heavier armor. The club will be heavier and considerably slower than the naginata. The naginata's longer reach works to its advantage here as the more maneuverable weapon, since it might allow Moreau to hold Hirai Norio at bay. The fact that Moreau has developed a specific fighting style around this weapon will only help him to enhance his capability when fighting with this tool, especially against an opponent weighed down by something like the kanabo.

Edge: Oliver Moreau

 Long Range: Broken Oath vs. Persian Composite Bow:  Again, both warriors seem more or less competent with their bow. It's not a crossbow, but the bow still won't be practical as neither warrior has it as their starting weapon. Consequently, whoever tries to start using their bow first is only inviting an opponent to close the distance with a better weapon. Moreau's bow has some poison-tipped arrows, but I doubt they'll see much use.

Edge: Even

 Special Weapons: The Twins vs. Katars:  The Twins would be utilized quite well against something like the naginata, so they have potential in a different weapons comparison. This is especially important since the naginata is Moreau's primary weapon. Against the katars, though, I fear they lose out. The katars will probably be one of the most dangerous weapons against Hirai Norio's armor, too, so their sheer practicality against this type of opponent makes them one of Moreau's most versatile tools. I could be wrong, but I don't interpret the statement he is "still learning all of what they can do" to mean a lack of experience, but rather a continuation of an ongoing training session. Moreau might not be a master with the katars, but they're pretty straightforward weapons and the fact that he's currently practicing with them means he won't be rusty with their deployment.

Edge: Oliver Moreau

 Armor: Dō-maru vs. Musketeer Armor:  The Dō-maru wins. It's lighter than Moreau's armor and still manages to cover more of Norio's body while weighing him down less. Moreau's armor protects his torso but leaves all of his lower body and his limbs exposed. This will be violently exploited by Norio, while Norio still enjoys light protection of his upper arms and legs. More than the protective value of the material, though, the weight really makes the difference, and Moreau is kind of weighed down by a lot of nothing.

Edge: Hirai Norio

WINNER: HIRAI NORIO

Hirai Norio is a more experienced and more specialized warrior, who is carrying an arsenal that complements itself (especially when compared to Moreau's ragtag assembly of random weapons). He's able to consistently counter a lot of Moreau's weapons (the Twins beat the naginata and the Exiled's Companion beats the cutlass). Moreau's most effective weapon, the katar, loses out as it isn't his starting weapon and it requires him to close a significant distance before he can use it effectively. Moreau's armor also weighs him down quite a bit without offering significant protection of any kind, as his glaring weaknesses in his unprotected limbs and lower body will be exploited by Norio without too much trouble. Norio has the better weapons, the better armor, and is the better warrior overall, so he will win this one without too much difficulty.