User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Byzantine Cataphracts vs. Emishi Horse Archers/@comment-39845974-20191231171120

Skullinbones "This feels oddly familiar" Edges:

Swords: Pretty clear cut for me. The Tsurugi is longer, can be used in 2 handed and is light weight. While it doesn't quite compare in the area of is hand guard, thats pretty small when considering both carry shields and are on horseback the entire time. Edge: Emishi.

Polearms: Also pretty clear cut. While the Kumayari is a good weapon and can do some cool stuff, it really goes down to the old fashion problem with thrown spears. If you miss your shot with the thing, you are effectively throwing your weapon away. So while I'm not sure it either can pierce the others armor, I'm sticking with the fact that Cataphract spear has more uses and isn't thrown away if used poorly. Edge: Byzantine.

Bows: Again, this is pretty clear cut. The Yumi is both a longer ranged bow and has one giant boon in this battle. The Yumi is a common weapon within the Emishi ranks, and the Recurve bow is not. So its not just that the Yumi is a more powerful and longer ranged bow, just about all of the Emishi will be carrying one. Edge: Emishi.

Armor: This is very easy to call. Both armors suited the warriors who wear them. But purely when comparing the durablity and coverage of the 2 sets, its no contest. The Cataphract armor might not be much tougher when considering the fact they are both made of iron scales. But when looking at coverage of the body, the Cataphract has more of it covering the body. He also has a bigger and tougher shield. This is topped off by the fact that even their horses are armored. Clear cut to me. Edge: Byzantine.

X-factors.

Training: The Emishi were more certainly very skilled, they weren't being trained as heavily or professionally as the later Samurai. The Byzantine on the other hand were themselves more trained, being trained by high level professionals of the time. Edge: Cataphract.

Experience: Both of these warriors groups were highly experienced. The Byzantine fought more wars against a greater variety of enemies, While the emishi only fought against each other but also fought on a much more regular basis. So for me, this is kinda split. Edge: Tie.

Tactics: Easy call. Its not very effective when your slower moving guy trying to run down an enemy horse warrior who is faster then you and who is constantly pelting you with arrows which could quite possibly go through your armor. No contest. Edge: Emishi.

Winner: The Emishi are suited for this battle. The battle is pretty tied up in terms of Equipment, with the Byzantines being more suited when up close. But the Emishi tend to stay at long range, scattering and getting out of range. And while the Byantine armor could likely block most weaker shots, I am confident that a solid blow from the Yumi to weaker spots on the armor could effectively go through and possibly fatally wound the Byzantine. While the Emishi armor wouldn't do much good if they get hit by a the spear, I don't think the Emishi would end up that close, unless they either mess up or their horse gets too exhuasted to keep the distance. So in the end, I give the win to the Emishi. Edge: Emishi.