User blog comment:Deathblade 100/Empire Builders or Destroyers? Praetorian Guard vs Persian Immortals/@comment-379205-20150331063851

119's "They're Going to Have to Come Up with New Name After This!" Edges


 * Ranged Weapons: This is a six-on-six battle, so the Scorpion is going to be of little use against individual infantry. The Persian bow, on the other hand, has the range to hit a human target at 300 yards in the hands of a skilled archer. On the other hand, the contrary to what the person below said, the ballista could it the chariot, espeically if the operator holds fire until the chariot is relatively close. One well-placed bolt could put the chariot out of action. In spite of this, however, I must go with the more mobile firepower of the Persian bow. Edge: Immortal.

Spears: The Persian spear is a solid weapon, but that wide leaf head is going to do poorly in piercing the iron armor of the Praetorian. On the other hand, the pilum, while a one-shot weapon, will go through the Persian's armor like a knife through butter. Also, unlike the Persian spear, the pilum is designed to break when thrown, meaning the Persians can't throw it back. Edge: Praetorian Guard

Swords: The Gladius is slightly longer than the Acinaces and is probably made of better quality steel thanks to 500 years in metallurgy. This will allow it to more easily punch through the bronze and lower-quality iron scales of the Persians. Edge: Praetorian Guard.

Axes: The Sagaris takes an edge her because it is actually designed for use as a weapon. The dolabra, on the other hand, was a pickaxe intended for digging and building earthworks, and was only an improvised weapon. Edge: Immortal

Special: They are not really comparable side by side, however, I give the edge to the chariot scythe for its mobile lethality. Edge: Immortal.

Armor: The Romans have higher quality steel armor thanks to the same metallurgical techniques that gave the gladius its edge. The Persian's weapons will have a harder time piercing the Roman armor than the Romans will with the Persians armor.

X-Factors: Both sides are well-trained warriors, so it really comes down to equipment. As said above, the Romans superior metallurgy, producing what could be called "steel", rather than cruder forms of iron, gives them the edge in both weapons and armor. I also give the Romans an edge in experience, as the Romans are reported to have faced scythed chariots and won. In an open battle with a small number of targets, it would relatively easy to evade to chariots- even if they lose one man, his allies will scatter and pelt the chariot with pila and likely take out either the charioteer or the horses- and that's if the scorpion doesn't do them in first.

Overall Winner: The Romans have 500 years of metallurgical technology and experience in fighting tactics similar to those of the Persians to thank for this victory. As I said in the title, after this, the Immortals will need to come up with a new name, because the Praetorian Guard are the deadliest warriors!