User blog comment:El Alamein/Companion Cavalry vs. Sipahi/@comment-5795750-20140305051627

BG1's "The 2nd Expedition to India" Edges:

Sword: Despite the heavy-handedness of the Kilij which could be useful in slicing off heads or limbs off the Companion Cavalry riders, I have to give it to the Xiphos since being able to strike at almost any part of the body with enough damage and force is a key factor here that the Xiphos can take being able to pierce through the leather armour and the kilij only slightly denting the cuirass; the only drawback I could use here that may come back further down the line is the Xiphos being able to get past the steel shield

EDGE: Companion Cavalry

Off-Hand Weapon: The mace is definitely a game changer here since you said so yourself "The mace made up for what the Kilij lacked in stopping power, being able to deliver blunt trauma through armor that would otherwise stop the slashes of the sword." However you must not also forget that the Kopis is longer than the mace and like the Xiphos can pierce through the leather armour (however, like the Xiphos, it might not get past that shield) with ease

EDGE: Even

Mid-Range: Lances are one-shot weapons whereas the Xyston as a spear can be used time and time again and since they are spears, they can also be thrown to good effect (plus its longer than the lance)

EDGE: Companion Cavalry

Long Range: That's funny, I thought the Sipahi used their own Turkish bows... anyway between the two, I would (like everyone else here) give the Sipahi the edge here because while they both are carrying javelins, the Sipahi move much faster with them in part due to their lack of heavy armour

EDGE: Sipahi

Armour: The one thing that separates the two groups of cavalry fighters, and what makes me give the Sipahi the edge here, is the steel shield - it is a shield made of a material more durable and far stronger than iron or bronze; the hardened leather while not good on protection is good on giving the rider something lightweight which doesn't restrict movement as much as the cuirass might

EDGE: Sipahi

X-Factors: Average of 83.8 for the Companion Cavalry, Average of 81.6 for the Sipahi

EDGE: Companion Cavalry

Overall Winner: Damn it looks like the Companion Cavalry have this with superior X-Factors and a superior close-range weapon on their side... however I am actually having to give it to the Sipahi for the reasons most people state below: they have an armour-crushing weapon, they are far more tactical in their approach and manoeuvrable around the battlefield, and my own addition to this: while the Greeks are bearing steel weapons, the Turks are bringing in steel of a much higher quality which should stand well in their use of their swords and shields against their foes