User blog comment:Cfp3157/Season 2 Episode 2: Richard the Lionheart vs Vlad the Impaler/@comment-4661256-20121025202122

El Alamein's "Impaling People Since 1431" Edges:

 Close Range: Broadsword vs. Kilij:  The Kilij is a very powerful weapon, but also very overrated. It was never tested against armor on the show (although I bet it leaves quite a hurting under the armor if it doesn't go through), making the whole test B.S. The Broadsword is able to slash (not quite so powerfully as the Kilij, but it still hurts) and (more importantly) it can stab too. Plus, it's got a longer blade, so there's a distance advantage with the Broadsword.

Edge: Richard the Lionheart

 Mid Range: Battle Ax vs. Pike:  The thing about the pike is that it's an anti-cavalry weapon. Once you try to use it against a foot soldier, it loses efficiency as they close that distance. The Battle Ax is heavier and a little shorter, but the momentum it gains as it swings down will unseat any charging horseman and still be effective against an unfortunate footsoldier.

Edge: Richard the Lionheart

 Long Range: Longbow vs. Steel Crossbow:  Sure, the longbow has a farther range and a faster rate of fire, but it is not more accurate. These are not Huns or Mongols with the bow, so accuracy isn't really a huge deal here. The Steel Crossbow hits harder and it can be truly aimed for the killing shot - and because long range isn't going to be a deciding factor in this fight, I think that small advantage the Crossbow has will have it one-up the longbow. Plus, anyone can use a crossbow. Once the longbowmen are killed, there's no more soldiers on Richard's team who can use that weapon. If Vlad's designated crossbowmen are killed, he or his men can use them just as easily.

Edge: Vlad the Impaler

 Special Weapons: Mace vs. Hand Cannon:  Well... the hand cannon kills from a distance, it has a good chance of penetrating armor, and it functions as a spiked mace up close anyway, so it does everything the mace can do and more.

Edge: Vlad the Impaler

WINNER: VLAD THE IMPALER

If it was a one-on-one, it might end differently. But Vlad wins for three reasons: 1) His technology advantage. Gunpowder and crossbows are far superior to longbows and hand-held weapons. Vlad's weapons are powerful and simple while Richard's specialist weapons will be useless once their operators are killed. 2) Battlefield success: Richard.... well, he lost in the Crusades, and he was captured by Saladin. Vlad was successful in his brutal homeland security... I mean, look at what he's famous for. Impaling people. Obviously he was doing something right if he didn't have to worry about being invaded and could just focus on internal affairs. 3) Psychological warfare: Richard's crusaders are tired, hot, and war-weary. The Crusades have been going on for 200 years and nobody's motivated. Vlad will tear these men apart - his men might not be the most fanatical army in the world, but they're better off than Richard's guys.