User blog comment:Goddess of Despair/King of Kings Round 1: Alexander the Great vs Richard the Lionheart/@comment-222.154.118.237-20131228062633

Anon's "Historically Inaccurate Weapons" Edges

Swords: Kopis vs. Longsword

Historically Richard would not have the longsword as it did not appear until the 14th century (the Arming Sword would be a more realistic weapon) but whatever I'll play along. While I can see the common argument of the Kopis & Aspis being the superior combo as the Kopis is lighter and easier to manuver. The longsword is still superior in just about every other way: it is longer (duh), made of a superior metal, is both a thrusting and slashing weapon and will actually kill Alexander with a well placed strike. As Richard and his men will be draped from head to toe in chainmail and will have Steel helmets on the Kopis being a slashing weapon will be next to useless.

Colossal Edge: Richard the Lionheart

Polearms: Sarissa vs. Billhook

Again historically the Billhook did not appear until the 14th century (the English Long Axe would be more realistic). Either way this is another easy win for Richard, the Sarissa is inpractical in this sought of battle as Alexander would not be able to form a viable phalanx with only 3 men. The billhook can be used for thrusting, slashing, hacking and dragging riders off of their horses and being the shorter weapon is far easier to wield.

Colossal Edge: Richard the Lionheart

Archery Weapons: Toxton Composite Bow vs. Crossbow

This one goes to Alexander; The composite bow has a far superior rate of fire and in the hands of a Cretan Archer (assuming Alexander has these in this fight) was one of the deadliest weapons of the classical era. Even though Greek Arrows might not be able to penetrate Richard's chainmail it still wins as I am not convinced that this sought of crossbow would be able to shoot through a Bronze Muscle Cuirass.

Edge: Alexander the Great

Armour: Bronze Cuirass, Helmet & Aspis vs. Chainmail & Kite Shield

This one goes to Richard as 12th century chainmail armour covered the wearers entire body and on top of that is made of iron as opposed to the more primitive bronze which leaves gaps, chainmail will hold up stronger to the lighter blows of the Kopis than the Muscle Cuirass and Helmet will to the heavy blows of the Longsword and Billhook. The shields are even in my opinion.

Edge: Richard the Lionheart

Tactics: Battle of Gaugamela vs. Siege of Acre

While both leaders demonstrate tactical ability it is Alexander who is superior. His ability to think outside the box during his battles and the fact that he didn't lose once proves his prowess in this field. Richard while a decent commander did lose from time to time and the siege of Acre (a pyrrhic victory) proves that he is a less able tactician than Alex.

Edge: Alexander the Great

Overall Winner

I am going to give the win to Richard, while Alexander is the superior tactician and has the advantage at long range as soon a Richard and his men close the distance it is game over due to their superior armour and melee weapons. Alexander's main tactic of combining phalanges with cavalry will be useless here due to Alexander being the only combatant who is mounted and his men are too few to form a decent phalanx. Richards more brute force approach will actually prove more effective in this battle as his bllhooks and longswords will render the sarissa useless forcing Alexanders men to use their swords, Hellenic soldiers as a whole were not swordsmen, they were spearmen/pikemen and withe their main weapon renderred ineffective they just can't win this battle.

WINNER: RICHARD THE LIONHEART