User blog comment:Deathblade 100/Conquerors, Legions and Blood: Roman Empire vs Alternate Aztecs (Crusaders Kings 2)/@comment-39845974-20200210212201

Skullinbones1's Vote:

Infantry forces: While the Aztec's do hold a solid advantage in terms of numbers, this edge isn't as big as you might first think. During their time, the Roman have even been able to over come terrible odds against more advanced peoples (Most of the opponents of the Romans like the Celts and Germanics had iron and steel weapons and at times also used similar tactics to what the alt Aztecs are attributed with here). While the Aztecs certainly would be able to in some way or another be able to at least partially deal with the Romans Loricas (They did deal with the mail and coats of plates of knight from the 13th century would allow them to at least figure out how to deal with the Romans armor sets), it doesn't help the fact that they are limited too stone aged equipment and aren't armored much past a simple animal skin shield. The Romans have on many occasions been able to beat large forces, at many times being able win battles with odds even more so agains they (Battle of medway is a perfect example, with the Romans fighting a group of Britains more three times their number and winning quite dramatically). So while the Alt Aztecs would certainly pose a challenge, but due to a mix of them not holding enough big advantages and being completely out done in terms of equipment and tactics they just can't hold a candel. Edge: Roman empire.

Cavalry forces: While the greater numbers of Aztec horsemen is a solid edge, It's obvious to me that they aren't up to par in this battle. Being limited to the usage of a melee weapon while on horseback and not wearing any solid types of armor, they are highly open to attack from the Numidians, who were themselves longer ranged and better armored warriors (Often carrying a smaller wooden shield and a bronze or iron helmet). This is in a way a contest between ranged cavalry and shock cavalry, but if the shock cavalry lacked its usual armor advantage. So while there are more Aztec, they are all in all not very effective due to their equipment not being suited for their tactics. So in accordence, I've gotta give it too the Romans. Edge: Roman Empire.

Ranged forces: This is were the Aztec take an advantage. While they had the major disadvantage of carrying shorter range bow (The tlahuitolli had a max ranged which veried between from having between 15 to 80 less yards then the Cretan composite bow), they still were able to produce close to double the amount of arrows in a volley, potentially causing double the damage. While the Auxiliaries were themselves better armored (The Average member of the Auxilia being dressed in a galea helmet, Lorica hamata and would carrying a mainz or Fulham Gladius). But when it comes down to it, the greater numbers of the Aztec are only just able to over come their enemies. Edge: Alt Aztecs.

Elite forces: This is pretty clear cut. Both were light infantrymen, were the Eagles were equipped with padded body armor and would carrying a bladed club, The Thracian mercs would have worn carried metal armor and a larger number of ranged weapons which the eagle warriors aren't attibuted with. So while the Eagles would be deadly they are just not up to par, their poor equipment and lack of defined ranged weapons being their own fall. Edge: Roman Empire.

X-factors: The Romans take the two biggest advantage, those being Tech and dicipline. They only place were they loose out here is in their fanaticism, but in the end this isn't going to sway the battle much in either direction. So accordingly, I've gotta give it to the Romans. Edge: Roman Empire.

Winner: This conclusion was pretty much set in stone since it was first thought up. While the Alt Aztec horde is a deadly and dangerous group in its own right, they simple don't hold up. For one they use tactics and fight in a way which is not very helpful against the Romans, a fighting group were have battled with much larger groups of guys which are were themselves more advanced then the Aztecs. While the Romans might be given grief by the number of archers, its not like they've never fought against foreces like that before. So while I think that the Aztec's could definately put up a solid fight and possibly beat the Romans if they are really lucky, they just aren't in the same league. Winner: Roman Empire.