User blog comment:Kingjofferyjr/Samurai vs Praetorian Guard/@comment-5795750-20140801144442

BG1's "Just in Time" Edges:

Long Range/Polearms: The Hasta makes for a pretty good spear but at the end of the day, it's just that - a spear that is great for poking but not for slashing; the naginata as a polearm effectively renders the spear obsolete, plus when handled with two hands it gives room for more ways of killing

EDGE: Samurai

Medium Range/Swords: Despite the combination of sword and shield, the katana is gonna do jack s*** with the wooden shield, effectively hacking into it like an axe; also as Cfp points out, the katana is made of steel which will definitely prove to be much stronger than the iron that the Praetorian bring to the fight and the aerodynamics of the katana is just rubbing even more salt into that wound

EDGE: Samurai

Short Range/Daggers: Midget swords, these two are but what I can see here is that the tanto can be used simultaneously with the katana whereas the Praetorian has to drop either the scutum or gladius to use the pugio; on the flip side, the pugio is definitely deadlier as a dagger with a longer reach and heavier weight

EDGE: Even

H2H: Ah the classic debate between which form of combat is better - wrestling or martial arts. While I will say that the martial art is the superior fighting style, many people here have pointed out that the armour of the Samurai is going to hinder the warrior in that department while the light lorica hamata that the Praetorian are wearing won't give them the problem

EDGE: Praetorian Guard

X-Factors: Average of 84 for the Samurai; Average of 84for the Praetorian Guard

EDGE: Even

Overall Winner: Since the X-Factors are even, it is up to the weapons edge to help me determine the winner... after that quick review, I have come to the conclusion that the Samurai with his superior metallurgy and weapons edges where it matters (in the sword department) will win over his Roman opponent despite the latter's lighter armament and relatively superior experience