User blog comment:Kazanshin/Barbarians made Kings: Aterui vs Fritigern/@comment-379205-20190623062535

119's "Barbarism" Edges


 * Heavy Infantry: The Emishi infantry seem to have more troops that are armored. In terms of weapons, both make use of spears and shields, and some carry swords. In terms of sword designs, the Emishi's curved blades would have more cutting power, but the Gothic straight double-edged swords would be more versatile, more effective for both cutting and thrusting. In the end, however, spears will be the primary weapon the battlefield, and both carry throwing and thrusting spears. The thing that gives the Emishi an advantage in man-to-man combat, however, is the fact that more of them have armor. However, this will not be a pure man-to-man fight as the Goths have greater numbers. Depending on how their men are deployed, I could see the Goths breaking through or surrounding them, however, in a good defensive position, the Emishi line could hold. Even


 * Light Infantry: The Gothic forces have far fewer archers in this engagement, given their lesser use of the bow. The Emishi, by contrast, make extensive use of bows and even some captured crossbows, allowing them to lay down a heavy curtain of fire. As some would have recurve bows, their weapons would also be more powerful. The Emishi's bows will prove very effective against the Goths many of whom will have light or no armor. While a shield wall could mitigate this to a degree, the large number of arrows suggest that sooner or later, an arrow will get through. Edge: Aterui


 * Cavalry: The Germanic heavy cavalry are well-armored and fairly well equipped with a heavy lance and javelins, however, the Alans, while well armed with various lances, swords, Scythian axes and, at least according to the picture, bows, have little or any armor. By contrast, the Emishi horse archer wore heavy armor and were skilled at shooting their bows and then retreating, a tactic also effectively used by the Hun and Mongols. In addition to archery, however, the Emishi cavalry also carried swords and were competent close combatants and could act as heavy shock cavalry as well. Given their heavier armor and greater versatility, I give the advantage to Aterui


 * Leaders/X-Factors: Both leaders were clearly charismatic tribal leaders and competent military commanders, however, I give Aterui at least a slight edge in tactics as his tactic of trapping the Yamato between his cavalry and the river and picking them off at Subushi shows more tactical planning, where as at Adrianople, the Germanic cavalry happened to arrive from a scavenging expedition at the right time, and Romans made a series of tactical blunders- it seemed to have as much luck as tactical brilliance involved. As for training, neither side had much in the way of organized training, being tribal armies. As for experience, both lived in cultures where violence was frequent, but I give Aterui a slight edge given the sheer length of his war with the Yamato. As for Metallurgy, the Emishi have better steel, having more widespread access to high carbon steel rather than low carbon steel or iron used by many of the Goths. Edge: Aterui

Overall Winner: Aterui takes the victory for his superior tactics, more widespread use of armor, superior metallurgy, and possibly greater combat experience. Fritigern will certainly put up a fight, but in the end, I see the Emishi being able to pelt his infantry with arrows from a distance while driving off his less numerous cavalry, eventually wearing his forces down.