User blog comment:El Alamein/Venator vs. Giant Short-Faced Bear/@comment-5795750-20130804232545

BG1's "Let the Games Begin!" Edges:

Short Range: Let me put it to you like this - if you whipped a wild large animal, is there a batter chance of you being able to maim it or it being able to maim you? Also, the net is going to be made out of some ancient material that the GSFB is gonna rip to shreds with its massive teeth and also, the nets gonna be way too small to hold the GSFB down - especially if the latter stands up

EDGE: GSFB

Mid Range: It really depends upon where the spear is thrown at and how many will be carried; 2 does not seem like enough to subdue the giant beast; also, the spears are just more likely to wound rather than kill the GSFB because of the latter's thick fur/skin layer; against the claws, however, the spear has a longer reach and it should keep the GSFB at bay

EDGE: Even (slight lean towards the GSFB)

Armour vs Abilities: The GSFB's abilities when combined with its weapons make for one scary and strong beast - with its immense stamina, it can outfight and outrun the gladiators and still be strong enough to perhaps (as a sim suggestion) cause more mayhem to the colosseum (ending with "and hence the Roman Empire fell to a large bear"); and with its immense size and strength, the GSFB can crush the gladiators under its huge weight or send them flying far; the armour that the Venator and Bestiarius have are not able to withstand such torture

EDGE: GSFB

X-Factors

Psych Warfare: Obviously the GSFB is more intimidating to the Venator and Bestiarius due to its immense size than the puny gladiator humans are to the GSFB

EDGE: GSFB

Strategy: This is probably where I must say that the GSFB relies on animal instinct whereas the gladiators have that human intuition that should be able to grant them an edge in strategically manoeuvring around the battlefield

EDGE: Venator

Combat Experience: Both warriors have spent a majority of their lives fighting against other animals; and I want to say the GSFB gets the edge here but I must point out that the GSFB has faced animals both weak and strong while the venator has faced both animals and humans who are equally as strong or stronger than he is

EDGE: Even

Endurance: You already mentioned it - the GSFB has immense stamina and I said before, with that ability, the GSFB is able to keep on fighting and running much longer than a human being

EDGE: GSFB

Intelligence: Animal intelligence vs human intelligence? No-brainer here (no pun intended)

EDGE: Venator

Creativity: I guess this goes hand-in-hand with intelligence and strategy and since the Venator has both those edges in the bag

EDGE: Venator

Weapon Use: The GSFB has been using its claws and mouth in the wild for a long time (since they are 'attached' to him, duh!) whereas the Venator has to be trained to use the weapons

EDGE: GSFB

Brutality: Animal instinct plays a huge role here since the GSFB's main aim in its life is to mercilessly hunt down its prey to survive

EDGE: GSFB

Overall Winner: No matter whether the battlefield be in the open plain or in the Colosseum, the Giant Short-Faced Bear wins out every time; despite the more sapient intelligence of the venator which trumps the GSFB's animalistic intelligence, it is not audacious nor strong enough to tackle such a colossal beast even with the Bestiarius by its side

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