User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Oliver Cromwell vs. Takeda Shingen/@comment-32516697-20190406032949

'''Laq's "Banning Christmas" Edges

Mortuary-Hilt Sword vs. Nodachi: The mortuary-hilt is a fine sword, and there's nothing particularly bad about it, but it just doesn't have the same versatility as the nodachi. The cavalry are going to be a serious factor in this fight, and the nodachi gives the Japanese a secondary way to take them out in addition to their polearms. And in any swordfights that break out, while its not impossible to beat a two-hander with a one-hander, it's certainly more difficult when you don't have a shield or a dagger to go with it. Edge: Takeda Shingen

Pike vs. Yari: These two are very similar, but Takeda's yari gets the edge for being just a tiny bit longer and just a tiny bit lighter, and also that neat crossguard. Edge: Takeda Shingen

Matchlock Musket vs. Tanegashima: I'm calling it even. Maybe the English musket will hit a little harder and maybe the Japanese musket is a little more accurate, but for me it's too close to call. Edge: Even

Doglock Pistols vs. Yumi: There's a reason why the Europeans had phased out archery by Cromwell's time. The Puritans are all coming in decked in plate armor, and maybe the yumi would serve a purpose if there were some more lightly equipped troops here, but there aren't. The doglock pistols will be punching through the Samurai armor with ease, and the fact that the English cavalrymen are carrying several pistols means they keep up a point-blank, hit-and-run, Reiter-style attack. Edge: Oliver Cromwell

X-Factors and Conclusion: 'Armor is about even, and so is experience, with both leaders having participated in many battles and campaigns; their tactics shows a great competence in use of cavalry for both, so there's nothing game-changing here. This was a difficult decision to make, and initially was going to vote for the opposite, but in the end I'm siding with everyone's favorite Shakespeare-hating, alcohol-banning bastard, Oliver Cromwell. The main reason for this decision is the doglock pistols: the mobile firepower that they offer is quite unlike anything Takeda has in his arsenal. He may win out in smaller details like his polearms and having a better sword, but those edges aren't enough to overcome Cromwell's ability to deal heavy blows to infantry and cavalry alike with a few good hit-and-run attacks from the Ironsides. Takeda's samurai and their bows just can't replicate that same level of rapid devastation. Don't worry, Kaz. Cromwell will get his when he fights Sobieski. Winner: Oliver Cromwell!