User blog comment:Elgb333/National Icons Pt. 2: Maori vs Bushrangers/@comment-27358240-20190107222852

Kazanshin's "Beware the hairy man!" edges:

Main: We're looking at two very different firearms here. The rifle has obviously range and destructive power since it's rifled. The musket, in the other hand, can be reloaded much faster and be fired twice in a row. And here, we're confronted again with a seemingly close but actually historically settled debate: the rifle, while long ranged, only became the main weapon once more advanced designs like the Minié came into the equation. Until then, the battlefield was dominated by smoothbore muskets while rifles were specifically for sharpshooters. In a battle like this, the Tupara has the edge. Edge: Maori

Melee: This is similar to the Bowie knife vs Tomahawk debate. Sure, one is quicker and more versatile, but it's not getting past the reach and destructive power of the Toki. This is not even looking at the men behind the weapons: the Maori is trained infamously in close quarters combat, while the Bushranger is just another bandit who roughened himself up in the Outbacks. Edge: Maori

Special: I know the boomerang can actually be an effective weapon. If thrown, it can cause severe blunt trauma and when the battle moves in close, it can even be used as a striking weapon. The boomerang is not to be underestimated. However, if the boomerang is thrown, there's no reusing it: it's gone and chances are, you won't ever use it again in the fight. When looking at the taiaha, you have not only a better close range weapon but at a slashing weapon, something that will cause both instantaneous and prolonged damage. One can be lost, the other won't and causes more damage: it's an edge for the taiaha. Edge: Taiaha

Final verdict: I'm skipping the tactics too, like both people under me. I really see tactics starting to work from 10-10 and above, but not under. But even if I were to compare them, the Maori would've gotten the edge due to a use of both defensive and ambush tactics, which would just make their victory here easier. They're trained warriors skilled in both close range and, since the revolution brought by Hongi Hika-dono (honor to the man who has slain Sun Tzu), long range firefights too. If the battle moves close, the Maori''' have a massive advantage. At long range, the scenario doesn't favor the long range of the rifle enough for it to win. It's a lose-lose scenario for the Bushranger, earning the Maori warrior a well deserved victory. DEADLIEST WARRIOR: MAORI WARRIOR