User blog comment:Deathblade 100/Ancient Greek Strongmen: Heracles vs Ajax the Greater/@comment-4661256-20160221195712

El Alamein's Edges:

 Long Range: Javelin vs. Composite Bow:  The bow has a longer range than the javelin, is more accurate thanks to Apollo's design, can be used multiple times, and has arrows that will cause death at the slightest scratch thanks to the Hydra venom. Ajax's javelin can't stand up to Herc's bow.

Edge: Heracles

 Mid Range: Dory vs. Javelin:  The dory in combination with Ajax's shield makes for an awesome offensive-defensive combo, and it offers more reach than the javelin. The dory's superior design for prolonged use in a fight is really what gives it the edge over a javelin, which offers Heracles no significant strategic advantage since Ajax has one of his own anyway.

Edge: Ajax

 Close Range: Xiphos vs. Club:  The Xiphos can cause more significant bleeding damage with stabs, and is made of a more durable material, but Ajax has to get in significantly closer to Heracles to make use of it, and that's really not a place you want to be when fighting a demigod like Herc. On the other hand, the club can totally pound anything to a pulp since it's Heracles wielding the damn thing, but it's also liable to be broken if its swung around too forcefully and is probably a bit easier to dodge. Each weapon here has its own respective pros and cons, so I'm calling it even.

Edge: Even

 Special Weapons: Shield vs. Hydra Venom:  Okay so I basically took the venom into consideration in the long-range comparison, so at this point Herc is effectively down a weapon in this fight. Ajax's shield will definitely be big enough to block those arrows (Apollo's bow may never miss but that doesn't mean it can't be blocked by a shield) and in conjunction with a sword or spear, Ajax really has some quality military gear that will offer him protection while enabling him to push Herc around a bit if he needs to. The venomous-tipped arrows are going to be a serious threat since Ajax can't afford to have so much as his pinky nicked by one--luckily for him, though, he's got a body-sized layer of bronze in front of him to protect him.

Edge: Ajax

 Armor: Cuirass vs. Nemean Lion Skin:  Well, the Nemean Lion skin pretty much holds up against contemporary weaponry fairly well, although I'm certain that blunt force trauma like a shield bash could get through if it's delivered forcefully enough. The Nemean Lion skin does leave Herc with some notable weak points but it is able to protect his head and the majority of his torso. The cuirass might be comparable in terms of the level of protection it offers but it's smaller in size and much less imposing--think about it. That will certainly leave a mark on an opponent psychologically if they're going up against a guy swaddled in a giant-ass lion skin.

Edge: Heracles

WINNER: AJAX THE GREATER

Yes, Heracles might be stronger and have a better ranged weapon, but Ajax is a trained soldier and competent commander. Heracles' efforts were certainly impressive and he demonstrated a level of creativity in a combat situation when executing his twelve labors, and even outside of that he still had experience as an Argonaut with Jason and doing a whole bunch of random stuff, but at the end of the day he's pretty much an adventurer or soldier-of-fortune at best. Ajax is a leader in the Trojan War (prince of an entire army) and he fought on a daily basis for pretty much a decade. While one or two Trojan soldiers are not nearly as tough as something like the Lernean Hydra, the Nemean Lion or Cerberus, they are capable of a much higher level of tactical thought and they are being directed strategically by determined men like Hector. Couple that crucial factor of superior combat experience with actual military-grade hardware and Heracles' weapons, while impressive in his hands, aren't all necessarily designed for combat (looking at you, tree-branch club). Ajax's better metallurgy and his ability to hunker down under Herc's long-range fire behind a shield will enable him to hold out and land that critical strike to end the game.