User blog comment:YoungSamurai18/We Duel In the Shadows! Araluen Ranger Corps vs Dark Brotherhood/@comment-2600:1700:F7B1:4D20:6865:3245:B489:5744-20180508000803

GT25's Edges

Close Range (Saxe Knife vs. Steel Dagger): This one is rather easy to call. The Saxe Knife is twice the length of the dagger which gives it a greater reach along with being able to be thrown. Plus, since it can be used alongside their Throwing Knives, it can be used in more ways than the dagger. Edge: Araluen Ranger Corps

Medium Range (Throwing Knife vs. Steel Sword): Much like with close range, this one is easy to call. The Sword has a longer reach when used in close combat and can easily deflect the knife if it's thrown. Even if it's used along with the Saxe Knife, the Sword is easier to use and gives the user more options to use. Edge: Dark Brotherhood

Long Range (Longbow vs. Hunting Bow): I'm going to call this one a draw. While the Longbow is larger and thus giving more power behind each draw, but the stats of both weapons are identical in this case. It would really come down to whoever gets the first shot in and if you prefer a longbow or a composite bow. Edge: Draw

Special Weapons (Striker vs. Lotus Extract): This one is strange, but still somewhat easy to call. While the Lotus Extract can coat the arrows and bladed weapons in order to improve their effectiveness, the Striker is an actual weapon that can be used in a fight. Despite the usefulness of the Extract, I'd rather have another weapon to use against my foes. Edge: Araluen Ranger Corps

Armor (Studded Leather and Molted Cloak vs. Shrouded Armor): Normally, I would be against the Studded Leather as it's rather impractical due to the fact that the studs don't offer any more protection to the user than it appears. However, the little bit of protection is more than the Shrouded Armor, as it's simply leather and really only offers a resistance to poison. As the Ranger Corps don't use poison, it can't be applicable in this situation. In addition, the Molted Cloak does offer the rangers the ability to blend into the shadows and offers a bit of the stealth offered by the Shrouded Armor. So, while not by much, I'd give this to the Studded Leather and Molted Cloak combo due to the use of studs to minimally increase its effectiveness. Edge: Araluen Ranger Corps

X-Factors: Due to how this is done, I'll do this in sections:

Experience: I believe this one will be a draw. The Ranger Corps have been to many locations in there world, but the Dark Brotherhood has had more time to refine the techniques they use and in the art of killing. Like you said, the Dark Brotherhood has existed longer while the Ranger Corps has more operational experience. Edge: Draw

Training: Honestly, I'll be giving a slight edge to the Ranger Corps on this one. I think them passing their skills along through the generations is probably better in my mind compared to the experience varying between individuals. Edge: Araluen Ranger Corps

Teamwork: I think this one will also be a draw. Individuals in both are willing to work alongside each other and would be relatively even to me. Edge: Draw

Stealth: I think this one will be going slightly towards the Brotherhood. The Ranger Corps has the cloak to blend into their environments, but the Shrouded Armor uses magic to boosts the stealth of the Dark Brotherhood. Considering that both were trained in stealth through their own ways, I think the magic boost given by the Shrouded Armor would give them a slight edge in this category. Edge: Dark Brotherhood

Brutality: Yeah, this one simply goes to the Dark Brotherhood. They are simply more brutal and can use it to intimidate those against them. Edge: Dark Brotherhood

Overall Verdict: I think I'll give a slight edge to the Dark Brotherhood here. While both are even in their experience and teamwork, I think the brutality and slightly better stealth would give the Dark Brotherhood more of an edge over the slight edge of training for the Araluen Ranger Corps. Edge: Dark Brotherhood

Overall: Looking over everything, it seems like a relatively even match up to me. The Araluen Ranger Corps has more edges with their weapons and better armor, but the Dark Brotherhood have the better medium range weapon and slightly better x-factors and both are even in long range. This may be a contest where the victor would be the one who can get the killing blow in first. Due to this...I think I'd have to give a very slight advantage to the Dark Brotherhood. This is because I think this may end up being a match were the weaponry being used matters the most. Given the Lotus Extract and their use of a dagger, sword, and bow, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up emerging victor. I can see the Araluen Ranger Corps having the advantage in the beginning, but the Dark Brotherhood's arsenal, brutality, and magic boosting armor may be the deciding factor in this match. However, I would be able to see why the Araluen Ranger Corps can win due to how close this seems to me.