User blog comment:Kazanshin/Powerhouses of the East: Samurai vs Song Soldier/@comment-25253035-20200108130501

Damn these are a lot of horse archer vs cataphract battles... ANYWAYS

Tachi vs Shoudao: I am giving this one to the Japanese tachi. The only thing good about the shoudao is its heavier swings but aside from that it is a risky weapon to use because of its weight. The kata... I mean the tachi has the longer and lighter blade suited better for a cavalry battle. I also beleve that like any other Japanese swords, the tachi can probably cut deeper. Sure, the shoudao can kill horses, but the tachi can be used to more efficiently to take out its riders.

Edge: Samurai

Naginata vs Qudao: Yeah okay, naginata wins hands down. Like the shoudao, the qudao is too risky to use due to its size and weight. And like a European pike, it is too specialized to be used for certain enemies (mainly cavalry), unlike the Naginata which can be used on foot, anti-calvary, and also as an actual cavalry weapon. The naginata is the only polearm I have seen that be used on horseback.

Edge: Samurai

Wakyu vs Nu: Like the other two categories, I have to again give the edge to the Japanese. As far as I know, the crossbows of the Chinese were not as strong as European crossbows (that modern-like trigger is cool though). The Yu... I mean the wakyu can be used not just as an infantry weapon, but as an effective cavalry weapon as well. It also has the longer range and faster rate of fire. And combined with the Samurai's horse archer heritage, that would have been devastating.

Edge: Samurai

Masakari vs Guoduo: The chinese mace is cool I give it that. It reminds me of the three-sectioned staff because of its balance and those two large meta head that would decimate armor (especially since Japanese armor is also consisted of crunchy bamboo). That being said, the masakari's axe head is bigger and probably can do more damage even to armored opponents. It is longer too, and just by looking at it you know that thing is going to hurt, also offering some psychological advantage.

Edge: Samurai

O Yoroi vs Chinese Cataphract Armor: The Chinese cataphract armor looks like a freakin large parka made up of steel, which probably less maneuverable than other armor. TBH I never really like lamellar armor even though the majority of history buffs consider it as second only to the cuirass. And the Chinese cataphract armor is no exception. The fact that the scales were laced by silk rather than stitched or riveted meant that it was not rugged and reliable. And it cannot be used on foot too. The O-Yoroi armor is not only more protective, but also more mobile and had better and tougher lacquer design.

Edge: Samurai

X-Factors and Final Verdict: Lmao if its not that obvious, the Samurai takes it. I love these guys and if Kazanshin really do make a Knight vs Samurai armor, I will support the latter. They have an overwhelming advantage in weapons and armor. And like Emishi vs Byzantine, these guys are more suited for these type of mobile warfare than the Chinese Cataphract.

Winner: THE SAMURAIIIIIII!!!!!!!!