User blog comment:MilenHD/Roman Centurion vs Sōhei/@comment-17814994-20161201172524

Elgb's "East vs West Yet Again" EDGES!!!

Short: I have to give this one simply to the gladius. While it shorter than the tachi, it can be used together with the scutum shield to offer both offense and defense. The tachi needs two hands to be effectively wielded, making it less versatile that the gladius. EDGE: Centurion

Mid: Normally, in terms of mid-range weapons, polearms tend to beat spears. But the pilum can be used as a long range weapon, and for the shieldless and light-armored Sohei those armor-piercing spears will go through him like a pinchushion. Romans were also known for carrying backup pilums just in case of things getting up close. The naginata may have the more lethal blade end but the pilum has can be used in more ranges than one. EDGE: Centurion

Long: I never really liked the yumi to be honest. It's a decent weapon when you're fighting unarmored peasants or riding swift horses, but with low-powered arrows and a range of 40 yards makes it one of the worst bows one can have in a battlefield. Couple that with the Centurion's shield and armor and the yumi is almost useless in this battle (save for accuracy if it hits unarmored parts). The arceus bow has more armor-penetrating power and range since its a recurve bow, and its far simpler to use than the yumi (which needs alot of finesse to operate). EDGE: Centurion

Special: Dolabra since it ahs the longer length, bigger axe head and that nasty spike. The dolabra is a military axe. The Ono on the other hand looks no different than any woodcutter's short axe. EDGE: Centurion

Deadliest Warrior

I really thought that the Sohei's better metallurgy and longer weapons will make him win. But I ended up voting for the Centurion due to his more practical and versatile weapons, as well as some x-factors that I'll be explaining soon.

The centurions are no doubt the better trained and better experienced between the two. They are handpicked for their superior physicality and tactical skills, and led armies that helped Ancient Rome become the Empire we know of today. The Sohei on the other hand are quite the opposite. While they are adequately trained and had won several pivotal battles in Medieval Japan, they are monks first before they are warriors. They seldomly fight if needed, and besides those who fought duing the Senngoku, the rest who had any combat experience were either irregulars or bandits. Many of them were even disabled people who are forced to become monks due to their disabilities. Roman Centurions fought more often than the Sohei, and they are no doubt the better built and better equipped warriors than the fighting monks.