User blog comment:MilenHD/Bulgarian Rebels vs Cossacks/@comment-17814994-20150925115452

Elgb's "Badass Eastern Europeans" EDGES!!!

Short: The shashka is longer than the saber. That's a big disadvantage. However, I would also like to note that the shashka doesn't have any hilts or guards, which would be a big disadvantage in terms of maneuverability. Not only does it make it more unsafe to use, but when blood started flowing that lack of hilt is gonna make the handle very slippery; maybe to the point that the shashka's going to be very difficult to use. Still, a foot long is a huge advantage. EDGE: Even

Mid: The flintlock pistol is a revoltuionary weapon. But there's a big reason why they're no standard issue to armies when it came out. Not only was it very expensive (which begs the question of how the rebels managed to get huge quantities of this to be included in this battle), but they were alos very unreliable and prone to misfiring. The revolver is only good if its brand new, but once you drop that weapon once, its broken. It will take two more centuries before a true revolver can be invented. The flintlock pistol is more reliable, but it only has one shot. EDGE: Even

Long: I have to give this one to the Russians. While some of you may think that they are too similar to be compared, well there is something that caught my attention. The Bulgarian rebels' musket has an old fashioned "slope-shaped" shoulder stock which doesn't really give much. While the Russians musket has the more modern "straight grip" stock that allows the user a better handling of the weapon as well as a better grip on a firearm; reducing recoil and more capability for melee use as well. EDGE: Cossacks

Special: Well this is an easy win for the yataghan. Its longer and better designed for combat than a simple dagger like the kindjal. EDGE: Bulgarian Rebels

X-Factors: In terms of training, the Cossacks definately takes this. While they don't have the same training as the Hussars of the day, they still have the more organized form of training as well as a warrior lineage that spans through generations. In terms of tactics, the Rebels have this, since they're guerilla warfare would nullify the more straightforward "charging" style of the Cossacks. EDGE: Even

Deadliest Warrior?

I just can't see the Bulgarian rebels winning this. While I respect that they did successfully fought the Ottomans (which took years to accomplish), the Cossacks are better trained and experienced in this fight. Where talking about centuries of battle lineage, and the Cossacks have that reputation to hold. While the Bulgarians' guerrilla warfare may surprise the Cossacks, the latter has been fighting their own saher of irregular warfare before so it may not be that of a big advantage. Sorry Bulgarians, but the Russian Cossacks are the deadlier Easter European Warriors.