User blog comment:Elgb333/National Icons Pt. 2: Maori vs Bushrangers/@comment-3189283-20190107142818

Let's see shall we

Firearm  I’m actually going to give this one to the Tupara Musket. The Baker Rifle is very accurate and has a much longer range which are good qualities not have, just not exactly the qualities needed in a heavily forested environment. The Tupara has a big problem with reliability but it’s faster reloads, double shot capability and more powerful shot make it perfect for a close quarters engagement such as the one in the scenario listed. In conclusion the Baker’s advantages are negated by the battleground whereas the Tupara’s weaknesses are lessened by it. Edge: Maori Warrior 

Melee 

The knife seems to be the more versatile of the two weapons with the ability to both slash and stab as well but lacks the pure killing power of the Steel Hatchet which will break bones if it gets a solid connection. If they can get in close, then the longer reach of the hatchet might work against it but that’s going to be a touch ask.

Edge: Maori Warrior 

Special Weapon 

While the boomerang may look like a silly child’s toy that’s only the famous returning boomerang which was primarily used for taking down small birds. The proper hunting boomerang on the other hand was much deadlier and was used to hunt down much larger prey. There are reports of it striking a tree with force comparable to that a large blunt sword and as you can imagine this would be devastating against the lightly armoured Maori. The Taiaha is a fearsome close quarters weapon but the Boomerang can deliver similar damage from a range.

Edge: Bushwhacker  Final Verdict  I’ve skipped over the tactics edge because in all honestly neither really works well in this scenario. The Maori’s defensive based strategy won’t be all that effective as they don’t have any prebuilt defences and the Bushwhackers ambush tactics won’t be as useless because they aren’t familiar with the area (I will admit though the strategy itself will probably work better here than the Maori’s). The Maori for me has the firearm better suited for the scenario and if the battle does end up in close quarters the Bushwhackers have got no hope going up against warriors specialised in close quarters combat and carrying a loadout which reflects this with their dinky knives. The only real weapon advantage the Bushwhackers have is the boomerang but that’s in comparison to the melee weapon only, it’s not going to stack up well against firearms. The big reason I’ve giving the advantage to the Maori though is that they’re actual warriors, not just a bunch of low-level criminals with little formal training. The Bushwhackers will put up a good fight but the Maori will finally end their loss streak here. Maori Warrior: 3,000 

Bushwhackers: 2,000