User blog comment:Elgb333/National Icons: Cowboy vs Samurai/@comment-2600:1700:F7B1:4D20:8C8:3C9:6C18:5DEE-20180406225010

GT25's Edges

Close Range (Bowie Knife vs. Katana): No contest. Despite the range advantage of the Bowie Knife, the Katana has a reach advantage and will get the kill in first if the Cowboy doesn't throw his knife. Edge: Samurai

Medium Range (Colt Peacemaker vs. S&W Model 2): To be honest, this one is rather odd. The Colt has the bigger round, but the S&W has one more round in it. However, I'm giving this to the Colt since, while the reload is slow, I think it's better than what the Model 2 does. Simply put, it's a top hinge revolver and it seems like you have to replace the entire cylinder. I'd take the simpler reloading system of the Peacemaker over the seemingly awkward reloading of the Model 2 any day. Edge: Cowboys

Long Range (Winchester Rifle vs. Spencer Rifle): Again, no contest. While the Spencer has more range, the Winchester is more advance and has more rounds in the magazine. The Spencer may have the bigger round, but the reload of said rifle harms it here wereas the Winchester's simpler lever-action and easier reload give it a huge advantage. Edge: Cowboys

Tactics (Attacking from a Defensive Position vs. Bushido Offense): This one is easy to decide, but for a particular reason. The Bushido Offensive would work in a large scale battle...but this is a five vs five situation. Not only would it get most of the Samurai killed, but the fact that the Cowboys will be taking defensive position would mean that they could pick off the Samurai before they rush in close to take out the rest. Edge: Cowboys

X-Factors: Since I don't have numbers to work off of, I'll just go in order and state my opinion. For training, I'd say it's close but leans a bit towards the Cowboys. While the Samurai do live in a warrior culture and trained to fight in it, the Cowboys were formally trained soldiers and would have more knowledge on firearms. For training, it goes to the Samurai. Their history has simply seen them in more battles than the Cowboys and are more likely to receive experience from what they're doing. For Weapon Master, it unquestionably goes to the Cowboys as they have more experience with fireams than the Samurai and the fact that they could duel wield give them an advantage. So, overall, I'll say the Cowboys as they have better mastery of their weapons and have a bit more training than the Samurai. Edge: Cowboys

Overall: Yeah, this may end up being a landslide victory for the Cowboys. Even including their horses, I think it doesn't change much other than the Samurai being able to attack with their sword when they pass. Even then, the Cowboys have a range advantage with their revolvers and rifles and would be able to use their horses to make it harder for them to get hit. Heck, the tactics of the Samurai play a role in this since their offense would cause more of them to die against the more defensive strategy of the Cowboys. Simply put, the Cowboys have the edge at medium range, have a better tactic to use, a bit more training, and they've mastered the use of their weapons. Add to this that the Cowboys have more experience with random skirmishes and the quick draw of their revolvers would benefit them more than the Samurai's quick draw of their Katana and you have a clear victory for the Old West on this one.