User blog comment:Tesla Man/Rise of the TDBU: Qin Shihuangdi versus Attila the Hun/@comment-4661256-20120307041418

Let's see:

Sword of Mars vs. the Dao: What Leolab said makes sense. The Dao is a bigger weapon and it's got combat engineering designed to make it slice with just a bit more power. The Sword of Mars is big and clumsy - it got the edge over Alexander's Kopis but still got 3 less kills. It's... not that great. The Dao beat the crap out of a Rapier, for cryin' out loud! Edge: Shihuangdi

The Ji is a multipurposed weapon that can dismount an enemy and attack on foot. The spear, however, is useful while on horseback, or while on foot. The Ji, or halberd, seems too clumsy, too awkward, to use fluidly with mounted combat. Still, it's very threatening on foot. I have to call this one even.

The Hunnic bow is the culmination of distanced combat coming together for perfection. The crossbow is big, bulky, and while it might have more stopping power, it's less accurate and one missed shot means you're screwed. With the bow, you can fire, fire, fire, fire, and at the same time you can keep maneuvering. Factor in Attila's training with said weapon and the horse and you have a winning combo. Edge: Attila

Armor: I like Shihuangdi's iron armor and it looks like it can stop Attila's arrows, but how long do you expect to hold out against a barrage of bolts? The leather armor of Attila might be less resilient but it still will help for a lot and it won't hamper his movement. It's built fluidly to work with a mobile warrior, like Attila. Shihuangdi is a stationary soldier with heavier armor and this won't necessarily help him. Edge: Attila

Tactics: Attila is a raider and a master at psychological warfare. Logistics are not a problem, since he's basically a battlefield scavenger. Pick up food, money, supplies, whatever from your slain foes, move on, and repeat as needed. Shihuangdi needs that huge supply line to support a standing army and he needs to pour all his funds into training. Sure, it means he might have a bit more experience and flexibility in combat but Attila's no-nonsense, no-worries style to combat means nothing can really bar his way to the next battle. Edge: Attila

Winner: Attila the Hun

I really want to vote for Qin Shihuangdi, but Attila is clearly superior. He's at a disadvantage in close and mid range, but these are extremely minor - and anyway, with his long range domination and superb mobile fighting style, I'd like to see the Chinese emperor land a hit on him. Shihuangdi is also batty as an old woman and this could affect his combat abilities. Attila is more sane and better supplied at any given time. Plus, he's probably stronger and more physically fit, since he's a hands-on commander who personally leads the fight, while Shihuangdi probably was fed grapes off a vine while lying on a couch. (I know that's a Roman analogy, but same thing. He was a spoiled rich guy.)