User blog comment:El Alamein/Varangian Guard vs. Praetorian Guard/@comment-5795750-20140701122145

BG1's "Some People Never Give Up Do They?" Edges

Close Range - The two swords almost seem identical and its no surprise since they are related through the Spatha but I will have to give it to the descendant the Spathi but only just because of its longer length (and apparently that was the reason why the Gladius was overshadowed by the Spatha at all)

EDGE: Varangian

Mid Range 1 - Hmmm, interesting... I will admit that the Pilum is a formidable spear and javelin and given its length it should keep the Varangians at bay but as Elgb says the Romans had difficulty with it given that they couldn't actually use it as a javelin that well because of its inaccuracy and speed; the Dane Axe is simply a brilliant, versatile and deadly weapon that should be able to get to the Romans behind their shields with more force

EDGE: Varangians

Mid Range 2: The Hasta gets this because it is much longer and much lighter as a spear than the standard Byzantine equivalent

EDGE: Praetorian

Special: The Scutum is a very useful shield to have in combat for defensive purposes and when going in for a one-on-one confrontation as a defensive but the Byzantine Boss Shield can do that too and more with its metal boss allowing for the shield to be used offensively like a Viking Shield or even a Greek Aspis

EDGE: Varangian

X-Factors: Average of 71 for the Varangian Guard; Average of 73.74 for the Praetorian Guard

EDGE: Praetorian Guard

TBF