User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 5: William Vigiles (Alock) v Sir Bors (Elgb)/@comment-4661256-20160613045743

El Alamein's Edges:

 Initial Weapons (and Short Range): Truncheon vs. Longsword & Targe:  In terms of the actual weapons' killing potential, the longsword and targe are superior simply because they're designed to kill efficiently (the truncheon is a non-lethal weapon, after all). The longsword might have a hard time trying to deal with Vigiles' layers upon layers of armor, but the targe's spike can probably compromise Vigiles' armor, since it's a heavy shield concentrating a lot of force right onto that wicked tip. That being said, the truncheon does have the capability to land some pretty serious blows through Sir Bors' armor. As a crushing weapon, it will deliver trauma right through that plate armor and into the man underneath. What tips this in Sir Bors' favor, though, is the comparatively easier time he will have using his weapons when compared to William Vigiles. Sir Bors' armor is pretty heavy, with a full set of plate armor weighing around 65-75 lbs, but William Vigiles' armor is almost double that at an insane 120 lbs. Not only that, but with Vigiles' helmet having a faceplate restricting his field of view, he's going to have a hard time keeping sight of his opponent. The truncheon could have been a pretty decent choice against a warrior like Sir Bors, but Vigiles won't be able to keep up the stamina necessary to finish off his opponent when his armor is weighing him down the whole time.

Edge: Sir Bors of Newcastle

 Mid Range: Longsword vs. Halberd:  The longsword is shorter, which means that if Vigiles can close the distance he's pretty much bypassed the lethal threat of the halberd's blade, but the problem is that Sir Bors has a longsword of his own at close range (well, that, and the fact that Vigiles isn't going to be closing any distance very quickly at all under his armor). The halberd is giving Sir Bors combat options that his opponent simply doesn't have, and the extra reach and multifaceted blade make those all lethal options. The axe-head will probably transfer a lot of energy through Vigiles' armor (and can probably compromise at least the helmet, if not other parts), while the spike will also fare pretty well in its own right. Sir Bors has the winning combo with his polearm against a slow opponent.

Edge: Sir Bors of Newcastle

 Long Range: Crossbow vs. Composite Crossbow:  Neither weapon is going to be very effective, but at least Sir Bors is trained more or less with the weapon and has poisoned bolts, which is more than can be said for Vigiles.

Edge: Sir Bors of Newcastle

 Special Weapons: Dagger vs. Mantraps:  Yeah, the dagger might not be a stellar weapon, but it certainly has the potential to breach vulnerable points in Sir Bors' armor. If things get really up-close-and-personal then Vigiles has the most maneuverable tool for tight spaces. More than anything, though, the mantraps simply aren't going to be very effective, since they take too long to set up and are much too visible.

Edge: William Vigiles

 Armor:  Both warriors are bogged down pretty heavily by their respective armors, but Sir Bors is weighed down considerably less by his armor than Vigiles is by his. Ultimately, these two will be forced to try to exploit some weak point in their opponent's armor or else simply smash right through it, and Sir Bors will have an easier time doing this by a set of armor that will restrict his movement less and not tire him out as quickly.

Edge: Sir Bors of Newcastle

WINNER: SIR BORS OF NEWCASTLE

I think I remember talking to people on chat who said that William Vigiles has a chance at winning, and I'm open to changing my mind because it's not like either warrior is doing themselves a favor with their armor, but as of right now I still think Sir Bors will win. His armor appears to be much less restrictive than William Vigiles' while still offering a decent amount of protection, and his loadout is more balanced to allow him to strike better at medium- and close-ranged distances. Also, as a warrior, Sir Bors has much more real combat experience when compared to Vigiles, who, as a city guard, really can't say much for himself in terms of battlefield experience. These factors are all probably pretty marginal when taken into consideration by themselves, but they start to weigh up and when added together, I think they give Sir Bors enough of an advantage to win.