User blog comment:MilenHD/Streltsy vs Tercio/@comment-379205-20170523024835

119's Rise of Gunpowder Edges

Swords: The Sablia is a devastatingly effective slashing weapon, descended from the Turko-Mongol Saber, however, the Toledo military rapier was made of famously high quality steel by expert craftsmen. Unlike what some tests using lower-quality reproductions will tell you, you cannot easily break a rapier with a heavier sword- more likely a heavy swing would knock the lighter weapon out of the way. However, the Toledo rapier has a heavier blade than civilian rapiers, meaning it still has some cutting power and is more effective against armor, and is handier on foot. Edge: Tercio

Polearms: The two polearms are very different in intended use. The partisan has that pronged blade for hooking and parrying a sword or polearm, while the point in primarily for thrusting. On the other hand, the bardiche is a massive, heavy axe- essentially a Dane Axe on steroids designed for cleaving through armor, but can also be used to thrust, hook, and parry, as well as rest a musket on, meaning each Streltsy has both a polearm and musket, rather than separate pikemen and musketeers. Also, seven feet is getting towards the maximum for a spear intended for use in single combat- as opposed to formation warfare. The shorter bardiche will be handier in close combat. Edge: Streltsy

Firearms: The Streltsy's pischal will have a longer effective range, possibly due to improvements in the design of the musket itself, but also due to the greater marksmanship training of the Streltsy, whereas the Tercio musketeers trained primarily in volley fire. Edge: Streltsy

Daggers: The parrying dagger, as its name suggest, can be used for both parrying and attacking, making it more versatile. Edge: Tercio

X-Factors: Both sides take an X-Factor each. The Tercio's armor X-factor will be significant, but it will be lessened by the superior weapons of the Streltsy.

Overall Winner: This will be a closely fought battle, however, in the end, I must give the edge to the Streltsy, because of their superior marksmanship training, which will prove more useful in a fight involving small numbers, as well as the lethality and intimidation factor of the bardiche.