User blog comment:GSFB/Vasco Nunez de Balboa vs Vlad the Impaler/@comment-5232784-20150201190955

The Spanish Slayer vs the Romanian Blood Drinker: place yer bets right here

1. Melee

Both swords are very formidable, but the Espada Ropera not only can slash, it can also be used as a stabbing weapon. Indeed, as demonstrated in the DW episode of Cortez vs Ivan the Terrible, its slash attack is just as good as that of a curved blade. the Espada ropera is thus a far more versatile weapon

EDGE: Balboa

2. Mid range

Both weapons are basically the same. Both are halberds, and as such are used in the same manner. This is a draw

EDGE: Dead even

3. Long range

The Arquebus is a more technological weapon than a hand cannon. It has better accuracy, and no doubt better range. The Spaniards will be picking the Wallachians off before they can get into firing range.

EDGE: Balboa

4. Special

The Pernach flanged mace enables the Wallachains to have a two pronged melee attack. With one hand they can block a sword strick, and then they can strike back with the other, when the Conquistador has no defense. The mace is designed to penetate plate armor and plate mail, and Conquistadors were noted for their shiny armor. In melee combat, the Wallachians may have a disadantage in armor, but they more than make up for it with their maces.

The War dogs hav Aztec cotton armor, which wont do any good against steel or iron blades. Yet their spiked collars will keep their enemies from throttling them (even if they are wearing gauntlets, they are not going to have a good enough grip to throttle). The dogs will go for the throat, which on most Wallachains will be exposed, either fully or partly. Leoncico himself will tear the head off his victims. And having seven extra warriors will give Balboa a major advantage in numbers.

However, perhaps their greatest asset to Balboa will be that they will be able to hear the enemy approach long before the Conquistadors do. They will sniff them out long before the Wallachians can make a successful ambush. Balboa can thus spread his forces around the enemy and then take them from the sides. Five Spanish Conquistadors and seven war dogs attacking from all sides, and Vlad and his Wallachains will be shaken, perhaps even panic in the ensuing chaos. Though most of the dogs wont stand a chance against a Wallachian with swords, maces, halberds and hand cannons, they nevertheless will have numbers on their side, bestial ferocity, and heightened senses that will give Balboa a major edge.

EDGE: Balboa

5. X Factors

Balboa has the edge in armor, technology, numbers, and mental health (sicking hordes of dogs fed on human flesh onto an indian tribe for practicing sodomy is pretty nuts, but Vlad impaled so many humans that he literally made a forest of the impaled. I think he's a bit more bonkers).

Vlad has the edge in brutality, ferocity, psych factor (he scared his enemies like crazy) and most notedly, experience and tactics. Balboa fought and defeated several indian tribes, But Vlad faced Ottomans, who were more numerous, better armored, and better armed. He has a lot more experience in brutal combat, and more experience as a military commander. This, with his pych out factor, will give him a big edge. Still, his mental health may lessen this edge, and Balboa still has better armor, better guns, and, with his war dogs, both better numbers and the ability to sense the enemy long before the enemy senses them.

Due to superior tech (guns), armor, numbers, and mental health, I give the edge to Balboa

EDGE: Balboa

TBC