User blog comment:MilenHD/Samurai vs Song Dynasty Warrior/@comment-379205-20160221233659

119's "Eastern Warfare" Edges


 * Swords: The Jian is a more all-around sword, designed to be equally effective for cutting and thrusting. The katana, on the other hand, is more of a specialized cutting weapon, though it still has a point which could be used for thrusting in a pinch. The katana has a slightly longer blade, but the Chinese may have had access to better quality steel- the tamahagane steel used in Japanese katanas, while highly prized today, was made from iron sands- not particularly high grade ore. On the other hand, Japanese craftsmanship was able to at least partially make up for this. For this reason, I call this match Even.


 * Mid-Range: The Qiang is a spear intended for thrusting, while the naginata is a mostly cutting weapon, though it has a point, and could be thrusted in a pinch. In the end, I'll give the edge to the Samurai, as the Naginata is more likely to get through their light armor. Edge: Samurai


 * Long Range: The Yumi is a longer bow, meaning far greater force can be stored as it is pulled back... and released on impact. This also gives it a greater range than the repeating crossbow. The repeating crossbow as a great piece of engineering and had a higher rate of fire, but was not particularly effective against heavy armor. Edge: Samurai


 * Firearms: The Fire lance was a first in firearm design, and could be deadly at close range, but the first are all too often the worst, and this case is not exception. The bajozutsu, on the other hand, had many of the same features as a the tanegashima musket, including a front and rear sight, meaning it was about as accurate as a you could get with a smoothbore firearm, and had a longer range. Edge: Samurai.


 * Armor: The samurai's armor takes it, as you are going with the later plate armor which they adopted after contact with Europeans. This will give the samurai superior defense to the iron and leather lammellar of the Song Chinese. Edge: Samurai.


 * X-Factors: The Song Chinese fought a wider variety of foes, giving them an edge in combat experience. Both sides were superbly trained swordsmen, however, this fight is between a 13th century Chinese soldier and a 16th century samurai, so the samurai has the edge of 300 years of improvements in technology, most notably matchlock firearms. Edge: Samurai


 * Overall Winner: The Samurai take this because of their superior polearms, bows, firearms, and armor, taking advantage of 300 years of technology. They also have the advantage of greater levels of training. The Song will put up a fight, but the end, the samurai will win this battle.