User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Spartan vs. Tlingit/@comment-379205-20181017030548

'''119's "THIS IS ALASKA!" Edges'''


 * Swords: Both weapons are made of steel, but neither is really of the greatest steel around, the Tlingit, depending on the period we're looking at here, might have been relatively recently introduced to the material by Europeans (though by the 1840s, they were making much higher-quality steel weapons), and Spartans being very early in the iron age, when the material was just starting to appear and forging techniques were less advanced. While the Tlingit sword has that interesting pommel dagger, which could come in useful, it could just as easily cause a potentially deadly accident- i.e. cutting yourself. For this reason I give the edge to the slightly longer, more conventionally designed Xiphos.


 * Mid-Range: The Dory takes this easily as it is longer and has a sharp point, unlike the blunt club. This will make it more likely to punch through the Tlingit's wooden armor than the club would through the Spartan's bronze plates.


 * Long Range: The Bow and arrow might not have the penetration power to take out the Spartan's bronze armor, but even the Tlingit's wooden armor would be tough to punch through with a throw spear, so this will probably come down to melee combat unless someone gets really lucky. Still, I give a slight edge to the Tlingit Bow for its superior range.


 * Shields: The Tlingit shield is an impressive piece of craftsmanship its own right, however, the aspis seems to be a lot sturdier and more difficult to penetrate with its layers of bronze and wood. Edge: Spartan Aspis


 * X-Factors: Both sides were raised as warriors from childhood and trained in combat and resilience to pain and harsh conditions. The two were both experienced warriors, albeit with very different tactics, so I'll call them about even in that as well. The one thing that gives the Spartans an edge is their superior armor, made for bronze, which will prove more resistant to damage than the Tlingit's mostly wooden armor.


 * Overall Winner: The Tlingit are going to put up one hell of a fight in this battle, but in the edge, I give a hard-won victory to the Spartans for their superior metallurgy, as seen with their iron weapons and bronze armor.