User blog comment:El Alamein/Privateer vs. Yang-Fei/@comment-379205-20130822210018

119's "YAAAAR!" Edges


 * Melee: I couldn't find much info on the Yao Tao, but based on a pic of a Chinese billhook, the weapon looked heavy, similar to a Japanese nata, and not particularly good for dual wielding, and lacking a point for thrusting. The Cutlass (and likely the boarding axe as well) is slightly longer than the billhook, and is lighter, meaning faster strikes, and has a point for thrusting. The spike on the boarding axe can also potentially be used as a hook for disarming. Edge: Yang Fei


 * Swords: From the pictures I found on the web, the Cha'ng Ping Tao is a jian-type straight sword. Both the Cha'ng Ping Tao and rapier are mostly thrusting weapons, however, the Cha'ng Ping Tao has a heavier blade, whereas the rapier has a very light blade. The Cha'ng Ping Tao has the right balance of weight- light enough to attack quickly, but heavy enough to be suitable for blocking and slashing. The rapier, on the other hand could be bent or even snapped by a powerful blow from a heavier blade as per this.


 * Long Range: The Caliver takes this easily. Sure it is slow to reload, the bamboo pike has more disadvantages, namely that in a one-on-one fight, it would be rather easy to get past to point of the pike- long pikes are unwieldy in close combat. Also, it might even be possible to cut the bamboo pike in two with cutlass depending on the thickness of the bamboo.

TO BE CONTINUED