User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Pier Gerlofs Donia vs. Zhu Yuanzhang/@comment-379205-20190105035659

'''119's "The Mountain's Got Nothing On This!" Edges'''


 * Swords: The Katzbalger has a double edge, giving it more versatility and crossguard to defend against attacks, allowing it to effectively cut, thrust, and parry. Add to that that the Katzbalger would be more likely to punch through Zhu's armor- don't get me wrong, it won't be easy, but it's more likely than a dao going through plate armor. Edge: Pier Gerlof's Donia


 * Polearms: Both weapons are long spears, meaning they are actually sub-optimal for the type of small unit close combat in this fight- they are simply too long- great for warding off cavalry when used in long formations, but in a five VS five fight, 5-6 foot spear would be more useful, and I can see the unwieldy long weapons being dropped in favor of swords quickly. Even


 * Firearms: The triple-barrel pole gun has three shots, but it also uses a less advanced ignition system which runs the risk of the user dropping the match and having to pick it up just to fire again. The matchlock of the arquebus has plenty of flaws, but at least it holds the match in a mechanism to allow firing with the pull of a trigger. Not to mention the stock makes the arquebus easier to aim. Edge: Pier Gerlofs Donia


 * Special Weapons: The two aren't directly comparable, but the zweihander is a going to be more useful in this fight. Land mines, like pikes, are generally more useful in an ambush, ideally against a larger group of enemies. In addition to the Zweihander being more useful in a close-in five vs five fight, the land mine requires the victim to activate the trap, which they may not if they don't think the bait is worth taking as a trophy, and even if it remote activated by a pull-string as Ming land mines sometimes were, they victim still has to actually stand where the mine is placed for it to work. The land mine could do a lot of damage if everything goes right, but the zweihander will do a lot of damage so long as the user gets within melee distance of the enemy, a much more likely occurrence. Edge: Pier Gerlofs Donia


 * X-Factors: Yeah, Pier takes armor easily for his plate armor which nothing that Zhu has, save for the land mine and maybe the pole gun has any chance of punching through, meaning it will make attacks against much of the body of Pier and his men useless, while the Frisian's weapons can much more easily pierce through the lighter armor of the Chinese, especially in the case of a seven-foot sword in the hands of a giant. Both of them are experienced combatants, but Pier fought more advanced and heavily armed and armored adversaries, giving him a slight edge. On the other hand, Zhu is a more skilled martial artist, whereas Pier no doubt quickly learned to fight given his fearsome reputation, but started out as a farmer, not a soldier, and learned the art of war "on the job". Pier also has a massive advantage in terms of strength, making him a formidable personal combatants.


 * Winner: Pier Gerlofs Donia takes the victory thanks to the combination of his more advanced weapons and armor, particularly his full plate armor, as well as his simple brute strength which will make him a formidable foe in personal combat.