User blog comment:Kazanshin/Powerhouses of the East: Samurai vs Song Soldier/@comment-379205-20191230012413

119's "Thunder of Hoof and Steel" Edges


 * Swords: The Tachi is an finely crafted blade to be sure, but the Shoudao has a heavier blade. In a battle where both sides are wearing heavy armor, neither blade is particularly likely to cut or punch through the armor, but the heavier blade of the Shoudao at least has a better chance of doing some blunt damage and possibly damaging some of the more lightly protected areas of the armor such as the joint. Edge: Song Cataphract


 * Polearms: The naginata and qudao are similar weapons, both consisting of a blade on top of a shaft. The qudao has a heavier chopping blade that might make it a bit more effective against heavy cavalry on foot, however, the naginata is more maneuverable and versatile, being able to be used as both a thrusting weapon, and even acting as a makeshift lance on horseback. Edge: Samurai


 * Bows: The crossbow was something of an afterthought among the Song cavalry, used as a one-shot weapon to be fired into an enemy formation before charging into a melee, while the bow was the primary weapon of the samurai of the Kamakura period, who used them both in large-scale battles using horse archer tactics and in one-on-one duels. For this reason, the samurai is a much better trained marksman, and can shoot arrows with a rate of fire far greater than the crossbow can achieve. For this reason the samurai and their wakyu take the advantage. EDGE: Samurai


 * Heavy Melee: The Guduo is probably a bit heavier, meaning it will hit with greater force, particularly if swung from horseback, delivering enough percussive force capable of easily breaking bones under the armor. The Masakari produced similar percussive force, but also has a blade, combining both sharp and blunt force like all axes. This essentially gives it two ways to damage armored enemies- it could break the bones under the armor with the blunt force that is focused on a smaller area (the edge of a blade vs the entire mace head) even if the armor isn't pierced, but also has the potential to cleave right through weaker points in the armor such as joints. For his reason, I give a slight edge for the greater damage potential and possibly greater maneuverability of the masakari in spite of its slightly smaller reach. Edge: Samurai

TO BE CONTINUED