User blog comment:Leolab/DFWiki Anniversary battle: Dalinar vs Marsh/@comment-4661256-20120724230821

El Alamein's "Blank, Confused Expression" Edges:

Close Range: Armored Fists vs. Pewter-Enhanced Fists: I like the Armored Fists because they're souped-up brass knuckles - a Cestus that actually works in one hit, if you will. And a hit like that is seriously going to mess up somebody's game plan - breaking ribs and causing internal bleeding like that will end the game a lot quicker than the victim would let on. The Pewter-Enhanced Fists appear to be a good deal faster than the Armored Fists (in the test it said he moved faster than the eye processed, so it's like being hit with a fist-sized bullet) and when it comes to up-close combat, being able to land repeated hits like that is going to allow you to continuously land blows while the opponent struggles to shake the pain off. I ultimately have to agree with Leolab that the Pewter-Enhanced Fists get the edge not only because it's the lowest level of an already powerful attack, but because the lowest level of this attack is enough to surpass Dalinar's Armored Fists. Edge: Marsh

Mid Range: War Hammer vs. Obsidian Axe: The War Hammer is two handed, and the Axe has been confirmed by Leolab as one-handed, because honestly I pictured the obsidian axe as a Bardiche-style weapon, but I guess it's not. Anyway, the War Hammer will be influenced by Marsh's Allomantic abilities because it is made of metal - that gives Dalinar a problem when trying to excercise his mid-range game. The Obsidian Axe has the disadvantage of a shorter length but I like the fact that it's one-handed, because you can recover from a missed swing a lot easier and allows for quicker follow-up strikes. I like Obsidian as a material anyway, and while metal would normally be a superior material for a weapon it simply isn't when your opponent can manipulate it. Edge: Marsh

Special: Shardplate vs. Allomantic Abilities: Shardplate is already at a disadvantage because there is a way to disable its usefulness, by destroying the orbs of energy it harnesses for its defensive purposes. As was said above, "the Shardplate is an amazing defense, but it's best not to rely on it too much against an overwhelmingly strong or fast opponent." That's exactly what Marsh is, an overwhelmingly strong and fast opponent. The Shardplate is an excellent defense but its severe flaws make it something I wouldn't want to chance wearing, even if the odds of it breaking are "slim". I'm not going to go too in-depth on the Allomantic Abilities because there's so much information up there, but basically these spikes are an intense mixture of offense and defense, so they can protect Marsh as he wields their properties but they can harm Dalinar too, which is why it gets my edge. Edge: Marsh

One-Hit Kill: Oathbringer vs. Spike: Sure, Oathbringer is more visually impressive, but the Spike is almost like a Harry Potter Imperio curse - you can control the victim and make them kill themself. However, Dalinar is strong willed, and I'm not certain as to how it would affect him. Oathbringer is like Avada Kedavra, doesn't matter who you are or what you wear, it kills you - that's why it gets my edge. Much quicker and much cleaner. Edge: Dalinar

Winner: Marsh

Oathbringer is a close-ranged weapon and it's not enough to carry the game for Dalinar, considering everything else Marsh is throwing at him has greater reach or greater range than Oathbringer. Allomantic powers are some serious crap to worry about and even though Dalinar isn't bringing in a full-metal arsenal the War Hammer will suffer severe drawbacks in its efficiency in combat. The Allomantic powers can protect Marsh while dealing damage to Dalinar, and up-close Oathbringer may be countered by the Pewter-Enhanced Fists and the speed at which Marsh can use them. Dalinar's a strong and proud warrior but Marsh is faster and he's got enhancements to increase almost every aspect of his arsenal and of his fighting style, and this is why he wins.