User blog comment:MilenHD/Celtic Chieftain vs Varangian Guard/@comment-5232784-20150620234629

Celting Cannonade time, kids!

1. Short range

In ancient battles between the Romans and Celts, European armies would not just run towards their enemies head on, but would ofen (if not always) together and walk towards their enemy, bumping into them when they engaged. When Celts and Romans slammed into each other, the former found themselves at a disadvantage: in such tight close quarters, with soldiers touching you shoulder to shoulder, and with one right behind you and an enemy soldier in your face, a huge, long sword is not ver maneuverable. There just isn't much space to use it properly. The Spatha, on the other hand, is short and well suited to such conflicts, highly maneuverbale in such close quarters. That's why he Roman Gladius did so well against the Celtic longsword. And while the Celtic chieftan will be using the same weapon with the same tactics, the Varangian guard will come from a time when tactics are more advanced, yet still stems from Roman tradition (The Byzantine Empire is for all intents and purposes the eastern Roman empire).

The battle tactics in the Varangian times might not, however, have called for such bumping instead of running tactics, and thus the Celtic sword might be better used. And since this is a one on one engagement, without the cramped nature of ancient warfare, the celtic longsword will be wielded with more precision and maneuverability on the battlefield. Combined with its superior punch and speed, the Celtic Chieftain has a major edge.

EDGE: CELTIC CHIEFTAIN!

2. Mid range

Not only is the Lancea the longer weapon, it can be thrown more easily than the Dane Axe, and with more accuracy. The Dane axe will hit harder, and one could potentially cut the lancea in half with a downward stroke of the Dane axe, but range and superior accuracy in throwing gives the Chieftain another advantage.

EDGE: CELTIC CHIEFTAIN!!!!

3. Long range:

The Toxton bow is lighter and shorter than the more cumbersome Celtic bow, but it lacks in range. Plus, it hits harder.

EDGE: CELTIC CHIEFTAIN

4. Special

The shield makes for a larger weapon than the dagger, and serves as far better protection, but it does not have the range or lethality of the dagger. Protection and size/power vs lethality and range, to me it comes as a tie.

EDGE: DEAD EVEN!

5. X factors:

Both warriors have equal armor, but while the Varangian guard has better training, the Celtic Chieftain has superior brutality and battlefield experience. I've never been much of a fan of the brutality department (Rattles of Honey badgers are more brutal than any human soldier, but none are going to kill a Navy Seal), but battle experience is important. Still, superior training to me defeats superior experience: A frreshly trained British SAS soldier will mop the floor with a regular, well seasoned American army soldier. Training is key.

EDGE: VARANGIAN GUARD

The Varangian guard has superior training and equal armor with the Celtic Chieftain, but his weapons are inferior save for the special (and even then they are tied). What does this for me, though, is that, while the Varangian guard has superior training, Celtic warriors were excellent at unconventional warfare. They could fight like devils in guerilla warfare, hitting from the shadows and heading out. They could sneak up and kill Roman soldiers from behind, they could hide in the woods and foilage and strike before enemy soldiers knew they were there. While in open pitched battles Celts were often defeated by Romans, in suprise attacks from the woods, they dominated. The guard will not be able to fully adapt to such maneuvers. Thus, combined with superior weapons and experience, the Celtic Chieftain reigns supreme.

CELTIC CHIEFTAIN CHOKESLAMS VARANGIAN GUARD!!!!!!