User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 4: Ganzorig (Wass) v Tiberius Proditus (EA)/@comment-27244420-20160611041851/@comment-4661256-20160611045220

For your long range comparison, the effective range of the bow doesn't matter because of the size of the arena. Since it's only 20 m in diameter, no matter where either warrior stands, they'll be in effective range of the other warrior's weapon. However, the darts are much lighter, much quicker to deploy, and far more practical for a fight of this nature (a one-on-one duel).

For your special weapons comparison, the pugio dagger is much lighter and quicker than the mace, and Tiberius will likely be able to anticipate and avoid Ganzorig's attacks with this weapon. Remember, both warriors have more or less the same amount of weight on their bodies in terms of armor, so it's not like Ganzorig can try to be quicker than his opponent when he's wielding the heavier weapon. The pugio also has a larger killing surface area with its blade (as the mace's killing surface area is restricted to only the mace's head), so if Tiberius closes that distance then the pugio will be more practical and more usable in close quarters than that mace will. Speed, killing surface area, and a more practical application in close quarters means the pugio will be deadlier.

So, basically, you're telling me that Ganzorig has the more effective weapons when you only gave him two edges (both of which I just contested), especially when going up against a warrior with better armor? With the scutum, Tiberius has a very versatile tool that is not only a defensive implement, but also a potential weapon and certainly a formidable physical obstacle. The arena is not nearly large enough to allow Ganzorig to capitalize off of his potential ranged advantage, so once Tiberius closes that distance, his greater armor coverage and his shorter-ranged arsenal will favor his fighting style.