User blog comment:Leolab/Ancient User Tourney, Round 12: Hirai Norio (Cfp) v Gaius Leopold (Wandering Skull)/@comment-3189283-20160812185826

Let's see shall we

Initial

It really is a close call between both of these warriors favoured weapon. Salt gives Gaius the reach advantage over Hirai, further accentuated by Hirai's swordfighting style which revolves heavily around short cuts, and it also weighs more, giving Gaius more power behind his blows. However this heavier weight also works in Hirai's favour as his significantly lighter Exiled Companion can be swung much quicker and Gaius's one eye will make his depth perception worse as well as leaving him with a blind spot for Hirai to take advantage of. It really is a tough one but I have to give a slight edge to Salt here. As well as the aforementioned points the fact that it can be used both one handed and two handed means it can also be used in conjuction with his shield should he pick that up as well as just being useful in a general swordfight.

Edge: Gaius Leopold

Short Range

The Axe and Shield are a solid mixture of defence and offence and the shield helps Gaius to protect the areas of his body that his armour leaves vulnerable as well as a blunt trauma instrument to knock Hirai off balance or even flat on the ground. Moreover the shorter reach actually works in its favour as it allows Gaius to get right up in Hirai's face and make his Katana much less effective even with his unique swordfighting style he will still struggle to deal with it.

Edge: Gaius Leopold 

TBC