User blog comment:Deathblade 100/Ancient Greek Killers: Hector of Troy vs Xerxes I/@comment-4661256-20160706225933

El Alamein's "Dissenting Opinion" Edges:

 Close Range: Kopis vs. Akinakes:  The kopis actually only has a blade length of around 65 cm (which is 25 inches, so your three feet is incorrect), but it's still longer than the akinakes' 14-18 inch blade. The kopis is a single-edged chopping or thrusting blade, and its design makes this especially effective because of its "pitch" or widened area toward the point. The akinakes is double-edged, but this doesn't really give it an advantage against a single-edged weapon because it's designed for quick, thrusting attacks. In my opinion, the akinakes actually wins out simply because the kopis was primarily a cavalry weapon (the xiphos was the standard infantry weapon as it was a straight-bladed sword) so it will be out of its element on foot. (Chariots are not the same thing as cavalry and these blades are much too short to effectively reach an opponent while on a chariot.) Yes, the kopis will still have a longer reach and will have a deadlier chop to it, but the akinakes is designed as an infantry weapon and its shorter blade will help Xerxes if he closes the distance.

Edge: Xerxes I

 Mid Range: Javelin vs. Persian Spear:  Obvious edge for the Persian spear. For one thing it's by far the superior weapon on a chariot as it actually possesses sufficient reach to make use of the momentum being put behind the tip of the weapon, but even on foot it still wins. The javelin is simply far too inaccurate to be used against individual targets (and being on a moving platform like a chariot will probably only make Hector's aim worse, not better), and it's considerably shorter than the spear, so even if the Trojans tried to use it in a melee fashion they'd be outranged. In this case the longer reach is advantageous because it allows the Persians to keep their opponents at bay; if the Trojans did close the distance the Persians can always switch to their swords (or just grip the spear halfway up the shaft and use it as a shorter weapon). The spear is more versatile and, in general, more effective.

Edge: Xerxes I

 Long Range: Trojan Bow vs. Persian Bow:  They're functionally the same exact weapons. Neither weapon is a precision weapon and any "great shots" that the Trojans pulled off were usually the result of outright divine intervention (or at the very least guidance) by Apollo (since he sided with the Trojans during the war). Since Apollo isn't present in this fight (for obvious balance reasons) we can assume that the Trojans won't be performing 360° no-scopes or anything like that. As a result, in a 3-on-3 fight, bows probably won't actually be super effective (especially not when fast-moving chariots are involved).

Edge: Even

 Special Weapons: Labrys Axe vs. Sagaris:  I cannot disagree with everyone else enough (except for you, Master of Awesomeness, you go, bro) and especially MilenHD, because the Labrys axe is a ceremonial weapon (as is mentioned ad nauseum on pretty much any other website you look at if you Google "Labrys axe"). The only actual function it had was as a tool (a hewing axe), but this doesn't make it much better for a fight. "The most brutal and iconic battle axe in history," as Milen erroneously calls it, loses out against a much more functional weapon in the sagaris, which is lighter, faster, and actually designed to be a weapon. I feel sorry for the poor sap who has to lug around this axe to the fight because he's getting killed.

Edge: Xerxes I

 Armor: Bronze Cuirass vs. Bronze Scales:  Again, I must fervently disagree with many of the bronze cuirass supporters out there. For one thing, both armors are made of the same exact material, so I don't understand how you can claim that the cuirass "is more durable." If anything, the leather padding underneath the bronze scales (as well as the overall better protection afforded to the wearer of the scales because of its layered design) will make Xerxes' armor much more effective. I can't speak very well in terms of which weapons will pierce their opponent's armors, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that at least Xerxes will be able to put some serious dents in that cuirass that will hurt Hector, while Hector's weapons will have a harder time against the scale armor.

Edge: Xerxes I

 X-Factors:  Hector gets an edge here. As a warrior, he's much more capable and experienced than Xerxes is, and probably holds higher influence over his men as a result. That being said, Xerxes' troops are certainly the more professional ones and the metallurgical advantages that he possesses will play heavily in his favor when calculating the overall outcome.

Edge: Hector of Troy

WINNER: XERXES I

I know that Hector is going to win at this point simply because of popular opinion, but I wanted to get in at least one solid defense of Xerxes "for the record." For one thing, two of Hector's weapons flat-out suck and will do absolutely nothing to help him in this fight (looking at you two, javelin and Labrys axe). That aside, Xerxes' weapons are much more versatile on a chariot (I can't say that I see any of Hector's weapons having enough reach or the mobility to be effective on a chariot), while on foot he has much more operational flexibility. What I mean by that is he has the capacity to fight effectively at all ranges (the extreme close range of the akinakes and sagaris which will work against the kopis' reach, the good mid range of the spear which outreaches the rest of Hector's hand-held weapons, and his ability to hold his own at long range with the bow) while Hector's best bet is pretty much with his kopis (as the javelin and axe are terrible, terrible weapons while long range with the bow is pretty much a wash). Not only that, but Xerxes' bronze scale armor is probably superior to Hector's cuirass thanks to the protection afforded by its layered design. Combine that with the professionalism of his troops and you have a winning combo that Hector's one-man-army champion status won't be able to overcome.