Attila the Hun: The barbarian horseman who the Pope had to forge a treaty with.
Vs…
William Wallace: The Scotsman who fought the English for his murdered woman.
Who…is…deadliest?
"These have to be the most brutal warriors for the skills they possess, whether it be from horseback or on foot." Mack said.
"Let's look at the stats." Dorian said.
Attila the Hun:
Circa: 443 BC
Age: 37
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Weapons and Armor:
Scythian Axe
Sword of Mars
Hunnic Composite Bow
Leather Hat
Leather Covered Wooden Shield
Leather Lamellar
William Wallace:
Circa: 1300
Age: 30
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 220 lbs.
Weapons and Armor:
War Hammer
Claymore
Targe
Chainmail
Special Weapons:
Hunnic Composite Bow vs. Targe
"The Hunnic bow was made wood and bone with sinew for the string, at 4 feet long, it had the punching power it needed to go through chainmail, as the Romans found out." the Attila expert said.
To test the effectiveness, an armored torso is set up; the expert will fire three shots as accurately as possible at 50 feet away, then mount a horse and fire the three more shots as he rides towards and away from the target. Geoff gives the countdown and he loads and fires his first arrow, singing through the air and hitting the target in right in the bridge of the nose. He readies his next shot and fires into the air, hitting the target in the throat. He loads his last shot and fires, the arrow digs into the forehead of the target. He runs to his horse and mounts it, then rides to the target. He fires and the arrow goes through the chainmail and into the chest. He turns his horse abruptly right and fires again, hitting the target in the temple. As his horse rides away, he fires his last arrow, hitting the target in the side of the neck. "This is crazy, the accuracy you have with this bow is incredible, the only shot I need to examine is the chest shot." Dr. Dorian removes the arrow. "Wow, you got three inches of the arrow into his body, that would hit the heart, and just like all the other shots you took, it's an instant kill." Dorian said.
"The training Attila and his Huns went through for this weapon was intense, they fired more accurately then any other warrior who used a bow." the Attila expert added.
"But it needs a degree of training, the targe doesn't need any training, you pick it up, defend yourself, and stick it into your opponent's stomach." the Wallace expert said. "And this is the targe, wood covered in cowhide with a steel spike, around 21 inches in diameter and 5 pounds, this protects and attacks, unlike the bow."
The next test has a torso with Attila's armor and the expert must inflict as much damage possible. Geoff gives the countdown and he charges at the torso, then digs the spike right into the chest of the target, then attempts to pull the shield out, but he is stuck. He puts his hand against the torso and pushes, freeing himself. He swing again and digs the spike into the stomach, then leaves it there. "Nice, you went through the armor on both targets and on the first you'd hit heart and spine, instant kill, then you stabbed the spleen, a lot of bleeding, another kill." Dorian said.
"But, he got stuck in the target, if that hit nothing vital, he would survive and stab him with the sword he has if he's dismounted." Mack said.
So which weapon gets the edge? "Composite bow, could puncture the armor and more range." Geoff said.
"The range and accuracy of the bow is incredible, they can fire while they ride away from you, edge bow." Mack said.
"You don't need to retrieve the arrow if it gets stuck in their armor, edge bow." Dorian said.
EDGE: Hunnic Composite Bow
Coming up, a sword from space faces of against one of the biggest swords ever made. Later, Mack looks at the enemies these two warriors squared off against.
Mid Range:
Sword of Mars vs. Claymore
"The Sword of Mars is a difficult sword to reconstruct, being made of meteorite iron, much stronger than the iron here on Earth. A straight blade, double-edged sword weighing 3 pounds and being 31 inches long, it's a very versatile weapon." Dave explained.
To test the effectiveness of foot and horseback, the expert will ride around and slash pig carcasses, then dismount and attack the armored target on foot. Geoff gives the countdown and his horse trots at the first target and he swings, nearly decapitating it. He turns his horse and swings at the next, cutting into the chest. He rides to his last target and slashes at the abdomen. He dismounts and runs to the armored pig and thrusts into the chest; his sword goes through the armor and into the chest. "Great job, the first two strikes need no deliberation. The one in the abdomen will cut through the intestines and cause you to bleed out, another kill. The final pig's heart has been punctured so we have another instant kill." Dorian said.
"But, the reach of the sword is very small, so you have to be very close to hit me, the next sword more than outreaches you." the Wallace expert said.
"The claymore is the biggest sword ever used, at 4½ feet long and 5 pounds, the weight and strong carbon steel of this weapon allows it to cut through anything like butter." Dave explained.
To test the cutting power of the sword, the expert must cut and stab an unarmored pig, then stab and cut an armored pig. Geoff gives the countdown and he cuts the pig in half, then stabs through the neck, two and a half feet of blade now out the other side of the neck. He runs to the next pig and stabs straight through the lamellar and into the chest of the pig, a foot of blade sticking out the back of the pig. He swings at the shield and nearly cuts it in half. He steps back and delivers a massive swing, cutting through the armor and halfway through the pig. "Oh my God, the cutting ability of this sword is incredible, it's actually able to cut through the lamellar and into the body, these are all instant kills." Dorian said.
"But, it takes a huge swing to get the blow you want from this sword, so if we close the distance, you're dead." the Attila expert said.
So which mid range weapon gets the edge? "I have to say claymore, the cutting power is tremendous on it, it's the only slashing weapon I've seen go through leather lamellar." Geoff said.
"I can't decide, the short comings of short reach and big swing add up and the versatility and reach of these weapons makes me give the edge to both." Mack said.
"I have to go claymore, so much power is in that weapon and it's a destructive weapon." Dorian said.
EDGE: Claymore
Coming up, Mack sees how these warriors fought their main foes. Later, Attila's lightning-quick axe faces William's heavy duty hammer.
Enemy's Perspective:
Roman Empire vs. England
"Why did Attila decide to attack Rome?" Mack asked.
"He saw Rome as a problem for his growing empire, so he attacked them, over and over again. He had many more battles than William Wallace and many more victories for that matter, he was actually the reason Rome fell. He scared them so badly the Pope had to make a treaty with him, and even after he continued to attack Rome until his death. Even after his empire collapsed, Rome was so weak that they were invaded and taken over." the Attila expert explained.
"Why did William want to fight the English?" Mack asked.
"His wife was killed by the English and he swore revenge against them. He'd lead many ambushes and take out small groups of English knights. He was great at rallying his troops and England now feared the savage Scots under their leader. But they did manage to capture him. He was tried for treason, tortured, and executed, all the while the English still feared what he might do until they knew his body had been destroyed." the Wallace expert said.
So whose campaign against their enemies gets the edge? "While William fought for his country, he fought out of hate and anger, that would be devastating to have your emotions take over you on the battlefield, not to mention he was captured and killed. Attila eventually brought down the Roman Empire after his death and made them fear him as much as they did Hannibal, edge Attila."
EDGE: Roman Empire Persecution
Close Range:
Scythian Axe vs. War Hammer
"The Scythian axe was a very fast weapon. At 2½ feet long and 2½ pounds, the axe is very small but very easy to control and maneuver. The iron head has to edges, one for hacking through an enemy, one for impaling skulls and helmets." Dave said.
To test how effective the axe is, a gel torso is brought in with William Wallace's chainmail. He must try to do as much damage in 15 seconds. Geoff gives the countdown and he swings downward, slashing through skull and face vertically. He swings the axe around and digs the pick-end into the chest, ripping a big hole in the chainmail. He switches back again and chops left and right, cutting off both arms. He swings at the neck as Geoff yells, "Time!", nearly decapitating the gel torso. "God, you guys are brutal, first, you cut his face in half, punctured his heart, cut his arms off, and almost decapitated him all in under 15 seconds." Dorian said.
"It's a very fast weapon but you won't get that close to us, especially with the war hammer." the Wallace expert said.
"The war hammer was a simple yet deadly weapon, it's wood and steel combined in a 27 inch long, 2½ pounds, it has the weight and speed to make a killing blow very quickly." Dave said.
The next test is set up and the target is given Attila's lamellar and shield, but a horseback mannequin will be deployed. Geoff gives the countdown and he swings the pick head of the hammer at the skull, impaling it and splitting it in half down the middle inside the skin. He switches heads again and swings the hammerhead at the shield, denting the leather. He comes up high and swings at the side of the head, gouging a large hole in the side and top of the skull. Just as Geoff yells that the horse has been released, he swings the pick end into the armor of the static target, going through the armor and into the abdomen. He struggles for a second to get the pick end out of the armor and turns and swings blindly at the horseback target, digging the pick into the abdomen area through the armor and rips the mannequin off the horse. He frees his hammer again and swings at the chest with the hammer end, denting the armor heavily. "Nice job, the first two shots to the head would scramble his brains and the shot to the stomach would puncture the spleen and cause him to bleed out. On the horse, you struck the liver which would also cause a large amount of bleeding, then smashed his ribs over his heart, contusing it and possible sending the ribs into the heart. So, every shot with this weapon was a kill. But, when it hit the shield, it didn't register enough force to break and arm behind it and the pick end would have enough force to maybe get barely through the shield but not touch the arm behind it." Dorian explained.
"But, he struggled to get out of the armor, even if it was a kill, he'd have to leave it in the corpse or get attacked while he's trying to extract it." the Attila expert said.
So which close range weapon gets the edge? "I give it to the Scythian axe, it's faster, more maneuverable, and it won't get stuck in Attila's armor." Geoff said.
"I have to go with the war hammer, it did more damage, even if it was stuck in the armor, it's a dead guy every time it hits." Dorian said.
"I have to give the Scythian axe the edge, faster and no stick results." Mack said.
EDGE: Scythian Axe
The final step before the final battle between these two combatants is their X-factors. "First, we have strategy, we gave Attila an 84 and Wallace a 76 based on Attila's horse tactics and Wallace's ambushes. For logistics, again, Attila had to be well prepared to fight his wars; we gave Attila an 86 to Wallace's 83. For physicality, we gave Attila an 89 and Wallace a 91 because Wallace was massive and he had every weapon would stab, puncture, or bludgeon in his arsenal. For generalship, we gave Attila an 89 and Wallace a 90 because Wallace rallied his troops into a blood-hungry mob ready to start a riot. For endurance, we gave Attila a 91 to Wallace's 88 because if you ride horses for hours or days at a time, you have to be tough. Finally, for audacity, we gave Attila a 94 and Wallace an 89 because Attila actually went back on a treaty he made with the Pope, the most powerful man on Earth." Rob said.
"Only thing left to do is throw the switch." Geoff said and Rob clicks a button.
o o o o o Attila
O O O O O Wallace
Wallace and his Scottish rebels are seen training in a pasture near Scottish castle. He teaches them how to block sword blows and use the shield as a weapon. He hears a horse whinny and looks to see Attila and four of his Hunnic horsemen. Attila bears his teeth as he orders two of his archers to fire as he and his other horsemen charge. They knock their arrows and fire, the arrows fly through the air and one bounces of William's targe, the other hit a Scotsman in the antecubital, who promptly rips the arrow out. He drops grabs his war hammer but immediately drops it, and falls to the ground, his antecubital vein torn (Ø). Attila and his horsemen stop abruptly and turn right from the Scotsmen and fire their arrows, one strikes Wallace in the shoulder, knocking him off his feet, the other two hit another Scotsman in the eyes (Ø). Wallace rises up and grabs his claymore sticking in the ground and leads his remaining Scotsmen in a charge. The two horsemen left behind by Attila charge at Wallace and his men, who split apart, 5 feet from one another. Wallace runs straight through the middle of the Huns and ducks the swings of their Scythian axes. Before the horsemen can recover, the Scotsmen bury the pick-ends of their hammers into their stomachs and rip them to the ground. The Scotsmen right of Wallace brings his hammer above his head and smashes down into the temple of the Hun, opening the entire right side of his skull (ø), the other Scotsmen raises his arm in the air and drops down onto the chest of the Hun with his shield, burying the spike into his heart (ø). As the Wallace and his Scotsman run towards the other Huns, the Scotsman who spiked the Hun struggles to free his targe. He hears the rapid trampling of a horse coming at him and looks up as Attila's axe hacks into his throat, throwing the Scotsman back as blood shoots out of his neck like a geyser (Ø). Attila's horsemen turn around as the remaining Scotsmen charge at them. As the horses approach them, the remaining Scotsman drops back as Wallace spins around with his claymore sticking out from him, slicing the front legs off the horse, throwing Huns off their horses and making them land face first with a hard thud. Wallace runs to the downed Huns and stabs one through the back of his spine and out his abdomen (ø) and walks to the next and brings his sword over head and swings down, cutting his head in half horizontally (ø). But Attila rides up from behind them and swings his Scythian axe, burying the thin head into the back of the last Scotsman's head (Ø). Seeing Wallace's sword for the first time, Attila decides to dismount his horse and grabs his bow and arrow and fires, but Wallace steps aside and chops the arrow in half in midair. Attila drops his bow and draws his Sword of Mars and shield. He runs at Wallace and ducks under a big swing and tries to stab him in the leg but Wallace jumps back. He brings his sword above his head and drives the point at Attila, who rolls out of the way and leaves his shield, the claymore goes through it and into the ground. He lifts his sword but the shield is now stuck to the sword and he swings the sword to get it off but it continues to stay. Attila rises to his feet and charges at Wallace, but is met by a slash across the abdomen, cutting through his lamellar and into his flesh. Attila wobbles back and sees Wallace take the shield off his sword and fling it aside. He and Wallace stare at eachother for a long time before they charge at eachother again. Wallace thrusts his sword forward as they come within range of eachother, but Attila jukes right as Wallace thrusts his sword. He grasps his sword in his right hand and slashes backhanded at Wallace, slicing his throat open. Wallace drops to his knees and holds at his throat as blood flows like a river from his cut throat. Attila walks behind Wallace and grabs his sword with two hands and brings it back for a baseball swing lets his swing fly. His sword cuts smoothly through the rest of Wallace's intact neck and his head pops a few feet in the air and lands on the ground in front of the now slumped over corpse (Ø). Attila picks up Wallace's head and ties the hair to the strap of his horse's saddle, then rides off with his new prize after retrieving his bow and axe.
Attila Wallace
Scythian Axe-54% War Hammer-46%
Sword of Mars-40% Claymore-60%
Hunnic Composite Bow-67% Targe-33%
Armor Fail Rate: Armor Fail Rate:
Armor: 90% Armor: 89%
Shield: 81% Shield: 2%
2,521 Wins 2,479 Wins
X-Factors
Strategy: 84 Strategy: 76
Logistics: 86 Logistics: 83
Physicality: 89 Physicality: 91
Generalship: 89 Generalship: 90
Endurance: 91 Endurance: 88
Audacity: 94 Audacity: 89
"The reason Attila won was because of his archery and horse skills, no matter how big Wallace's claymore was, Attila's arrow could easily outreach it." Mack said.
Next week: It's the final battle of ancient legends: Spartacus: the Roman gladiator turned rebellion leader who surprised the Roman army by defeating the more disciplined Roman legions.
Vs…
Leonidas of Sparta: The Spartan king who fought along side all his Spartan brethren and died along with them at the Battle of Thermopylae after holding off a quarter million Persians for 3 days.
Who will be…the deadliest warrior?
