Author's Note: I wanted to start by giving a very special thanks to Solid G3 Legend for suggesting the Swiss Guard.
For the longest time the French Musketeer had been one of my "most wanted" warriors I wanted to feature in this fic, but I kept running into roadblocks in regards as to whom I wanted to match him up against, but thankfully Solid reached out and initially suggested I should do the Swiss Guard vs. Ottoman Janissaries. Granted I already had my plans for the Janissary against the Ming Warrior, but I was able to put the Guard to use in a "battle of the bodyguards" against the Musketeer, so in the end all played out well.
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French Musketeer: The King's ruthless personal guard and fierce defenders of France's borders…
(A French Musketeer cuts down a rebelling peasant with a well-placed shot from his flintlock musket.)
Vs.
Swiss Guard: The de facto military of the Vatican City charged with the safety of the Pope
(A group of Swiss Guards are shown exchanging gunfire with Landsknechts attacking an important structure.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?
To find out, we've assembled a team of world class fighters to test history's most lethal weapons. Using 21st century science, we'll see what happens when two warriors go toe to toe.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is…THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Here in our elite fight club we have gathered doctors, medical scientists and weapons experts to test out the lethal arsenals wielded by each of our combatants to determine who would win a fight between two warriors who never met in a face to face duel:
French Musketeer
Circa: 1745 A.D.
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Armor:
Steel Cuirass
Swiss Guard
Circa: 1527 A.D.
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Armor:
Steel Cuirass with Spaulders
Morion Helmet
"This is a battle I have always pondered the outcome of," Richard "Mack" Machowicz started, "These are two warriors who were fiercely devoted to their charges. They were highly trained, highly disciplined and were provided the best weaponry of their time."
"I'm siding with the Swiss Guard," Geoff Desmoulin started, "They have the professional military training, the advanced weaponry of their day and the resolve."
"I'm siding with the French Musketeer," Dr. Armand Dorian countered, "They might wear gaudy clothes, but beneath all that flash is a real badass who can take you down in more ways than one. They were well taken care of. They had the best training, the best weapons and the best medical care of the time."
Founded in 1622, King Louis XIII formed the Musketeers of the Guard as his personal bodyguards. In addition to their bodyguard work, they also served on the frontlines in numerous conflicts where they would clash with Spanish, Belgian, Swiss and Dutch musketeers, often coming out on top.
"They were among the most prestigious of the military companies of the Ancien Regime, and in principle the companies would be reserved for nobles, meaning they would have the best of everything," Mack explained.
Musketeers fought in battle both on foot as infantry and on horseback as dragoons, one of their most famous exploits being the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, where the King's musketeers served as the regular cavalry, charging the British infantry with drawn swords. They would continue to fight fiercely in the service of the King until 1776, when they were disbanded by King Louis XVI.
"They were the ultimate rock stars of their day, respected and feared alike by the public and those who fought against them. It was their famed kinship and fighting spirit that galvanized them into popular culture," Mack concluded.
The Musketeer was equipped for battle with the best weapons available:
Short Range: Rapier
Mid-Range: Flintlock Pistol
Long Range: Flintlock Musket
Special Weapon: Pike
But today, the Musketeer will be going against an equally dangerous adversary charged with protecting one of the most important figures in the world.
Founded in 1506, the Swiss Guard was comprised of military volunteers who provided their services to protect nobles and other high-ranking officials during ceremonies and court functions, the most famous unit being the Pontifical Swiss Guard founded by Pope Sixtus IV for his personal protection.
"These are men who had undergone professional military training before their service to the Pope. They have engaged in countless conflicts and have been able to save the lives of Popes in the past, most famously Clement VII during the Sacking of Rome," Mack explained.
Formally known as 'The Stand of the Swiss Guard,' 147 of the 189 guards, including their commander, died while fighting mutinous troops of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. Their brave actions enabled Pope Clement VII to safely escape through the Passetto di Borgo. In commemoration of the Sack and the Guard's bravery, today's recruits are sworn in on May 6th of every year.
"They had honor, they had discipline, they had resolve and above all they had fierce loyalty to their charge. They were the defenders of the church's freedom and they would fight to the death to preserve that freedom, that alone would make them some of the deadliest warriors of their day," Mack concluded.
The Swiss Guard was known for carrying the top weapons of the day as they fought fiercely to defend their charges:
Short Range: Schiavona
Mid-Range: Wheelock Pistol
Long Range: Arquebus
Special Weapon: Halberd
Both warriors were known as skilled swordsmen and they each came equipped with innovative swords for carrying out their duties. Up first will be the Musketeer with the rapier.
"The rapier was a trademark weapon of the musketeer, one of his most trusted next to his trademark musket," Dave Baker started, "It was a stabbing weapon also known for its excellent parrying capabilities. It had a long, thin and flexible steel blade that would wiggle and cause more trauma to a victim, also coming equipped with a hilt to protect the user's hand. It was 4 feet long and weighed 3 pounds."
Hank was equipped with a rapier and was practicing his fencing moves with another staff member as the crew wheeled two ballistic gel torsos over to him.
"Alright Hank, we want to see what that sword can do to both unarmored and armored adversaries," Geoff said motioning to the two torsos, "First we want you to attack the unarmored target and then we want you to charge the armored torso so we can see its effect. Whenever you are ready."
Hank nodded and got into position.
"Alright Hank, on 3…2…1, make your charge!"
Hank shot his rapier outward into the torso's chest, letting it wiggle for a bit before pulling it out and thrusting a little lower into its abdomen, then striking at its throat, a fourth strike through its synthetic eyeball and lastly into its other eye.
With the unarmored torso dealt with he made his way over to the torso outfitted with the Swiss Guard's steel cuirass and spaulders, thrusting the rapier into the steel surface. He only managed to leave a dent and went to stab again, this time penetrating the surface successfully before pulling the blade out again and thrusting into the inanimate enemy's eye.
With his enemy's defeated Dr. Dorian made his way over first to examine the unarmored torso, "According to our readings you managed to score 5 strikes in 16 seconds on this guy. Your first strike stabbed between two ribs and pierced this man's heart, that plus the additional trauma caused by you wiggling the blade will result in a kill. Your second strike pierced this man's abdomen and right into his colon, probably won't kill him immediately or even on the day of the injury, but the following sepsis will eventually. Your third strike severed both the jugular and carotid artery, instant kill. The fourth strike went right through the synthetic eyeball and into the brain, cutting off all his basic life functions, ditto on the last strike to the other eye."
He then made his way over to the armored torso to assess the damage, "Your first strike failed to penetrate, so he's going to survive that if that's all you can do. Your second strike achieved penetration and went deep enough to possibly strike the intestine beneath the flesh, which will kill if left untreated. Your last strike again destroyed the man's eye and traveled through to his brain, cutting off all functions and resulting in an instant kill."
"Your average thrusting speed was 5.9 feet per second, the rough equivalent of 4 mph," Geoff reported.
"That blade is too thin and looks like it wants to snap when you leave it lodged in like that, plus it's mostly a thrusting weapon. My sword can thrust and slash effectively when used in combat," Jerry spoke up.
The Swiss Guard responds with the schiavona.
"The schiavona was a basket-hilted sword that became popular in Renaissance-era Italy, known for its distinctive hand guard made up of many leaf-shaped brass or iron bars attached to a cross-bar and knuckle bow rather than the pommel," Dave explained, "It was seen as a true broadsword when compared to contemporary civilian rapiers due to its wider double-edged blade. Able to cut and thrust with equal effectiveness, it was 3 feet long and weighed 5 pounds."
Jerry took a few practice swings with his schiavona before approaching two gel torso set up similarly to Hank's test.
"Alright Jerry, it's the same test for you. We've never had the chance to see a schiavona in action and we want to see what that can do," Geoff said.
"You got it," Jerry said getting into position.
"On 3…2…1, en guarde!" Geoff shouted.
Jerry launched himself at the unarmored torso, stabbing once into its chest and then into its belly before going higher and stabbing into its throat, then once into its skull before drawing his arm back and slashing into its neck.
Making his way towards the armored torso, he shot his blade forward and managed to penetrate around its stomach area before going higher and stabbing into its chest, leaving a small hole before he again went higher and thrust into its unprotected neck.
"You managed to score 5 strikes on the unarmored torso as well and you pulled it off in 15 seconds, just one second ahead of the rapier," Dr. Dorian said making his way over to the unarmored torso to assess the damage, "Your first thrust, although not as clean, went between this guy's ribs and perforated his heart, an instant kill. Your second strike tore through this man's intestines and in a position where it will sever his spinal cord, another kill. Your third strike went through his throat and again severed both his jugular and carotid arteries. Your fourth strike went through this guy's eye and into his brain, yet another kill and your slash is doing the same thing, a near decapitation."
He then made his way over to the armored torso and assessed the damage done to the cuirass, "Your first shot penetrated and you managed to break the skin underneath," he said removing the armor, "and yes you went deep enough to possibly strike the intestine, which will kill if left untreated. Moving further up your second shot again managed to penetrate but not by much, you'll cut him, but not kill him. Your last shot severed his windpipe, that's a kill."
Both swords are capable of delivering death in a rapid flurry, but where do our experts stand?
"I'm with the rapier due to its parrying abilities," Geoff started, "It will deflect any blows and break through to deliver that decisive shot to come."
"I disagree and give the edge to the schiavona," Dr. Dorian countered, "It has a wider blade that can inflict more trauma, plus it can slash in addition to being a strictly thrusting weapon."
"I too thought I'd say the rapier at first, but the schiavona impressed me more with its slashing damage in addition to its ability to more effectively penetrate the musketeer's cuirass, therefore I'm giving my edge to the schiavona," Mack concluded.
In short range weapons, the edge is given to the Swiss Guard's schiavona.
Coming up, both warriors break out their pistols in a mid-range firefight.
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And now the time has come for both warriors to break out their sidearms in an early black powder gunfight. Up first will be the Swiss Guard with the Wheelock pistol.
Jerry pulled out his gun to show the panel, "This was the cutting edge of technology in its day, the concept of it was similar to that of igniting a cigarette lighter, so complex it required the careful hands of a watchmaker," he said taking a shooting stance with the Wheelock, "It weighed 3.5 pounds, had a range of 25 yards and fired a .50 ball."
"We've set up 3 targets for you to test this gun out," Geoff said motioning to three mannequins positioned 20 yards downrange, two unarmored and one wearing the Musketeer's cuirass, "You will have 3 shots, each of which will your reload will be timed."
"Very well," Jerry nodded getting into position.
"High speed is up," Geoff announced, "On 3…2…1, open fire!"
Jerry raised the Wheelock and fired his first shot into the target on the left, striking it in the chest. With his first shot spent he went to work reloading his gun and squeezed the trigger a second time, yet there was no spark and a misfire resulted.
He was forced to reset the wheel and squeezed the trigger, striking the other unarmored target in the face. With two shots down he again reloaded and went to squeeze the trigger, but yet again he was met with another jam.
"Now that's leaving me concerned right there," Mack remarked as Jerry was forced to reset the jam and finally managed to squeeze off his last shot, yet his bullet bounced off the cuirass, leaving only a large dent.
"Nice display," Hank sarcastically commented.
Dr. Dorian made his way over to assess the situation, "Your first shot struck this guy in the lung. It won't kill him right away, but it will be a debilitating injury he will eventually die from if left untreated."
He made his way over to the second target, "This guy was hit in the dead center of the face. The bullet traveled through his nose, severed his brain stem and out the back of his head, an instant kill."
He then inspected the armored target, "With this guy I'm not seeing any damage beneath the armor. You might wind him and that's it but otherwise no kill. Altogether you've got one delayed kill, one instant kill and one guy walking away."
"And you averaged a reload time of 54 seconds in between shots," Geoff reported.
"I'd like to see you try any better," Jerry said to Hank.
"Oh I will," Hank replied.
The Musketeer returns fire with the flintlock pistol.
"We've seen the flintlock tested on this show before, but never against an armored opponent," Geoff said motioning towards a mannequin outfitted in the Swiss Guard's armor in addition to the two unarmored foes "The same test applies to you Hank, so when you are ready get into position."
"Let's do this," Hank said getting into position.
"High speed cameras are up and running," Geoff called out, "On 3…2…1, shoot 'em up!"
Hank raised his flintlock and fired a round into the first unarmored target, also catching him in the chest before reloading his gun and squeezing off the next round with no problem, also nailing the second unarmored target in the chest. Reloading a second time he raised his gun and fired into the armored target, but as it was before, the round pinged harmlessly off the steel surface.
Dr. Dorian made his way over to assess the damage, "Alright with your first guy, you managed to strike him where his aorta splits off into his kidneys. He's going to suffer massive hemorrhaging and with it a near instantaneous death."
"Your second guy, you got him in the sternum and will plow through to the organs beneath, another kill," Dr. Dorian said before making his way over to the armored torso, "As it was in the Wheelock's case, there was no penetration on the cuirass. Altogether you've got 2 kills and one guy walking away."
"Your reload time was a little faster though with 50 seconds even," Geoff reported.
Both guns have proven their worth, but where do our panelists stand?
"I'm going with the flintlock," Geoff started, "It showed itself to be more reliable, had the faster reloading time and caused more damage."
"I agree with you," Mack seconded, "It was flintlock technology that replaced Wheelock technology and with it, fewer malfunctions like we saw in the Wheelock's test."
"I'm in agreement with both of you, edge flintlock," Dr. Dorian concluded.
In mid-range weapons, the Musketeer takes the edge with his flintlock pistol.
Coming up, both warriors break out their long range weapon when a forerunner to the modern rifle goes against the early flintlock from which the Musketeer derived his name.
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The time has come for the battle to go long range and both warriors bring their punishing firearms to the table. Up first will be the Swiss Guard with the Arquebus.
Jerry stood with an arquebus in hand, "The arquebus was a shoulder-fired forerunner to the modern rifle which used a matchlock mechanism, the first of its kind to facilitate the firing of a handheld firearm. It was 44 inches long and weighed 9 pounds, firing a .69 to .80 musketball round."
"We've set up three targets for you at 30, 40 and 60 feet, the maximum range for 16th century firearms. This is to test this gun's accuracy, damage potential and reload time. Your first two targets will be moving to simulate enemies running for cover, while the last will be stationary. You will have 3 shots to prove your point and you will be on the clock to determine your reload time," Geoff explained.
Jerry placed the arquebus in a stand and got into a firing position.
"On 3…2…1, open fire!" Geoff called out.
Jerry squeezed the trigger and his first shot rang out, tearing through the two moving targets as they crisscrossed in front of one another.
"Once again, we've had a matchlock firearm that manages to strike two targets at once," Geoff stated as Jerry pulled out a rod and proceeded to clear the matchlock's barrel of any obstructions.
"I'm a little worried though. He's getting killed by that reload time," Mack countered as he watched the ticking clock.
Jerry reloaded the arquebus and squeezed the trigger, firing another round and tore through the neck of his second target.
"Nice," Geoff remarked as he again went through the lengthy reloading process and squeezed the trigger a third time, hitting the stationary target in the forehead and tearing the back of it open.
"Time!" Geoff shouted and looked down to his stopwatch, "We had an average reload time of 56 seconds."
Dr. Dorian walked over to assess the damage, starting out with the two moving targets hit by the single round, "Now that's a large entrance wound and where you struck this guy, he's going down right away. This is an instant kill."
"That was a .69 caliber round you used, a huge hunk of pure lead," Mack observed, "This wasn't a jacketed round you used, meaning that when it hits its target it's going to deform and break apart inside of your victim."
The trauma doctor made his way over to the second target, "Does it get any better than this?" he asked assessing the neck wound, "You've got through the trachea and in an enclosed space like this, everything will be torn to bits. This is an instant kill."
He then made his way over to the last target, "This guy, you shot him dead on in the forehead and tore the back of his head open, I don't think we even need to go there."
"It impressed me more than I thought it would, but keep in mind it was my gun's technology that replaced the matchlock firing mechanism. You're using an antique there son," Hank commented.
The Musketeer responds with the flintlock musket.
"So tell us more about your gun Hank," Geoff asked.
"This is the flintlock musket, the very weapon from which the Musketeer derives his name and is also credited with being the weapon which drove traditional knights into extinction," Hank explained, "It fired a .75 musket ball round and had an accurate range of 100 yards, in addition it was slightly lighter at 8 pounds. With this weapon you also had the option of affixing a dagger-like plug bayonet into the barrel for close quarters combat after expending your shot," he said showing off the bayonet.
"Well it's going to be the same test for you and in addition, you will be allowed to show what your bayonet can do," Geoff replied.
Hank nodded and got into a firing position.
"Hank, when you are ready, on 3…2…1, open fire!" Geoff shouted.
Hank wasted no time squeezing the trigger, his round nailing the first moving target right between the eyes and to the whistles of the onlookers. He pulled out his cleaning rod and proceeded to clean the musket's barrel.
"Definitely making better time than the arquebus," Mack commented as he reloaded his musket and squeezed off his next round, striking the second target in the dead center of its chest. He quickly goes to work loading his third shot and took a shot that tore through the side of the static target's neck.
With his three shots expended, Hank quickly slid the bayonet into the musket's barrel and made his charge for the nearest target, stabbing it into the dummy's chest and then into the throat.
"Excellent shooting," Geoff called out before looking down to his stopwatch, "and your average reload time was 38 seconds. Good job!"
Dr. Dorian as before went over to assess the damage, "For your first target there is no need to check it out, you've turned this guy's brains to mush with a dead on shot." He was quickly able to make is way over to the second target, "With this guy this as perfect as you can get a shot. You are hitting the aorta and are cutting off its connection to all of its other vital organs, an instant kill. For your last target you've torn this guy's jugular open. He is going to quickly bleed out for another instant kill."
He then went back to assess the bayonet wounds inflicted upon the first target, "With these two separate strikes you are directly piercing this man's heart and his trachea, both are instant kills."
Both long range weapons have shown off their deadly accuracy, but where do our panelists stand?
"For me it's the musket all the way," Geoff started, "It has superior accuracy, superior technology that enables a faster reload time and due to its additional option to mount a plug bayonet."
"It was flintlock technology that replaced matchlock technology and we see how it was leaps and bounds above the arquebus, giving the musket my edge," Mack seconded.
"I think another major factor we have to take into consideration is caliber size and this is where the edge can vary," Dr. Dorian commented, "Whereas the flintlock shown here consistently used a .75 caliber, the size of the arquebus caliber can vary and when you take armor into consideration, there really is nothing to compare as both warriors pretty much use the same armor. I think it's going to be a very close call in those particular regards, yet I've seen the technological advances the flintlock possessed over the arquebus, therefore the musket gets my edge."
In long range weapons, the Musketeer takes the edge with the flintlock musket.
Coming up, both warriors unleash their special polearm weapons and then later, history is rewritten when two legendary bodyguards clash for the very first time.
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The time has come for both sides to display their special weapons and up first will be the Musketeer with the simple, yet lethal pike.
"The pike was a pole weapon once used extensively in infantry engagements and would primarily be used to defend a unit's musketeers from enemy cavalry," Dave explained, "It had a steel head that had a peg so if the wooden shaft were to be damaged, the user would be able to switch shafts and go back into battle. The one I've crafted is 15 feet long and weighs 9 pounds."
Hank was set in place with his pike extended before a pig carcass outfitted in the Guard's armor.
"Alright Hank, we've set up an armored target for you to test this pike out on. You will get one strike so make it count."
Hank nodded in reply.
"On 3…2…1, attack!"
Hank thrust the pike outward and it struck the steel cuirass head on, hard enough to send the armored pig clattering to the ground.
Dr. Dorian made his way over to inspect the fallen pig, "You managed to leave a small hole in the steel surface, might cause some bleed. With the force you struck you would most likely be breaking a rib and if you're lucky hitting the lung underneath. It will be incapacitating, but not kill."
"Once again you have another very one-sided weapon to show off," Jerry commented, "My halberd has options. You might as well throw in the towel while you still can," he finished with a laugh.
"We have already seen the halberd tested on this show, yet we haven't seen it tested against the kind of armor worn by the Musketeer," Geoff commented as a gel torso wearing the musketeer's steel cuirass was wheeled into view. "We want to see what your options can do, so when you are ready get into position."
Jerry nodded and readied his halberd, a weapon already very familiar to him.
"On 3…2…1, strike!"
Jerry thrust the pike end of his halberd into the steel cuirass, leaving a larger hole behind. Pulling it out he turned the halberd sideways and swung it into the armored torso before turning it vertically and raising it over his head, bringing it down like a woodcutter's axe dangerously close to the torso's head.
Dr. Dorian made his way over, "Alright, I'm seeing a hole and with it penetration. It will be fairly deep, lots of bleeding and it could have also struck a rib, not a kill, but still painful. Your first strike with the axe end will break a few ribs, possibly damage some internal organs and possibly cause internal bleeding. It won't kill right away, but could be a possible delayed kill based upon the kind of injuries inflicted. With your overhead strike you are shattering this man's clavicle and possibly severing vital blood vessels. For sure you will cripple his arm and cause a possible kill."
In spite of their struggles against each warrior's armor, both special weapons possess the length and means to make them deadly in the hands of their users, but where do our panelists stand?
"For me it's the halberd all the way," Geoff started, having seen the nasty weapon in action before.
"I agree more options compared to just the thrusting of a pike, edge halberd all the way," Mack seconded.
"The pike has the reach advantage over the halberd, but in the end it's still a one-sided weapon meant for thrusting and nothing more, edge halberd," Dr. Dorian concluded.
In special weapons, the Swiss Guard takes the edge with his halberd.
Coming up, our panelists gauge the x-factors of each warrior and then after that, it's a 5-on-5 squad battle to determine who is 'The Deadliest Warrior.'
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And now Mack will gauge the x-factors of each warrior.
"As usual we will start with training and while both these warriors were among the best trained of their time. However, the Guard had spent time in the Swiss military prior to his service and we gave him a razor thin advantage with a 93 to the Musketeer's 92."
"For endurance, both these men exercised regularly and wore similar armor, so they would be practically dead even. We ranked them evenly with an 89."
"For physicality, again both these warriors exercised regularly, but the Musketeer engaged in plenty of personal duels on the side that would have kept him in excellent condition, so we gave him the edge with an 86 to the Guard's 84."
"For dedication, both these men were fiercely loyal to their duties and would fight to the death to protect those they were sworn to. Again we ranked them even with an 89 each.
"For intimidation, both these warriors were known for their colorful costumes, yet the Musketeer used his fancy garments to hide his toughness in battle, so the Guard takes an 88 to the Musketeer's 77."
"Lastly, we have killer instinct. The Musketeer comes from nobility and it was drilled into his head from day one that he was better than everyone else; therefore he would be driven to fight more fiercely to back his air of superiority up. We gave him a 92 to the Guard's 88."
Our scientists and weapons experts are done testing the results and the time has come to decide who will be the victor. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will win a battle between two of the fiercest bodyguards of all time?
"In the end there can only be one. Let's find out," Mack said throwing the switch.
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The Vatican City was under siege and most of its troops were off fighting mutinous foreign mercenaries who had come to loot its riches to compensate for unpaid wages. It was with this distraction that the King of France had dispatched five of his elite musketeers to make their way to the Vatican in an attempt to secure him a private audience with the Pope. So far the pontiff had rebuffed his repeated requests and now the time had come for force.
Having just arrived in the city, the five French musketeers quietly crept through the deserted city streets, watching each other's backs as they drew closer to the fortress that would be of significant use for an impending invasion.
Musketeer: 5
The quintet continued their movements until they came across a footbridge and cautiously crept along until their target came in sight, a fortress guarded by five members of the Swiss Guard.
Swiss Guard: 5
Looking to his men, the lead Musketeer nodded to his subordinates and they raised their muskets. Taking up firing positions, they zoomed in on the two guards standing out front and waited for the captain's signal.
"Au feu!" the lead Musketeer ordered.
The four musketeers squeezed the triggers of their flintlocks simultaneously and the first guard would fall over dead with a musket ball tearing through his aorta, while the second took a crippling shot to the right side of his abdomen.
Musketeer: 5 – Swiss Guard: 4
Hearing the sound of gunfire from within the fortress, the Guard captain shouted orders to his remaining subordinates to gather their gear and they do so in rapid succession, scooping up their matchlock arquebus muskets, sidearm Wheelock pistols and their sabers.
The musketeers have descended the footbridge and are now marching towards the fortress, but along the way they hear the moans of the still-living Swiss Guard, who is struggling for his Wheelock pistol. Looking over to his captain, one of the musketeers nods and pulls out a plug bayonet. Jamming it into the barrel he walks over and stabs the Guard in his exposed throat, putting him out of his misery.
Musketeer: 5 – Swiss Guard: 3
A second later the Musketeer falls over with a gaping hole in the left side of his face as a gunshot rings out.
Musketeer: 4 – Swiss Guard: 3
The Musketeers whirled around to find the remaining Swiss Guards charging towards them, the two subordinates each taking a knee with their arquebuses raised and their captain ordering them to open fire. The two men do so and their matchlocks go off simultaneously.
The Musketeers scatter for cover, but one of them isn't so lucky and is shot in the chest, a musket ball piercing its steel surface.
Musketeer: 3 – Swiss Guard: 3
The Guards gather their remaining equipment and take chase as the Musketeers scramble for cover, the three Frenchmen eventually forced to split up. Coming to a junction in the narrow city streets the Guard nods for one of his men to go left while the other follows him, desperately needing to cover more ground.
The lone Guard runs down an alleyway looking around for any signs of the invaders. He suddenly grinds to a halt when he hears a disturbance behind a wooden barrel and quickly reaches for the Wheelock pistol strapped to his side. Creeping towards the barrel, he continues further and kicks it over, nearly jumping out of his skin as a stray cat screeches loudly and bolts out into the darkness.
The cocking of a pistol sounds in the darkness and the Guard turns around just in time to find one of his blue-clad adversaries lying in wait, firing his flintlock pistol into his chest. The round strikes him hard and knocks him flat onto his ass, but doesn't wound him. Scrambling for his Wheelock he raises the pistol before the Musketeer can grab another flintlock and opens fire, nailing his enemy in the kneecap.
The Musketeer screams in pain and clutches at his damaged knee, while the Guard reaches for his schiavona and looks to end his threat once and for all. Swinging his blade downward, he is taken by surprise as the wounded Frenchman twists his body and the saber clangs against his steel cuirass, sending him falling backwards.
Even though he is wounded, the French Musketeer reaches desperate for his rapier, but the Swiss man is quicker and drives his saber into the man's exposed throat.
Musketeer: 2 – Swiss Guard: 3
Elsewhere in the city, the remaining Musketeers have created enough space between themselves and their pursuers and are setting up an ambush, both men readying their pistols. They both hug the walls at opposite sides of the narrow walkway and nod to each other. From a distance they can hear rushed footsteps closing in on them and clutch their pistols preparing to fire.
When both men are practically on top of them, the Musketeer captain gives the signal and both he and his subordinate leap into the open, discharging their flintlock pistols simultaneously.
One of the Guardsmen falls with a bullet to the face, while the Guard's captain falls against the nearby wall with the wind knocked out of him, his cuirass having absorbed the shot.
Musketeer: 2 – Swiss Guard: 2
With no time to reload, one of the Musketeers grabs a pike he had brought along and attempts to rush the winded guard, while the captain draws his rapier and charges.
Seeing both men coming, the Guard captain raises his halberd to parry the pikeman's thrust and kicks the man to the side, forcing him to drop his polearm. Flipping his halberd over to the other side, the captain uses his fluke to disarm the Musketeer captain, forcing the Frenchman to reach for his other flintlock, but he again drops his gun when the Guardsman rams the halberd pike into his abdomen, only managing to leave a small hole in its surface.
Meanwhile, the remaining Guard is drawn in by the sounds of fighting and rushes forth just in time to find his captain fighting with the leader of the Musketeers and another one who is just rising to his feet and drawing his rapier.
Drawing his schiavona he rushes to intercept the other Musketeer and the two of them engage in a swordfight, the Swiss warrior slashing his saber wildly while the Frenchman struggles to parry his rapid fire blows.
The Musketeer captain meanwhile is locked in a struggle of his own as he has drawn his rapier and is struggling against his enemy's halberd, barely dodging a swing from the polearm's axe end, the blade striking the brick wall behind where his head had been a second earlier. Raising his rapier he finally managed to slash the captain's arm, yet the Swiss warrior persisted and went for another strike with the halberd, but the Frenchman sidestepped him and slashed downward at his leg, forcing him to drop the hefty halberd and struggle for his schiavona.
After some struggle, the second Musketeer had finally managed to find a hole in his enemy's offense, stabbing into the Swiss Guard's armpit and forcing him to drop his schiavona before finishing him with a strike to the throat.
Musketeer: 2 – Swiss Guard: 1
Now finding himself outnumbered, the Guard captain shifted his gaze back and forth between the lead Musketeer and his subordinate, both of whom had their rapiers drawn. He would not be deterred and raised his schiavona to parry a blow from the lesser Musketeer while bringing an elbow up to bat the Musketeer captain away. Unfortunately for him, the two highly-skilled Frenchmen were becoming too much for him as the subordinate brought his rapier up and slashed him across the cheek, leaving a torrent of blood cascading down the side of his face.
The wounded captain looked down to see his halberd lying nearby and he made a break for it while avoiding another thrust from the lead Musketeer's rapier. Quickly reaching down he lifted it back up and whirled around to thrust the pike end outward, striking the younger Frenchman in his exposed throat.
Musketeer: 1 – Swiss Guard: 1
It was now down to just the two captains and both men circled each other warily with their swords drawn. The Musketeer thrust his rapier outward to deter any advances, yet the lone Guard was able to leap back in time, but dropped his halberd in the process. Seeing his opening, the Frenchman began attacking him more doggedly and was quickly backing the surviving Guard into a corner.
The Swiss Guardsman needed to think quickly and as his hand brushed against his side he suddenly remembered his Wheelock. Reaching for the pistol he raised it, forcing the Musketeer to halt. Squeezing his trigger, the Guard was met only by an empty click. With no time to clear the obstruction he threw the pistol down and withdrew his schiavona, engaging the Frenchman in another back and forth duel.
Eventually the Guard would catch the upper hand, backhanding the Musketeer with the hilt of his saber and knocking the Frenchman backward before striking him with a blow to his armored chest and then attempting a thrust that sent the King's bodyguard falling backwards.
Now it was the Musketeer's turn to find himself on edge, scrambling for whatever means he could to defend himself against a relentless aggressor, backpedalling to avoid attempted thrusts from the Guard while struggling to keep his grip on his rapier, knowing it would be curtains for him if he let go of it.
He leapt backwards to avoid another downward slash from the Guard's schiavona and it was then his hand fell onto something, the flintlock pistol he had dropped earlier. He quickly gripped it as the Swiss warrior raised his saber high above his head ready to take his head off.
Raising the gun the Musketeer squeezed the trigger and was rewarded with a thunderous bang as the gun discharged and the Guardsman fell backwards with a musket ball between the eyes.
Raising to his feet the Musketeer captain looked down to see his shot was successful and the last Guard lay dead before him.
Musketeer: 1 – Swiss Guard: 0
Victorious, the Musketeer raised his rapier into the nighttime air and shouted "Vive le roi!"
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Winner: French Musketeer
Musketeer:
Rapier: 71
Flintlock Pistol: 178
Flintlock Musket: 275
Pike: 15
Total: 539
Swiss Guard:
Schiavona: 195
Wheelock Pistol: 41
Arquebus: 199
Halberd: 26
Total: 461
In a battle of two fierce bodyguards the Musketeer would ultimately prevail thanks in part to his advanced firearms, his flintlock musket being the deadliest weapon profiled in the simulator, whereas the Guard proved to be more effective in close range combat, scoring more kills in both categories with his short range and special weapons in both categories.
"In the end it was the Musketeer's advanced technology that led to his victory. While the Guard was the better melee fighter and was slightly better armored, his armor was still no match for the Musketeer's armor-piercing flintlock," Geoff explained.
(The surviving Musketeer marches towards St. Peter's Basilica, determined that he will finally get his King the private audience with the Pope he has been so vehemently demanding. At his side is the Guard captain's schiavona, a sign to the pontiff that even his best guards wouldn't be able to defend him if he refused.)
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Next time on 'Deadliest Warrior' it's a one-on-one battle between two of history's fiercest cavalry warriors:
Comanche: The born-in-the-saddle killer whose mastery of horseback archery made them one of the most fearsome threats to settlers in the American Southwest…
Vs.
Hunnic Horseman: The savage horseman who terrorized Europe under the iron fist of Attila the Hun.
Who will be…THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR?
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