Message from the Rice Man: So I have been notified that these two warriors have encountered each other in and it didn't end well for one of them. Alright, as I've done with the Mongol vs. Samurai match I will have a historical grudge match and instead of a large scale battle, let's see these two in a 5-on-5 encounter. Also I really should've added the armor failure rate like they did in season 3 on the show and this episode will be the first to incorporate it.
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Ottoman Sipahi: The elite mounted warriors of the Ottoman empire who annihilated their foes with frontal assaults and hit and run tactics.
(Several Sipahis are seen charging forth towards an army of Hungarians. The defenders fall to their various attacks.)
vs.
Polish Winged Hussar: Elite Polish cavalry warriors who were undefeated in battle for 100 years.
(A group of hussars charge head on towards an army of Crimean Tatars with their lances and firearms at the ready, plowing through the line and cutting down any stragglers.)
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 the world's finest cavalrymen.
Ottoman Sipahi
Circa: 1526 A.D.
Height: 5'5''
Weight: 160 lbs.
Armor: Ottoman Warrior Cuirass, Kalkan Shield
Polish Winged Hussar
Circa: 1683 A.D.
Height: 5'6''
Weight: 160 lbs.
Armor: Steel Breastplate, Winged Zischagge Helmet, Kawarsze Arm Iron
''Today is a great battle between two feared and powerful cavalry units. The Ottoman Sipahi will meet the Polish Winged Hussar in combat on equal terms and it will be an exciting match to see.'' Former Green Beret Barry Jacobsen said
"I'm thinking this one is a Hussar victory.'' Biomedical Engineer Geoff Desmoulin said. "They were the elite shock troops of their day and went undefeated in battle for over 100 years. Imagine having a guy with large wings on his back charging towards you! It makes them appear as angels descended from Heaven to wreak unholy vengeance upon you!''
''I'll give this one to the Sipahi.'' Trauma Doctor Armand Dorian said. ''They were the best trained in the Ottoman military and the Hussar's armor design won't intimidate them either.''
The sipahi were two types of Ottoman cavalry corps, including the fief-holding provincial timarli sipahi, which constituted most of the army, and the regular kapikulu sipahi, palace troops. Other types of cavalry which were not regarded sipahi were the irregular akıncı or 'raiders'. The sipahi formed their own distinctive social classes, and were notably in rivalry with the Janissaries, the elite corps of the Sultan. The term refers to all freeborn Ottoman Turkish mounted troops other than akıncı and tribal horsemen in the Ottoman army. The word was used almost synonymously with cavalry.
''They were polar opposites of the Janissary, those two forces combined made the Ottoman Empire unstoppable. Their prowess on the battlefield made them the most feared cavalry of their day.''
The Turkish cavalry rode into battle and slayed their enemies with the best weapons of the Ottoman Empire had to offer.
Short Range: Kilij
Mid-Range: Lance
Long Range: Tartar Recurve Bow
Special: Gurz
Today the revered Turkish cavalry will face another cavalry in a grudge match.
Initially serving as a light cavalry when they were established in the 16th century, they would later be transformed into heavy cavalry sporting specialized armor and lances.
"It was their objective to lead the charge and crush the enemy foot soldiers and continue to crash into it until it broke," Mack started.
The hussars were most famous for the wings strapped to their armor, designed to make a horrible rattling noise to unnerve their opponents, making them believe the cavalry was larger than it really was.
"Imagine some heavily-armored dude charging towards you with a long freaking goddamn lance in his hand and angelic wings strapped to his back. Think of what that would do to a person? It would be like the avenging angels of Heaven coming to destroy you! It was a sight unlike anything their enemies had ever seen and it gave them the psychological edge that enabled them to be as successful as they were." Barry concluded.
The winged hussar comes equipped with their own lethal arsenal that made them undefeated in battle.
Short Range: Szabla Husarska
Mid-Range: Kopia Lance
Long Range: Arquebus
Special: Koncerz
Both warriors used deadly curved swords to slay their enemies. Up first will the Hussars their most famous sword.
''The szabla husarska was the premiere saber of the Hussars. It's blade was fashioned in a curve steel blade like the sablia and had a solid steel guard and knuckle bow that protected the user's hand very well. It weighed 2 pounds and is 32 inches long.'' Hussar expert Aleksy Anatol said
''Great looking sword there, We've set up two mounted targets, one unarmored and one outfitted in the armor of the Sipahi. You'll have one ride by to either pierce the armor or find your way around it.'' Geoff explained
Aleksy nodded and mounted his horse and gets into position.
''On 3..2..1.. Charge!'' Geoff yells
Aleksy advances and charges towards the first target. He reaches it and swings his sword and slices through the target's neck nearly decapitating it. Continuing his charge he approaches the armored torso and swings his sword once more, the blade slicing deep into it's face and cutting the head in half at the nose.
''Dang, that's gruesome.'' Barry commented
Doctor Dorian makes his way over to check the damage.
''Man you sliced right through his entire neck and he's head is only being held by a thin layer of skin, he's dead. Your second target got his head cut in half at the nose for another instant kill.''
''My sword is longer and will have no problem in taking you down.'' Sipahi expert Osman Murad said
We've already seen the kilij tested before in 'Hernan Cortes vs. Vlad the Impaler' but never off horseback, so now we will conduct the same test as seen with the Hussars.
''Same deal Osman, two targets one unarmored and one armored in the Hussar's armor.'' Geoff said
Osman nodded and mounted the horse. With the signal from Geoff he willed his horse forward and approaches the first target. Swing his sword out he slices it in the face cutting half the head off. Charging his way towards the armored target he swings his blade and slices deep into it's exposed face whilst hitting the Hussar helmet and knocking it off.
''Whoa, that's awesome.'' Dorian commented
Doctor Dorian walks over.
''Nice, you sliced the first target's head off spilling half his brain on the ground. He's gone and didn't even know what hit him. Your armored target saw a blow to the face which sliced deep into it but halfway was blocked by the zischagge helmet but you still cut him deep enough to kill him. Great work.''
Both swords have been tested against armored opponents. Which one do our panelists believe takes the edge?
''This is one of the hardest decisions we've ever come to in the entirety of Deadliest Warrior. Both are extremely deadly and efficient on foot and mounted combat. You both might as well call this even with me eh.'' Geoff started
''I agree honestly, the kilij is longer and that weighted tipped makes it a nasty slicing machine. The szabla is just as lethal and both are very efficient in both scenarios. Edge even.'' Dorian added
''Even in my book, two deadly curved swords and deadly cavalry weapons.'' Barry concludes
In short range weapons, our warriors are even.
Coming up, two lethal impaling lances come forth.
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Now we bring light to the mid-ranged weapons of our warriors and since the Sipahi's lance is similar in design to the Mameluke's lance, we will move onwards to the favored lance of the Hussars.
"The Kopia lance was one of the trademark weapons of the hussar. It was hollow and that made it lighter to carry when making a charge, plus it had a ball-shaped guard that would deflect most blows. It had a steel tear-shaped head with a very sharp point. Altogether it was 15 feet long and weighed 4 pounds." Explained Aleksy
To test out the armor piercing power of the kopia, Aleksy will attack a gel torso outfitted in the Ottoman warrior cuirass of the Sipahi.
''Alright, you got one pass to one shot that guy and kill him through that armor.'' Geoff said
''Will do.'' Aleksy nodded in response
''Then charge!.'' Geoff called out
Aleksy wills his horse into a full gallop, in a few seconds he comes close to the target and he lowers his lance an it pierces the armor going out through the back but it snaps in half as he rides away.
Doctor Dorian jogs over and attempts to yank the broken lance out but is visibly struggling. After removing it he takes the warrior cuirass off of the torso to check for what damage has been done.
''Straight through his heart and spinal cord, instant death.'' He says
''Good armor penetration but the fragility of it worries me a bit.'' Barry commented
''My lance doesn't have that problem even if it's shorter than yours. Sturdier and gonna take some feathers off you guys.'' Osman commented
We will now test out the Sipahi's lance against the armor of the Hussar.
''Same deal for you Osman, one ride by to one shot him.'' Geoff said
Osman nodded and given the signal from Geoff, he charges forward in a full gallop and as he approaches the armored torso he aims it staight through the breastplate, the lance's head going straight through and penetrating slightly out the back.
The team now walks over to assess the damage.
''I'm seeing the armor piercing power with the kopia but not as powerful. Hey at least yours is still intact. You got him straight through the aorta and spine for another instant kill.'' Doc explained
''Your lance is half the length of mine, I'll impale your ass before you can even get me.'' Aleksy said
Both lances have successfully pierced their opponent's armor, which one however takes the edge?
''They have their ups and downs. One is longer and more powerful but breaks easy and the other is shorter, less powerful but doesn't break. Even for me.'' Geoff said
''I'll give this one to the Sipahi's lance, sure it's half the length of the kopia but at least the thing doesn't break.'' Dorian countered
''Also the Ottoman will still have his lance while the Poles don't. Edge Sipahi.'' Barry added
In mid-ranged weapons the edge goes to the Ottoman Sipahi for their lance.
Coming up, two deadly long range weapons come forth when a nasty armor piercing bow goes up against a primitive gun.
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Now the battle at long range commences. We've already seen the Tartar recurve bow used in 'Alexander Nevsky vs. Saladin' and the arquebus used by Hernan Cortes. We'll leave the decision on what to do to our panelists.
''Seeing both weapons already in previous episodes, I think we should test the arquebus off the back of a horse since we've seen the Tartar on horseback before and see the arquebus's power to pierce that warrior cuirass.'' Geoff said
Aleksy mounts his horse as Geoff hands him the arquebus. Given the signal he willed his horse forward. and rides towards the mounted target, yet struggles to steady his gun and he is nearly to the target before he finally manages and raises it to fire, his bullet flying through the armor. He passes the mounted target and wheels his horse around while beginning to reload his matchlock, struggling even more. He eventually reloads the arquebus and begins his next charge towards the mounted target, raising the firearm and firing a round that strikes his target to the left of the previous hole before bringing his horse to a halt.
Dr. Dorian made his way over and removed the armor, "Your first shot pierced the armor and went through the aorta for an instant kill and your second shot only hit his spleen which will bleed a lot but not kill if he is taken to a hospital right now.''
After conducting the necessary tests which one do our experts believe takes the edge?
''Bows are easier to use off horse back, the arquebus test was a visible struggle and he would be peppered with arrows before he even reloads his second shot. Edge Tartar recurve bow.'' Geoff started
''Agree, it may be a gun but it performed crappy on horseback and against an well trained archer you're screwed if you miss your first shot.'' Dorian added
''Tartar recurve bow for faster reload and ease of use on foot and horseback.'' Barry concluded
For long range weapons the edge goes to the Ottoman Sipahi for the Tartar recurve bow.
Coming up we bring out the favored armor piercing weapons of the warriors.
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Now the time has come for both sides to reveal their special weapons. Up first will be the Hussars with their armor piercing koncerz.
''A koncerz is long and thin sword used by a type of heavy cavalry the Hussars were. It's sole purpose is to penetrate armour plate with pierces and it is not designed to slash. Typically they were 51 inches long and weighed 4 pounds.'' Aleksy explained
To test out the armor piercing capabilities of the koncerz, Aleksy will attack another torso outfitted in the Sipahi's armor.
''Same deal as before, one ride by and let's see what results the test will yield.'' Geoff said
Aleksy nods and mounts the horse.
''On 3...2...1...Charge!'' Geoff called out
Aleksy brings his horse to a full gallop and as he approaches the torso he points his koncerz down and the blade pierces clean through the steel before the torso is pushed off by the force of Aleksy's thrust and the force of the horse.
''Damn, that sucks.'' Barry commented
Doctor Dorian walks over to assess the damage.
''That one thrust, you got him through the heart and basically the sword kabobs it's way through the body. With this shot he is dead instantly.''
''Not to mention the added destruction of him falling and possibly snapping his neck.'' Geoff added
''Yeah I'm not impressed, he has a thrusting weapon and it gives you such a small aim point. My mace doesn't have a small aim point.'' Osman rebutted
Having tested flanged maces similar to the gurz before with the Mongols, Osman will test his against the armor of the Hussar.
''Again, it's the same test for you.'' Geoff said
Osman nods and after Geoff gives him the thumbs up, he goes into a full forced gallop and when he approaches the target, he swings his mace and it smashes through the steel breastplate with a loud jarring clang shaking the torso a bit as he rides off.
''Damn, that clang was ear piercing.'' Barry commented
Doctor Dorian walks over to inspect the damage.
''That armor isn't doing anything to stop that mace. You smashed his entire rib cage and leaving him with a flail chest. He's dead.''
After testing both weapons against armor, which one takes the edge?
''I like both weapons. They can be used great mounted and can get through each other's armor. Even in my book.'' Geoff said
''I'm giving it to the koncerz, even if it has a very small aim point it can get the Sipahi way before he can come close to use the mace. Edge koncerz.'' Dorian countered
''The koncerz impressed me more than I though it would. That reach is going to benefit the Hussars. Edge koncerz.'' Barry finished
''You assholes...'' Geoff pouted
In special weapons the edge goes to the Polish Winged Hussar for the koncerz.
Now the team reviews the effectiveness of each warriors armor.
''This is a hard one to call, one incorprates solid steel armor but the Hussars don't have a shield whereas the Ottomans are incorporating both chainmail and steel plates but they carry a shield. I'll call this one even. What do you guys think?'' Geoff started off
''Each have their own little perks to them. The Hussar's armor has the intimidation factor while the Ottoman's have both chainmail and steel plates with a shield. I'll call this even as well.'' Dorian said
''Neither really carries a significant advantage over the other, even for me as well gents.'' Barry added
In the armor category, both sets of armor are even.
Next, we gauge the x-factors of the warriors and our cavalry battle begins!
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''X-factor time.'' Barry said
''First is training and it was a toughie, both are two very well trained and skilled cavalry units but I guess I'll give it to the Hussar for their scrappier nature. It's close with a 96 to 95.''
''For endurance both sides are wearing heavy armor and can battle for hours, so both have an 85.''
''Physically it taken into account and both are even again with an 87 because they are nearly the same size in height and weight.''
''For battlefield effectiveness both held the same jobs and that was charging forth and breaking the enemy ranks. It's a wash with a 90 each.''
''Up next is loyalty, its another wash because both sides are very, very loyal to their leaders. It's even with a 90 each.''
''And last for intimidation it's the Hussar's to take, their armor which makes them look like angels descending upon you is more intimidation than the Ottoman's simpler armor. They have a 96 to the Ottoman's 90.''
Now we've concluded weapons testing and gauging the x-factors, now we will run the simulations 1,000 to decide our winner.
Which cavalry unit will achieve victory?
''In the end, only one side remains, let's see.'' Barry said
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The battle takes us to the a calm and beautiful field in eastern Poland, the Ottoman empire has reached this far into Europe and are ready to claim more land. Suleiman the Magnificent has sent 5 Ottoman Sipahi to ride through the area and to see what are the military capabilities of this new land.
They hear a rattling like sound and the leader of the Sipahi halts his men. He squints his eyes in the distance and sees dust clouds being kicked up. His men grab their weapons to prepare to meet whoever is coming their way.
Ottoman Sipahi: 5
On the other side of the field 5 winged hussars are seen galloping towards the Sipahi, they've received word of an empire from the Middle East and they are determined to stop them before they subject Poland to their rule.
Polish Winged Hussar: 5
The Ottomans gaze in shock and awe at the amazing display before them as if lost in thought. The lead Hussar spots the Ottomans and stabbing his lance into the ground, he orders his men to charge while drawing his sword. The sound of the hussar's louder galloping snaps them out of their daze, the lead the Sipahi notices the hussars charging them and orders his men to ready their Tartar bows.
Seeing the Ottomans draw their weapons the hussars respond by raising their arquebuses and both sides take aim at one another.
When they come within 30 yards of each other both sides unleash their long range weapons on another. One hussar is hit with a one in a million shot with an arrow to the eye and is knocked off his horse.
Ottoman Sipahi: 5 - Polish Winged Hussar: 4
One Ottoman isn't so lucky and one lead ball miraculously makes it's way into his chest hitting his heart.
Ottoman Sipahi: 4 - Polish Winged Hussar: 4
Seeing no use for their bows the Ottomans draw their weapons, one going for his gurz, the leader going for his kilij and the other two drawing out their lances and charge back at the hussars. One Sipahi rides towards a hussar trying to reload his arquebus.
With his opponent reloading he lowers his lance and and skewers the hussar through his stomach piercing his armor and knocking him down with the lance still in him, he struggles to get up but the weight of his winged helmet weighs him down and he bleeds to death.
Ottoman Sipahi: 4 - Polish Winged Hussar: 3
The hussar leader charges towards an Ottoman lances and both come close as they gallop faster towards each other. Seeing the lance being lowered aimed at his chest the hussar leader moves his horse to the side nearly avoiding being kabobbed. Riding back towards the Ottoman he catches up and before the Ottoman can reach for his gurz he swings his szabla and decapitates the Ottoman.
Ottoman Sipahi: 3 - Polish Winged Hussar: 3
The Ottoman leader is seen clashing with a kopia wielding hussar. Both sides charge each other and the hussar lowers his lance with hopes of skewering the Ottoman.
Raising his kalkan shield the Ottoman blocks the kopia and the force snaps the lance in half. Before the hussar can ride away safely to draw his sword the Ottoman swings his kilij and slices deep into the hussar's face cutting his head in half at the nose.
Ottoman Sipahi: 3 - Polish Winged Hussar: 2
The second in command of the Ottomans duel with a hussar and both exchange blows with their weapons. They ride past one another again and the Ottoman swings his gurz after seeing an opening and the mace connects with his arm breaking his bone.
Dropping his szabla in pain he clutches his broken arm before he looks up and his face is smashed to bits by the gurz.
Ottoman Sipahi: 3 - Polish Winged Hussar: 1
The Ottoman's victory is short lived when he turns to his left and the remaining hussar impales him with a kopia lance before he could strike back.
Ottoman Sipahi: 2 - Polish Winged Hussar: 1
The remaining Sipahis meet and regroup and turn to see the hussar charging them, one of the Ottoman's draw his kilij and charges forth. The hussar draws his koncerz and willies his horse to gallop faster. Both warriors come within reach and the koncerz longer blade finds it's way into the Ottoman's neck. The hussar let's go of the weapon and rides away as the Ottoman chokes and gags holding his neck, a carotid artery severed and he collapses to the ground.
Ottoman Sipahi: 1 - Polish Winged Hussar: 1
Seeing his last man die, the last Ottoman draws his kilij and charges toward the hussar, the hussar having ridden away and rides past his kopia and scoops it of the ground. He looks over his shoulder to see the charging Ottoman. Turning his horse around he raises his lance and charges back.
Spotting his opponent's absurdly long lance he jerks his body to the side just as the lance's head comes close and brings his kilij down and breaks the lance's shaft. Now pissed off the hussar draws his szabla and gallops away to create more distance. Both sides turn and face each other and with a mighty battle cry they both willy their horses forward.
They come within reach and the hussar swings his blade only to be blocked by the Ottoman's shield and the Ottoman swings his kilij and the force of the swing clangs off the hussar's armor but enough to knock the wind out of him.
Riding away and clutching his stomach the hussar spots one of his dead comrades and sees his kopia next to his corpse. Riding towards the lance he dismounts his horse and picks it up and mounts his horse and sees the Ottoman charging him once more.
Placing his lance on his lap sideways he takes his szabla and charges, they come within reach and before the Ottoman can come close to swinging the hussar quickly takes his kopia and thrusts it forward and impales the Ottoman, his armor not protecting him. The lance snapping leaving one half in his body.
Gasping in pain and grabbing the piece of the kopia in his body, he coughs blood and weakly looks over his shoulder and he is decapitated by when the hussar gallops passed him with his szabla.
Ottoman Sipahi: 0 - Polish Winged Hussar: 1
The Ottoman's head falls to the ground and the headless corpse slumps forward dead on the horse before falling over.
Bringing his horse to a stop he turns and looks at the Ottoman's corpse slowly slumping off the horse and to the ground, raising his bloodied szabla he shouts "Husaria nie da się pokonać!"
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Winner: Polish Winged Hussar
Polish Winged Hussar: 527
Szabla Husarska: 138
Kopia Lance: 143
Arquebus: 101
Koncerz: 145
Ottoman Sipahi: 473
Kilij: 141
Lance: 120
Tartar Recurve Bow: 102
Gurz: 110
X-factors
Training: 96/Training: 95
Endurance: 85/Endurance: 85
Physicality: 87/Physicality: 87
Battlefield Effectiveness: 90/Battlefield Effectiveness: 90
Loyalty: 90/Loyalty: 90
Intimidation: 96/Intimidation: 90
Armor Failure Rate
Steel Breastplate: 22.3% - Ottoman Warrior Cuirass: 21.6%
Kawarsze Arm Iron: 19.3% - Kalkan Shield: 11.8%
Winged Zischagge Helmet: 9.4% - No Helmet
Following a fierce back and forth battle between two elite cavalry forces, the Polish Winged Hussar achieves a narrow victory claiming 52.7% of the wins. Their superior armor and kopia helping them win. The Ottoman Sipahi were close behind with 47.3%, their kilij being their deadliest weapon.
''What ultimately tipped the scale of battle in favor of the hussars was their superior armor, their superior reach with the koncerz and the reach of their lance.'' Geoff explained
''The kopia lance was the deciding factor on why the hussars won, as long as they can reach the Ottomans first and get through the armor, victory was theirs.'' Dorian added
''The Ottoman's bow outperformed the arquebus. However the hussar's reach and armor piercing weapons being the koncerz and kopia were what contributed to their win. Congratulations hussars.'' Barry concluded
(The hussar rides away from the sight of that brutal battle, he brings his horse to a stop and faces the corpse ridden field, nodding to his fallen comrades he then rides off in quiet victory.)
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Next time on 'Deadliest Warrior'. It's a battle of opposites when two brutal warriors finally meet.
Jewish Zealot: Fanatical Hebrew warrior of the 1st century A.D. who fiercely resisted the mighty Roman empire.
vs.
Han Dynasty Warrior: China's top notch foot soldier who's prowess in battle carved out the country's greatest dynasty.
WHO IS DEADLIEST!?