Disclaimer: Description of the weapons belong to Metal Harbinger. All other aspects are mine.
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Jewish Zealot: Fanatical Hebrew warrior of the first century A.D. who went to extraordinary lengths to preserve their religion against the mighty Roman empire.
(A Zealot is seen clashing swords with a Roman legionary, he ducks low and brings his sica up digging the sword into the Roman's chin and up into his brain.)
vs.
Han Dynasty Warrior: China's top notch warrior who's fighting prowess and early steel weapons built China's greatest dynasty.
(A Han charges towards an enemy soldier and proceeds to disembowel him with his deer horn knives.)
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 of the ancient world's most brutal warriors.
Jewish Zealot
Circa: 66 A.D.
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 135 lbs.
Armor: Iron Scale Mail, Wicker Shield
Han Dynasty Warrior
Circa: 206 B.C.
Height: 5'5''
Weight: 135 lbs.
Armor: Leather Lamellar, Leather Scale Helmet, Circular Bamboo Shield
''Today on 'Deadliest Warrior' we have two warriors who are polar opposites. One end we have the Jewish Zealot who fiercely battled with Rome to preserve their religion and way of life and on the other end you have the Han Dynasty Warrior who's skill in battle created China's greatest dynasty. It's going to be a battle where neither warrior will quit and it's going to be exciting.'' Former Green Beret Barry Jacobsen said
''I'm siding with the Han for this one, he comes armed with a deadly arsenal and he is an actual trained military soldier unlike the Zealots.' Biomedical Engineer Geoff Desmoulin said
''I think the Zealot will win.'' Trauma Doctor Armand Dorian countered ''They are hardened by life in the desert and their ferocious fighting style will allow them to be a bit more scrappy than the Han and that gives him my edge.''
Formed as a political organization in the 1st century A.D., the Zealots were a group of fanatical Hebrews determined to protect their laws and their people from Roman rule through the violent eradication of the mighty aggressors and their supporters. Acting as the main driving force behind the First Jewish-Roman War, they would urge their fellow Jews to rise up in an ill-fated campaign against their Roman adversaries, which culminated with the mass suicide at the Masada fortress.
''The Judaean movement is where the word fanatic came from. It was their extreme religious ways that drove them to commit brutal actions that no one had ever seen before. Their famous last stand at Masada helped paved way for Israel to become what it is today.''
The religious Zealot slaughtered his Roman enemies with their own cache of weapons.
Short Range: Sica
Mid-Range: Spear
Long Range: Composite Bow
Special: Khopesh
Today the savage rebel confronts a new threat, a military soldier whose own battle prowess helped carve out China's greatest dynasty.
When the Qin dynasty fell in 206 B.C., Liu Bang formed the Han dynasty and his warriors immediately asserted their force in crafting what would become the dynasty which bears their name. Under Emperor Wu of Han, the armies would launch a series of massive cavalry expeditions against the Xiongnu, conquering what would become much of northern and western China, Mongolia, Central Asia and Korea. Following their rise, Chinese armies would be tasked with holding the new territories against incursions and revolts by those who had fallen under their rule.
"They changed the structure of the army from being an army of conscripts to an army of volunteers. Not only that, they were also the first to produce steel from cast iron which would give them an edge in close range fighting and armor that could withstand cavalry charges, making them truly one of the most innovative warriors to ever serve China." Barry finished
The Han comes equipped with an arsenal of early steel weaponry that allowed them to make China an early superpower.
Short Range: Dao
Mid-Range: Qiang
Long Range: Crossbow
Special: Deer Horn Knives
When these warriors got up close and personal, both warriors cut down their enemies with deadly blades.
Since we've already tested the sica and dao before in 'Celt vs. Gladiator' and 'Ashigaru vs. Ming Warrior', our team reviews those two episodes and we will leave the decision on what to do on their shoulders. Boys?
''Thanks narrator. Alright, we've seen the Sica tested against the Celt and the Dao of the Ming warrior tested against the armor of the Ashigaru, let's see what kind of damage we will get testing both of these against new sets of armor.
Up first we will have Han Dynasty Warrior expert Zhao Chien stands ready with his Dao in hand, his target will be outfitted in the armor and shield of the Zealot.
''Okay Zhao, on 3...2...1...Go!'' Geoff called out
Zhao swings the dao and connects with the wicker shield slicing clean through it. Moving on to the armored torso and thrusts his sword into it. The dao pierces the armor slightly and Zhao ends it with a swing to the neck severing it from the body spurting blood everywhere.'
Doctor Dorian walks over to inspect the damage.
''Your first blow to the shield is a no brainer at all, you sliced clean through the shield like it was butter and the guy will definitely lose his arm in the process. Your thrust into the armor achieved 3 inches of penetration and you did manage to touch the skin and cut into it but nothing serious. Last swing saw a clean decapitation killing this man instantly.''
Zealot expert Moti Chelouche stands ready with his sica in hand. His target will be armored in the Han's leather lamellar, helmet and bamboo shield.
Geoff gives Moti the nod and thrusts his sica into the shield piercing it slightly. He moves on to the armored target and stabs into the leather lamellar going clean through. Withdrawing his blade be brings it down onto the helmet and cuts into it getting it stuck, after a few seconds he manages to free his blade before Geoff calls time.
''Okay Moti, your thrust to the shield managed to achieve an inch of penetration, it's not touching the man behind the weapon but it will definitely take the shield away from him. Your next thrust into the armor got a total amount of 5 inches worth of penetration and where you struck you got him in the liver which will bleed like stink, your last blow with that swing cut through the leather helmet but you just barely touched the skin, not to mention your blade is stuck so this guy can fight back while you struggle.''
''He's right you know, struggle to free your blade and I'll just run you through with the dao.'' Zhao added
After retesting the Sica and Dao, our panelists are divided on which weapon gets the edge, let's see what their final decision will be.
''It's a tough call for me on this one, one sword can get around shields and can definitely get under a guy's helmet. The dao however has more speed technique with it and a better trained warrior is wielding it. I might have to call this one even guys.'' Geoff started
''I agree, both regardless of their design and pros can cause equal amounts of damage to the body and I think it really comes down to the individual soldier wielding them. Edge even as well.'' Dorian added
''I agree as well, neither really carry's a significant advantage over the other to edge each other out.'' Barry commented
In short range weapons, both warriors are even.
Coming up, two lethal spears our warriors used to skewer their enemies and then later, two lethal long range weapons go head to head.
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Now we move on to the favored mid-range weapons of both our warriors, since we've already tested the spear of the Zealot in 'Samurai vs. Persian Immortal', we will move on to the Han Dynasty warrior's Qiang.
"The Qiang was a common weapon in the pre-Modern Chinese battlefield and could be used for both infantry and cavalry purposes. It had a leaf-shaped blade and a red horse-hair tassel below that which could be used to blur an opponent's vision, making it difficult for them to grab the shaft of the spear behind the head or tip. It also stopped the flow of blood from the blade getting onto the wooden shaft. Spears used for war were made of hard wood and varied anywhere from 9 to 21 feet in length, longer for cavalry and shorter for infantry, and typically weighed between 3 and 5 pounds." Zhao explained
To test out the use of the qiang, Zhao will be accompanied by Dave Baker on a replica of a Han chariot and he will be attacking three torsos, one armed in the iron scale male of the Zealot. Zhao will use a 21 foot qiang.
''Okay Zhao, Dave will guide you to the 3 targets to see what damage we will see with that weapon off the back of a chariot.
Dave gets the horse moving forward and Zhao approaches the first target, he lowers the qiang and the spear impales the target through the chest, quickly pulling his spear out as he approaches the second target. With the target coming within range he aims the qiang higher and the head impales the target through it's nose knocking it back. With the armored torso coming in to view, he thrusts full force into it piercing the armor and pulls out as he and Dave ride away.
Doctor Dorian walks over to assess the damage.
''So for your first victim you skewered your way through his chest and the heart is kabobed meaning instant death. Your second target saw the spearhead go straight through his nose and into the bottom portion of the brain cutting off all messages to the rest of the body killing him before he hit the ground, and for your armored target here I'm seeing 4 inches of penetration into the mail and you managed to get his stomach, not a kill but a horrid wound.''
We've already seen the Zealot's spear tested before under the use of the Persian Immortal, we will now test it against the leather armor of the Han warrior.
Moti stands ready with his spear in hand. Geoff gives the nod and Moti thrusts the spear and the head pierces clean through the leather lamellar spilling stage blood from under the armor. Unsatisfied with his work he withdraws the spear and follows up with another thrust into the torso's neck spurting blood from the wound.
''Okay, the armor did nothing to protect this man, the spearhead found it's way into his stomach which wouldn't kill him, only mortally wound him and your next thrust got him in the neck and you managed to tear everything in there apart including severing one of the carotid arteries and getting through the spinal cord. He's dead.'' Dorian commented
After a brutal display of both spears, which one do our experts believe takes the edge?
''I'm giving this one to the Zealot, his spear isn't crazy long like the qiang meaning you won't have to deal with the extra length in an infantry battle and he has the ball end for an extra means of attack.'' Geoff started
''I disagree and give it to the qiang without any second thoughts. It's reach will allow the Han to skewer the Zealot before he can even come close to using his.'' Dorian countered
''I have to go with the qiang on this one for the added tassel which will confuse an opponent and that reach too. So edge qiang.'' Barry added
In mid-range weapons, the edge goes to the Han Dynasty Warrior for the qiang.
Coming up, both warriors break out their long range arsenals for dominance at a distance.
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Now it's time to see which warrior will own the battle at long range. Up first will be the Han Dynasty warrior with their crossbow, but since we've seen the crossbow and the Zealot's bow is very similar to the Persian Immortal's bow, we will test the ability of both weapons to penetrate each other's armor.
''The crossbow the Han Dynasty had were developed before them by the Qin Dynasty, their crossbow had a bronze frame with a very strong, rigid composite bow that was sometimes coated in bronze. It was very powerful and accurate and cut down many who stood in their path." Zhao explained
Geoff has set up a gel torso armored in the Zealot's iron scale mail, he will be given 3 bolts to dish out as much damage as he can.
''Okay Zhao, whenever you're ready, you may load your weapons and begin firing.''
Zhao nods and pulls the string back and places the first bolt in place. Taking aim at the target and fires the crossbow. The bolt strikes the armor which only leaves a small hole as the bolt falls to the ground, undeterred he loads his second bolt and takes aim at the target, letting the bolt loose it penetrates just above the first shot. Taking time to load his last shot, he pulls the string back and places his final bolt in place. Taking aim at the target's face, he fires the bolt off and it pierces through it's cheekbone.
''Time is 1 minute and 12 seconds.'' Geoff called out
Doctor Dorian walks over to assess the damage.
''Your first shot to the armor I'm seeing some degree of penetration, it wasn't enough however to hurt the man underneath it. Your second shot achieved a bit more penetration and it indeed cut into the skin, but still not a kill. Your last shot was a kill, straight through the cheekbone killing him instantly.''
Now it's Moti's turn with the Zealot's composite bow.
Moti recieves the nod and strings his first arrow. Taking aim at the armored torso he let's his arrow loose and the arrow manages to pierce through the armor, but not before falling out leaving a hole. Loading his second arrow, he aims it at the target's stomach and fires, the arrow pierces through and getting stuck. He strings his final arrow and fires it at the target's neck.
''I'm seeing the same results as the Han's crossbow, both your first and second arrows only pierces enough to cut into the man's skin but your final shot is what sealed the deal for him, straight through the neck cutting his spinal cord severing all messages to the brain. Death on arrival.''
After a display of both weapon's capabilities to pierce armor, which one do our experts believe takes the edge?
''Even with more power behind it's bolt, I'm giving the edge to the Zealot because he won't be taking all that extra time to pull back the string on his bow and then place a bolt into place, his bow is easier to reload and that's enough to give him the edge.'' Geoff explained
''Agreed, for better reload time and ease of use I'm giving it to the Zealot.'' Dorian seconded
''Zealot's bow all the way. In addition to reload time fatigue also plays a big role here.'' Barry added
In long range weapons, the edge goes to the Jewish Zealot for the composite bow.
Coming up, history's most lethal sickle sword goes up against two fast and concealable knives.
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The time has come for the warriors to showcase their favorite special weapons. The Han Dynasty will be first.
"The deer horn knives, also called the 'crescent moon knives,' were specialized blades consisting of two steel crescents crossing, which produces 4 curved, claw-like points, one of which extends as the 'main blade.' The practitioner grips the wrapped middle of the lengthened crescent with the other acting as a hand guard. Easily concealable, they are mainly used for trapping an opponent's weapon in the aid of tying up or breaking said weapon, and also for disarming the opponent or other close combat operations. They are 12 inches across each and weigh 3 pounds when used in pairs.'' Zhao explained doing some practice thrusts
''Zhao, display to us the damage these babies are capable of.'' Geoff said pointing towrads a gel torso.
''Will do.'' Zhao replied as he walks over to the torso
Zhao looks at Geoff for approval to begin, with a nod Zhao lunges at the torso and violently stabs the living crap out of it in it's gut spilling blood and bits of intestines everywhere. Making his way up towards the head he does a scissoring motion and swiftly slices the head off leaving it dangling by a thin layer of skin.
''Okay then, I'm guessing they don't ever let you carve the turkey on Thanksgiving?'' Dorian asked making his way over to the mess ''Your flurry of thrusts turned his insides basically into mush and you disemboweled him of all his guts. You followed up with a scissoring motion which decapitates him and his head is only held in place with a thin layer of skin, he's a goner.''
After a gory display of the Han's deer horn knives, the Zealot responds with a weapon of Egyptian origin.
''Here I have the khopesh. It was a sickle sword the Egyptians adopted after they had been used against them in battle. Unlike other designs, their cutting edge was on the outside curve of the bronze blade, an evolution of an axe to the sword it became and can cut cleanly through light armor like nothing. It was 33 inches long and weighed 4 pounds,.'' Moti explained slowly caressing the weapon
Moti stands in front of a gel torso.
''Same thing for you Moti, go for it.'' Geoff said
Moti nods and brings the sickle sword down onto the torso's head splitting it completely in half vertically with blood shooting everywhere as the panelists cheer. He brings his khopesh into a swing and decapitates the torso with one swing and finishes it off with a downward chop onto the left shoulder cutting deep into the body.
''I don't need to explain this one here. Your first chop completely cut through the entire skull and he never knew what hit him. Followed with a swing which decapitates him and that's self explanatory, the last chop got him deep enough to cut a lung and even sliced the aorta, he's dead no doubt.'' Dorian explained
Following the gory display of both weapons, which one takes the edge?
''No doubt the khopesh takes the edge here, it's a much bigger blade and he can keep the Han at a distance and then slice his head clean off.'' Geoff said
''I agree, while the Han has versatility and surprises with his knives, but the khopesh's large blade causes much more trauma in the body and it's length as you've said will help him keep the Han at a distance.'' Dorian added
''No, no, you guys are horribly wrong, the knives have more points to kill, it's damn fast and it can disarm the Zealot. So edge deer horn knives.'' Barry countered
''Sorry Barry, it's 2 to 1 in this debate. So tough luck next time bro.'' Geoff said
''What a duo of assholes.'' Barry said
In special weapons, the edge goes to the Jewish Zealot for the khopesh.
Next, Barry will gauge the x-factors and our battle between two ancient warriors begins!
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''Time to input these x-factors.'' Barry said taking a seat in front of the simulator
''Up first and as usual it's training. No doubt the Han takes this and he took it with an 85 to the Zealot's 74 because the Han is a trained soldier, the Zealot isn't.''
''Next is ferocity and the Zealot took this one. He was beheading Romans by the thousands. He has a 93 to the Han's 87.''
''For endurance the Han gets it with a 90 to the Zealot's 87 because he has lighter allowing for faster movement.''
''I put in metallurgy as well and I gave it to both because they are bringing steel weapons to the table. 87 for each.''
''Up fifth is physicality and both are even with an 83 each, they are the same size in both height and weight.''
''Lastly there is killer instinct. I have given this to the Zealot because he was insanely obsessed with killing Romans so he gets a lovely 100 to the Han's 90.''
The panelists and experts have concluded the weapon testing and evaluating x-factors. Now we will run the simulator 1,000 times to decide the victor.
Who will win between two warriors who fought for entirely different purposes?
''In the end, one man will remain standing, let's see who.'' Barry said as he presses the enter key
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The battle begins in the deserts of of Israel in a small ravine. We see a Han Dynasty warrior wondering this new weirdly strange land. His Emperor wanting to expand west and he is one of the first Han troops in this new land.
He is still trying his best on how he will cope with this new weather but is ready to confront anything hostile. The smell of corpses fills the air as he sees several mangled and mutilated corpses of Roman legionaries.
He sets his qiang aside on a nearby rock and notices some a spear of sorts nearby a stump. Sensing company, he begins searching for a way out of the ravine. With only his dao and crossbow with him, the weapons set aside the rock just in case he gets into a fight.
He continues along the ravine when he finds the end of it in the form of a small hill that leads out of it. Glad to finally be out of this accursed ravine, he hears footsteps and stops in place and looks up at the hill.
Standing before him is a man dressed in iron armor with a spear and a bow in his hand. The Zealot spots the foreign man and senses danger. Letting out a battle cry he draws his bow and readies an arrow. Seeing what the Zealot is doing, the Han raises his shield in front of him as the Zealot lets loose an arrow.
The arrow soars through the air and it harmlessly embeds itself in the Han's shield. The Han sees the Zealot ready another arrow and takes the opportunity to bring out his crossbow and takes aim at the Jewish warrior. He fires the bolt and the Zealot and just as he looks up, the bolt hits him in the stomach.
The bolt only pierces the armor slightly and the Zealot yanks it out just as another bolt finds it's way into his shoulder. Knocked back slightly and now pissed off the Zealot picks up his sica and shield and charges towards the Han.
Loading his third bolt, the Han takes aim at the charging Zealot's face, waiting for him to come close he holds his breath and just as the Zealot is 10 feet away, he fires his bolt and misses and jumps to the side while swinging his dao.
Jumping back to avoid the dao, the Zealot responds with a flurry of swings at the Han and catches him totally off guard. Raising his shield to block the incoming swings, the Zealot forces the Han back against the rocky walls and pins him with his shield, raising his sica high be chops downward in an attempt to slice into his opponent's head but the Han manages to block the swing that would've ended him and kicks the Zealot away freeing himself.
The Zealot stumbles back allowing space between the two of them and both hold their swords in front of them and circle each other. The Zealot would be the first to make a move and lunges forward. The Han twirls out the way and swings his dao and connects with the Zealot's side stunning him.
Feeling the force of the blow, the Zealot swings his sword and this time the Han raises his dao to block it but the force of the swing knocks the Han's blade right out of his hand. Temporarily weaponless, the Han makes a break for it and goes towards the rock where he stored his weapons.
Not wanting this invader to get away, the Zealot gives chase with his sica held high. The Han comes across his weapons and scoops up his knives before lifting up his qiang.
The Zealot approaches and as he runs past the boulder the Han was waiting at, the Han pops out and thrusts his spear, reacting on instinct the Zealot rears back and falls onto his back. The Han quickly goes to bring his qiang down only for the Zealot to roll out the way. In response the Zealot rushes brings the sica down and chops the qiang's shaft in half.
Annoyed at this, the Han tosses the part of the shaft in his hand at the Zealot and quickly pulls out his knives. Seeing the Chinese warrior charging him, the Zealot raises his sica to block the incoming strikes but the Han catches the sica with his knives and twists the sica in a way that causes it to fly right out of the Zealot's hand.
Surprised at this, the Zealot sees the Han go for a thrust but he raises his shield and prevents the knives from disemboweling him. However his shield is pierced easily and he let's go of it and makes a dash towards his spear and picks it up. He turns to see the Han running after him, knives in hand and quickly thrusts it, the Han twirls just in time but the spear cuts into his side.
Grunting at the pain, the Han catches the shaft of the spear with his knives and holds it in place. With that he kicks the Zealot in the stomach causing him to stumble back and cuts the shaft of the spear in half with his knives.
Growing very aggravated, the Zealot unsheathes his khopesh. Both warriors stand with their blades held protectively in front of them and the Han this time would make the first move and a lunge while swinging both his knives, the Zealot blocks it blow for blow and parries a the knives and swings his khopesh and manages to slice into the Han's arm leaving a deep gash.
Shouting in pain, the Han ignores it and sees the Zealot go for a chop with the strange looking sword. He catches it with his knives as he did with the other weapons and tries to twist it away from the Zealot.
Seeing what his opponent is trying to do, the Jewish warrior backhands the Han dropping his knives in the process and he stumbles sideway towards a boulder. The Zealot takes the chance to chop down again but the Han just jumps out the way and runs towards where his dao is.
This fight has dragged on too long and the Zealot was determined to end it and he gives chase once more. The Han makes his way to the dao and scoops it up and turns to see the Zealot charging at him with the khopesh raised high. The two warriors meet in a clash of steel that echoes throughout the ravine and get into another exchange of blows.
Eventually the Zealot decides to fake a swing and as he does, the Han attempts to parry it but the Zealot swings low, seeing what his foe had just done, the Han jumps back just in time to avoid losing a leg and as he lands the Zealot comes charging forth and tackles him to the ground, the Han drops his dao in the process and the Zealot goes to bring his khopesh down to finish the fight.
The Han manages to catch his opponent's arms in time and struggles to avoid getting his head chopped in half, he sees something in the corner of his eye and looks at what it is, seeing it being the qiang spearhead, he quickly scoops it up and in one move, thrusts it into the Zealot's neck.
Shoving his opponent off of him, the Han looks at the Zealot choke on the qiang and twitch violently. He quickly grabs his dao and walks over to the Zealot, he looks at him in disgust.
Growing tired of the choking and gurgling, he picks up the Zealot with one hand and places his dao onto his neck and in one swift motion, slits his throat with enough force to cut all the way to the neck bone.
The Zealot is forever silenced as the Han drops the corpse to the ground. Raising his bloodied dao into the air, he shouts in victory for his kingdom.
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Winner: Han Dynasty Warrior
Han Dynasty Warrior: 561
Dao: 187
Qiang: 202
Crossbow: 33
Deer Horn Knives: 139
Jewish Zealot: 439
Sica: 131
Spear: 97
Composite Bow: 40
Khopesh: 171
X-Factors
Training: 85/Training: 74
Ferocity: 87/Ferocity: 93
Endurance: 90/Endurance: 87
Metallurgy: 87/Metallurgy: 87
Physicality: 83/Physicality: 83
Killer Instinct: 90/Killer Instinct: 100
Armor Failure Rate
Leather Lamellar: 23.1% - Iron Scale Mail: 11.8%
Circular Bamboo Shield: 2.3% - Wickerwork Shield: 20.9%
Leather Scale Helmet: 10.5% - No Helmet
After a battle between two of history's most brutal fighters, the Han Dynasty Warrior emerges victorious with over 56.1% of the victories with his qiang being the deadliest weapon overall with 202 kills followed by his dao. The Jewish Zealot was not far behind. His khopesh being his deadliest weapon and winning over 43.9% of the battles.
''What ultimately tipped this in the Han's favor was that he was an actual trained soldier unlike the Zealot, that combined with his deer horn knives he was always full of surprises and caught the Zealot off guard a majority of the time as we've seen.'' Geoff explained
''The Zealot may have the better armor in this fight, but against an actual trained soldier like the Han he couldn't keep up. The Han had so many tricks up his sleeve the Zealot just didn't expect any of it.'' Dorian added
''While the Zealot may be a ferocious challenger as we've just seen. The Han just wasn't the type of opponent the Zealot could defeat. He mustered all his effort but today the Han came out on top.'' Barry concluded
(The Han slowly emerges from the ravine, having endured that grueling battle, him emerging victorious has given him a new sense of invincibility. He walks away from the ravine with the khopesh strapped to his back.)
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Next time on 'Deadliest Warrior'. It's a battle between two revered national heros.
El Cid: The Castilian general who's brilliant tactics led his men into battle even after death.
vs.
Maharana Pratap: The fearless Rajput leader who stymied Mughal expansion into India.
WHO IS DEADLIEST!?