Oda Nobunaga: The brutal and ambitious Daimyo who sought to reunify Japan under any means necessary.
(Oda and his men charge a group of rival samurai, his men draw their swords and cut them down as he decapitates one who challenges him.)
vs.
Maharana Pratap: The fierce Rajput leader who stymied Mughal expansion into India.
(Maharana and his Rajputs charge towards an advanacing army of Mughals, the invaders are cut down as Maharana thrusts his katar into one.)
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!
Last time both these general emerged victorious in their respective battles...
(Oda thrusts his katana down Ivan's throat. The Tsar chokes for a moment before Oda drives his wakizashi in between his eyes.)
...but now, we will see what happens when both men are pulled from their time periods and pit them against each other to determine who will be the 'Deadliest General.'
(Pratap thrusts his katar into El Cid's throat, the Castilian chokes before Pratap opens up the scissor katar causing Cid's head to be severed from his body.)
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 fierce generals who helped shaped their respective nations.
Oda Nobunaga
Circa: 1575 A.D.
Age: 41
Height: 5'6''
Weight: 145 lbs.
Armor: Do-Maru, Kabuto
Maharana Pratap
Circa: 1576 A.D.
Age: 36
Height: 6'
Weight: 185 lbs.
Armor: Coat of 10,000 Nails, Steel Helmet, Dhal Shield
''Today gentlemen is a great match up!.'' Barry starts off, ''Two of the 16th century's most famous and fierce leaders from the eastern world go toe-to-toe and it will definitely be a battle worth seeing.''
''These men were psychologically hardwired for combat. Oda paved the way to reunify Japan under a single ruler and was willing to take anyone down who got in his way. He didn't care if women and children were caught in the crossfire. Maharana resisted the Mughal empire and stymied it's expansion.'' Geoff said.
''The best thing about these two warriors is their training. Oda trained from the day he was born as a samurai and Maharana's Rajput training puts him in superb physical condition as well. The training these two went through in their respective warrior cultures are world renowned, both born for battle and it will be interesting to see who takes this.'' Dorian added.
The mighty samurai brought an arsenal he used to conquer his enemies.
Short Range: Katana
Mid-Range: Yari
Long Range: Yumi
Special: Wakizashi
In turn the mighty Rajput leader brought an exotic assortment of weapons designed to kill.
Short Range: Khanda
Mid-Range: Barcha Lance
Long Range: North Indian Composite Bow
Special: Katar
When the battle went up close and personal, both generals used swords of different designs to cut and hack their enemies.
The team looks over the footage of Oda's katana and Maharana's khanda in action in their previous episodes. They then decide it would be necessary to test each sword against the opposing armor.
Experts Kenshin and Aarev stand ready with their swords in hand. Before them are torsos outfitted in the armor of their competition.
''Alright guys, we will have Aarev do two strikes, one for the do-maru and kabuto while Kenshin you will have three strikes for the shield, coat of 10,000 nails and Maharana's helmet to gauge what damage you will inflict upon each set of armor.'' Geoff explained.
Both experts nod and get into position, giving a smile of confidence to each other.
''Okay guys, on 3...2...1...Cut em' up!" Geoff called out.
Kenshin thrusts his katana into the dhal shield, the tip of the blade piercing through and protruding out the other side. Likewise Aarev swings his khanda sideways impacting the do-maru leaving only a dent as Kenshin then thrusts his katana into the chainmail portion of the armor, the blade going through. Both experts then rear back and raise both their swords high before bringing it down on their opposing helmets.
''Wow, that looked really painful.'' Barry commented as they walk over to assess the damage.
''I'll start off with Aarev and the khanda here. Your first swing to the do-maru did generate enough force to break a rib there which would put the man in pain but not kill him. Your second strike to the kabuto we did not detect sufficient force to break the man's skull. The sword was basically deflected by the helmet but taking into the way his head moved when you hit him, It's possible he could suffer a concussion but that's about it.'' Dorian explained as he walks over to the armor outfitted in Maharana's armor.
''Moving on to Kenshin with the coat of 10,000 nails, we didn't detect enough force in the swing to break a bone in the arm wielding the shield. Your thrust into the armor itself saw a good degree of penetration through the unprotected chainmail portion and judging by the depth of it, I wager you would've struck his lung collapsing it. It isn't a kill but a debilitating injury at best. Moving on to the helmet we detected some force to give the man a minor concussion.''
Now after testing both blades against the opposing armor, which one do our experts believe takes the edge?
''Both swords can slice people in half with no problem at all. In the end though I think the katana's superior speed and the fact that it can slash and stab gives it my edge over the khanda.'' Geoff started off.
''Both incorporate martial arts which would amplify their lethality times one hundred. The khanda may hit with a lot more force but I prefer a weapon which gives you more options plus the katana's blinding speed wins me over once again.'' Dorian added.
''I love the khanda for the severe trauma it causes on a bod but the katana's metallurgy makes it sturdier than the khanda. For the sturdiness and the superior speed in which the katana can be swung and lastly it packs more surprises up it's sleeve. Edge katana.'' Barry concluded.
In short range weapons, the edge goes to Oda Nobunaga for the katana.
Both generals used deadly lances to impale their foes. Oda with the yari and Maharana with the barcha lance.
The team reviews the footage of both weapons tests in their respective episodes and after a brief debate come to a conclusion.
''I say this one is even. Both are pretty much stabbing weapons and that's basically it.'' Geoff said.
''The barcha has the added lethality with the gatka training of the Rajputs. In the end the similarities between both leaves this edge as even.'' Dorian added.
''This one is even for the reasons you gentlemen provided.'' Barry finished.
For mid-range weapons, both warriors are dead even.
When the battle came down to long range, both generals wielded bows to take their enemies down.
The panel reviews the footage of the testing from both bows debut episodes. After a lengthy discussion they finally come to a conclusion.
''This is a tough one.'' Geoff said, ''Both bows are recurve designs but I see the yumi packing more power behind it. Other than that I don't see any significant advantages both would carry over the other so this one will be even in my book.''
''Agreed, though the samurai and Oda are using their bow to a more professional degree, the recurve designs of these bows tell me they will inflict similar damage on the body. Even for me as well.'' Dorian seconded.
''Both bows recurve designs mean they will fire their arrows with more power than a regular 'D' style bow. This is even as well for me gentlemen.'' Barry added.
In long range weapons, both warriors are even.
Finally, we will now review the favored special weapons our warriors wielded in battle. Since the wakizashi greatly resembles the katana the panel concludes it will do similar damage to the armor as the katana.
''Let's test the katar against the do-maru and see what it can do.'' Geoff said.
Aarev stands ready with his katar in hand before a torso outfitted in the do-maru of Oda.
''On 3...2...1...cut em' up!" Geoff called out.
Aarev screams a mighty battle cry and punches the dagger katar into the armor, the blade going through to the awes of the panelists. He withdraws the katar and thrusts the scissor katar into the armor, he then opens up the blade but it fails to cut through the armor.
''Make way, doctor Dorian coming through.'' Dorian said.
''Impressive, you managed to pierce the do-maru.'' He said as he pokes the armor ''Your first blow managed to pierce about two inches into the armor but you were only able to draw blood cutting into his skin but it wasn't deep enough to hit any vital structures. Your scissor katar pierces a bit deeper but it still wasn't enough to strike organs. Your attacks however did draw blood which would cause this man pain and leave him open to other forms of attack.''
After testing the katar, both teams come to one of the easiest conclusions they've ever done.
''This is goes to the katar, it has offensive and defensive capabilities and it is totally going to take Oda by surprise.'' Geoff said.
''That weapon is so enigmatic to Oda and his men. I wonder how he is going to counter that thing. It's a goddamn killing tool. Edge katar.'' Dorian added.
''The katar has superior reach as well. It has my edge." Barry finished.
In special weapons, the edge goes to Maharana Pratap for the katar.
Moving on to armor the team now compares both Oda's do-maru and Pratap's Coat of 10,000 Nails.
''Alright, moving on with the armor I see both of these weapons falling to certain weapons in their opponent's arsenal. The do-maru will not hold from repeated blows from the katar and Oda's yari and katana can pierce the chainmail portions of the coat. For those reasons I call this even across the board.'' Geoff said.
''While Pratap does have a shield. His armor provides coverage while Oda's provides better protection from thrusting weapons. Both have strong helmets too so I call this even too.'' Dorian seconded.
''You guys have convinced me yet again to agree with you. It's coverage versus protection. Even as well for me.'' Barry added.
In the armor category, it's an even comparison.
Coming up, two of the eastern world's most famed generals do battle and only one will be the deadliest warrior!
XXXXXX
Welcome back to the fight club, before the break we had reviewed four weapons wielded by these two generals.
For short range weapons, we reviewed and tested both the katana against the khanda.
''For the superior speed in which it can be swung combined with it's superior metallurgy and versatility the edge goes to the katana. Plus it has no problem piercing clean through the chainmail portions of Pratap's armor.'' Geoff explained.
Edge: Oda Nobunaga
For mid-range weapons, we compared the two favored impaling lances with the yari and barcha lance respectively.
''Since both these weapons can be used on foot and horseback and the fact that they are mainly stabbing weapons we can give no edge in this category.''
Edge: Even
For long range we've looked over the testing of both bows these generals wielded in combat. Oda's Yumi and Pratap's North Indian composite bow.
''These two bows have recurve designs. While in a cavalry battle the smaller size of the composite bow will allow it to be used with more ease but since this is a foot battle these two bows are on an even playing field combined with their amazing penetration power.''
Edge: Even
And for special weapons, Oda's wakizashi went up against Pratap's katars.
''It's a no brainer, you have two katars with the scissor one catching your weapon and holding you in place whereas you can stab the crap out of someone with the dagger one. For sheer offensive and defensive capabilities the edge goes to the katar.''
Edge: Maharana Pratap
Finally, we compared the armor of these two generals with Oda dawning his kabuto helmet and do-maru against Pratap's dhal shield, coat of 10,000 nails and steel helmet.
''These two sets of armor have their pros and cons. Oda doesn't have a shield but can block out the khanda while Pratap has a shield but his chainmail portions in the armor leave him open to all of Oda's weapons. The helmets are about even. For the reasons just provided it is even in the armor category.'' Geoff concluded.
Edge: Even
And now Barry wlll gauge the x-factors of our warriors.
''Okay gentlemen, let's look over the x-factors.'' Barry said.
''First and foremost it's generalship. Oda had an 89 to Maharana's 86.''
''For physicality, Oda and Pratap were both hardened by their samurai and rajput training. So they both get a 92 each.''
''Strategy is up next and Maharana has an 82 to Oda's 74.''
''Logistics comes into play and both are even with an 88 because they both had an entire country of resources at their disposal.''
''Next is endurance and both are even with a 91. Again, they are trained heavily in their respective fighting styles and are using weapons that require a lot of speed to handle.''
''Last is troop discipline. Both are leading men who are born into their respective warrior cultures. So we gave both a 91 for that reason.''
We've now concluded reviewing weapon data and entering the x-factors. Barry will now set the match to run 1,000 times to avoid any win from a lucky blow.
The battle is a 5-on-5 encounter. Oda will lead 4 samurai and Maharana will lead 4 rajputs. All warriors will wear their leader's armor.
''In the end, only one general will remain standing, let's see who it it.'' Barry said as he presses the enter key.
XXXXXX
The battle brings us to the India. It is a warm and humid day and we see Maharana Pratap and 4 of his rajputs sparing with one another. Maharana looks on at the sight of his men training and smiles in content. Strapped to his back is the Tizona he had taken from the fallen El Cid.
He then takes a seat and goes to eat his meal as his men continue to spar.
Maharana Pratap: 5
On a nearby dirt path, the mighty Daimyo Oda Nobunaga and 4 of his most trusted samurai are making their way through the area. They have somehow ended up on this unknown land but Oda and his men are ready to take on any threat that may appear before them. Strapped to Oda's side is Ivan's sablia.
Oda Nobunaga: 5
He and his men continue forth through the path when they suddenly hear what sounds like swords clanging with each other on the other side of the brush.
Motioning for his men to duck low, he takes one of his samurai and goes to inspect the source of the noise. They go into the brush and peek out the other side. Oda and his man spot Maharana and his rajputs sparing in the open area.
Oda draws his yumi and orders his man beside him to go and get the others. He then readies an arrow onto his yumi and takes aim at one of the rajputs.
After a few seconds he releases the arrow and the arrow finds itself embedding into the side of the head of one of the rajputs sparing protruding out the side of his head.
Maharana Pratap: 4 - Oda Nobunaga: 5
The rajput who was sparing with his comrade who took the arrow to the head jumps back in surprise and looks at the direction from which the arrow came. He spots Oda in the brush readying another arrow and points in his direction while yelling for Maharana's attention.
Maharana and the other rajputs look to see Oda, one of the rajputs grabs his bow and readies an arrow onto it and fires it at Oda. Seeing the arrow coming his way, Oda ducks just in time to avoid having it skewer his face, he turns when he hears someone gagging behind him and turns to see one of his samurai had taken arrow to his throat.
The samurai coughs up some blood before collapsing.
Maharana Pratap: 4 - Oda Nobunaga: 4
The rest of his samurai emerge from the brush and all fire their arrows in unison.
''Ma, shinseina tawagoto! Nani ga anata o baka ni shita nodesu ka?'' Oda said with an annoyed tone.
Maharana and his rajputs draw their weapons and charge forth. The arrows unleashed from the samurai all being blocked by their shields.
Oda picks up his yari and orders his men to charge as well. Both sides unleash ferocious battle cries as they charge full force toward each other. They then collide in a clash of steel that echoes throughout the area.
One samurai wielding a yari confronts a rajput wielding katars. The samurai goes in for a thrust with the lance. The rajput blocks the yari's tip before twirling around the spear and stabs the dagger katar into the samurai's gut, the armor not protecting him from the blade.
The samurai gasps in pain and coughs up blood before the rajput thrusts his scissor katar and digs it into his neck. The rajput then opens the scissor katar and the samurai's head goes flying off in a bloody spectacle.
Maharana Pratap: 4 - Oda Nobunaga: 3
Meanwhile Oda is seen confronting a rajput who attempts to bring the khanda down hoping to catch the warlord's head. Oda brings his katana up and blocks the blow before kicking the rajput away. He then goes in for a thrust with his sword but the rajput jumps back and follows through with a jump attack.
Oda then twirls his body around and brings his katana which slices the rajput's legs from under him and the Indian is sent crashing to the ground legless.
The rajput attempts to crawl away to pick up his khanda but Oda steps on his hand. The rajput looks up in pain and a flash of light enters his vision before it goes black.
Oda had decapitated the man with one smooth swing of his katana.
Maharana Pratap: 3 - Oda Nobunaga: 3
Oda kicks the head away and turns to face the ensuing battle between the two groups.
Maharana exchanges blows with one of the remaining samurai. The samurai attempts to trick the rajput leader into opening his defense but Maharana responds with a vicious assault that sees his khanda repeatedly being swung at the samurai.
The samurai attempts to block each blow but eventually his katana is knocked from his hands and before he can unsheathe his wakizashi, Maharana swings his khanda that knocks his kabuto from his head and then brings it back in another swing.
The khanda slices into the samurai's head nearly cutting it in half horizontally.
Maharana Pratap: 3 - Oda Nobunaga: 2
Meanwhile, the last remaining samurai is seen in a struggle against the other two rajputs. He kicks one away before picking up a yari from the ground next to him. One rajput twirls forward but the samurai thrusts the yari and the rajput twirls onto the spearhead going straight through his armor and getting him in the gut killing him.
Maharana Pratap: 2 - Oda Nobunaga: 2
He tosses the yari aside and draws his katana and faces the other rajput armed with a lance. He attempts a series of swings with his sword only for each to be blocked by the rajput's shield. The rajput brings his lance downward and impales the samurai's foot sticking it to the ground.
In pain the samurai attempts to shove the rajput away but the rajput kicks him over to the ground before bringing his lance and thrusting it into the samurai's neck, the tip severing all his major veins and arteries.
The samurai coughs on metal and blood before he goes limp.
Maharana Pratap: 2 - Oda Nobunaga: 1
The rajput's victory is short lived when his head is suddenly sent flying in the opposite direction. The headless corpse falls over to reveal Oda standing behind him with his katana in hand.
Maharana Pratap: 1 - Oda Nobunaga: 1
Maharana unsheathes his khanda and inches his way toward Oda. Oda does the same and both warriors slowly come closer holding their swords protectively in front of them. They then circle each other and it would be Oda who makes the first move.
The warlord thrusts his katana only for Maharana to raise his dhal and the katana finds itself stuck in the shield. With his sword stuck in the dhal, Oda tries to pull it out but Maharana doesn't allow such a thing and swings the khanda.
The sword slices Oda across the face and leaves a bleeding gash from the warlord's right cheek to his left eye. Groaning in pain, Oda returns the favor and goes to unsheathe his wakizashi and swings it.
Maharana gets sliced across the face and loses some of his beard in the process before being kicked away by Oda dropping his shield in the process.
Both warriors are left groaning at the searing pain of the face wounds and both drop to their knees with their hands places on the horrid cuts that now scar them.
After a few minutes, both feel the pain subside and get up on their feet before turning to face each other. They stand tall and eye each other before pointing their swords at each other, both wanting to get off some words before one of them falls.
''Agyaat yoddha, tum mujhe pahale gir jaegee..'' Maharana says before assuming his battle stance.
"Īe, haiboku no uchi ni watashi no mae ni koshiwoorosu hito wa anatadesu." Oda replied back defiantly.
Oda picks his wakizashi up and takes his katana which was stuck in the dhal and holds both his swords protectively in front of him. Both leaders inch their way towards each other. Maharana would be the first to go in for a strike as he twirls his body and gains enough momentum and brings the khanda downward.
The blow is blocked however as Oda raises his swords and catches the khanda mid swing. The two leaders struggle to gain the upperhand and it would be Oda who would gain it.
He forces his katana outward which does him good and forces Maharana's sword wielding arm away. Seeing the opening he just created Oda quickly thrusts the katana into the Indian's exposed chest.
The katana piercing through the chainmail portion of the armor. Maharana groans in pain and tries to swing his khanda, but Oda headbutts him breaking his nose and sending him stumbling back in pain. Oda follows through with a swing of the katana and the sword slices Maharana's sword wielding hand off sending the hand falling to the ground with the sword still in it's grip.
Maharana screams while staring at his stump and he is silenced when Oda follows up with a thrust into his gut. The Japanese warlord forces his blade in deeper before he places a hand onto the Indian's shoulder and forces him to his knees.
Oda then takes his wakizashi and looks in pity at the bleeding Maharana. Maharana looks up to Oda one last time and the samurai then swings his wakizashi.
Maharana gasps and is still for a moment. In a few seconds his head slowly falls off from his neck as his body falls over bleeding profusely from the decapitation.
Maharana Pratap: 0 - Oda Nobunaga: 1
Oda then yanks the katana out and sheathes both his blades before picking up the khanda. He then raises the khanda into the air while yelling ''Banzai!'' at the top of his lungs.
XXXXXX
Winner: Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga: 512
Katana: 185
Yari: 136
Yumi: 130
Wakizashi: 61
Maharana Pratap: 488
Khanda: 144
Barcha Lance: 107
North Indian Composite Bow: 33
Katar: 204
X-Factors
Generalship: 89/Generalship: 86
Physicality: 92/Physicality: 92
Strategy: 74/Strategy: 82
Logistics: 88/Logistics: 88
Endurance: 91/Endurance: 91
Troop Discipline: 91/Troop Discipline: 91
Armor Failure Rate
Do-Maru: 21% - Coat of 10,000 Nails: 27%
Kabuto: 9% - Steel Helmet: 8%
No Shield - Dhal Shield: 10%
Following a very close battle between two of the east's most famed generals. Oda Nobunaga wins. He won 51.2% compared to Maharana Pratap's 48.8%. His superior armor and his katana clenched his narrow victory. Pratap wouldn't be far behind. His equally disciplined troops and the power of his khanda combined with the katar took Oda completely by surprise.
''I'm actually surprised. I thought the gatka training Pratap and his rajputs went through would be completely unlike anything Oda had ever seen. Guess I was wrong. I mean damn, Oda just barely even won it.'' Geoff commented.
''If you have the better archery skills, better armor and a bit more options with your sword it makes sense Oda won.'' Dorian added.
''This was a very close battle given how these two men were born and raised. They came from two of Asia's most famous warrior classes. It narrowly came down to those quirks in the x-factors and Oda's katana being more versatile than the hack only khanda is what led to his victory.'' Barry said.
(Oda is seen walking away from the sight of the battle. He heads out through the brush from where he and his men came from. He then takes a right and begins his long trek back to Japan. Strapped to his side is not only Ivan's sablia, but also Pratap's khanda and El Cid's Tizona. More weapons he will add to his conquering arsenal.)
XXXXXX
Next time on back for blood. Two of the ancient world's most famous Iron Age generals go toe-to-toe.
William the Conqueror: The Norman Duke who invaded England, killed their king and took the throne.
vs.
Hannibal: The brilliant Carthaginian general who's tactics and war elephants made him Rome's worst nightmare.
WHO IS DEADLIEST?!
Translation for Oda: ''Oh now you finally get here where the hell were you guys.'',''No, it will be you who will bow before me.''
Translation for Maharana: ''Unknown warrior, you will fall here.''