A/N: This match was originally Metal Harbinger's idea but since he will be pitting the Tercio against the Ashigaru he has given me the honor of doing this fight. Also I would like to apologize for such a long hiatus, since I'm an overnight employee it makes it hard for me to focus when it comes to writing fics but hey, here's another chapter to make up for it so I hope you all enjoy. Special thanks to DeadAliveManiac, Zivon96, MKDemigodZ-Warrior and Metal Harbinger for contributing figures in this fic.
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(A group of Spaniards wearing steel cuirasses and morion helmets like the Conquistadors point their pikes, firearms and blades at the camera.)
Spanish Tercio: The Spanish empire's famed infantry and Europe's first modern professional army.
(A line of Tercio musketeers aim their weapons at charging French soldiers during Pavia. The Spaniards open fire taking down several dozens of their opponents.)
vs.
(Five Englishmen in the standard red uniform of the English Civil War point their muskets at the camera.)
English Musketeers: Parliamentarian England's mass firing infantry whose unmatched skill in firearms battered their enemies with bullets.
(Several English musketeers get into formation as a group of cavaliers charge at them. They aim their muskets and fire cutting their enemies down.)
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 15th century Europe's best black powder warriors.
Spanish Tercio
Circa: 1525 A.D.
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 165 lbs.
Armor: Spanish Steel Cuirass, Morion Helmet
English Musketeers
Circa: 1650 A.D.
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 165 lbs.
Armor: None
''Today on Deadliest Warrior: Rice Man's Edition we're profiling two of the best warriors from Europe's black powder era and we're pitting the Spanish Tercio who were Spain's elite infantry units against the masters of unleashing a storm of lead against all opposition, the English Musketeers. It's a really good battle and one that fans have been debating for a very long time and I can't wait to see the results and end the argument once and for all.'' Ancient weapons, strategy and combat specialist DeadAliveManiac started off.
''I think I'm giving the fight to the Tercio. While the Musketeers are bringing in the advanced firearm in this fight when things get up close and personal the Tercio all have armor that will definitely be a saving grace for them.'' Medical specialist Zivon96 explained.
''I'll give this one to the English musketeers because of the advanced musket they have, sure the Tercio have armor but the musketeers superior skill with their firearms will allow them to end the fight before things get up close and personal. In addition to that infantry like the Musketeers put the Tercio to extinction.'' Weapons geek MKDemigodZ-Warrior countered.
''Black powder era matches always turn out so well because many warriors are always evenly matched. I can't wait to see who claims the victory in this fight so let's get this going.'' Modern weapons and strategist PFC Rice Man concluded.
The Spanish Tercio were a Spanish infantry organization during the time that Habsburg Spain dominated Europe in the early modern period. The tercio was an administrative unit with command of up to 3,000 soldiers, subdivided originally into 10, later 12 compañías, made up of pikemen, swordsmen and arquebusiers or musketeers. These companies were deployed in battle and were further subdivided into units of 30 soldiers. These smaller units could be deployed individually or brought together to form what were sometimes called Spanish squares. These powerful infantry squares were also much used by other European powers, especially the Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire.
''They engaged in some of Europe's most famous battles such as Pavia and the siege of Paris. Their battle prowess and tactics paved the way for them to become one of the most professional military forces in European history and there's no doubt the English Musketeers have a fight on their hands.'' Rice Man explained.
The elite Spanish infantry combated all enemies with an arsenal of high quality Spanish steel.
Short Range: Toledo Rapier
Mid-Range: Pike
Long Range: Arquebus
Special: Arbalest
Today however, the famed Spanish infantry face a brand new opponent who served England during the civil war, a force famous for their marksmanship.
The musketeer was a type of soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern armies, particularly in Europe, as they normally comprised the majority of their infantry and were the precursors of Riflemen. Muskets were replaced by rifles in most western armies during the mid-1850s. The traditional designation of "musketeer" for an infantry private survived in the Imperial German Army until World War I. One of the most famous iterations of the musketeer was during the English Civil War they served as the standard infantry units and their incredible marksmanship as well as large numbers attributed to their victory for the Parliamentarians.
''These troops battered their enemies with a hailstorm of lead and no matter how far you were they always seemed to be able to put you down with one shot. They proved their worth during the Civil war and today the Tercios are in for the battle of the century.'' Rice Man concluded.
The English infantry won their civil war with the assistance of the best weapons of their time.
Short Range: Gunner's Stiletto
Mid-Range: Plug Bayonet
Long Range: Matchlock Musket
Special: Snaphance Pistol
When these two forces confronted enemies up close and personal they both relied on simple, yet lethal blades to get the job done.
Since we've already seen the Toledo Rapier in use with the Spanish Conquistadors the panel reviews ''Spanish Conquistadors vs. Ottoman Janissaries'' before deciding on what to do.
''Okay gents, we've already seen the Toledo Rapier before so we'll be moving on to what the English Musketeers wielded.'' DAM said.
English Musketeer and Civil war reenactor Winston Churchill presented his weapon. ''The Gunner's Stiletto was a very important tool for musketeers and artillerymen on the battlefield. While it was used to clean the bore of guns and touchholes of cannons it was a very deadly weapon when the use for it arises. It had a pyramid shaped blade and measures 13 and a half inches long and weighs in at only 6 ounces.''
''Looks like it can do some serious damage.'' DAM commented. ''To test that weapon out we're gonna have you attack a torso clad in the armor of the Tercio which consists of a morion helmet and a Spanish steel cuirass. You will have two blows for each piece of armor and any exposed portions of the target are fair game as well. To convince us we want to see you try and get kill shots through the armor if you can. Think you're up to the challenge?''
''I know I can do it, let's do this.'' Winston said confidently before getting into position.
DAM picks up his stopwatch and begins the countdown.
''Begin on 3...2...1...Attack!"
''DIE YOU BLOODY DIRTY SPANIARD!"
Winston let out a roar of intimidation as he lunges forward and begins stabbing the morion helmet with his stiletto. However, even with him putting lots of force into the attack it left only two holes. Undeterred by his failure he moves onto the cuirass. Holding onto the torso for leverage the expert then stabs into the torso the first time. The weapon managing to pierce through but barely. Yanking his blade out he stabs it a second time yielding similar results to the first attach before stabbing the torso multiple times in the face before stopping.
''Yikes, you really went all out with that face attack.'' Demigod commented, cringing at the sight.
Zivon makes his way over to assess the damage.
''I'll go off and start with the helmet.'' The Canadian said as he removes the headgear. ''From what I'm seeing you did manage to puncture the steel but just barely touched his skin underneath so no kill or superficial damage on the target. Checking the steel cuirass here I can see you got almost the same results with the helmet but you did manage to pierce enough to touch skin.'' Zivon proves his point as DAM and Rice Man remove the cuirass showing the injury. ''Not a kill obviously so you're just gonna be hurting him or pissing him off at best. The attack on the face though? Need I say more you turned it inside out with all those stabs and it'll take dental records to find out who this individual was. So going around the armor you're killing him, without it you're not gonna be doing a lot unfortunately.''
After they review the testing of the Toledo Rapier from it's first appearance the panelists discuss among themselves before finally coming to a decision.
''For me, I think I'm gonna go with the Toledo Rapier on this one because unlike the Musketeers the Spaniards won't have to worry about armor being an obstacle.'' DAM started off.
''I would have to agree with you on that one, the Rapier also has so much more blade with it allowing the Tercio to keep the English at a distance. So I'm giving the edge to the Spanish Tercio on this one.'' Zivon seconded.
''That and it's made of the highest quality steel there is available at the time. Edge to the Toledo Rapier.'' Demigod commented.
''I can't provide any counter arguments in favor of the Gunner's Stiletto. Sure it is quicker with having less steel to maneuver around but the Toledo Rapier is gonna have fun poking holes in the Musketeers because they don't have any armor whatsoever, edge Spanish Tercio.'' Rice Man concluded.
In short range weapons, the edge goes to the Spanish Tercio for their Toledo Rapier.
Coming up next, two deadly mid-ranged weapons are brought forth and later on we bring out the firearms that made these warriors famous!
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When mid-ranged combat began our warriors used two very different weapons to spill the blood of their enemies. Up first will be the Spanish Tercio with their trusted Pike.
''The Pike was the descendant of the famous Sarissa used by the Macedonian phalanxes. Just like the Sarissa the Pike was a very long weapon that was 15 feet long and weighed in at 9 pounds and was the best Spanish steel in the Spaniards' case.'' Tercio expert and reenactor Ferdinand Fernandez explained.
''That's an absurdly long weapon you're bringing it, to test it out we've set up a torso here for you dressed in the uniform of the English Musketeers that is suspended on a zip line and we'll give you one chance to deliver the kill shot. Think you're up to the challenge?'' DAM questioned.
Ferdinand nodded. ''Going up against opponents with no armor will be fun and easy for the pike.''
The expert gets into position and readies himself as Demigod and Rice Man prepare the torso for it's impending demise. DAM gives the countdown and when he hit the go mark the two Asians released the torso sending it careening toward the Tercio expert. Ferdinand then thrusts his pike forward and manages to get literally half the weapon through the torso, the sound of flesh ripping echoing through the club. Ferdinand then lets go of the weapon as so Zivon can come over.
Putting on his gloves the Canadian doctor made his way over with a smile on his face.
''Looks like you turned this guy into an English kabob and the area in which you thrusted completely severed the aorta causing a near instant bleed out and death as evident by the amount of blood seeping out of his body right now. That man would've seen this pike going through his body before everything went dark for him and it's a terrible way to go.''
Winston walked over and while it was an impressive display for him, he himself wasn't impressed at all.
''While the pike has massive reach on it's side, I have a weapon that allows me to move quicker.''
The Plug Bayonet has been tested before in a previous episode, so with that we will let the panel decide on what to do, boys?
''We've already seen the Plug Bayonet before in George Washington versus Gustavus Adolphus but not against armor so we're gonna have our expert bring it in to see what it can do against the Tercio's Spanish steel cuirass.'' DAM explained.
Winston walks over and attaches the weapon to the end of his Matchlock musket before walking toward a torso clad in his opponent's armor that was just set up by Demigod.
''Okay Winston we're gonna give you 15 seconds to try and deal as much damage as you can to the armor. You are not restricted to just striking the armor so if you want you can strike unarmored portions of the target if it behooves you.'' DAM explained.
The expert nodded and got into a ready position as DAM gives him the go. With his first move the expert thrusted the bayonet into target's face with a sickening crunch. Pulling the weapon back out he thrusts again, but this time into the neck with the bayonet poking out the other side. He pulls the weapon out once more before swinging the butt at the head sending it wobbling from the impact before going back for a hard thrust into the Spanish armor piercing it as DAM calls time.
The doc then makes his way over to check the damage.
''The first blow saw that blade go straight through his nose and into the base of the brain for an instant kill, the second blow went straight through his larnyx and you managed to sever the spinal cord for another kill. You also hit the guy square in the jaw with the stock and if you hit hard enough you can break his jaw leaving him open to other means of attack, however you only managed to knock him down.'' Zivon explained before inspecting the armor. ''The armor however held true and you're only penetrating about an inch in and just barely touching the skin underneath. Two out of four blows are kills.''
''Compared to the reach of the pike there's no way the English will get close enough to use the bayonet. You'll be poked full of holes before you get within range.'' Ferdinand commented.
After testing out the warriors' mid-ranged weapons, which one do our experts believe take the edge? Hm, it seems that they have gotten into a heated debate over which weapon wins. Let's eavesdrop and be nosy.
''I gotta give this one to the bayonet because it's not long and cumbersome like the pike and while it has to deal with the cuirass, it's still easier to maneuver around. Edge English Musketeers.'' DAM started.
''I go with the bayonet as well, you provide some good points there DAM and for that I will take what you said and use it as my reason as well. Edge to the English Musketeers.'' Zivon seconded.
''Well, I go with the pike because for me, it's length is the main advantage it has over the pike plus, it doesn't have armor to deal with unlike the bayonet so the Tercio gets my edge.'' Demigod countered.
The tiebreaker would fall upon Rice Man's shoulder.
''All you turd burgers present great arguments in favor of each weapon, I will however, side with Demigod this time around and give it to pike for reach and easier time dealing with the opposition. Wait...that technically would make this a draw, so is this even considered a tiebreaker?!'' Rice Man questioned incredulously before looking at the narrator. ''Oh you motherfu-''
Rice Man was unable to finish his vulgar sentence as the narrator had cut him off.
For mid-range weapons, our warriors are locked in an even edge in a vote of 2-2.
Coming up! We take things to long ranged combat when two early firearms compete for dominance!
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For long ranged combat, these infantry units relied on the best and most reliable firearms of their time. The Spanish Tercio bring in the Arquebus and the English Musketeers used the Matchlock Musket.
Since we've already tested the Arquebus in several previous episodes, we will move on to the English Musketeers and their preferred firearm.
The team heads out to the shooting range where five targets have been set up for the Matchlock musket, all bearing the armor of the Spanish Tercio with the helmet included.
''The Matchlock musket used by the English Musketeers were slight improvements on the arquebus that came before it but these were heavier. The English musketeers were very well trained with these guns and their efficiency with it allowed the English parliament to achieve victory during the civil war.'' Winston explained.
''Seems like it can get the job done and to test it out we've already set up the range for you with your target being set at 50 yards. You, Rice Man, myself and two black powder firearm experts will fire three shots each at the targets to gauge accuracy and of course, damage.'' DAM explained.
Nodding, Winston motions for his fellow shooters to take positions and they load in their first shots. Zivon takes DAM's stopwatch and gives the shooters the signal to begin firing and in unison they all discharge their muskets with a thunderous boom and when the smoke cleared two of the targets had bullet holes in them straight through the armor.
''Nice! We got two kills right off the bat!'' Demigod commented.
The shooters reload their muskets for the second volley and aimed once again and after another thunderous blast they manage to hit two more of the targets, one through the armor like the first two and the other in the throat. Satisfied with the shooting the shooters reload their final shots and when they aim they all take a moment to aim and accurately acquire their targets. After a few seconds of doing so they let loose another barrage of bullets and the fifth and final target finally takes a lead ball that goes through the forehead and knocks the morion helmet right off to DAM's surprise.
''Holy heck I just made a nice shot!" Exclaimed the nerd.
When all was calm Zivon made his way over to inspect the damage done by the muskets.
''Starting with the first volley I saw that these two targets here too bullets in the chest and the armor did absolutely nothing to protect them from this, one has a bullet going straight through his gut and the other has one destroying his lungs. The gut shot is an instant kill but the second one is an eventual death. These two right here have different shot placements, one took a shot to the armor where his heart would be and that's completely destroyed and the other guy took one right in the throat and everything in there from the trachea, larynx and spinal cord is just gone forever.'' He then moves over to take a look at the final target. ''The last shot was quite impressive as he takes the bullet straight through his forehead turning his brain to mush and it knocked his helmet off.''
''I don't have too much experience shooting firearms, let alone matchlocks but that was an unbelievable shot on my part.'' DAM said proudly.
''Imagine being in a battle and you see one of your guys get his head blown off like that in front of you. It's definitely gonna make you wonder if the next volley will kill you.'' Winston commented.
After a demonstration of the Matchlock musket, where do our panelists stand with their final decision?
''I gotta go and give this one to the English Musketeers, their firearms, though still a matchlock is still more advanced than the arquebus and that armor is going to protect the Tercios.'' DAM started off.
''I agree wholeheartedly with you on that matter. Plus the musketeers are more accurate shots and extensively trained with their weapon. Edge English Musketeers.'' Zivon added.
''It's really no contest at all, the Tercios didn't fire with the accuracy the English did. Edge English musketeers.'' Demigod said.
''It also packs a bigger punch for my liking that will kill the Spaniards even with armor on. Musketeers get my edge all the damn way.'' Rice Man concluded.
In long range weapons, the edge goes to the English Musketeers for their Matchlock Musket.
Coming up, we conclude weapons testing by bringing out two weapons our warriors used to accompany their muskets and then later, English Musketeers? Or Spanish Tercio? Which one will achieve victory?!
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Now the time has come to conclude the weapon testing by bringing out the special weapons of our warriors.
Since the Tercio's arbalest was tested before in ''Hernan Cortes vs. Vlad the Impaler'' we will move on with the special weapon of the English musketeers.
''The snaphance pistol was basically an early version of the flintlock. It had a shaped piece of steel in it that with the hammer where the flint was struck which would ignite the powder in the pan. This one fires a .50 caliber ball and had a barrel that measured 11 and a half inches.'' Winston explained.
To test out the armor piercing capabilities, reload time and accuracy of the snaphance pistol, the panel has set up 3 targets outfitted in the steel breastplate of the Tercio.
Winston loads in his first shot and takes aim at his first target on the left.
''Fire!" DAM shouted.
The expert squeezes the trigger and the gun fires off it's shot hitting the target just below the neck on the breastplate, the ball however left only a dent and was deflected by the armor. Not bothered by the failure, Winston goes about reloading his weapon and taking aim at the second target he fires again, this time the bullet hits the torso in the mouth. Reloading his final shot he sets his sights on the final target dead center in the chest and lets his gun go off and once again, the ball impacts the armor but is deflected away leaving only a dent.
Zivon and the others made their way over to assess the damage. ''Well...there isn't much I can say about the shots that hit the armor..you're just knocking those guys on their asses and that's it. The second shot was the only killshot and it went straight through his mouth shattering his teeth and came out the back of his head severing his spinal cord. Out of three guys, one is dead and the other two are knocked on their asses and royally pissed off.''
''The Tercio wouldn't worry about the pistol, since my armor deflects shots from it we'll just fire a bolt into your face.'' Ferdinand commented.
''We still have our matchlocks and that's gonna kill you lad.'' Winston retorted.
After reviewing the testing of the Arbalest from it's debut episode, our panelists get into a divided discussion on which weapon gets the edge.
''I have to go with the snaphance on this one because if we all remember the arbalest has the longest and worst reload of any crossbow I've ever seen and that alone is gonna kill it for the Tercios.'' DAM started off.
''Sorry, I stand by the arbalest because it fires more accurately than the pistol and the Tercio don't have to worry about any armor deflecting their bolts.'' Zivon countered.
''Arbalest for me, the snaphance is a gun sure, but the breastplate deflecting the lead balls is what killed it for me.'' Demigod said.
The final decision would once again fall upon Rice Man.
''Despite it's shitty and long reload, the arbalest will kill the English Musketeers in one shot and is more accurate, the snaphance will only get a kill if the English manage to hit the Spaniards in the face and with the helmet most likely deflecting the shot it's not helping anytime soon. Tercio has a whole unarmored body in which they can kill or injure severely while the Musketeers got a small area with the face and neck as I've said. Spanish Tercio gets the edge in this matter.'' Rice Man concluded.
DAM looked at the three like they were insane. ''Snaphance is a gun, arbalest is a bow, I'm sure we all know which one wins.''
In special weapons, the edge goes to the Spanish Tercio for their Arbalest.
Now we move on to the armor category...
''The English are not wearing anything but the uniforms on their backs, the Tercio are wearing high quality Spanish steel breastplates and have a helmet so it's obvious.'' DAM commented.
Fine then, in the armor category the Spanish Tercio gain a one-sided edge.
Coming up! Metal Harbinger evaluates the x-factors of both warriors and our battle between black powder infantry begins!
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Welcome back to the fight club, here we tested out the weapons wielded by our warriors to determine who is deadliest.
For short range weapons, the Tercio's Toledo Rapier proved more efficient than the Gunner's stiletto.
''More blade, keeps the English at a distance and not having to deal with armor is why we are giving the edge to the Tercio in short range weapons.'' DAM explained.
Edge: Spanish Tercio
For mid-range weapons, the Tercio's Pike and English Musketeer's Plug Bayonet were tied in a vote of 2-2.
''Do we really have to explain why it's a draw? We had an argument about this a couple of paragraphs ago. DAM and I side with the bayonet while Demigod and Rice take the Pike's side. It makes sense though since both have their pros and cons, oh well guess I can't add any more here, next.''
Edge: Even
For long range weapons, the English Musketeer's Matchlock musket outshot the Tercio's Arquebus.
''Superior usage of their weapon, superior accuracy and overall a better weapon gives the English the edge here.'' Demigod explained.
Edge: English Musketeers
For special weapons, the Tercio's Arbalest won over the Musketeer's snaphance pistol.
''The arbalest doesn't have to worry about armor and since the snaphance does and is not able to penetrate the breastplate what good is it?'' Rice Man explained.
Edge: Spanish Tercio
And for the armor category, the Spanish Tercio gained a one-sided edge against the armorless Musketeers.
''No armor or a breastplate and helmet made of one of the finest steels in the world? Hm..'' DAM said.
Edge: Spanish Tercio
And now our computer wizz Metal Harbinger will gauge the x-factors of each warrior.
''Let's rock!" Exclaimed the metalhead.
''First and foremost I am starting with the formation x-factor and this one falls completely in favor of the Musketeers. Simple enough, they are the reasons why the Tercio were replaced and used the standard volley to a wall of bullets. The English get it with a 90 to the Tercio's 84.''
''Next up is marksmanship and once again the English Musketeers took it because their musket is more accurate compared to the arquebus and no matter how far you were they always seemed to land the kill shot on you. They took it with a 90 to the Tercio's 80.''
''Third is training and this one went to the Tercios because not only were they trained in the use of firearms, they also had pikemen and swordsmen among their ranks which makes them a bit more diverse compared to the English Musketeers whose main expertise was with their Matchlock. 89 to an 86 respectively.''
''Fourth is battlefield effectiveness and this one went to the Tercio because they went undefeated for over a hundred years and were seen as an invincible force by Spain's enemies. Tercios get a 95 to the English Musketeer's 89.''
''For operational experience this fell heavily in favor of the Tercios because they fought all over Europe for over a hundred years and dominated the battlefield to the point where they were seen as invincible. The Musketeers only fought in England and that's it so the numbers were an 88 to an 80 each.''
''Organization is taken into account and after doing more research I had to give the advantage to the Spanish Tercio simply because not only do they incorporate musketeers in the unit, they had pikemen and swordsmen like I stated earlier for training as well as not just being an actual infantry unit they were also an administrative unit. 91 to the English Musketeers with an 85.''
''Last but not least is loyalty and both sides are rated even for the fact that like I mentioned in killer instinct, they were loyal to the Hadsburg rulers while the Musketeers were loyal to the English Parliament so I gave them each a 90.''
Our panel has concluded the necessary weapons testing and x-factor evaluation and are now ready to begin the battle. The battle will pit 5 Spanish Tercio consisting of 2 musketeers, 2 pikemen and 1 swordsman against 5 English Musketeers.
Who will win between these two famous black powder warriors of Europe?
Habsburg Spain
(Spanish Tercio are seen engaging French soldiers during the battle of Pavia, the unit charging with the several men carrying a flag dawning the Cross of Burgundy.)
vs. Parliamentarian England
(English Musketeers are seen celebrating their victory after the battle of Worcester, corpses of their Royalist opponents littering the ground around them.)
''Only one will remain standing, let's hit the button.'' Metal said before hitting the enter key.
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Following their victory against the French in Pavia, five Spanish Tercio were seen marching away from the battlefield as they were the only survivors of the Spanish forces that fought the battle. Two men were armed with arquebuses, two carried pikes and the leader of the group, the Capitan was armed a rapier.
Spanish Tercio: 5
Elsewhere in the field five English Musketeers who were lent to do battle on the side of the Kingdom of France were the only survivors left from their side of the conflict and they were determined to make sure the end result fell in their side's favor.
English Musketeers: 5
As they trek the field they had spotted the Spaniards clad in their armor and the lead musketeers ordered his men to ready a volley fire.
''Make ready!'' Shouted the lead Englishman.
The commotion caused by the English caught the attention of the Spaniards and as they turn around they spotted the musketeers readying their volley fire.
''Prepárate para luchar!'' The Capitan shouted.
It was too late as the musketeers already unleash their volley fire tactic and before any of the Spaniards can run for cover one of the pikemen was already dropped from taking a lead ball that goes straight through his chest, his armor doing nothing to protect his heart.
Spanish Tercio: 4 - English Musketeers: 5
''Devuelve el fuego ahora!" Shouted the lead Spaniard.
His arquebusiers take aim with their firearms and let loose their only small, 2-man volley and luckily they managed to drop one of the reloading Englishmen with a shot that goes through his neck killing him in a spray of blood.
Spanish Tercio: 4 - English Musketeers: 4
Having expended their shots both sides draw their respective blades with the musketeers utilizing their plug bayonets and the Tercio picking up weapons from the surrounding corpses of their fallen comrades.
''Charge!"
''Ataque!"
Both sides shout at the top of their lungs as they ran forward and toward each other with their weapons ready to kill and eventually they met in the middle of the field in a clash of steel that echoes throughout the area.
A musketeers gets into a duel with a Tercio pikemen and seeing the long length of the pike he was left on the defensive as he tried to find an opening in the Spaniard's defenses. The Tercio pikemen goes in for a thrust only for the Englishman to use his bayonet to bat the weapon out of the way and lunge forward with his bayonet pointed at his adversary.
The pikemen goes to drop the pike and tries to draw his rapier but was too late as the Englishmen had already stabbed him through the eye with his bayonet.
Spanish Tercio: 3 - English Musketeers: 4
Pulling the bayonet out with a crunch the English turns to help his comrades but a crossbow bolt flies through the air and hits him right in the throat. He chokes on the bolt head before falling to the ground lifeless.
Spanish Tercio: 3 - English Musketeers: 3
The bolt came from the Capitan who smiles at his work before drawing his rapier to join his other men. The remaining musketeers were seen engaging the other Tercios and the lead musketeers found himself locked in a duel with one of the arquebusiers who now had his own rapier in hand. The Spaniard deflects a blow from the Englishman's stiletto and goes in for a killing blow but the Englishman ducks under the blow before tackling the Spaniard to the ground causing him to drop the sword in the process.
Left defenseless, the musketeers takes his stiletto and stabs the Tercio several times in the throat before shoving the blade through the skull for good measure.
Spanish Tercio: 2 - English Musketeers: 3
The other remaining Tercio, having picked up a pike from his fallen comrades from the earlier battle was doing all he can to keep the other musketeers at bay with his weapon. The musketeers were struggling as well as they tried to confuse the Spaniard into letting his guard open but one of them decides to rush around the Tercio's blindspot and when he tried to do so he was stopped by the Capitan.
Glad that his leader came to his aid he could now focus on the other musketeers who had taken the liberty to charge at him when he looked the other way and reacting quickly he holds the pike forward causing the musketeer to impale himself on the pike's speartip. The Englishman coughs up blood before dying.
Spanish Tercio: 2 - English Musketeers: 2
His victory was short lived however as a gunshot rang out and he takes a lead ball through the back of the head courtesy of the lead musketeer's snaphance pistol.
Spanish Tercio: 1 - English Musketeers: 2
Meanwhile, the other musketeer was engaging the Capitan with his plug bayonet and goes in for a thrust with his weapon only for the blade to be intercepted by the Spaniard's superior swordsmanship.
Using a parrying tactic, the Tercio Capitan turns the tide of the battle by maneuvering his rapier around the bayonet and musket and lands a blow that sees his rapier pierce the musketeer right in the chest going straight through his aorta killing his opponent near instantly.
Spanish Tercio: 1 - English Musketeers: 1
Kicking the dead Englishman off his sword he turns when he hears yelling to see the last musketeer running at him with his gunner's stiletto in hand and before he could get out of the way the stiletto was swung and struck his helmet with an audible 'ding' sending him tumbling from the blow. That pissed him off greatly and once he regained his bearings he raised his rapier ready to deflect any blow the Englishman might try and deliver.
Seeing his attack having almost no effect, the Englishman goes in for a thrust with his stiletto and just like he did with the previous musketeer the Tercio manages to parry the blow and manages to maneuver the rapier in a way that allows him to send the tip of the blade into the musketeers forearm.
Grunting in pain the Englishman can only react by dropping his stiletto to clutch his wound. Seeing his opponent in pain only filled the Tercio with bravado and he goes in for another thrust only this time the musketeer was able to jump out of the way. However the Tercio reacts quickly and swings once again catching the Englishman across the face cutting it, it wasn't enough to kill him however.
Knowing that the cut will leave him scarred for life the musketeer was now pissed off himself and the Tercio took the opportunity to backhand the musketeer sending him to the ground. The Englishman catches a glimpse of his fallen comrade's matchlock musket with the bayonet attached to it and noticed that it was loaded.
He hears the Spaniard shouting as he brings down his rapier to finish the fight but the Englishman rolls out of the way and makes a mad dash toward the loaded musket and scoops it up. The Tercio pulls his sword out of the dirt and turns to follow his enemy but is greeted by the sight of the plug bayonet being shoved upward into his open mouth which was the last thing he'd ever see.
The sounds of flesh ripping filled the air as the bayonet blade was shoved through the roof of his mouth and into the base of his brain.
Spanish Tercio: 0 - English Musketeers: 1
Not satisfied with the action the musketeer squeezes the trigger and fires the loaded musket that blows a gaping hole at the top of the Spaniard's skull while also knocking his morion helmet right off as well as blood and mushed up brains into the air.
Pulling the musket backward he watches as the corpse falls to the ground and raises his musket into the air shouting in victory.
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Winner: English Musketeers
English Musketeers: 543
Gunner's Stiletto: 77
Plug Bayonet: 50
Matchlock Musket: 312
Snaphance Pistol: 104
Spanish Tercio: 457
Toledo Rapier: 100
Pike: 70
Arquebus: 170
Arbalest: 117
Armor Failure Rate
No Helmet - Morion Helmet: 10.1%
No Armor - Spanish Steel Cuirass: 33.5%
X-Factors
Formation: 90/Formation: 84
Marksmanship: 90/Marksmanship: 80
Training: 86/Training: 89
Battlefield Effectiveness: 89/Battlefield Effectiveness: 95
Operational Experience: 80/Operational Experience: 88
Organization: 85/Organization: 91
Loyalty: 90/Loyalty: 90
Following a lead filled battle between two of Europe's most famous infantry units it would ultimately be the English Musketeers who win it all. They won a total of 54.3% compared to the Spanish Tercio's 45.7%. It was largely thanks to their superior skills with firearms and overall better marksmanship that paved the way for their victory, their Matchlock Musket alone scoring over 300 kills.
''It was a good match and while it may seem like the Spaniards had most of the edges, when it came down to long range battle the English Musketeers utterly demolished them and most of the time this ended most of the battles before the Spanish could get up close.'' DAM explained.
''The Spaniards no doubt were great swordfighters and dominated up close. However, their inferior tactics and firearms just couldn't compete with the English and their superior aiming.'' Zivon seconded.
''It was tactics that the English Musketeers used that made the Tercio obsolete, there was nothing they could do to avoid dying in a long range confrontation and that's really was contributed to their loss.'' Demigod added.
''They went undefeated in battle for over one-hundred years and sure they had armor but what good would that be when your competition has a much better gun capable of taking you out in one shot? Your armor is doing nothing but failing you in the end. In this classic battle of predecessors and successors, the successors won.'' Rice Man concluded.
(The surviving Musketeer is seen making his way to find more of his fellow soldiers after that faithful battle. He now carries the fallen Spaniard's Toledo Rapier as proof of his victory and homage to a worthy opponent but curse the Spaniard for scarring him for life with this very blade.)
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Next time on Deadliest War...wait where did the panel go?
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-Middle East-
The battle takes place in the city of Mosul, Iraq and it was the hottest day of the summer. Recently ISIS has managed to capture the important city and after driving out the Iraqi forces they were now in complete control.
In the middle of the city was a small market place and there, 5 ISIS soldiers were relaxing while also pillaging a house for any goods they can take for themselves. They have heard news of the Taliban wanting to gain ground in Iraq but this was their turf and they were determined to defend it against the rival group.
Islamic State of Iraq: 5
Prowling through the streets a few blocks away were 5 Taliban insurgents who were sent by their leader to lead an assault on Mosul with the intention of capturing it from ISIS to gain their own stronghold in Iraq and maybe spread their influence across the country. Their main objective first was to scout and take out any ISIS fighters present. Two were armed with AK-47s, one was armed with an RPG, another a PKM and the last a PPs-43.
Taliban: 5
The Pashtun insurgents continued to prowl the streets until they heard talking in Arabic and the cell leader held his hands up prompting his men to halt. He motions for his man with the RPG to go up and investigate and upon doing so he reports back and informs his leader of the 5 ISIS soldiers up ahead. Just as the two sides spot each other and before they can open fire...
-U.S. Army Post, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait-
''I'm coming up on Mosul now gents so hang in there.'' Zivon said as he pilots an MQ-9 Reaper drone on it's way to Mosul. He was wearing the standard uniform of the Israeli Defense Forces after recently moving to Israel.
-Mosul, Iraq-
Back in Mosul it seems that a fireteam consisting of Rice Man, Demigod, DAM and Metal Harbinger were seen engaging in a firefight with some ISIS insurgents on another part of the city. Many bodies of the extremists littering the street courtesy of the panel using their favorite weapons. Rice Man using an M4 Carbine, Demigod using an AN-94, DAM using an over and under shotgun and Metal using an M249 SAW. After a few more minutes of the heated firefight the panel manages to repel the ISIS fighters leaving only one wounded Iraqi extremist on the ground. Rice Man was revealed to be wearing a U.S. Army uniform, Demigod wore an ARVN uniform, DAM was dressed like Rambo and Metal was clad in the uniform of a Navy SEAL.
The panel notice him and walk over to finish the job with Rice Man volunteering and pointing his M4 at the ISIS fighter he says, ''Say hi to your seventy virgins for me.'' before blowing a hole in the Iraqi's head.
Deadliest Warrior Panel: 5 - Islamic State of Iraq: 5 - Taliban: 5
''Alright, now let's get our cracker and chink asses out of here before we get blown by Zivon!'' Rice Man ordered.
''Heck yeah let's go.'' DAM added.
Rice Man then takes out a PS2 controller and inputs CIRCLE, CIRCLE, L1, CIRCLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE, L1, L2, R1, TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, TRIANGLE. The input was the Rhino spawn code from GTA: San Andreas and an M1 Abrams spawned in thin air in front of them and they board it as Zivon's drone flies overhead.
''Here comes the bird of freedom!'' Demigod shouted.
''Hope the Taliban and ISIS enjoy a drone strike for lunch!'' Metal exclaimed.
Looking at his monitor at Camp Arifjan Zivon smiles gleefully as he spots the Taliban and ISIS insurgents in the small market place and with a lock-on he squeezes the trigger of his control stick and fires off a hellfire missile straight at the insurgents.
Hearing a hissing in the air the ISIS leader looked up. ''Ma hadha?''
Before the Taliban insurgents could fire on their ISIS opponents an explosion rocked the entire center of Mosul vaporizing the insurgents who could only cry in agony as they died painfully from the blast.
As the M1 drove away Rice Man hands the driving over to DAM and makes his way onto the moving tank and holds the U.S. flag and shouts ''Murica!''
Deadliest Warrior Panel: 5 - Islamic State of Iraq: 0 - Taliban: 0
Satisfied with the cries of agony and the explosion on the monitor, Zivon smirks before turning around to face the camera slowly and takes out a pair of shades.
''Looks like I turned ISIS into...''
He slowly puts the shades on looking all serious.
''WasWas.''
*Roundabout begins playing*
To be continued..
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Winner: Deadliest Warrior Panel
Deadliest Warrior Panel: 1,000
M4 Carbine: 200
Over and Under Shotgun: 200
AN-94: 200
M249 SAW: 200
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper: 200
Taliban: 0
Khyber Knife: 0
Makarov PM: 0
PPs-43: 0
AK-47: 0
PK Machine Gun: 0
RPG-7: 0
Islamic State of Iraq: 0
Bowie Knife: 0
Glock 19: 0
AKS-74u: 0
Norinco CQ: 0
Rheinmetall MG-3: 0
I.E.D.: 0
*THIS PROGRAM WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR PANEL, WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WILL NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR ORIGINAL BROADCAST*
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Next time on Deadliest Warrior: Rice Man's Edition. Two of the most influential men in China's history meet to prove who is their nation's ultimate leader.
Sun Tzu: The legendary and ruthless Chinese scholar who wrote the Art of War.
vs.
Qin Shi Huang: China's great unifier who sacrificed thousands in search of immortality.
WHO IS DEADLIEST!?
Translation for Spanish Tercio: ''Get ready to fight!'', ''Return fire now!'', ''Attack!''
Translation for ISIS: ''What's that?''
A/N: I sure hope you guys enjoyed reading that alternate ending to Taliban vs. ISIS as it was suggested from Zivon himself and I decided to do it for humorous purposes so don't take it seriously.