(A Turkish man wearing plated chainmail and a turban helmet points his halberd at the camera before thrusting it.)
Suleiman the Magnificent: The greatest of all Ottoman Sultans who brought his empire to it's most powerful period.
(Suleiman is seen leading his men into battle against an army of Hungarians. His Janissaries open fire on them while his Sipahi charge forth and break their lines.)
vs.
(A Spanish man wearing a steel breastplate with a Morion helmet like a Conquistador takes his sword and points it at the camera.
Hernan Cortes: The merciless and vicious Conquistador who brought about the end of the Aztec Empire.
(Cortes is seen riding with his men into battle against a group of Aztecs, he rides toward one of the native warriors and kills him with his Espada Ropera.)
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 generals defeated their respective opponents in a hard fought battle...
(Suleiman swings his shamshir at Babur's exposed neck and nearly decapitates him sending blood everywhere.)
...but now, we will bring both generals back once again to see who will be our 'Deadliest General.'
(Cortes brings his espada ropera up and thrusts it downward into Vlad's heart.)
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 generals who hailed from the greatest empires of the 16th century.
Suleiman the Magnificent
Circa: 1526 A.D.
Age: 31
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 145 lbs.
Armor: Ottoman Warrior Cuirass, Steel Turban Helmet
Hernán Cortés
Circa: 1521
Age: 36
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 135 lbs.
Armor: Spanish Steel Breastplate, Morion Helmet
''Welcome back to another episode of season 3's back for blood readers!'' Ancient weapons and combat specialist DeadAliveManiac began, ''Last episode we featured two ancient generals and now we're moving on to two of the most famed leaders of their respective 16th century empires. Suleiman the Magnificent who in my opinion as well as many others is the greatest Ottoman Sultan of ALL TIME versus the famous, or rather infamous Spanish Conquistador who ended the mighty Aztec empire, Hernan Cortes.''
''When you're looking at these two men, they come from the most powerful empires from that time period and accomplished huge goals. Suleiman's leadership expanded the Ottoman empire to its most powerful and greatest period through expansion and changing the legal system. Cortes was on a mission and that is to find gold and he brought as you have said, the end of the Aztec empire.'' Medical expert Zivo96 explained.
''When you think of the Spanish and Ottoman empires, these two men automatically come to mind and there's a reason for that. They both led successful conquests of the people they fought against. They had an array of weapons and well trained men at their disposal.'' Weapons geek MKDemigodZ-Warrior said.
''These men are bringing in swords, polearms and firearms as well as some of the best armor their empires had to offer. They're evenly matched and it will be their leadership and troop training that will decide the winner. Let's get this started.'' Modern weapons and history specialist PFC Rice Man concluded.
To bring about the expansion of his empire, the Ottoman Sultan brought an array of weapons made of cold hard steel designed for battle.
Short Range: Shamshir
Mid-Range: Ottoman Halberd
Long Range: 16th Century Ottoman Matchlock
Special: Abus Gun
In turn, the ruthless Spaniard brought an arsenal alien to the Aztecs that led to their downfall.
Short Range: Espada Ropera
Mid-Range: Alabarda
Long Range: Arquebus
Special: Falconet
For short range weapons, these generals brought with them two blades of completely different designs and materials to slay their enemies. Suleiman the Magnificent used his trusted shamshir and Hernan Cortes used the well known and easy to use espada ropera.
The team reviews the footage of each sword in their previous appearances before they finally come to their decision on what to do.
''So we've seen these two compete against different sets of armor to its user so we'll need to see what they can do against the competition today.'' DAM said.
Suleiman expert Aydin and Cortes expert Jason Heck step forth with their swords in hand ready for more action. Both experts looked and smirked at each other as they were confident their warrior would be victorious.
''Okay guys, you both know the drill here, let's see how your swords perform against the opposing armor. You'll have three strikes each so make them count.'' Zivon explained.
Both experts nodded in understanding before stepping in front of two torso's dawning the opposing armor. DAM would give the countdown and both went in for a powerful swing. With Aydin and the shamshir he managed to leave a noticeable dent running along the side of the plate armor while in Jason's case, he left the Ottoman warrior cuirass rattling from the impact but no visible damage. Moving on to their next attack, both experts then raise their blades up and bring it down hard the the opponent's helmet, both letting out huge 'dings' that echo throughout the fight club and they conclude by stabbing their swords into the competition's armor.
Zivon and the others make their way to assess the damage that has been dealt.
''I'll begin with the espada ropera and the Ottoman warrior cuirass. Jason for the first swing you struck him in the side and while there is no visible penetration, we detected enough force where you would at least leave him with a broken rib or two which will be painful and leave him open to attack. For the hit on the helmet I see that you managed to leave a dent and with our sensors we did not detect force powerful enough to fracture his skull underneath, just make him dizzy and possibly pissing him off. Lastly, your thrust into the armor was stopped by one of the plates here and you left a teeny weeny wittle hole in the steel, didn't touch the skin underneath it.'' explained the doctor as he moved on to Aydin, ''For the shamshir and the Spanish armor, the first strike being a slash was the same result as the espada ropera and the warrior cuirass, left only a dent but you did generate enough force to break a rib as well. The hit into the helmet you managed to leave a dent as well with similar results being a dazed opponent and lastly the thrust left only a hole, same result as the espada ropera.'' concluded Zivon.
After getting the performances results for both swords against the new opposing armor, which one does the panel believe take the edge?
''I gotta go with the espada ropera on this one, Spanish steel is some of the finest steel we've ever seen in this world and the fact that it can slash just as good as it stabs is bullshit. No warrior in this show can give a straight blade the same respect for cutting. It's gonna cleave you in half in you use it right.'' DAM started off.
''I disagree and go with the shamshir on this matter.'' Zivon countered, ''Both men had cavalry forces and were on horseback as much as they were on foot and if I had to choose which one to use, it's the simple slash shamshir that's gonna do the work for me.''
Demigod was having a harder time choosing an edge compared to Zivon and DAM.
''Hm, both of you give compelling arguments in favor of both swords, but for me I'd have to go with the shamshir since it has flexibility in mounted and infantry combat.'' said the geek.
''I'm with Demigod and DAM on this one, if you used the espada ropera on a horse you'll have to think about how you want to attack with it in your head clouding your judgement whereas the shamshir, being a curved blade means you only have to worry about one attack method. Sure Suleiman is gonna have tough armor to overcome but I stand by the shamshir in the end.'' concluded Rice Man.
For short range weapons, the edge goes to Suleiman the Magnificent for the shamshir.
For mid-range weapons, both Suleiman and Cortes slaughtered their enemies with the medieval world's most famous and deadliest polearm. Suleiman brought with him the Ottoman halberd and Cortes massacred Aztecs with the alabarda.
The panelists review the testing of both weapons in action from previous chapters and come to their conclusion.
''Both weapons are almost identical in the design of the head and will have no problem penetrating the opposing armor. It's even all the way.'' DAM explained.
''Do I even have to throw in my two Jew pennies for this?'' Zivon questioned.
Demigod and Rice Man just shrugged, there was no need to add more to an even match up.
For mid-range weapons, our warriors are locked in a dead even match-up.
When things came down to long range warfare, both generals utilized some of the most effective matchlocks muskets ever used in battle. Suleiman armed his soldiers with the 16th Century Ottoman Matchlock and Cortes armed his men with the tried and true arquebus.
The panelists then review the footage of both weapons in action before coming to a decision.
''Taking into account the training and skill the soldiers of both men were with their respective weapon, I'd have to give this entire edge in a one-sided conclusion to Suleiman the Magnificent.'' DAM started off.
''Oh no shit there, the Spaniards were mostly untrained mercenaries compared to the professionally trained Janissaries and foot soldiers under Suleiman. Edge to the Sultan.'' Zivon seconded.
''Yeah...you can already guess who I'll go with, the well-trained and accurate Ottomans.'' Demigod added.
''The conquistadors had a field day using their arquebuses? Arquebusi? Against Aztec warriors wearing mattress pads but would they yield the same result against the might of the Ottomans who can actually shoot back? Suleiman takes this one.'' Rice Man concluded.
For long range weapons, the edge goes to Suleiman the Magnificent for the 16th Century Ottoman Matchlock.
Finally, for special weapons both generals used the foremost artillery pieces at their disposal. Suleiman used the Abus gun and Cortes used the falconet.
Since we've already seen the falconet in action before in George Washington versus Gustavus Adolphus, the team will now test out Suleiman's Abus gun for date.
''So Aydin, can you explain to us this weapon?'' DAM asked.
"The Abus gun was a weapon invented by the Ottoman Empire which primarily served as an anti-infantry weapon. They were short-barreled, but were often too heavy to be carried and thus had to be outfitted with tripod frames. They had a caliber between 3 and 9 inches and fired a projectile which weighed 4.25 pounds, the size of a human fist."
To test the weapon out, the panel has set up a group of ten Spanish conquistadors all clad in their Spanish steel armor. Rice Man will accompany Aydin in the test.
''Okay men, let's see how this weapons performs against a group, you'll have three shots to kill the conquistadors.
''Let's do this.'' Aydin said loading a projectile into the weapon after Rice finished positioning it.
Rice then lights the fuse and the weapon fires into the group hitting the one in front penetrating the armor with no problem. Grinning at the result, Aydin loads in another round and again Rice lights the fuse sending a projectile flying toward the group going clean through one target and digging into the earth sending another target tipping over.
''Nice, the armor stands no chance in hell.'' DAM commented.
With one round left, Aydin loads it and Rice lights it firing the weapon and by what appeared to be a miracle, the projectiles goes clean through one target and strikes another sending it coming down crashing to the ground.
''I don't even have to explain what happened to the first two targets took the round clean through their chests while the third lost an arm and if he isn't treated quick he'll bleed out. The fourth was struck with enough force to knock the wind out of him and put him on his ass. Three kills out of ten, not bad.'' Zivon explained.
After testing out the Abus gun, which special weapon does our panel believe takes the edge?
''Cortes and his conquistadors weren't really experts when using their falconet so I have to go with the Abus gun for superior trained crew.'' DAM started off.
''Ottoman soldiers can load and fire their weapon faster than the mercenary conquistadors, doing that means more dead Spaniards compared to dead Ottomans. Edge Abus gun.''
''Abus gun takes it, no need to explain since you two already did.'' Demigod said.
''Yep, you guys said it.'' Rice Man concluded.
In special weapons, the edge goes to Suleiman the Magnificent for the Abus gun.
For armor, both generals wore into battle two very well made and protective tools to keep them safe from all harm.
''I'm giving the edge to Cortes since his will be harder to pierce based on the shamshir's failure to get passed it whereas Cortes can penetrate the chainmail portion and get a kill or injury with it while the helmets are even in my mind.'' DAM started off.
''Spanish steel is renowned as one of the best metals in history, I'd love to wear a full suit of armor made of it and Cortes has a breastplate and helmet made of it. I give Cortes my edge.'' Zivon seconded.
''This is a similar comparison when Cortes fought against Vlad so I see it being no different.'' Demigod added.
''The only weapons Suleiman has that can dispatch the breastplate is the Ottoman halberd, Abus gun and the matchlock while Cortes's entire arsenal can take down the Ottoman armor, so yeah Cortes takes this category.'' Rice Man concluded.
In the armor category, the edge goes to Hernan Cortes for the Spanish Steel Breastplate and Morion Helmet.
Coming up! Two 16th century generals from the most powerful 16th century empires collide in a battle for the ages and the title of deadliest general!
XXXXXX
Welcome back to the fight club, here we tested the weapons of two titanic generals of the most powerful 16th century empires to determine who is the deadliest general.
For short range weapons, Suleiman's shamshir proved more effective than Cortes's espada ropera.
''Better suited for cavalry combat and being practical for infantry combat as well gives it the edge.'' DAM explained.
Edge: Suleiman the Magnificent
For mid-range weapons, both Suleiman's Ottoman halberd and Cortes's alabarda were determined to be equally lethal.
''Both have near identical designs so it's obvious why it's even.'' Demigod explained.
Edge: Even
For long range weapons, Suleiman's 16th Century Ottoman matchlock was determined more deadly than the arquebus.
''His soldiers are better trained and better shots with their weapon compared to the conquistadors who were mercenaries so...'' Zivon explained.
Edge: Suleiman the Magnificent
For special weapons, the Abus gun blew away the falconet.
''Same reason as the long range weapons, better quality in ammo and better trained men to use the Abus gun makes it more deadly.'' Rice Man explained.
Edge: Suleiman the Magnificent
And finally, for armor Cortes's Spanish steel breastplate proved more protective than the Ottoman warrior cuirass.
''Superior quality in armor and more hard to penetrate gives it the edge.'' DAM explained.
Edge: Hernan Cortes
And now, resident computer wizz Metal Harbinger will gauge the x-factors of these generals.
''Let's rock.'' said the wizz.
''For troop training Suleiman scored a 91 while Cortes will have an 80.''
''Logistics is going toward Suleiman since his resources stretched through a larger land area, Cortes did have enough to take down an empire though so it's close. 94 to a 93.''
''Generalship was low for both men with Suleiman having a 78 to Cortes's 77.''
''Physicality goes to Suleiman, despite Cortes having heavier armor and operating in humid ass hell central America, Suleiman is constantly on the move and a bit younger meaning he will have more stamina and tire less often. 90 to an 88.''
''Strategy goes to Cortes with an 84 to Suleiman's 83.''
''Finally, we have influence and this goes to Suleiman no doubt, he is considered by many, MANY people to be the greatest Ottoman Sultan of all time compared to his successors and predecessors. 93 to an 88.''
Our panel has no concluded the necessary testing, now Metal Harbinger will simulate the battle one-thousand times to determine who is season three's deadliest general! Suleiman the Magnificent will be accompanied by 3 Janissaries and 1 Sipahi while Hernan Cortes will be accompanied by 4 of his conquistadors.
Who will be the deadliest warrior?
''Aight fools, let's see who will earn the title this season.'' Metal said hitting the button.
XXXXXX
A clear, blue day at the Spanish-French border was the perfect setting to complete his invasion of France, After crushing army after army in Europe Suleiman the Magnificent, the mighty Ottoman Sultan was gleaming with excitement as he will finally conquer and eradicate the West.
Taking four of his best men as well as a horse drawn carriage for an Abus gun he decided to scout the area to initiate war with his last opponent, the Spanish empire.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 5
Elsewhere at the border, Hernan Cortes and four of his best men were seen setting up a falconet on a small hill that overlooked an overpass which the Spanish crown determined would be where the Ottomans would attempt to invade. He had already conquered the Aztecs and once he repels the Ottomans he will lead the charge to conquer the Muslim empire.
Hernan Cortes: 5
Hearing a commotion from down below he looks down and spots his enemy, the Sultan. Seizing the chance, Cortes orders one of his men to light the already loaded falconet and lighting the fuse, the cannon fires off a round and goes flying toward the Ottomans. The sound of the cannon going off was heard too late and one of the Janissaries is struck in the side and knocked to the ground, his armor not protecting him leaving a huge hole in his body.
The horses drawing the carriage become spooked and manage to break free from their reigns and gallop off afraid of the commotion.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 4 - Hernan Cortes: 5
Alerted by the blast, Suleiman looks up the hill and spots Cortes and his men. With swiftness, he orders his remaining two Janissaries to load up and fire the Abus gun while shouting to his Sipahi to charge the Spaniards with him.
The Janissaries set the Abus gun up and thanks to being better trained they were able to load a round and aimed at the falconet with the goal to disable it. The conquistador, being a poorly trained mercenary was unable to get another shot off and a boom is heard and in a second he is struck in the chest, a huge gaping hole where his heart would be.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 4 - Hernan Cortes: 4
Annoyed, Cortes mounts his horse and orders his remaining men to meet the Ottomans in battle, two charge head on with their melee weapons while one picks up an arquebus.
Their job completed, the one Janissary grabs his shamshir and a halberd while the other grabs a matchlock.
The conquistadors finally descend down the hill with Cortes in the lead and the Aztec conquerors gallops toward the Sipahi with his espada ropera pointed outward. Thanks to his longer blade he manages to thrust it into the Sipahi's mouth, the tip protruding out the back of his head. Cortes pulls it out as quickly as he killed the man to avoid letting his blade go.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 3 - Hernan Cortes: 4
Meanwhile Suleiman rides up to one of the Spaniards and swings his shamshir downward slicing the man's head clean off.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 3 - Hernan Cortes: 3
The two remaining Spaniards and Ottomans then meet in a clash of steel, one conquistador wielding an alabarda thrusts the massive spike toward his opponent but the Janissary jumps back and uses his shamshir to swat the polearm's bladed edge away and creates an opening. He goes for a charge but the Spaniard manages to recover his alabarda and swings with all his might and the weapon strikes the Ottoman in the side.
The pain stuns him and he is killed with the Spaniard once again thrusts the spike end into his face.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 2 - Hernan Cortes: 3
The Spaniard's victory as short when a shot rings out and he falls forward, a hole in his back thanks to the matchlock wielding Janissary.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 2 - Hernan Cortes: 2
He goes to reload the weapon only to hear a whistle from behind him, turning around he didn't have a chance to blink when the last conquistador fires off his arquebus hitting him through the cheek.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 1 - Hernan Cortes: 2
Smirking to himself, he hears galloping coming toward him and spots Cortes riding up to him. The two men nod as they know they are close to victory and with the sound of more galloping and look up to spot the Ottoman Sultan. Ordering his men to charge the Sultan the conquistador takes his fallen comrade's alabarda and rushes toward the Ottoman leader.
The Spaniard lowers the spike end as Suleiman rides toward but seeing what the Spaniard was doing, Suleiman quickly manages to ride his horse around the polearm and slices into the conquistador's face taking him out.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 1 - Hernan Cortes: 1
Undeterred, Cortes rides toward Suleiman who does the same and the two leaders yell as they came close with their swords ready to finish the fight. They come witin reach and both go for an attack. Suleiman's swing was avoided when Cortes ducked and the Spaniard followed suit by thrusting his espada ropera into Suleiman's armor managing to pierce it.
Feeling the sharp pain, Suleiman gallops away to check on his wound and finding that Cortes has drawn first blood he growls to himself in anger. He looks toward Cortes to see him smirking devilishly at him. Taking offense to the facial expression Suleiman initiates another charge and Cortes does just the same. Once again, like before they come within reach and the result remained unchanged, Cortes's longer sword pierces Suleiman this time in the thigh causing him to fall off his horse.
He grunts in pain and slowly gets up to see blood seeping from the wound which aggravated him. Galloping was heard and he looked up to see his opponent coming his way and when he saw the blade get thrusted down he manages to roll out of the way and saw something of interest, one of the horses drawing the carriage had dropped a halberd that was strapped to it.
He turns to see Cortes repeating his cavalry assault and again dodges the thrust and begins dashing toward the halberd and scoops it up and waited for the galloping to be heard.
It comes closer and at the right moment Suleiman turns around and swings the hook end with all his might and strikes Cortes through the stomach catching him completely by surprise. Cortes lets out a loud grunt of pain as he is forcefully pulled off his horse and lands on the ground with a thud that knocks the wind out of him as well as his helmet.
His armor failed him as the hook and pierced through his armor and he was left at the mercy of the Sultan and looked on at Suleiman stood over him.
"Tú, diablo otomano!" (You Ottoman devil!) He shouted in disgust.
'Bugün itibariyle imparatorluğunuz mahkum.'' (As of today, your empire is doomed) Suleiman replied.
He thrusts the spike end downward clean through Cortes's armor and pierces his heart. The conquistador screaming in pain before coughing up blood, the sounds of his screams were then silenced when Suleiman takes it up a notch and swings the axe head right into his neck severing his head.
Suleiman the Magnificent: 1 - Hernan Cortes: 0
Not satisfied yet, he once again thrusts the spike end into the corpse, leave it in and raises his hands into the air shouting in victory.
''ALLAH!''
XXXXXX
Winner: Suleiman the Magnificent
Suleiman the Magnificent: 577
Shamshir: 103
Ottoman Halberd: 194
16th Century Ottoman Matchlock: 110
Abus Gun: 170
Hernan Cortes: 423
Espada Ropera: 100
Alabarda: 194
Arquebus: 97
Falconet: 32
X-Factors
Troop Training: 91/Troops Training: 80
Logistics: 94/Logistics: 93
Generalship: 78/Generalship: 77
Physicality: 90/Physicality: 88
Strategy: 83/Strategy: 84
Influence: 93/Influence: 88
Armor Failure Rate
Steel Turban Helmet: 2% - Morion Helmet: 2%
Ottoman Warrior Cuirass: 4% - Spanish Steel Breastplate: 3%
In a relatively one-sided encounter, Suleiman the Magnificent wins with a high number of 57.7% of the battles compared to Hernan Cortes's 42.3%. It was largely in part thanks to his superior trained troops, better firearms and better artillery. Cortes made it tough with his superior armor but in the end, he came up short.
''When it all comes down to it, Suleiman was bringing in the better trained soldiers, vastly superior logistics and was used to fighting armies who could fight back on equal terms.'' DAM explained.
''Cortes fought guys with sticks, obsidian and stone which left him unprepared to fight against an opponent with firearms and actual metal armor as well so he was just left beaten and dead.'' Zivon said.
''I'm not surprised at all, Suleiman brought his empire to it's greatest period and had a real goal whereas Cortes's desire to find gold clouded his judgement sometimes which led to his downfall.'' Demigod added.
''You cannot expect to stand your ground and win against a man like Suleiman, for him to bring his empire to its golden age meant that something he was doing worked. There's no doubt if he went up against the Spanish empire and met Cortes he would easily take him down. Looks like the greatest Ottoman Sultan of all time is this battle's deadliest general.'' Rice Man concluded.
(Suleiman the Magnificent is seen riding away from the battlefield, on his horse is the armor of Cortes as well as his espada ropera, a trophy of his latest victory and proof the Spanish empire will fall to the might of his own.)
XXXXXX
Next time on back for blood, leaders from the two greatest and most powerful ancient empires collide in a battle for the title of deadliest general.
Julius Caesar: Rome's famous general turned dictator who changed it from a republic to the world famous empire.
vs.
Kublai Khan: The Mongol warlord who brought his empire to its greatest extent and nearly conquered Japan.
WHO IS DEADLIEST?!