(A middle-aged man with dark, graying hair and a matching beard, dressed in a plaid shirt and blue jeans points a revolver at the screen.)
Joel Miller: The guardian who traversed a plague-ridden United States on a mission for the future...
(Joel is shown beating an infected runner to death with a bladed baseball bat.)
vs.
(A shaggy haired, bearded man wearing a turned around baseball cap, biker's kutte and blue jeans is shown pumping a shotgun.)
Deacon St. John: The outlaw biker turned mercenary who fought through legions of infected and hostile survivors to uncover a government conspiracy.)
(Deacon is shown sneaking up on a Freaker and burying his knife into its throat.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?!
To find out, we have gathered doctors, scientists and weapons experts to determine who would win a fight when two fictional warriors go head to head in a simulated battle.
It's a duel to the death to decide who will be...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
"Today we have a battle between two post-plague survivors," biomedical scientist Bradley Foster started, "Up first, we have Joel Miller, a regular guy who was forced to do whatever he could to survive in a harsh new world, up until he was tasked with carrying out a mission that changed his life forever."
Joel Miller
First Appearance: The Last of Us (2013)
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Past Affiliations: Hunters, Smugglers
"Next up, we have Deacon St. John, the former outlaw biker turned mercenary, whose exploits took him all over the post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest, where he battled legions of infected and hostile survivors, until he unwittingly uncovered the source of the worldwide pandemic and the conspiracy behind it," Bradley continued.
Deacon St. John
First Appearance: Days Gone (2019)
Height: 6'
Weight: 200 lbs.
Past Affiliations: Mongrels MC, Deschutes County Militia
"Both of these men are hardened survivalists," trauma doctor Joseph Kaiser spoke, "They have seen the horrors of a pandemic firsthand that has infected and mutated others all around them. They are alert and cunning, possessing the strength and intensity to fight someone head on and in that same breath, the smoothness to sneak up and quietly dispatch an enemy."
"This is the post-apocalypse we are talking about here," computer expert Eddie Cortez started, "Civilization has collapsed and both of these men are forced to rely upon whatever they have at their disposal and in many cases, forced to craft their own weapons from scratch. We're going to see a combination of weapons leftover from before the fall, coupled with whatever gadgets these guys can whip up on the go."
"Then let's get to it," Bradley said.
The camera cut to a young auburn-haired woman wearing a green jacket and blue jeans. She is shown making some last minute modifications to a bolt-action rifle before staring down its sights.
Up first to represent Joel will be Ellie Williams.
An orphan who traveled across the plague-ravaged United States with Joel Miller, she brings first-hand knowledge of his abilities and accomplishments.
"Joel Miller was as tough as they came. He would fight 'til the bitter end for those he cared about," Ellie spoke, her expression growing somber.
The camera then cuts to a middle-aged man with dirty blond hair pulled back in a short ponytail and wearing a denim jacket and blue jeans. He is shown using some binding and a blade to assemble a shiv before taking a practice stab with it.
Also representing Joel will be his younger brother Tommy Miller.
Having fought for survival alongside his brother in the initial years following the worldwide Cordyceps outbreak, he knows how far Joel was willing to go in the cruel new world.
"My brother was determined to do whatever he could for our survival, even at the expense of other travelers just trying to go on about their way. Some of the stuff he did still gives me goddamned nightmares," Tommy said, wincing in disgust.
Once a carpenter from Texas, Joel Miller's life was forever changed when the Cordyceps outbreak occurred, robbing him of his former life and his beloved daughter. In the years following the outbreak, he would survive through often brutal means until he found his way to the Boston Quarantine Zone, where he took up work as a smuggler. It was there, he would be tasked with a momentous mission, one that could have provided hope in a world gone mad.
"Joel and his partner Tess were tasked with taking me across the country to meet with the Fireflies. They believed I held the cure and he was willing to get me there through any means necessary. But in the end, he refused to sacrifice me for the greater good," Ellie explained.
Upon reaching the Fireflies hospital in Salt Lake City, Joel would learn that getting access to the cure would have meant the end of Ellie's life. Having bonded with with the young girl as if she were his own daughter, he refused to let the Fireflies carry out the operation, resulting in a battle that saw all of the group wiped out and the duo making their way to Jackson, Wyoming.
"He can be as brutal as they come, but he can also be as fiercely loyal and protective in the same breath. If you wronged him, he would have hunted you to the ends of the earth. Deacon St. John is signing his own death warrant," Tommy concluded.
Joel Miller survived the plague-ravaged landscape with an assortment of weapons, some of which were crafted by his own hand:
Short Range Bladed: Shiv
Short Range Blunt: Bladed Bat
Mid Range Pistol: Taurus Model 66
Mid Range Shotgun: Mossberg 500
Long Range: Winchester Model 70
Explosives: Nail Bomb
But how will he fare when pitted against another fearsome survivor.
The camera cuts to a burly, bald-headed, heavily-tattooed man wearing blue jeans, a biker's kutte and a gray long-sleeved shirt underneath. He is also missing his right arm, which has been replaced by a hooked prosthetic. He is seated at a table and looking over some homemade pipe bombs.
Representing Deacon St. John, will be his best friend and former Mongrels sergeant-at-arms, William "Boozer" Gray.
Having served alongside Deacon in the Mongrels and later in the post-apocalypse, he is an expert on the weapons and tactics used by his long-time friend.
"Deacon St. John is the man you want watching your back in a foxhole. He is as badass as they come. Joel Miller is a dead man walking," Boozer smirked.
The camera then cuts to a woman of Indian descent with her long hair pulled back in a bun and wearing a green army jacket and blue jeans. She is shown loading bullets into a large revolver before slamming it shut and taking aim.
Also representing Deacon will be Freaker outbreak survivor Rikki Patil.
A former drifter and later second-in-command of the Lost Lake settlement, Rikki has personally fought alongside Deacon during several attacks on her settlement and knows what the former outlaw biker is capable of.
"Deacon St. John is tough as nails and just as crafty. He's taken down bounties far more dangerous than this Joel Miller guy," Rikki said.
A former U.S. Army soldier who later became an enforcer for the Mongrel's Motorcycle Club, Deacon St. John was in his native Oregon as a virus decimated the globe, turning those infected into feral creatures known as "Freakers." After being separated from his wife Sarah, he would spend the next two years alongside his best friend Boozer performing mercenary work around the Pacific Northwest, until a chance encounter with a violent cult known as the Rippers changed the course of their journey.
"It turned out those Freakers weren't the only things running around out there," Boozer said showing off the prosthetic that now replaced his right forearm, "Those damned Rippers were out there also and they were making plenty of trouble for us. We ended up putting an end to them, but it was Deacon who had to do most of the legwork and boy was he brutal about it."
Deacon would battle the Rippers and later come to find out Sarah had survived the initial outbreak, in the process coming into contact with the Deschutes County Militia and its fanatical leader Col. Garrett. Following a brutal attack upon the Lost Lake camp, things would culminate with Deacon rallying the survivors of nearby settlements into a final showdown against the Militia at their home base.
"We came out on top and ended Garrett's reign of terror. It was all because of Deacon we were able to come together against a common threat. It truly takes someone special to pull that off and that makes Deacon the deadliest," Rikki concluded.
Deacon St. John rides into battle with his own arsenal of post-apocalyptic weaponry for taking on hordes of Freakers and dangerous bandits:
Short Range Bladed: Gerber BMF
Short Range Blunt: 2x4 Axe
Mid Range Pistol: Dan Wesson PPC
Mid Range Shotgun: Remington 870
Long Range: Ruger M77
Explosive: Pipe Bomb
For short range weapons, both combatants relied upon whatever they could get their hands on. For Joel, he was forced to improvise with a handmade blade popular in pre-apocalypse prisons, the Shiv.
(Joel is shown sneaking up on a Clicker and driving a shiv into its neck.)
Shiv
Length: Varies
Weight: Varies
Material: Various blades and binding
In addition, Joel was able to take a part of America's favorite pastime and with some additional materials, turn it into a brutal killer, the Bladed Bat.
(Joel is shown dodging a swipe from a cannibal's machete before rearing back and swinging a baseball bat lined with blades into his side, causing him to bleed out.)
Bladed Bat
Length: 3 ft.
Weight: 2 lbs.
Material: Wood, various blades
"With all the junk left lying around, it's plenty easy to find what you need to craft your average run-of-the-mill shiv," Tommy said showing off his shiv to the panelists, "There's plenty of scrap metal, glass, lots of sharp stuff left to scavenge and as long as you've got some binding on hand, you're good to go."
"We also get lots of bandits carrying whatever they can get their hands on," Ellie said showing off a baseball bat that has been lined with old scissor blades, "With some blades we uncovered, it becomes twice as deadly."
"Talk about a home run and then some," Eddie commented.
"Home what? I've never seen an actual baseball game," Ellie replied.
"Anyways, for your weapons tests, we're starting things out with the shiv," Bradley said, "Tommy, we've set up a ballistic gel bust for you to test the shiv on. You are going to use it as you would in an actual combat scenario."
Bradley then walked up alongside a suspended pig carcass, "Ellie, we have a target for you to test your bladed bat out on. We're giving you one shot, so make it count. Tommy, you're up first."
Tommy nodded and took a position behind the bust, ready to sneak up on it.
"Alright Tommy, when you are ready, take 'em down!"
Tommy snuck up on the bust and grabbed it from behind, driving the shiv into the base of its neck, snapping it off and sending stage blood gushing onto the floor.
"Ellie, you're up!"
With a loud yell, Ellie swung the baseball bat into the pig's back, a loud crack echoing through the Fight Club that make the panelists wince, in addition to blood pouring from fresh holes in its back.
"No mercy," Eddie smirked.
Dr. Kaiser made his way over to the first target and used a pair of pliers to pull the remnants of the shiv from the bust's neck, a process complicated by the fresh stage blood still covering the area.
"You literally went for the jugular with this guy, hitting him right in the jugular vein for a quick bleed out within seconds. We've got one guy dead already."
He then made his way over to the pig carcass and felt along its back.
"You managed to break this guy's spine in a single swing alone that we clocked at over 100 mph. I'm feeling five broken segments on this guy's spinal cord. It will paralyze him, but not kill him," Dr. Kaiser said feeling around before examining the holes.
"Your blades delivered the coup de grace though, one of them striking his lung. He's already in a desperate position being paralyzed, but this is only the icing on the cake," the good doctor concluded.
"But your shiv is flimsy as fuck. Use it once and you're done. You need a real knife to get the job done," Boozer commented.
"Not to mention something that will actually kill your enemy," Rikki added.
To answer Joel's challenge, Deacon brought his own blade and blunt combination to the table, starting with the Gerber BMF survival knife.
(Deacon is shown sneaking up on a marauder, grabbing him and driving his knife into the man's neck.)
Gerber BMF
Length: 9 in. blade, 14 in. overall
Weight: 6 oz.
Material: Steel
And when he needed something stronger, he relied upon a hand-crafted weapon that combined hardness and sharpness, the 2x4 Axe.
(Deacon is shown striking a Swarmer with his 2x4 axe, tearing deep into the monster's neck and chest.)
2x4 Axe
Length: 3 ft.
Weight: 2 lbs.
Material: Wooden plank, steel saw blade
"Now this is a real knife," Boozer said showing off the Gerber to the panelists, "These can mean the difference between life and death when you need to be quiet or you're low on bullets. I can stab and slash with this bad boy, or in Deacon's case, picking locks when needed."
"And here we have a product of post-apocalyptic ingenuity," Rikki said showing off the modified 2x4 to the panelists.
"A makeshift battle axe. Pretty wicked looking if you ask me," Eddie commented.
"It doesn't just look that way," Rikki winked.
"Well we have targets set up for you to test your weapons on," Bradley started, "Boozer, we have another gel target for you to attack," he said walking up alongside a torso made of ballistic gel before approaching the next target.
"Rikki, we have another pig carcass for you to test the 2x4 axe on. Like it was before, you have one swing, so make it count. Boozer, you're up first."
"Ready to rock," Boozer replied as he took the survival knife and strapped it to his prosthetic before taking his position.
"Alright Boozer, when you're ready, slice 'em up!"
Boozer charged the target and drove the blade into its gut, before pulling out and driving it in deeper. He pulled the blade out and went higher into the dummy's chest before going for a slash to its throat, followed by another before driving the knife's tip into its temple.
"Rikki, your turn!"
Rikki stepped forth and swung the combo weapon into the pig's gut, leaving a deep rend that only widened as she tore across its stomach, leaving its entrails spilling out.
"Damn, our janitor's gonna be pissed," Eddie commented while observing the mess left behind.
Dr. Kaiser first made his way over to assess the damage done to Boozer's target, "You went right for the gut right away with this guy, stabbing through his stomach and piercing his lower intestine, then you went higher and actually got right between this guy's ribs to get at his heart for an instant kill shot. Then, you went for the throat and sliced into this guy's carotid artery and windpipe. You've got kills across the board."
He then made his way over to assess the damage done to the pig, "My god, it was just brutal from the start to watch that bad boy in action. You are tearing through layers of skin and muscle to get at the guts beneath. It's gruesome and it's a very painful way to go."
"Still looks too big and bulky to me," Tommy said observing the wide saw blade attached to the 2x4, "More like 'bulky as fuck' in your case."
"Still plenty of blades left for us to scavenge," Rikki replied.
All weapons showed what they could do, but where do our panelists stand?
"Starting off with blades, I'm giving my edge to the Gerber BMF," Bradley started, "It's far more durable compared to a hand-crafted shiv, more versatile, and the user has the option of direct combat, whereas the shiv is pretty much strictly used for the element of surprise.
"I agree, man. We're talking about an actual knife going up against a makeshift blade. It's a no-brainer for me, edge Deacon," Eddie seconded.
"The only advantages I see are one, if a shiv is lost, a new one can be assembled if there are necessary materials present, and two, multiple shivs can be carried at once. Yet in the end, the durability and versatility of the Gerber BMF takes the edge in my book," Dr. Kaiser concluded.
In short range blades, Deacon St. John takes the edge with the Gerber BMF.
"Moving on to blunt weapons, I'm giving the edge to the 2x4 Axe due to it having the larger blade, which enabled it to do more damage right away, whereas a bat with scissors taped to it would require a more precise shot to score a kill," Bradley started.
"I agree. The saw blade was far more damaging compared to a few scissor blades stuck to the bat. You're more likely to get the kill you need with that than the bat. Edge Deacon," Eddie seconded.
"Not to forget the bat looks more flimsy with its blades looking like they could more easily break off, as opposed to the saw blade, which appears more secure with the razor wire holding it in place. Edge Deacon," Dr. Kaiser concluded.
In short range blunts, Deacon St. John takes the edge with the 2x4 Axe.
XXXXXX
Joel Miller and Deacon St. John, two deadly drifters fighting for their survival on a daily basis in a post-pandemic world.
When caught in the middle of a firefight, both men carried a variety of sidearms, yet put most of their trust in the revolvers they carried. For Deacon St. John, he carried a hand cannon that could blow a hole through the meanest of the infected, the Dan Wesson PPC.
(Deacon is shown gunning down a Ripper with a shot from his powerful revolver.)
Dan Wesson PPC
Length: 8.5 in.
Weight: 3 lbs.
Cartridge: .357 Magnum
Capacity: 6 Shots
"This is a Dan Wesson large frame Magnum model," Boozer said showing the hand cannon off to the panelists, "This particular model is inspired by the personal firearm of 'Iron' Mike Wilcox known as 'The Sheriff,' which he gifted to Deacon upon his passing."
"Damn, that's a big barrel," Eddie commented.
"Looks like he was trying to overcompensate for something," Ellie scoffed.
"Just wait 'til you see it in action, kiddo," Boozer chuckled.
"Joel wouldn't be scared. He brought his own gun that helped him take down plenty of those infected freaks," Ellie replied.
To answer Deacon's challenge, Joel brought his own trusted revolver that tore through anything it its path, the Taurus Model 66.
(Joel is shown poppng out from behind cover and dropping a bandit with a single shot to the chest.)
Taurus Model 66
Length: 4 in. barrel
Weight: 1.56 lbs.
Cartridge: .357 Magnum or .38 Special
Capacity: 7 Shots
"Joel carried a revolver similar to this the whole time I knew him," Ellie said showing the Model 66 off to the panelists, "Not as big, but it is just as deadly. I saw Joel drop a few Bloaters with one of these. Believe me, those fuckers are as big and ugly as you get."
"We have a scenario set up for both of you," Bradley said motioning to the range behind him, where a mannequin dressed in woodland clothing was flanked by four foam targets, "A member of your encampment has been taken hostage by bandits, represented by the foam targets. You have six shots and you need to eliminate the bandits without hitting the hostage. Boozer, you're up first."
"Watch and learn, kid," Boozer winked at Ellie as he took his position, who in turn responded with a middle finger.
"Alright Boozer, are you ready?"
"Let's do this!" he called back.
"Then on 3...2...1, open fire!"
Boozer took aim and fired a shot that tore through a foam target's face, just beneath its right eye. He fired into the next target, hitting it in the center mass. He then set his sights on the third target and fired another round that hit it just beneath the collarbone, before firing into the final target with a round to the middle of its face, leaving a crater behind that left the panelists and Rikki cheering. He had two rounds left and fired another round into the fourth target before his final shot missed.
"Five hits out of six shots," Bradley announced as Dr. Kaiser made his way over to the targets.
"Your first shot just obliterated this guy's orbital bone, an instant kill. Your next guy you hit dead center mass, picture perfect for another instant kill. With your third guy, you are hitting him right beneath his collarbone, tearing through muscle tissue and vital veins," the good doctor spoke before stopping at the final target, "This guy, you just opened up a brand new hole in his body," he said poking his finger through. "You didn't even need a second hit, but either way, you are 4 for 4."
He then made his way over to examine the "hostage."
"And I'm seeing no damage done to our 'hostage.' He'll be scared out of his mind, but still around to complain about it," the good doctor concluded.
"Ellie, it's your turn," Bradley called out.
Ellie nodded before looking over to Boozer, "Get ready, gramps," she said taking her position.
"Alright Ellie, are you ready?"
"Hell yeah!" she called back.
"Then on 3...2...1, open fire!"
Ellie fired her first round, striking a target in the chest before she fired her second shot through another's neck. She fired her third shot, but missed. Undeterred, she fired her fourth shot into the third target's jaw before firing another round that hit the last target in the side of its head. She fired her sixth shot, which missed, before coming back and firing her final round into the last target's chest.
"Five hits out of seven shots," Bradley reported, just as Dr. Kaiser made his way over to assess the damage.
"We have a through and through that tore through this guy's aorta for an instant kill. Your second shot, nicking his carotid artery for another instant kill. Your third guy got a fatal shot right through his jaw, another quick kill. Your last guy, you are hitting him in the temple, followed by another through the sternum. You are four for four in kills," the good doctor concluded before making his way over to the "hostage."
"And our 'hostage' is alive and well, if only a little shaken up," Dr. Kaiser concluded.
"Not bad for a kid, huh?" Ellie scoffed at Boozer, who snickered and shook his head.
Both revolvers tore through their targets, but where do our panelists stand?
"This is another very close contest for me. Both of these guns pack quite a bit of power and are similar in terms of accuracy and range, but I will be giving a very slight edge to the Taurus Model 66 as it carries that one extra round," Bradley started.
"I agree. It comes down to the wire and in the kind o situation which our combatants found themselves in, every little bullet counts. Every time you have to stop and reload could be a literal life and death situation, so it is with the slightest margin I give the edge to the Model 66," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I was tempted to call them even, but Doc makes a good case. Edge Taurus," Eddie concluded.
In mid-range revolvers, the edge goes to Joel Miller with the Taurus Model 66.
In addition to revolvers, both men carried shotguns they used to tear through hordes of infected attacking them en mass.
For Joel Miller, he brought a 12-gauge pump-action staple of police and military forces, the Mossberg 500.
(Joel is shown blasting an infected runner charging at him with a point blank blast from his Mossberg.)
Mossberg 500
Pump-Action
Length: 41 in.
Weight: 7.75 lbs.
Effective Range: 65 yds.
Cartridge: 12-Gauge
Capacity: 8 Shots
Not to be outdone, Deacon St. John fires back with his own boomstick favored all over the world, the Remington 870.
(Deacon is shown firing a point blank shotgun blast into the face of a Runner as it leaps toward him.)
Remington 870
Pump-Action
Length: 50.5 in.
Weight: 8 lbs.
Effective Range: 50 yds.
Cartridge: 12-Gauge or 20-Gauge
Capacity: 8 Shots
Both experts and the panelists were gathered at another outdoor shooting range, Tommy with the Mossberg in hand and Rikki with the Remington.
"We've already seen a variation of the Mossberg in action, but never the Remington. For this test, we want to recreate a scenario both Joel and Deacon would have been familiar with. Each of you will have three 'infected' targets charging after you, represented by the gel torsos on the mobile platforms," Bradley said, motioning to 6 different targets, "Both of your shotguns are fully loaded and you have that many to stop the targets before they can cross the line after you."
Tommy and Rikki both nodded and took their positions at the white line.
"Alright, on 3...2...1...Eddie, release the horde!"
On cue, Eddie typed in a few commands at his control panel and the targets started moving forward on their motorized platforms.
Rikki and Tommy both pumped their shotguns and fired upon the approaching targets, Rikki scoring a blast in the chest of the closest target before pumping again and firing another that blew the left side of her target's face off, stopping the mobile platform in the process. She then shifted her attention to the second target and fired a blast into its gut, before following up with another to the chest, and lastly to its head, obliterating the top half and halting the platform. That left only the third target and she fired a blast in its face as it drew closer, before firing another one that struck the neck and would have torn the head off had it not been for the steel rod holding the torso in place.
Tommy meanwhile, fired a blast that struck his first target in the chest, before following up with a second that only tore the chest further apart and stopped the moving platform. He then set his sights on the second target with a blast to its chest before firing a second into its face and stopping the platform. The final target approached and he fired into its chest again before following up with a second blast to its face and stopping the platform. Yet he wasn't done there as he fired a second shot that obliterated the dummy's head.
"We were grading based on extra credit, but we'll allow it!" Eddie exclaimed.
"And the trail of mangled corpses that would have been left behind," Dr. Kaiser added as he stood among the shot up targets, "And it was done in less than five seconds. Very impressive."
"Still slower though," Rikki mockingly winked to Tommy.
"I made sure my targets were dead," Tommy shot back.
Both shotguns proved their worth, but where do our panelists stand?
"This is just too close for me. Both these guns are basically the same type. This is dead even in my book," Bradley started.
"I agree. Same stopping power, same amount of ammo, only the Mossberg has the slightly better range. Still, it's even in my book," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I'm with both of you on this one," Eddie added.
In mid range shotguns, are warriors are even.
XXXXXX
The time has come for both combatants to test out their long ranged arsenals.
Given the threat posed by overwhelming numbers of charging infected and deadly human adversaries, dealing with them from afar was often the preferred method. Both warriors carried trusted long rifles for the job.
For Joel Miller, he came equipped with an iconic rifle known as "The Rifleman's Rifle," the Winchester Model 70.
(Joel is shown taking aim and firing a round through the chest of a hunter searching for fresh prey.)
Winchester Model 70
Bolt-Action
Length: 44.8 in.
Weight: 8 lbs.
Cartridge: 7x57mm Mauser, .223 Remington, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester
Capacity: 5 shots
"This is the same kind of rifle Joel taught me how to shoot with," Ellie said showing the Winchester off to the panelists, "It's got the range and the accuracy you need to survive in our world, plus you can use multiple types of rounds for it."
"Very important to have and we want to see how effective it is in a similar scenario," Bradley said motioning to a down hill range behind him, "Here, we have another camp filled with bandits that have been harassing your settlement. You have six targets and we are giving you 2 clips to put them to rest, so make your shots count."
"You don't even need to ask," Ellie said as she took her position and set up her rifle.
"Ellie, are you ready?"
"Yeah!" she called back.
"Then on 3...2...1, open fire!"
Ellie took aim and fired a round through the chest of a foam "sentry" target before another popped up from behind some overturned logs, which she then shifted her attention to and fired into its chest. There was another target near an unlit campfire that she struck with a round to the side of its head. There was a fourth target near a tree that suddenly moved to the left behind it, causing Ellie to miss her fourth shot. She grunted in frustration and fired another round that sailed past the roving target's head.
"She can't lose her cool at a time like this," Dr. Kaiser commented.
Ellie took a deep breath and loaded each bullet in before she readjusted her sights and finally caught the roving target in the chest. No sooner than that, another target popped out from behind a stack of wooden crates, only to disappear a split second later and causing Ellie's next round to strike the ground behind it. She waited for the target to appear again before firing another round that tore through its side. It was then another roving target appeared and Ellie fired a round that clipped its side, before firing her final round into its upper abdomen.
"Time! 2 minutes and 6 seconds!" Bradley called out.
Dr. Kaiser made his way down to assess the damage done, "With your first four targets, you have scored lethal kill shots on all of them. With your fifth target though, I'm only seeing a grazing shot," he said tracing his finger along the deep groove, "He's hurt, but he can still fight back," the trauma doctor said before making his way over to the last target, "And with this guy, you are hitting him directly in the liver, a mortal wound and with it, a delayed kill. Altogether, you have 4 instant kills, 1 guy wounded and a delayed kill."
"Now, it's time to see some real shooting," Rikki said stepping up with her own rifle.
To answer the Winchester's challenge, Deacon St. John responds with a rifle good for hunting big game and larger Freakers, the Ruger M77 bolt-action rifle.
(Deacon is shown perched on a rock ledge with the Ruger M77, taking aim and firing a round into the chest of a Militia member.)
Ruger M77
Bolt-Action
Length: 44.75 in.
Weight: 8.25 lbs.
Cartridge: .30-06 Springfield, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester
Capacity: 5 Shots
"This was another rifle that was especially popular with survivalists in our neck of the woods," Rikki said showing the rifle off to the panelists, "More than one different type of ammo can also be used for this rifle and it's just as reliable as the Winchester," Rikki said looking to the Winchester now slung over Ellie's shoulder.
"It's the same test for you, Rikki. You have 6 bandits and two clips to prove your point," Bradley spoke.
"Ready to roll as always," Rikki said taking a prone position.
"Rikki, are you ready?"
"Yeah!" she called back.
"Then on 3...2...1, take 'em down!"
Rikki set her sights on the static "sentry" target and fired a round that caught it right between the eyes. The second target popped out from behind the front end of a rusted car and Rikki's first shot pinged off the car's surface before the next found its wait into the dummy's chest. She then spotted another static target near the campfire and fired a round that tore through its trapezius. It was then that a roving target came into view and Rikki fired a shot that caught it in the chest.
"Time to reload," Bradley commented.
"And she's doing it faster than Ellie," Dr. Kaiser commented.
Rikki had her rifle reloaded and fired at another roving target and missed, only to catch it with her next shot, through its head. She then waited for the last target to come into view, one that moved on a track much faster than the others. She fired a shot that zoomed past its head before she fired another shot that caught it in the chest, finishing with another round through its neck.
"Time! 2 minutes even!" Bradley announced.
Dr. Kaiser made his way down to assess the damage done to all targets.
"This is some nice shooting on your part with all of these guys either dead or dying by the time you are finished. You are 6 for 6. Congratulations," Dr. Kaiser spoke.
"Like I said, you got to see some real shooting," Rikki smirked.
"Keep talking. Joel was full of surprises and I know he'd have something up his sleeve for your friend," Ellie smirked back.
Both long rifles proved their worth, but where do our panelists stand?
"I'm calling this one even," Bradley started, "Granted, Rikki performed better, but in terms of the rifle itself, they are very similar. They both have the same action, have similar range, can carry the same amount of ammo, and can use a variety of calibers."
"When you take the skill of the individual shooter out of the equation and focus on the rifles themselves, I'm inclined to agree with you. This is even for me," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I have to agree. When it comes to the rifles themselves, this is even," Eddie concluded.
In long range weapons, are warriors are even.
XXXXXX
We now near the final stretch and the time comes for both sides to break out their explosive arsenals.
For Deacon St. John, he brings the bang with the original I.E.D., the Pipe Bomb.
(Deacon is shown tossing a pipe bomb into a cave filled with resting Freakers, shredding their bodies in a hale of shrapnel.)
Pipe Bomb
Length: Varies
Weight: Varies:
Filling: Nails, Scrap Metal, Etc.
"Pipe bombs have been around for a long time and especially became popular following the outbreak when professionally made explosives became harder to find," Boozer explained as he held out a pipe bomb for the panelists to see, "Ones like these are relatively easy to make as long as you have some piping on hand, a little bit of gunpowder, and anything sharp and metallic you can get your hands on. You can set one of these up like a trap, but Deacon preferred to throw them."
Boozer and the panelists were shown standing outside of a mock up room that had 4 dummies inside, each of them wearing 2 patches.
"We have a test set up where 4 targets are inside, each of them wearing 2 sets of shock patches. If the 38G patch is tripped, he's disoriented, but if the 100G is tripped, he's dead. You've got one pipe bomb, so make it count," Bradley explained.
"Oh, it will," Boozer said as he pulled out a lighter and lit the long fuse as the panelists took cover in an armored area. He tossed the homemade explosive through a window in the mocked up room before rushing over to join the others in the protective area.
It took a few extra seconds before the explosive detonated and the entire room was shook from its foundation, ending with one of the walls collapsing inward. The panelists were forced to wait for the smoke to clear and get the all clear from the firefighting crew before they could make entry to assess the damage done.
"Man, I'm hoping the rest of the walls don't fall down on top of us," Bradley commented as he took in their charred surroundings.
Dr. Kaiser took note and cautiously approached 3 visible targets, all of them shredded by the blast.
"From what I'm seeing, these guys have their 100G patches tripped across the board. Just seeing how riddled they are, they were killed by a combination of the initial shockwave and the shrapnel," the good doctor noted.
"Wait, where's the other guy?" Eddie asked.
"There!" Bradley pointed to a stand sticking out from beneath the fallen wall and along with a few of the firefighters, they lifted the wall up long enough for Dr. Kaiser and Eddie to pull the target out.
"There is something different about this guy. Only his 38G patch has been tripped, meaning he was only left dazed and confused by the blast," Dr. Kaiser said pointing to the patch, "Yet, when you look at the deep tears in his body, he would have still been hit by shrapnel and possibly fatally wounded by that, or just from the additional injuries received from having the wall falling on top of him like that. Altogether, you are 4 for 4."
"So what do you think of that?" Boozer asked Tommy.
"Any two-bit bandit could come up with something like that. Besides, they're going to see that coming and with a long fuse like that, they'll have time to escape. My brother used something that could take a target by surprise, plus something far more powerful and wider reaching."
To answer Deacon's challenge, Joel responds with a homemade explosive that shreds an enemy's flesh in a deadly storm of nails, the Nail Bomb.
(Joel is shown using a broken bottle to lure a Bloater towards him, only for the brute to walk into a waiting nail bomb that tears through its thick carapace.)
Nail Bomb
Length: Varies
Weight: Varies
Filling: Nails, Scrap Metal, Etc.
"This was a common weapon among terrorist groups before the outbreak," Tommy said showing the panelists a coffee can with numerous scissor blades sticking out of it, "Afterwards, it became a good trap to use against the infected and anybody who wanted to cause you trouble."
"We're going to have a similar test done where 4 bandits are making their way towards your settlement," Bradley said as he looked towards 4 targets, "Each of them has been outfitted with the same patches as the targets from before. We're going to place the bomb like a trap and have it detonated remotely this time."
"You're speaking my language now," Tommy said before he went over and placed the nail bomb inside the trunk of a rusted old car from a nearby salvage yard, the targets already set up at varying distances. It wasn't long before everybody was gathered in the protective bunker and Tommy was handed the detonator.
"Alright, on 3...2...1, Tommy, blow 'em up!"
Tommy pressed the button and the bomb detonated, sending nails and bits of scrap metal flying in all directions and knocking the targets over.
"More bang for your buck," Eddie commented.
The panelists waited for the all clear from the fire crew before making their way over to assess the damage done.
"Like the aftermath of a true war zone," Dr. Kaiser commented as he carefully examined each of the targets, "These bodies would have been shredded," he said, overturning a dummy with a warped nail driven into its temple.
"I am seeing all the shock patches tripped on these guys and if that hadn't been enough, all that shrapnel would have done the trick," he concluded.
"But this is a stationary explosive you are talking about. If it was one of those freaks, then yes, they could be stupid enough to stumble into it, but Deacon would have seen this from a mile away," Rikki spoke up.
"You underestimate my brother too much. He'd have more than one on hand and he'd get your buddy sooner or later," Tommy replied.
Both explosives tore through their targets, but where do our panelists stand?
"I think this is definitely a case where both these IED's have their pros and cons," Bradley started, "While the pipe bomb offers portability, it has that long fuse that could allow someone to escape the blast range. On the other hand, the nail bomb is largely used as a stationary weapon someone could avoid, it still had the bigger bang and the greater killing power. With that being said, I'm giving my edge to the nail bomb."
"I agree with you on both fronts and when it comes down to it, I think the greater killing power is more important, which is why I'm also giving the edge to the nail bomb," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"These guys definitely have to make use of what they have available in their situation and when it comes down to it, the greater devastation counts. Edge nail bomb," Eddie concluded.
In explosive weapons, Joel Miller takes the edge with the Nail Bomb.
For the first time ever, we are going to focus on multiple X-factors that make these warriors who they are.
"We are going to start things out with Training," Eddie started, "For this factor, the edge goes to Deacon St. John. Before his time in the Mongrels, he served in the United States Army's 10th Mountain Division, where he would have received professional military training. Although he has held his own against soldiers with professional training, Joel is still a largely self-taught survivor who would have picked up things along the way."
"Next up, we factor in Experience. Joel Miller managed to survive a combined total of 25 years following the Cordyceps outbreak and came out with his fair share of happenings that would have left him far more hardened. While Deacon had experience fighting against a larger variety of Freaker types, including animals infected by the virus, and while that would have forced him to adapt in different ways, he was only two years removed from the worldwide pandemic's beginning."
"After that, we look into Logistics. Both of these men were forced to scavenge for their survival, including they weapons they used in battle, which were often times crafted from scratch. With that being said, the overall edge goes to Deacon. He came from a time where he was only two years removed from his pandemic, meaning he still had greater access to a larger assortment of firearms and supplies left around for him to assemble more improvised weapons, whereas Joel was farther out and thus, things would have been far more scarce."
"Lastly, we factor in Brutality and Joel takes this hands down. In the years following the outbreak, he took part in brutal actions against even those who weren't immediate threats to him as a means for his own survival, as well as willingly torturing anybody who harmed those he cared for. Deacon on the other hand, had a personal code of honor that saw him sparing people on occasion, something which could have come back to haunt him down the road."
Coming up, two outbreak survivors clash for the first time ever to determine who is "The Fictional Deadliest Warrior!"
XXXXXX
Our testing has been completed and our X-factors have been evaluated. We are now one step closer to deciding the victor.
Our teams tested 6 weapons used by Joel Miller: the Shiv, the Bladed Bat, the Taurus Model 66 revolver, the Mossberg 500 shotgun, the Winchester Model 70 rifle, and the Nail Bomb.
On the other side, we tested 6 weapons used by Deacon St. John: the Gerber BMF knife, the 2x4 Axe, the Dan Wesson PPC revolver, the Remington 870 shotgun, the Ruger M77 long rifle, and the Pipe Bomb.
For short range bladed weapons, the Gerber BMF's durability and versatility overcame the one-sided Shiv.
EDGE: Deacon St. John
For short range blunt weapons, the 2x4 Axe's strength and more damaging blade tore through the Bladed Bat.
EDGE: Deacon St. John
For mid-range revolvers, Joel's extra round provided the crucial factor in outgunning the PPC.
EDGE: Joel Miller
For mid-range shotguns, both guns were similar enough to stand on even footing.
EDGE: Even
For long range weapons, both rifles had the close similarities that left then evenly matched.
EDGE: Even
And in explosive weapons, the power of the Nail Bomb blew away the Pipe Bomb.
EDGE: Joel Miller
Our scientists and weapons experts have now concluded their testing and it is time for the final battle. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single, lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will emerge victorious in a battle between two lethal post-apocalyptic survivalists?
Hand-Crafted
(Joel is shown pulling out a shiv before stabbing a cannibal in the neck.)
vs. Firepower
(Deacon is shown mowing down Freaker Swarmers with blasts from his Remington shotgun.)
Trickery
(Deacon is shown sneaking past some Rippers standing before a chained Freaker, before he shoots the lock off its chains and leaves it to attack the two cultists.)
vs. Brute Force
(Joel is shown sneaking up on a soldier and placing the man in a choke hold until he snaps his neck.)
Survivor
(Joel is shown wiping the sweat off his brow after taking down a Bloater.)
vs. Survivor
(Deacon is shown climbing through a narrow passage to avoid a Rager, before pulling out a pipe bomb and chucking it at the infected bear.)
"We've got two badass survivors who have gone up against hordes of infected, but how will they fare when pitted against each other?" Eddie asked before typing in the final commands and starting the simulation.
XXXXXX
We are taken to a shopping mall surrounded by a forest, where the first snow has recently fallen.
It is towards the back of the building that a lone middle-aged man wearing a light brown jacket and blue jeans climbs through a hole in the chain-link fence, stopping to grab his backpack, along with the shotgun and long rifle that had been strapped to his back. With his supplies gathered, he reaches into his heavy backpack and produces a crudely crafted shiv and looks around for any threats before using it to pry a door open and make his way inside.
Having made his way inside, he draws both a flashlight and a revolver, listening close for any potential threats. When he is confident there is nothing nearby, he opens the closest door and makes his way outside into a crumbling structure filled with long abandoned shops. He looks around before he catches sight of a map and makes his way over.
He carefully studies the map and smirks when he sees what he came for – a pharmacy!
The settlement was low on medical supplies and Joel Miller was determined to do anything he could to help out. A lot of buildings had been picked clean, so there was no possible lead he could ignore.
Outside the building, another man pulls up on a drifter bike, a dark-haired fellow wearing a turned around baseball cap and weathered kutte that identifies him as a member of the long dissolved Mongrels Motorcycle Club.
He finds an abandoned city bus he is confident will provide cover from any possible snipers and parks behind it. Looking around and seeing no threats nearby, he dismounts and goes through his saddlebags, grabbing a shotgun, long rifle and some pipe bombs before checking to make sure his revolver is in good working order and the knife strapped to his boot is ready if needed.
This man is Deacon St. John, a former outlaw biker, now performing vigilante work for any settlement that will give him the supplies he needs. Right now, he has been tasked with exploring the abandoned shopping mall in hopes of uncovering anything useful.
Back inside, it didn't take Joel Miller long before he found the pharmacy on the second floor, the mall thus far devoid of any infected or human threats.
As he expected, the shelves were largely bare and most of the boxes and other containers left behind had been emptied of their contents. He knew there was still more of the store to explore and he made his way back to a storage room with a splintered door and signs of a struggle within.
But through all the blood and gore, his eyes were transfixed on the shelf at the back of the room when he saw a large red and white case and opened it up to find a number of antibiotic vials within, as well as bandages, antiseptics and other miscellaneous items that could prove helpful to the people. Without hesitation, he scooped the case up and prepared to make his exit.
Elsewhere, Deacon has entered the mall and is making his way down the concourse, waving his revolver back and forth for any signs of infected or other threats lurking about. The place is oddly quiet and calm, yet it is the sight of several skeletonized bodies which keeps him on heightened alert. It isn't long before he comes across a map and he scans it for any places that could have needed supplies before he finds a pharmacy located on the second floor.
It was questionable given the amount of time that had passed, yet there was still plenty scattered out and about and he wouldn't know unless he tried. An old escalator was nearby and made his way up to the second floor mezzanine and was about to round the corner when a bearded man walked into view with a red and white container that had a large red cross on it. The man quickly drew a revolver and stared coldly towards him.
"Whoa! Take it easy!" Deacon said taking a step backward, "I don't want any trouble," he continued.
He had raised both his hands, yet still kept Iron Mike's old revolver firmly in his right hand just in case the man tried anything.
"I'm just looking for supplies," he said taking a knee, "My people need medicine."
"I have my own problems to deal with. Now get the hell out of my way!" Joel demanded, cocking the Model 66's hammer.
"Hey, it doesn't have to end like this. We can help each other," Deacon protested.
"Go to Hell!" Joel said as the grip tightened on his trigger.
Deacon could sense the man's intent and rolled for cover behind a marble planter before the bullet could tear through him.
"We just need some supplies!" Deacon shouted.
"Over my dead body!" Joel shouted as he fired another round.
There would be no peacefully reasoning with this man and Deacon peeked over the planter to fire two shots at him, yet Joel had already taken cover behind a wooden bench and returned fire, his bullets sending shards of marble and wood tearing into his opponent, who finally ducked when his revolver clicked empty.
With no time to reload, Deacon unslung his Remington and waited for Joel to fire again before he pumped the shotgun and fired a blast of buckshot in the smuggler's direction. Joel winced as some wooden shards tore into his skin, yet he powered through and fired off a few more rounds before he holstered the Taurus and withdrew his Mossberg, firing a blast before running into a nearby men's clothing store.
It didn't have to be like this, but now it was personal and Deacon wasn't going to let this man escape him as he hugged the wall and listened for any activity from within before making his way into the clothing store.
He crept quietly among the racks filled with once fancy suits that were now long faded and tattered, and between the small islands that had been picked clean, all the while searching for movement as he made his way down an aisle lined with mannequins.
He was nearing the fitting rooms when he suddenly spotted a familiar light brown jacket and opened fire, striking the figure in the back.
"Got you now, you bastard," Deacon spat as he ran over to check on the fallen figure, only to find it was another mannequin and the sneaky bastard had tried to throw him off by putting his jacket on the figure.
The biker hit the deck when he heard pumping coming from behind him, just in time to avoid the flurry of buckshot that instead shattered a dirty mirror.
Joel pumped his shotgun and fired another blast before pulling himself over the cashier's counter and sliding some more shells in. It was then he looked over and saw a large portion of the floor had collapsed and it proved convenient as a long, thin metallic object landed next to him and he saw the fuse at the end.
"Shit!" he spat rushing towards the opening, just as the bomb detonated and flung him forward through a display case.
Joel's entire body felt like it was on fire as fresh waves of pain washed over him. His vision was blurry, his ears were ringing and he felt the coppery taste of blood in his mouth, yet through all of it, he willed himself forward, pulling himself along the debris-laden floor until his hand gripped a wooden baseball bat and he looked up to see all the athletic equipment around him, telling him he was in a sporting goods store.
An idea sprung to mind as Joel grabbed the bat and crawled behind a counter, reaching into his backpack for some blades and some duct tape he still had on hand, and proceeded to bind them to the bat. It only took seconds before he had a brand new bladed bat, one he would use to bash that bastard's head in with.
He also spotted a tin can beneath the counter and with some additional blades, explosives and sugar on hand, another idea came to mind.
Deacon had made his way back into the main concourse and grabbed the medical case. He had gotten what he had come for, yet still there was a nagging feeling that left him looking over his shoulder and he proceeded with caution towards the railing, where he looked down and was able to see that same guy, still alive.
"Son of a bitch," he muttered to himself and drew the Ruger M77, perching himself on the railing and taking aim. He took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger, only for a pale-skinned person in bloodied clothing to charge in his line of view and the bullet tore through its spine instead of his target.
More shrieks sounded and Deacon looked over to see more infected people rushing into view, darting their heads around as they seemingly sniffed the air for any sign of the shooter. Deacon quietly cursed to himself as he knew they would get in the way of his objective and he took aim, firing a round through the skull of another infected runner, before switching his sights over to another and dropping it with another head shot. A third runner let out a piercing roar and began running towards the stairs leading to the mezzanine and he fired upon it, yet missed his next two shots. With the runner having detected him and closing in on his location, the former Mongrel was forced to draw his shotgun and fire a blast into its chest.
Joel grunted as he found himself covered in the blood and tissue of an infected runner that had appeared from the shadows, finding an unlikely savior in the biker he had been fighting with earlier. He watched from cover as three more of those runners appeared, two of them immediately dropped by head shots as the third ran for the second floor mezzanine. A shotgun blast followed seconds later and he peeked his head up to see the biker standing tall.
Not only that, the man had the first-aid kit he had come for and there was no way he was leaving with it.
Joel drew the Winchester Model 70 rifle slung across his back and took aim upon the outlaw biker, firing a shot that sailed past the man's head and sent him hitting the floor.
He grunted at the missed shot, yet forced himself to focus and looked for anything he could use against the hiding man and looked over to see a gas can. Was it still full after all this time? He had to find out and Joel took aim, firing a shot that caused the can to ignite.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Deacon shouted as a gas can suddenly ignited next to him and he was sent scampering away while trying to hold the first-aid kit at the same time, the flames licking away at his heels.
He kept moving forward until he was out of range and found himself inside a hardware store. Looking around for anything of use, he spotted a discarded 2x4 lying on the floor and scooped it up, searching further until he came across a saw blade and some razor wire. With the ingredients gathered, he began crafting a tool similar to something he had used while battling the Freakers in Farewell, smiling at his ingenuity while taking a few practice swings with his newly crafted 2x4 axe.
The shatter of glass caught his attention and Deacon knelt down, knowing he could be getting baited. He quickly loaded fresh rounds into his revolver and then some shells into his Remington before he crept towards the store's entrance and pumped his shotgun, waiting for the other man to come to him.
Instead, he was met by another monstrosity, this one looking like a person who has had its face split open with fungi growing out of it. It staggered around, making weird clicking noises as it tried to find its way around.
"God, you're the ugliest motherfucker I've ever seen," Deacon grunted as he pumped his shotgun.
The monster perked up at the noise and began lumbering in the biker's direction, only to be blown to bits a second later by an unseen explosion, sending shrapnel flying Deacon's way as well.
"Dammit!" Deacon grunted as the explosion shook him to his core, leaving him wobbling as he struggled to stand upright and hear over the loud ringing. He fell backwards against the nearest wall and it was then he felt the sharp pain in his right arm. Once his vision steadied, he was able to see the sticky blood running down his arm and the jagged nail sticking out.
The scuffle of footsteps caught the biker's attention and he barely ducked in time to avoid the bladed baseball bat being swung at his cranium.
The same bearded man recovered quick and went for another swing Deacon barely avoided, prompting him to draw his makeshift axe and swing back, slicing into his back.
Joel cried out in pain as the saw blade tore into his flesh and his grip on the bat loosened, prompting him to reach for another shiv as he dodged another swing from the 2x4 axe, stabbing into the man's side and breaking his shiv.
Deacon cried out in pain as the shiv cut into him and he too dropped his makeshift weapon before he felt a pair of arms wrapping around his neck.
"You should've stayed outta my way!" Joel hissed as he clamped down on Deacon's throat.
Deacon struggled to breathe, yet continued to hang on as he tried to pry the man's arms off of him.
"Fuck off!" Deacon growled as he shot his head backwards into Joel's nose, breaking it upon impact. With his opponent stunned, the biker quickly reached for his boot knife and jabbed it into his enemy's stomach.
Joel grunted and coughed up blood as the blade tore into his gut. Deacon wasn't finished their as he stabbed into him again, and again, and again before driving the blade into his chest. The light soon faded from Joel's eyes and he crumbled against the wall bleeding out.
Deacon scowled as he looked down upon his fallen opponent and wiped his bloodied hands with a rag.
XXXXXX
Winner: Deacon St. John
Deacon St. John:
Gerber BMF: 7
2x4 Axe: 23
Dan Wesson PPC: 15
Remington 870: 81
Ruger M77: 271
Pipe Bomb: 111
Total: 508
Joel Miller:
Shiv: 2
Bladed Bat: 9
Taurus Model 66: 20
Mossberg 500: 85
Winchester Model 70: 246
Pipe Bomb: 130
Total: 492
"In what proved to be one of our closest matchups, Deacon St. John prevailed over Joel Miller.
"Deacon largely proved to have the more effective rifle with his Ruger M77 proving to be the overall deadliest weapon in the simulation. It was this, coupled with his professional military training and edge in logistics that won the battle for him in the end.
"Joel though, did not make this an easy victory for him. He brought the superior explosives, as well as having a slightly more reliable revolver and shotgun, coupled with his utter ruthlessness," Bradley concluded.
"They might think it was close, but I call pure and utter bullshit. Joel would have taken this grease monkey down in a real fight!" Tommy spat.
"I knew Deke would pull it off. All those damn Freakers couldn't stop him, so what made this chump think things would be any different this time around?" Boozer laughed before taking a long swig of beer.
(Deacon is shown pulling himself onto his drifter bike, having dressed his wounds. The first-aid kit is strapped to the back of his bike and he starts up, taking off just as an infected horde arrives.)
XXXXXX
Next time on "Fictional Deadliest Warrior," it's a battle between two factions dedicated to fighting the forces of darkness:
(A man wearing a Spangenhelm-like helmet, brigandine armor and carrying a circular shield swings an axe at the screen.)
Dawnguard: The group of vampire hunters from Skyrim who prevented the Tyranny of the Sun...
vs.
(A man wearing plate armor with a griffin on the front swings a large sword at the camera.)
Grey Warden: The strongest fighters of Thedas who are sworn to defeat the menacing Darkspawn.
Who will be...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR?!
Author's Note: And so, concludes another installment of FDW!
After some input from gojiratoho25 I decided to try something different regarding my usual X-factor segment. Whether or not I continue with that approach remains to be seen at this point.
Another big difference I can think of that I used for this battle was that Joel used the shiv at one point as what would probably have been done in a real-life fight, whereas in the games, the shiv was strictly an assassination-type weapon you would have used on an unaware enemy.
Joel Miller and all references to "The Last of Us" are the property of Naughty Dog Games. Deacon St. John and all references to "Days Gone" are the property of Bend Studio.
With apologies to fans of "The Last of Us."
I think that's all I've needed to say, so until then read and review! This is Metal Harbinger saying KEEP IT FUCKING METAL!