[Nykc]

Anybody watch this show? My son got me hooked on it when it first came out and the only episode I currently missed is the newest one. Green Beret -vs- Russian Spetnaz.

It is a great show, a little drawn out (1/2 hr. show made to last for an hour) And I enjoy the mythical battle scenarios.

Some improvements would be to not allow for firepower! Pirates -vs- Knights is a perfect example. How is a Medieval Knight going to stand a chance against Grenadier and Shotgun?

I would like to see the format more of a tournament. Take 16-32 of the worlds elite fighters/warriors using the same statistical data and 4-5 weapons of choice with the exception of Firearms and then you can have battles like Viking -vs- Green Beret etc..

Although I did thoroughly enjoy the Mob -vs- Yakuza episode. That Tommy Gun is pretty badass.

http://www.spike.com/show/31082

[SixOfEleven]

I love Deadliest Warrior. I've seen all of them. You are right about the Knight vs Pirate. With the common use of gun powder conventional armor was pretty much obsolete. So right from the outset it wasn't a good match up. I think if they are going to do it they should use comparable equipment.

The green beret vs spetnaz was also a good episode.

I'm looking forward to next week's episode, Shoa-lin monk vs Mauri warrior. Ever since I saw the David Carradine Kung Fu show in the 70s I have had great respect for Shoa-lin monks. The new Kung Fu the Legend Continues was excellent as well.

A tournament would be a good idea.

[PsychoCoder]

I think it's a cool show. I've by no means seen them all (I believe Deadliest Catch comes on at the same time and I like that show since I spent a few summers on crab boats in Alaska when growing up). I might have to get a DVR so I can see both

[Nykc]

on the link I posted above Spike TV's website you can stream the show in its entirety. I am not sure how many episodes they leave up.

I recommend watching it, it is really neat to see the effects many of these ancient weapons have and admire the technology that existed back then.

The scissors weapon the Gladiator's used was sick! I am talking completely severing a cow with a punch.

[SixOfEleven]

I liked the scissor.

One of the best ancient weapons I've scene.

[baavgai]

Argh, you made me watch this, it's all you fault.

I watched Viking vs. Samurai. I picked it because I know the most about both of them.

I was prepared for the over dramatic presentation and the general silliness. I was rather annoyed by the quantity of misinformation. Granted, much of this was from the gung ho "experts" who both entertained an unrealistic ideal of their side. Some was from the narrator, which was unfortunate. I like Discovery channel stuff, even the bias tripe, but it has to be honest. I like when Mythbusters admits the real experiment didn't fly, but make it clear they want to try to absurd anyway.

Strangely, the groups actually had more in common than the show let on. Neither where big on sword thrusts, while both could. Japanese are slicers, while Norse are choppers, but both recognize that power comes from momentum. A thrust with a long sword is awkward, though possible. A thrust with a katana, while easy enough with the lighter weapon, opens the weapon up to be broken.

The honor thing was also off. While nothing in Europe comes close to the code in conduct in Japan, Vikings had their own system of behavior. Vikings were into single combat and would pair off if possible. Their brutality was in how they treated those outside their culture. Samurai, on the other hand, were actually just as brutal to other Japanese, only extending honorable behavior to themselves and higher. They often slaughtered peasants for sport. There are even written documents that make peasant killing illegal and imposed fines. Honor is quite relative.

Weapons were also annoying. The big beat stick ( kanabo ) they showed Samurai using is more mythical than real. As a lower class weapon, a Samurai wouldn't have touched it in any case. They compared Great Axe to Katana and Long Sword to Naginata, which is absurd and should be reversed. Throwing two spears at once, also absurd; it appears a the sagas, so do sea monsters.

They didn't understand the armour. Someone said ringmail, which doesn't exist. Their mail hauberk was butted galvanize steel, but I'll forgive that. They then referred to the Samurai armour as plate, which it is not. It's actually lamellar, a series of little plates woven together. Very late in the game breast plates show up. The little plates were made of metal, leather, or hardened bamboo. Neither side could have gotten a sword through the other's armour. However, an axe ( not the stupid great axe ), would have done some damage to Samurai armour.

There was some comment about Vikings needing to attack others for resources, which is so profoundly stupid I have nothing to really say. Vikings should probably be put into perspective. They were essentially Danish pirates. There was no social stigma attached to it, they only attacked outsiders and brought home toys. Young men saw it as a fast track to wealth. Ultimately the Northmen found trade was more profitable than pillage and the practice was frowned on. Christianity effectively finished it off, as churches and monasteries were now off limits.

Right, enough history geek out. Sorry, I just couldn't take it.

[Nykc]

So I presume you are disappointed at the outcome of the battle.

Although it is not entirely accurate and over exaggerated for ratings, (most shows are). It is still enjoyable and does a fine job of opening up for discussions.

To put a Ninja up against a Spartan using traditional theatre of battle is obscured. A Ninja is not necessarily known for fighting toe to toe as the Spartan warrior is trained to do. Ninja's rely on stealth, environment and several other variables.

I am not sure how or why they choose the battles in the format they are using, however I think the so called "Experts" choose the weapons to be utilized. So the experts are only as good as their research on the matter.

This post has been edited by Nykc: 15 May 2009 - 06:05 AM

[baavgai]

Nykc, on 15 May, 2009 - 07:02 AM, said:

So I presume you are disappointed at the outcome of the battle.

Couldn't care less, actually. I just mind when the "historical" part is fubar. The experts they had were all whackers, but the show could have corrected them.

The outcome? The samurai weapons are faster. In particular, an axe takes some recovery time. However, the Norse usually fought with a shield in the off hand, that and the armour means the target area is small. A long sword could snap a katana if it caught it right. Samurai liked to go for the face, an eye is best, but any nick to the forehead is a serous bleeder. Look at Samurai face masks; more head protections than a jousting helm. The standard nasal helm offers less protection, the samurai would go there.

It's really down to skill and luck, which is why it's kind of pointless; if amusing.

This post has been edited by baavgai: 15 May 2009 - 07:09 AM

[SixOfEleven]

I would like to see the program that they used to do the simulations and the data that they entered. I watched the new one last night Shaolin Monk vs Maori warrior. Why on earth would monks from China visit there or vice versa. Since, I believe, the Shaolin are still in existence possibly they would be better represented. Still, from what I've read and heard of the Shaolin their martial arts were a way of defending their temples from barbarians. They would never attack another out right, only defend themselves.

I think that the matches are generated to try and illicit reactions rather than historical accuracy. Perhaps Viking vs Knight, Shaolin vs Samurai or Centurion vs Spartan would be better choices.

In a kind of disturbing way I like to see the carnage the weapons cause.

[ddddyyyy]

I agree with Nykc

[The Architect 2.0]

SixOfEleven, on 20 May, 2009 - 05:20 PM, said:

I watched the new one last night Shaolin Monk vs Maori warrior. Why on earth would monks from China visit there or vice versa.

because one of the main points of the show is to show battles that never actually happened in history?