Registered: Apr 2001
Location: University Park
Posts: 268

Here's a versus topic that seems seldomly done. Out of the major younger races, which do you think would probably have the greater Gropos? Someone said that versus topics are alright as long as they don't turn into a flame war right? By major, I'd include Humans, Minbari, Narn, Centauri, and just for fun let's throw in the Pak'mara.

Obviously the Minbari have the advantage in technology, as well as having an entire third of their population as a warrior caste. We never got to see any of their infantry weapons. That knife that the one was using in ItB was probably just because he was toying with his victim.

The Centauri probably have nearly equivalent tech, but for some reason, I just don't see them as quite as good at ground combat. I guess we just see too many of the aristocrats and not enough of the grunts.

Narns, while not having the best tech, look much more suited for combat due to their environment. A Narn would probably have the upper hand in hand to hand combat if all combatants were equally skilled. Of course, they'd certainly have to quit that nasty habit of trying to win through attrition.

The EA I think would fall between the Centauri and Narns. Less tech than Centauri but more than the Narn, but probably at a disadvantage in fighting spirit compared to the Narns.

The Pak'mara would probably just hide and only come out to feast on the battle casualties.

What are your thoughts on this? Most of what I've said I just pulled out of my rear, and from what I've seen on the show. Never read any of the books or anything, so feel free to share some insight.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: University Park
Posts: 268

Here's a versus topic that seems seldomly done. Out of the major younger races, which do you think would probably have the greater Gropos? Someone said that versus topics are alright as long as they don't turn into a flame war right? By major, I'd include Humans, Minbari, Narn, Centauri, and just for fun let's throw in the Pak'mara.

Obviously the Minbari have the advantage in technology, as well as having an entire third of their population as a warrior caste. We never got to see any of their infantry weapons. That knife that the one was using in ItB was probably just because he was toying with his victim.

The Centauri probably have nearly equivalent tech, but for some reason, I just don't see them as quite as good at ground combat. I guess we just see too many of the aristocrats and not enough of the grunts.

Narns, while not having the best tech, look much more suited for combat due to their environment. A Narn would probably have the upper hand in hand to hand combat if all combatants were equally skilled. Of course, they'd certainly have to quit that nasty habit of trying to win through attrition.

The EA I think would fall between the Centauri and Narns. Less tech than Centauri but more than the Narn, but probably at a disadvantage in fighting spirit compared to the Narns.

The Pak'mara would probably just hide and only come out to feast on the battle casualties.

What are your thoughts on this? Most of what I've said I just pulled out of my rear, and from what I've seen on the show. Never read any of the books or anything, so feel free to share some insight.

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Command deck of EAS Janus
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Narns would probably be best ground fighters. They wont stop until they all are dead or enemy is running or dead... Ultimate fighting clan

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Registered: Apr 2001
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quote:

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Someone said that versus topics are alright as long as they don't turn into a flame war right?

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Registered: Jul 2000
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quote:

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Someone said that versus topics are alright as long as they don't turn into a flame war right?

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 632

I think guns make all the difference and we(the EA) have guns .

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 54

I think the Narns would best suited for ground warfare. The Centauri seem to like fighting from a distance ie using mass drivers from orbit, then going in and mopping up what little was left. The EA probably has the best balance between ground capabilities and support from space. I don't even know what the Minbari would be like.

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 54

I think the Narns would best suited for ground warfare. The Centauri seem to like fighting from a distance ie using mass drivers from orbit, then going in and mopping up what little was left. The EA probably has the best balance between ground capabilities and support from space. I don't even know what the Minbari would be like.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Chichester, United Kingdom
Posts: 189

quote:

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Originally posted by darthwoo

Narns, while not having the best tech, look much more suited for combat due to their environment. A Narn would probably have the upper hand in hand to hand combat if all combatants were equally skilled.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Chichester, United Kingdom
Posts: 189

quote:

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Originally posted by darthwoo

Narns, while not having the best tech, look much more suited for combat due to their environment. A Narn would probably have the upper hand in hand to hand combat if all combatants were equally skilled.

---

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Registered: Jul 2001
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Posts: 61

The point about only seeing Centauri aristocrats is key. If we assume the society is at all similar to our history (which it never would be), the Centauri would be a high-tech version of the Imperivm Romanvm whoch would mean that thin layer of aristocrats is supported by an army of tough, professional soldiers. Imagine a Legion of five thousand men with plasma rifles and the discipline to stand and advance into a storm of nuclear fire.

Alternatively, a more medieval version would have a land force of yeoman warriors, leveed from their other professional lives to rally by their liege lords banner. Some would be grizzled old men, veterans of many campaigns while youths holding their energy guns for the first time would make on themselves as the Narn vengeance fighters boiled out of their hides and tore the kids to pieces.

Minbari ground forces would be arrogant but tough, backed by a star-spanning empire with armories on a dozen worlds and an endless supply of warrior caste fighters. They would never ever stop and would be backed by the most fierce war fleet known to the (non First One) B5 universe.

Narns would be like mujaheddin fighters - irregulars with scavenged weapons from many different civilizations. They would have trouble with logistics, as Breen railgun slugs don't fit in Vree kinetic cannon. They would excel at hit and run raiding, but in a standing fight would not have the ability to stand before a larger, better organized force.

Humans have the idea that they are a force to be reckoned with, with a large war fleet of somewhat primitive but effective ships, excellent morale and well-matched size and strength. Terrans have decent energy and mass-effect weaponry, and have demonstrated the will to walk into murderous fire from arrows to energy bolts throughout their history. The other races feel smugly superior with their longer history and more impressive technology, but deep down they know a slug of lead propelled by combustion can kill them just as fast as a plasma bolt. They have really only witnessed Terrans in action against the Dilgar and Minbari (at the start of the series). The Minbari were crushing them of course, nobody expected differently, but they fought for every inch they gave up and were willing to die to do it.

We could beat the Narns.
Stand against the Centauri.
Die well facing Minbari.
Do not fear the Pak'Ma'Ra.

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Registered: Jul 2001
Location:
Posts: 61

The point about only seeing Centauri aristocrats is key. If we assume the society is at all similar to our history (which it never would be), the Centauri would be a high-tech version of the Imperivm Romanvm whoch would mean that thin layer of aristocrats is supported by an army of tough, professional soldiers. Imagine a Legion of five thousand men with plasma rifles and the discipline to stand and advance into a storm of nuclear fire.

Alternatively, a more medieval version would have a land force of yeoman warriors, leveed from their other professional lives to rally by their liege lords banner. Some would be grizzled old men, veterans of many campaigns while youths holding their energy guns for the first time would make on themselves as the Narn vengeance fighters boiled out of their hides and tore the kids to pieces.

Minbari ground forces would be arrogant but tough, backed by a star-spanning empire with armories on a dozen worlds and an endless supply of warrior caste fighters. They would never ever stop and would be backed by the most fierce war fleet known to the (non First One) B5 universe.

Narns would be like mujaheddin fighters - irregulars with scavenged weapons from many different civilizations. They would have trouble with logistics, as Breen railgun slugs don't fit in Vree kinetic cannon. They would excel at hit and run raiding, but in a standing fight would not have the ability to stand before a larger, better organized force.

Humans have the idea that they are a force to be reckoned with, with a large war fleet of somewhat primitive but effective ships, excellent morale and well-matched size and strength. Terrans have decent energy and mass-effect weaponry, and have demonstrated the will to walk into murderous fire from arrows to energy bolts throughout their history. The other races feel smugly superior with their longer history and more impressive technology, but deep down they know a slug of lead propelled by combustion can kill them just as fast as a plasma bolt. They have really only witnessed Terrans in action against the Dilgar and Minbari (at the start of the series). The Minbari were crushing them of course, nobody expected differently, but they fought for every inch they gave up and were willing to die to do it.

We could beat the Narns.
Stand against the Centauri.
Die well facing Minbari.
Do not fear the Pak'Ma'Ra.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: South Australia,Australia,Sol
Posts: 1185

My vote goes for one thats not in the list- the Gaim
Apparently when the Narns invaded their home world their queens just altered their warriors at the genetic level to make them stronger etc and they drove the invading Narn forces off.
But out of the others I go for the Minbari.....

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: South Australia,Australia,Sol
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My vote goes for one thats not in the list- the Gaim
Apparently when the Narns invaded their home world their queens just altered their warriors at the genetic level to make them stronger etc and they drove the invading Narn forces off.
But out of the others I go for the Minbari.....

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Registered: Dec 2001
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The only Centauri soldiers we have seen are either palace guards, or units attached to a noble family. Most likely these soldiers come from military families with connections. Connections that can get them a cushy national guard spot instead of having to go to Viet-Narn like all the less connected soldiers. Centauri GROPOs are probably just poor kids trying to improve their station by military service.

What about the Drazi? I'd tend to rate them even with the Narn for hand to hand, and with slightly better weapons.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: THE BEST DAMN ROGUE NATION ON EARTH!!!
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The only Centauri soldiers we have seen are either palace guards, or units attached to a noble family. Most likely these soldiers come from military families with connections. Connections that can get them a cushy national guard spot instead of having to go to Viet-Narn like all the less connected soldiers. Centauri GROPOs are probably just poor kids trying to improve their station by military service.

What about the Drazi? I'd tend to rate them even with the Narn for hand to hand, and with slightly better weapons.

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Registered: Jun 2002
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Posts: 239

The Pak'mara would win, no one could be near them for long without loosing consiousness.
(I hope the spelling is right)

No, I would also say the Minbary would win, but they tend to go the Hand-to-Hand combar. Or should I say Hand-to-Dem'bok (Fighting Pike). Many would be dead before getting to the enemy.

And don't underestimate the Centauri. Remember when Mollari let the guards kill 2 shadows! Their weapons are very strong and have a high rate of fire. I think that weaponary would get easilie through the human "armor" sometimes used in the series (for example in the pilot). They would smash a group of enemy soldiers in seconds.

Last edited by -Norbert- on 07-08-2002 at 08:32 AM

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Vienna - Austria - Earth - Solar System - Milky Way
Posts: 120

The Pak'mara would win, no one could be near them for long without loosing consiousness.
(I hope the spelling is right)

No, I would also say the Minbary would win, but they tend to go the Hand-to-Hand combar. Or should I say Hand-to-Dem'bok (Fighting Pike). Many would be dead before getting to the enemy.

And don't underestimate the Centauri. Remember when Mollari let the guards kill 2 shadows! Their weapons are very strong and have a high rate of fire. I think that weaponary would get easilie through the human "armor" sometimes used in the series (for example in the pilot). They would smash a group of enemy soldiers in seconds.

Last edited by -Norbert- on 07-08-2002 at 08:32 AM

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Joutsa, Finland
Posts: 564

I saw only one shadow. And remember, that door behind needed only a new painting. I think that if the guards had used AK-47 the result would have been same (More damage to the door ofcourse).
And remember how Sheridan 'invaded' Za'Ha'Dum? He killed tons of Shadows with a PPG, PCP, BDS, whatever that EA handgun is...

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Joutsa, Finland
Posts: 564

I saw only one shadow. And remember, that door behind needed only a new painting. I think that if the guards had used AK-47 the result would have been same (More damage to the door ofcourse).
And remember how Sheridan 'invaded' Za'Ha'Dum? He killed tons of Shadows with a PPG, PCP, BDS, whatever that EA handgun is...

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