IMHO...Knight wins clearly.
Summary:
Results of twelve scenarios according to my understanding:
Dismounted, Melee-only fight, MOTF style scenarios.
Knights are superior because: Heavier armor, longer weapon reach, these are just a natural result of a larger physique and more widespread access to Iron.
The results are based on these criteria:
-My in depth experience with simulated fictional battles between Bushido-styled cultures vs. Chivalry-styled cultures
-Average Samurai physique and equipment for 19th century, Guns excluded!
-Average European Knight physique and equipment from 11th-13th century(very limited access to plate armors or late melee weaponry and severely limited access to steel equipment in general)
(Knight disadvantage)-Both are dismounted
(Could be construed as a disadvantage for Samurai)-No ranged weaponry
(Clear Samurai disadvantage)-Similar experience
(Could be construed as a disadvantage for Knight)-Similar reach "Category" of weaponry
(aka. Knights outreach Samurai's by roughly 10-15%, or 1 foot(30cm) at max polearm length: (9ft.)270cm Bill-hook vs. 240cm Naginata)-"Basic" knowledge of the other person's(culture's) fighting style
-Scenario: Capture and Defend Circle 3m radius
(WTF! unrealistically fair, teen e-peen contest scenario!-Well mannered 5 minute breaks every 30 minutes, warfare is for gentlemen you know.
Huh!? Not a real battle?Categories used for "results"
Win: is statistically almost certain victory(90%+)
Favorable: 66-90% win chance
Equal:35-65% win chance
- With "short" time limit(at most a 30 minutes):
Strength Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
Agi Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
- With "Average" time limit(30-120 minutes):
Strength Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
Agi Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
- With "Long" time limit(2 hours+):
Strength Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
Agi Knight vs. :
Agi Samurai: Favorable for Knight due to stamina/exertion not playing a huge role
Strength Samurai: Knight wins due to superior armor and weapon quality for brute force usage
Results:
Knight wins: 3
Knight favorable: 5
Equal: 1
Samurai favorable: 2
Samurai wins: 1
Knight wins clearly.
Summary:
Knights are superior because: Heavier armor, longer weapon reach, these are just a natural result of a larger physique and more widespread access to Iron.