Bit of fun, this.
Two questions, 3 categories - answer any/all as you wish. Discussion/Lively engagement encouraged.
Weapons must be real/historical not fantasy/sci-fi or 'possible'.
Where applicable, weapons must be portable and usable by a single individual, ammunition is limited to as much as the individual can reasonably carry.
Remote devices aren't permitted.
Assume combat will take place in/on a previously undisclosed area/terrain.
Combatants are guaranteed to begin at least 10m from one another but other than that distance and placement will be random.
Maximum starting distance 1 mile.
End goal is victory by rendering one's opponent incapacitated in any way while surviving yourself. A disarmed opponent is considered incapacitated unless the argument is being made that unarmed combat is superior.
An All-Round answer must be given. However, terrain categories are available if you also wish to provide an answer where you feel that a specific weapon would be the absolute best in that environment.
Category 1 - All Time, Melee Weapons only
What is the all-time best weapon for duelling?
All-Round:
Urban:
Open Ground:
Jungle:
Mountainous/Hilly:
What is the all-time best weapon for battlefield combat?
All-Round:
Urban
Open Ground
Jungle
Mountainous/Hilly
Category 2 - All Time, Ranged Weapons only
What is the all-time best weapon for duelling?
All-Round:
Urban
Open Ground
Jungle
Mountainous/Hilly
What is the all-time best weapon for battlefield combat?
All-Round:
Urban
Open Ground
Jungle
Mountainous/Hilly
Category 3 - Pre-Firearm, All Weapons
What is the all-time best weapon for duelling?
All-Round:
Urban
Open Ground
Jungle
Mountainous/Hilly
What is the all-time best weapon for battlefield combat?
All-Round
Urban
Open Ground
Jungle
Mountainous/Hilly