Pirates vs. Ninjas

[Gailbraithe]

A pirate versus a ninja?

Ninja wins. Everytime. As proof of this, I offer up Ninja III: The Domination, in which it is definitively stated that only a ninja can stop a ninja.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRMWLXEPfFo"]only a ninja can stop a ninja.[/ame]

Here's the opening scene from Ninja III, in which you can clearly see that even modern firearms are of minimal effectiveness against a ninja. What possible use could black powder weapons wielded by untrained sailors be?
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdQldhv_KK4"]opening scene[/ame]

Several dozen pirates might be able to defeat a ninja, through the use of massed arms, if they were lucky enough to corner him. But as you can see, dozens of police officers with motor vehicles, automatic weapons, shotguns, small arms, helicopters, with the advantage of fairly wide open terrain with high visibility and daylight, were only able to take him down after sustaining heavy losses.

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

Besides, in 4e it's Rogues vs. Rogues, so probably a draw.

Must... resist... urge... to design... paragon... paths...

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Want more proof that pirates win? They still exist. Meanwhile, the only place you'll find ninjas is on the internet, and that doesn't even count because it's the internet.

 

[CleverNickName]

So a ninja pirate would be invincible, then?

But what about cyborg vikings?

Or Jedi dinosaurs?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Pirates, no contest. It's called a gun, son. There's a reason that modern day armies don't run around with katanas and shuriken and it's because firearms replaced them.

A pirate's probably not all that sneaky. Not fantastic in a fight. But all the ninja moves in the world aren't going to help you when someone shoots you mid-flight during a jump kick.

Pirates, easy.

In fantasy, Pirates are often depicted as having no firearms aside from the cannons, which were only good for firing at buildings or units of close together infantry. They would be a wild gamble to hit a Ninja.

In reality, Ninja did use guns. An assassination attempt on Nobunaga Oda involved ninjas armed with rifles. They also used gunpowder for bombs.

So in either case, your argument is incorrect.

Want more proof that pirates win? They still exist. Meanwhile, the only place you'll find ninjas is on the internet, and that doesn't even count because it's the internet.

Except for the practicioners of the Ninja arts that still exist today, you mean. This guy, for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaaki_Hatsumi

 

[Boarstorm]

I find this question to be a lot like asking:

"Which wins in a race? A finely tuned nitrous oxide-injection 622 racing engine, or a Vespa scooter?"

The highly trained assassins of myth > drunken thieves on a dinghy.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Pirates of course. They cheat.

And ninjas don't? You've been watching too many movies and not studying your Oriental history....

 

[Thunderfoot]

Want more proof that pirates win? They still exist. Meanwhile, the only place you'll find ninjas is on the internet, and that doesn't even count because it's the internet.

What about Sho Koshugi, or Stephen Hayes, or.... Hmmm seems that isn't too valid an argument.

Everyone knows that a ninja beats a pirate. Pirates attack on sight, ninjas attack unseen - no contest.

 

[Trickstergod]

In fantasy, Pirates are often depicted as having no firearms aside from the cannons, which were only good for firing at buildings or units of close together infantry. They would be a wild gamble to hit a Ninja.

In reality, Ninja did use guns. An assassination attempt on Nobunaga Oda involved ninjas armed with rifles. They also used gunpowder for bombs.

So in either case, your argument is incorrect.

In fantasy, pirates often wield flintlock pistols. Pirates of the Caribbean told me so.

In fantasy, a ninja wouldn't deign to wield a firearm.

Bang. Pirates one, ninjas zero.

 

[Blackrat]

It seems you are all mistaken. The true winners are the Vikings! They are better sailors, and they don't need to be sneaky to win in melee.