Malcom Reynolds vs Han solo

[Freelancer77]

"I know." ~ Yes, a nice line, and the quintessential Han Solo can't-show-emotions response even though he's about to be freeze-dried.

However...

After being tortured to death and resuscitated, just returning to consciousness, the evil Russky says, "You died, Mr. Reynolds", Mal answers "It seemed like the thing to do." ~ This line is pure concentrated win.

Also, the combination of ranchhand/sargeant/smuggler/ship-captain that is Malcom Reynolds has so many snappy, witty, folksy from-the-dirt lines that Han instantly loses any battle of comparative dialogue. Throw in the post-Earth dystopian chinese epithets and it's game over.

[WarDaft]

War: Solo. Victorious general beats defeated sergeant.

To me, Solo being made a General was something along the lines of

P1 "Oh look, a smuggler with no particular experience leading an army, whom we have no reason to believe will not in fact betray us to the Empire for a quick buck and/or settling up on old dets."
P2 "Let's make him a General!"
P1 "Okay, I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"

He had zero qualifications for any sort of honorary military rank, let alone being promoted all the way to general. It was one of the most stupid things they could have done, that worked out because Han happened to have be pre-determined to be one of the 'Good Guys'.


On the other hand, Mal never lost, he just kept on winning while everyone around him lost.

[Chrysophylax]

Han wins hands down. In a melee, Mal has the advantage (probably - if we allow non-film Han appearances, he's pretty good at hand-to-hand fighting). With pistols, Han has a larger ammunition capacity, no recoil and faster projectiles. Even if we say that they're equal in skill, the superiority of Star Wars weapons will be a huge factor. Consider the scene where Mal shoots

Spoiler:

the guy holding River. Nobody else took that shot because they didn't want to risk River being killed. It was his only option, but he was still very lucky to hit at that range. Real pistol shooting is very imprecise, and lack of recoil is very important.

Allowing crews: Chewie is very, very hard to kill and can rip you in half; Leia is a good shot and force-sensitive (allowing non-film appearances, she's had Jedi training and carries a lightsaber); the droids may well make difficulties for the Serenity crew; and Luke is the guy who took out Vader while half-trained. Luke is pretty much unhittable and doesn't need to be able to see you to kill or incapacitate you with the Force. Even River has no chance against a guy with superhuman speed and precognition. The Falcon obviously wins ship-to-ship, and if the Alliance is allowed to help...

Great as you are, Mal, you won't win this one. And do you really want to?

[hotaru]

With pistols, Han has a larger ammunition capacity, no recoil and faster projectiles. Even if we say that they're equal in skill, the superiority of Star Wars weapons will be a huge factor.

Actually, the plasma bolts from star wars blasters would be much slower than a bullet, and have other issues at long range:

Inherent instabilities were said limit the ability to precisely aim a blaster bolt, but knowing one's weapon well could strengthen marksmanship. Plasma energy was said to be dissipated as the bolt traveled, limiting range as the energy became incoherent.

according to wookieepedia, the dl-44 heavy blaster pistol (han solo's weapon of choice) had a maximum range of only 75 meters.

[*Kat*]

I say it would be a draw because no way they would fight each other. Neither was inclined to fight or kill (let alone die) without a really, really, really good reason. They were smugglers, not assassins or thugs.

Now: Here's the real question: Who was the better smuggler?

[tetsujin]

They both shot first, but Han took it back... Which may be why Mal shot first. So, I don't know, I think Han should get some points deducted for that.