Shortly after the season 2 finale, season 3 was announced on Spike.com, soon followed by a live Aftermath featuring new host Richard "Mack" Machowicz answering fan questions."Mack reveals DW3 Season details" (viewing restricted to USA and Canada) On October 13 the show announced the start of production for the season. Over the course of several weeks, Spike revealed the Season 3 match-ups. The battle simulator, created by host Max Gieger, was able to simulate 5,000 battles as opposed to the previous 1,000. The new format (except for Vampires vs. Zombies) was a squad-on-squad battle of 5 vs. 5, which had previously been reserved only for modern matches. An average of 100 different X-factors were factored into each simulation, each being rated on a scale from 1 to 100, though only a few were mentioned. Season 3 premiered on July 20, 2011, at 10 pm EDT.

Episode 23: George Washington vs. Napoleon Bonaparte George Washington Napoleon Bonaparte Team Paul Suda (18th-century weapons expert)Wayne Lee (Professor of Military History) Mathew Cape (19th-century weapons expert)Phillipe Simon (Napoleonic historian) Weapons Colichemarde Sword, Brown Bess Flintlock Musket & Pennsylvania Long Rifle, 6-Pound Cannon Cavalry Saber, 1777 Charleville Musket, 8-Pound Cannon Tactics Hybrid Warfare "Bait and Bash" Logistics X-Factor 73 79 Tactics X-Factor 84 88 Fatigue X-Factor 74 67 Generalship X-Factor 88 82 Warrior 6'3", 200 poundsc. 1781, aged 49 5'6", 140 poundsc. 1805, aged 37

Napoleon's Bait and Bash was given the edge due to the magnitude of the French victory at Austerlitz; Washington could not have won at Yorktown without his French allies. Napoleon's Bait and Bash tactic involved luring an enemy into position and attacking when the conditions were perfect, as seen during his greatest victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. There, he deceived the Russo-Austrian army into thinking that he was planning to surrender by withdrawing from the Pratzen Heights and then used the cover of fog to mount a surprise attack on the weakened center of their lines. Washington's Hybrid Warfare involved the use of hit-and-run guerrilla warfare to weaken the British Army while the Continental Army fought the conventional battles and sieges. This successfully led to his greatest victory at the Battle of Yorktown.

In the reenactment, George Washington is one of six warriors with no battle cry at the end, as an example of him being the "gentleman soldier."

+ Simulation results George Washington Percentage Napoleon Percentage Notes Short Range Weapons Colichemarde Sword 53% Cavalry Saber 47% The weapons were tested in eliminating three targets from horseback and on foot. Although both blades were evenly match with three kills and the cavalry saber had flexibility, the edge was given to the Colichemarde sword since it was optimized for dismounted and anti-saber combat. Mid Range Weapons Brown Bess Flintlock Musket & Pennsylvania Long Rifle 73% 1777 Charleville Musket 27% Two four-man squads, one armed with four 1777 Charleville muskets and one armed with two Brown Bess muskets and two Pennsylvania Long Rifles, were tested against each other in eliminating four infantry and one mounted officer with five bullets each. The French squad eliminated only four infantry in 1 minute 43 seconds, while the American squad eliminated all five targets and the simulated horse in 3 minutes 31 seconds. Although it was very slow to reload, the edge was given to the Pennsylvania Long Rifle for its greater range and accuracy. Long Range Weapons 6-Pound Cannon 31% 8-Pound Cannon 69% The cannons were tested in eliminating six targets and one cannon at 200 yards. The 8-pounder achieved three kills and destroyed one cannon, while the 6-pounder achieved only two kills and destroyed one cannon. In the Anti-Personnel Munition test, the 8-pounder achieved an 8/15 kill ratio with its grapeshot while the 6-pounder achieved only a 4/15 kill ratio with its scattershot. The edge was given to the French 8-pounder for its firepower and the better quality of its munitions and crew. Totals 2,530 50.6% 2,470 49.4%

Reenactment 23 The Grande Armée climbs a hilltop, where Napoleon observes Washington's Continental Army relaxing near their cannon. Washington rides up and greets his troops before noticing Napoleon's troops watching them. Napoleon orders a charge as Washington's men take defensive positions and start firing, though none of them hit their targets. One of Napoleon's men kills a Continental soldier and a Continental soldier kills one of Napoleon's men. Washington's sharpshooter takes out Napoleon's mounted lieutenant. Napoleon's army fires their cannon first and takes out another one of Washington's men, but a man of their own is decapitated by Washington's cannon. Another shot from Napoleon's cannon disables Washington's artillery.

Washington's men charge while Napoleon hastily reloads. He kills one of the soldiers with a grapeshot from his cannon. Washington mounts a horse and he and Napoleon kill each other's final soldier, then charge. Washington is knocked off his horse and Napoleon dismounts to engage him. They clash swords briefly before Washington punches Napoleon in the face, stunning him. They engage again; Washington eventually gets the upper hand and thrusts his sword into Napoleon's neck. Instead of sounding a battle cry, Washington casually cleans his sword and gazes upon the horizon.

Winner: George Washington

Episode 24: Joan of Arc vs. William the Conqueror Joan of Arc William the Conqueror Team Claire Dodin (15th-century weapons expert)Timothy Pickles (military historian) Jason McNeil (medieval combat specialist)Stephen Morillo (Chair of History, Wabash College) Weapons French Arming Sword, Steel Crossbow, Siege Cannon Norman Broadsword, Composite Crossbow, Torsion Catapult Armor Plate armor Chain mail Hauberk Tactics "Audacious Attack" Feigned Retreat Physicality X-Factor 64 78 Experience X-Factor 58 81 Tactics X-Factor 72 78 Intuition X-Factor 84 80 Logistics X-Factor 74 72 Killer Instinct X-Factor 83 86 Warrior 5'4", 125 poundsc. 1429, aged 17 5'10", 215 poundsc. 1066, aged 38

This was the first co-ed episode, with Joan of Arc being only the second female warrior, as well as the first female to lead a team and to survive the final battle. She is the only warrior whose historical death is shown. This was also the first ancient match to feature 5-on-5, to have a counter to tell how many combatants are remaining on each side, and to test siege engines. A bonus scene available online went into more detail about two X-factors that went into the simulator, including "Logistics", in which Joan received a rating of 74 compared to William's rating of 72, and "Killer Instinct", in which William was rated 86 while Joan was rated 83.Deadliest Warrior: An Additional X-Factor Evaluation, Spike.com, July 28, 2011.

For military tactics, Joan's "Audacity" was compared to William's "Feigned Retreat". During the Siege of Orleans (1428–1429), Joan snuck some of her forces into Orléans and then ordered them to regroup for a bold, frontal attack on the English Siege Post, which succeeded in lifting the siege and saving Orléans from capitulation. At the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William's initial uphill attack was foiled by the Anglo-Saxon shield wall formation on top of a hill. By feigning retreats, he deceived them into breaking their shield wall formation and coming off the high ground, allowing his forces to inflict significant casualties on the pursuing English forces. With the Anglo-Saxon ranks thinned out and their shield wall reduced in effectiveness, William ordered his archers to fire on the rear of the army which succeeded in inflicting further casualties and mortally wounding King Harold Godwinson, clinching the victory for the Normans. The panel gave the edge to William's "Feigned Retreat" over Joan's "Audacity" for the greater tactical significance of his victory at Hastings.

+ Simulation results Joan of Arc Percentage William the Conqueror Percentage Notes Short Range Weapons French Arming Sword 49% Norman Broadsword 51% The swords were tested in eliminating four targets and damaging one special target wearing the opposing warrior's armor. The Arming sword, which allowed for half-swording techniques, achieved four kills and easily penetrated William's chainmail armor in 35 seconds. The Norman broadsword achieved five kills in 21 seconds but could not penetrate Joan's plate armor. The edge was given to the Norman Broadsword for its better performance at thrusting and slashing. Mid Range Weapons Steel Crossbow 55% Composite Crossbow 45% The crossbows were tested in eliminating three defenders. The Composite Crossbow scored a 3/9 hit ratio, a 1/6 kill ratio, and an Average Reload time of 20 seconds, while the Steel Crossbow scored a 6/9 hit ratio, a 4/6 kill ratio, and an Average Reload time of 57 seconds. Even though it was very slow to reload, the edge was given to the Steel Crossbow for its better accuracy and longer range. Long Range Weapons Siege Cannon 51% Torsion Catapult 49% The weapons were tested in a simulated castle siege. The Siege Cannon inflicted heavy damage on a wall with its first three shots and bored a large hole into a gel dummy with the fifth shot. The average reload time was 1 minute and 24 seconds. The Torsion Catapult fired rocks over a castle wall and scored a 3/5 kill ratio with an average reload time of 1 minute and 1 second. The edge was given to the Siege Cannon for its intimidation factor and ability to actually breach a castle wall. Armor Effectiveness Plate Armor 56% Chain mail Hauberk 44% The armor was tested for encumbrance and protection capability. Joan's Full Plate only reduced her mobility by 14% and deflected a blow from the Norman broadsword. In contrast, William's chainmail hauberk reduced his mobility by 27% and was easily pierced three times by the Arming sword. The edge was given to Joan's Full Plate for its durability and maneuverability. Totals 2,587 51.74% 2,413 48.26%

Reenactment 24 Joan of Arc finishes a prayer and resumes her siege on William's castle, assisted by four French knights while William the Conqueror defends with four Norman soldiers. Two of the Norman soldiers (one on the ramparts and one in an arrow slit) fire their composite crossbows, but both miss. The French fire their siege cannon, damaging the wall and killing an archer. William orders his men to load and fire the torsion catapult, crushing one of the French with a rock. Another shot from the siege cannon breaches the castle wall and destroys the catapult. One of the French kills a crossbowman, and a Norman soldier shoots Joan with his crossbow, but the bolt is unable to penetrate her plate armor. He then shoots one of Joan's knights and is subsequently killed by Joan herself. Joan picks up his crossbow and kills another Norman.

Joan and her two remaining knights enter the castle through the breach in the wall. William's fourth and final soldier kills one of the knights and is stabbed through the neck with an arming sword, leaving William alone with just his sword and shield. Joan and her knight approach from two separate sets of stairs; the knight reaches William first and is killed after a short grapple. William and Joan fight, with William using his physicality, size, and leverage to strike Joan in the chest. Her armor absorbs the blow from his blade and is dented, but holds. William tries to swing his broadsword down from overhead, but Joan, from a few steps down the stairs, stabs him twice in the left leg. As he collapses, he makes one last effort to kill her, but Joan stabs him one more time, causing him to fall from the steps.

Winner: Joan of Arc

Episode 25: U.S. Army Rangers vs. North Korean Special Ops