Good Points in Comparison:
Ladder Award System / Multiple Knight Belts:
This breeds quality. It produces a higher end result as the bar continues to get set higher and higher. I think thats the biggest thing missing in Bel. You can count on Amtgard Knights being very well versed in their area of expertise. Belegarth Knights can be of any where in the success scale. Some places have higher standards, some don't. The biggest example of the success of the system is with the fighting in Amtgard. An average Amtgard fighter usually equals a really * good Belegarth fighter when crossing over. A really good Amtgard fighter usually equals an amazing Belegarth fighter. This is largely because what works and what doesn't is taught and there is a common understanding of the theory in fighting. Having this belt system is what has largely produced this. Bel on the other hand has a different way of going about teaching fighting. Seems to really be changing though, and I think thats a good thing. Really, a national belt system for Bel seems like a logical evolution to me.
Having multiple types of Knighthoods in Amtgard also allows for a more dynamic society than whats in Bel as well. People genuinely get excited over A&S, over doing service and taking the role of leadership for the group. It allows for competition and provides people who aren't primarily stick jocks a place to fit in and be important inside the game. Some of our best and brightest in Amtgard are older ladies or non-stick-talented beanpoles who have an outlet for their talents to shine.
Fighting Rules:
Amtgard falls short in this department in my book. I really really like Bel fighting more than Amtgard fighting. As I stated before, I find a much higher level of skill in Amtgard as a whole, but it's just not as fun. The ability to shield bash when needed really brings the game into a whole other realm. Too many * armor points too. If I could bash etc, I wouldn't mind it so bad, but being forced to keep distance, mixed with the incredible speed at which Amtgard is played, mixed with the ability to sluff up to 6 pts... yeah...
Battle Games:
For the most part, it's the same. When it comes to class battles... yeah, I hate them. I'll take Bel fights 95% of the time over Amtgard battles. The 5% exception here is for 10 man tournies which are awesome and the most tactically challenging experience in the game. LOVE EM'. There are of course exceptions too... the occassional quest that is really good, and of course, Knoblander which is a 18 hr battle game done a'la a paintball scenario game feel. Theres a consistent plot and point objectives. Since it's so hard to duplicate any type of actual war feeling, that event comes the closest in my mind.
Nightlife:
Amtgard Bardics are tops. Midnight Ditching is simply the best. Other than those two things, its more or less the same. Seems to be more illegal stuff going on at the Bel events I've been to, almost always involving younger kids. Happens at Amtgard too though. I consider it a problem of the sub-culture.
Overall:
I cross-game pretty heavily. I've been more of a Bel player over the last six months, but I still consider myself an Amtgardian and an SCAdian too. If I'm after a fun battle, I'll play Bel. If I'm looking for some really fun one on one stuff, I'm more likely to find it at Amt.
Will
Edit: Fighting Companies vs Units:
Fighting Companies in Amt seem be a little more focused an relevant.