        First of all, humans had superior technology. Gilda snorted though. If anyone but a pony said so, she’d be inclined to believe it. For ponies, anything beyond a spear was already superior technology. Zebra Nations had already surpassed them in terms of alchemical weapons and tools, while the Gryphon Kingdom were experimenting rapid-fire crossbows (though from rumors, they were near deployment). The only real reason why Equestria could afford to be behind was because they had the most minimalist conflict between themselves and other nations; the former because ponies were born to be almost non-confrontational and the latter because no other nation wanted to anger the long-lived alicorns who could control heavenly bodies at will.  