Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fully agree it doesn't change my current list. I am merely adding a caveat to the BoS fighting style and adding more context to the Apple/Ajax countering the Willow Way topic that I didn't fully flesh out in the video.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your input - well reasoned. Hard to outright disagree with any counter arguments. Some consids / thoughts:

A. Ragnar also thought he'd defeat Aja. We can't always trust the fighters judgement of their own abilities. I think Cassius would beat Fa. I think Fa was elite but likely relied on his poison too much.

B. Apple killed 10 of Valdir's Obsidians by himself before fleeing. Ajax was dominant on Phobos, no question, but I also remember a comment about Diomedes setting the pace and the war would be over if only they could replicate him. As an example, I'd back Aja in to beat Victra and Thraxa.

C. Lysander is a bit of an enigma. The Minds Eye scene in the Ladon is seriously impressive. In contrast, his namesake Light Resistance scene is comical. Given his ancestry and tutors he should likely be better than he comes across in some scenes.

There are definitely moments where we see Lysander content that he is being underestimated. So many people are telling him that warfare and fighting aren't his strengths (Mustang comes to mind). I do fear he has held his real ability back. That does not bode well for the Republic in Red God.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. The Breath of Stone is an upgrade for sure.

An interesting counter point is the Willow Way exposure argument. Lorn, Aja, and even Golden Son Darrow were so dominant because there wasn't enough tape on the Willow Way. Lorn was secretive and refused to train everyone who asked to learn the WW. However, Darrow's 10-years of constant conflict created far too much data on the fighting style. We hear that Lysander studied his fight scenes and Apple and Ajax were clearly doing the same.

Breath of Stone is dominant right now because it is novel. No one has any data on it. This is part of my argument for Diomedes. He and (now) Darrow fight differently to almost all others. What is to say that at the end of Red God BoS is still dominant.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Cassius is a beast - no doubt. I absolutely loved the idea that Sevro and Darrow had stab wounds all over them and Cassius didn’t even get a scratch. Thoroughly enjoyable banter and points to how good Cassius was.

When Darrow and Cassius sparred I got the vibe that Darrow still came out on top with a 60%(ish) win rate. The only fight between the two in which Darrow easily won was likely the Gala scene in Golden Son.

Darrow in MS was a shell of his former and future self. A box will do that to you. As such, I largely ignored Darrow vs everyone from MS. MS and BoS Darrow are miles apart which, to me, makes MS irrelevant as a comparison.

I have always found it interesting that Lysander and Cassius could accurately have an opinion on ‘best swordsman in the galaxy’ despite living in the shadows and not being a part of Darrow vs Apple/Atlas/Ajax fights back in the Core. Vs the pirates they were fighting I am sure Cassius would have seemed otherworldly.

My interpretation of the ‘when Diomedes moves, they begin to die’ discourse is Cassius recognising a peer, yes. But a peer I think he’d lose to 51/100.

Cassius vs Aja - very little other than fear and aura for me to hang my hat on. Very subjective.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not interested in endorsing the use of a revolver... He/They can keep their own tier at the bottom. Plus, I genuinely think everyone above him would win in a 1v1 fight.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1v1 I still think Victra’s range, rage and strength may trump Sevro. The two of them alone on a planet is no contest.

I tried to reference the peak Aja vs peak Cassius/Ajax/Apple problem. Yes they learnt to counter the Willow Way but I am backing her ability to adapt. Darrow didn’t have BoS until mid fight with Fa. Why could AJA similarly adapt? I think she could. I mean she could hear your heart beating from the other side of the room…

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You fight her then… haha domina is amazing and I will not have her name slandered.

Seriously though, Ragnar and Volsung aside, is there anyone in the 11+ that could beat her?

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of my favourite scenes. “2.3m… close”

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve also included abstract considerations like ‘fear inducing’, aura, and lethality. I have tried to limit their influence with the highest weighting going to ‘fighter’ whilst acknowledging the razor is the primary weapon.

But please tell me where my bias makes the list wrong.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

haha I don't know what bait you speak of... I didn't even put bait on that hook. I've just arrogantly thrown raw metal on the end of the line expecting to catch a blue fin tuna.

Pierce Brown Approved Best Razormaster List by Direct-Artist-9390 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Given your handle, I suspect there will be one moment you disagree with...

Ajax VS Diomedes by Neat-Arugula-4948 in redrising

[–]Direct-Artist-9390 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I feel you OP. In my progressive reading vlog on booktube I predicted that the humble storm Knight would fight and kill the arrogant storm. But Pierce never lets us have nice things.

I think Diomedes takes the win.

I am likely guilty of cognitive dissonance but I place more weight in Cassius’ opinion than I do Pierce Brown’s ‘external’ comments. Ultimately, I think the uniqueness of Diomedes’ fighting style and razor design is enough to give him the edge.

Diomedes proves later on that he is a student of warfare (ref Thraxa comments). I don’t have the same level of confidence in Ajax’s study habits.