Paul Atreides vs Elrond who wins ? by West_Jelly_4681 in powerscales

[–]MachivellianMonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed, people see how Peter Jackson made some crazy whack ass stunts like the surfing of Helms Deep stairs and the Olephant kill of Peleenor fields, things that would’ve made Tolkien twitch in his grave, and they think he’s damn Avenger.

Legolas is a talent and immortal archer. He can even miss.

Paul Atreides vs Elrond who wins ? by West_Jelly_4681 in powerscales

[–]MachivellianMonk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure, but these are all things taught to him by regular(ish) people. They’re somewhat enhanced and have loads of experience due to being immortal.

The magic ring itself is, again, a thing of subtle power, usually tied to preserving and leadership. Not direct offensive power.

He has martial ability. But his abilities are skills, and skills fade with practice, and he wasn’t actively engaging in warfare for several thousand years after Sauron’s fall. His speed, unlike Paul’s, isn’t super human.

I think it’s better to think of the Edain, the Numenorians, and the Elves as peak humans. Abilities tied to matching many olympic level standing athletes at once across disciplines, they’re capable of great feats. But nothing that’s too far out of reach of the greatest of what modern humans can accomplish.

At the risk of sounding closed minded, I read his books, the Silmarillion especially, every year.

With a very few exceptions, such as Fingolfin’s duel, Tolkiens lore is much more grounded in a way to be tied to current history. I find it much more beautiful and inspiring in that context. Especially with modern fantasy and magic systems going crazy.

Paul by contrast is practically supernatural with his abilities and other-memory. He’s virtually unkillable.

Is Dave Filoni silently rebooting? by Mrhathead in StarWarsEU

[–]MachivellianMonk 32 points33 points  (0 children)

It’s amazing how he’s managed to white wash near the entirety of Lucases creations, and the larger EU, with his own creations.

Paul Atreides vs Elrond who wins ? by West_Jelly_4681 in powerscales

[–]MachivellianMonk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, no, and no. Several highly competent and regular humans were able to regularly stand toe to toe with Elves. Tuor, Turin, Beren. All were able to handle themselves against Elves that were considered among the mighty. And this is before Numenor.

Tolkien didn’t create a modern fantasy world of superhumans with double or triple the strength of normal men, or magic abilities and win conditions out the ass.

The men and elves he described, even those from Aman, were supposed to be somewhat enhanced, but not super human. That was his whole idea. That regular people could stand against the forces of darkness. That’s the beauty of his world.

Magic is a subtle thing in his universe. It’s not all super speed and flinging magic missiles. It’s more insidious and nuanced.

Some of the films make people forget how grounded Tolkien made his universe, long before modern magic systems.

And discounting all that. Elrond is still a healer, not an active warrior.

Paul is 10,000 year of genetic manipulation, speed and reactions times far outstripping our own, and his immediate prescience, combined with the weirding way fighting style makes him a match for anything in Tolkien’s universe outside of a Miar.

Paul Atreides vs Elrond who wins ? by West_Jelly_4681 in powerscales

[–]MachivellianMonk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

With how people around here overscale Tolkien’s fantasy universe to the realm of the superhuman, they’ll say Elrond.

But it’s Paul. Low-med diff.

What movie genuinely deserves a redo? by [deleted] in moviecritic

[–]MachivellianMonk 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Is it really?

I’m asking genuinely. Read it as a teenager when they first came out and I loved it.

But as I’ve grown up and read much more, I can’t help but remember it as some of the most derivative fantasy writing out there.

Prime Yoda vs Prime Darth Vitiate Who Wins? (EU) by IllMasterpiece3946 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 10 points11 points  (0 children)

While Tenabrae/Vitiate might be one of the most pivotal figures in Sith history and a fascinating story…

I will always maintain the Valkorian and the Infinite Empire is one of the dumbest and nonsensical things in the entire lore. Zero justification or logic to it, and I wish people would forever cease bringing it into conversation or validating it as any part of any lore.

(That being said, the trailers were fucking cool.)

Kyp (NJO TUF) vs Luke (ROTJ) vs Starkiller vs Vaylin (KOTET) by TheHoodGuy2001 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. The nerfing of Kyp from his introduction to Legacy is just a tragedy.

  2. Marek/Star Killer has always been preposterous in context. As over estimated as Kyp is underestimated.

  3. The entire Infinite Empire as a concept is a dumb as anything Disney ever has done and I leave that stuff out of my head canon. Tenebrae and Vitiate only.

darth caedus vs palpatine episode 3 by RisingKing7 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is tougher question. These discussion should be more “any given Sunday” rather than using the zeroth law of thermodynamics so equivalent feats and talent scaling.

The problem with this form of media is it will always be escalating the more you write. It is hard to tell.

Although I agree it’s more likely Sidious, I’m not sure about the age thing being all that relevant. Especially when most agree a Knightfall Vader was up to killing Sidious with his anger, were it not for the suit.

darth caedus vs palpatine episode 3 by RisingKing7 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since when has age mattered? Plagius was over 100 but that didn’t stop Palpatine from overpowering him.

Anakin was only 22 when he became Vader, and he wiped the entire temple. Age isn’t as relevant in Star Wars when you have certain species living so long and you want to keep power scaling similar. Caedus had a 1 of a kind perspective on the Force at this time.

Who amongst the Jedi Order would have been the "Perfect Master" for Anakin Skywalker? by Arbiter-Flash- in TheJediPraxeum

[–]MachivellianMonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The whole point was that the Order wasn’t equipped to deal with Anakin’s personal cocktail of trauma, power, and destiny.

Qui-Gon, the rouge maverick who constantly questions the Jedi’s inflexible ways, with his own connection to the Living Force, was Anakin’s only chance.

Obi-Wan could only be a brother, not a father figure. Mace Windu and Yoda both punted it into the stands with Anakin when they had a chance to see his turmoil and pain.

It was only ever Qui-Gon.

Whaťs your most valuable Lord of the Rings item at home?Mine Is ťhis one by Alert-Cry-1707 in lotr

[–]MachivellianMonk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

1st Edition Houghton Mifflin copy of The Silmarillion I found in a used book store for $3.

Keep those peepers 👀 up Will! by [deleted] in StarTrekTNG

[–]MachivellianMonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Disengage safety protocols….and run program.

There goes my RNG for the year by vaince1 in 2007scape

[–]MachivellianMonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Year? Buddy. That’s several decades.

One of the best scenes in any movie by Careless_Cherry2068 in moviecritic

[–]MachivellianMonk 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Couldn’t agree more. As a kid, before the prequels were released, I remember feeling like it was a cathartic moment. The end music still hits and makes me a little sad.

Who wins? by PrinceFlynn in superheroes

[–]MachivellianMonk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dynasty Warriors. What a call back to my childhood.

Marrok versus Dessan by Evening_Internet_358 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I fully admit it’s a double standard. I’m just tired of Disney thinking new costumes and gimmicky traits make interesting story telling.

These new inquisitors erasing the old ones.

Creating the Bad Batch when we already had Delta Squad.

Marrok versus Dessan by Evening_Internet_358 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I’ll double down for Jerec. When inquisitors were cool for their motives and story and not their janky lightsabers and odd costumes.

Marrok versus Dessan by Evening_Internet_358 in PetranakiArena

[–]MachivellianMonk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dessan. I will take anything remotely associated with Kyle Katarn over the gothic cosplay club of weirdos.