Bloodless Sins

[Aiden]

To be fair, that's not the impression Archer is giving when he's talking to Ilya in this prologue. He talks like he had a legit chance of beating Berserker. And Ilya agrees, which gives the impression that yes, Archer could have won. So sayeth the plot/narrator.

I just said how he could have, theoretically, if he dragged the fight out of that castle.

Because lol trees are more of a problem than gravestones.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

I just said how he could have, theoretically, if he dragged the fight out of that castle.

Because lol trees are more of a problem than gravestones.

And dragging the fight outside would have risked Ilya getting bored and sending Berserker out at Shirou, Rin, and Saber - Without him being able to slow him down before he covered half the distance.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

I just said how he could have, theoretically, if he dragged the fight out of that castle.

Because lol trees are more of a problem than gravestones.

Eh, true enough.

Although if trees and gravestones are enough to slow Herk down an appreciable amount, then I'd say it'd do the same to Archer's projectiles. So maybe it wouldn't have helped all too much. Although Herk doesn't do tactics very well....

Man, now I wanna read sane Herk fighting. I should really get back to writing my ficlets to fulfill that when I can.

[Elf]

To be fair, that's not the impression Archer is giving when he's talking to Ilya in this prologue. He talks like he had a legit chance of beating Berserker. And Ilya agrees, which gives the impression that yes, Archer could have won. So sayeth the plot/narrator.

Yes, he could have won if he pulled more tricks from his sleeve and didn't have to worry about Ilya.

He could have done something similiar to what Gil did. Rain swords and then fire BPs to keep him distracted.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Yes, he could have won if he pulled more tricks from his sleeve and didn't have to worry about Ilya.

He could have done something similiar to what Gil did. Rain swords and then fire BPs to keep him distracted.

Unless he has Enkidu, it won't be nearly as effective. Plus, he might be able to spam swords, but BPs are expensive prana-wise IIRC. I don't think he'd be able to use them very much, especially not when he's probably burning prana like crazy keeping ahead of Herk and firing swords.

Herk's got crazy staying power and the Ilya-dynamo backing him. Archer just has less to work with. Skill can trump superior power, but truly overwhelming power can trump skill.

[Aiden]

Well honestly, he could have ended the fight pretty instantly with one of his tricksy sword-arrows.

You just have to be willing to directly murder Ilya to do it. Which, well, he wasn't.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Well honestly, he could have ended the fight pretty instantly with one of his tricksy sword-arrows.

You just have to be willing to directly murder Ilya to do it. Which, well, he wasn't.

Herk's already shown he can take a Caladbolg and live. He could probably take one for Ilya.

Still, killing Ilya would be a very solid way to win. I wonder what it would take to get Archer to kill Ilya....

What an interesting idea.

[Aiden]

... though if Herc was sane, ow. Not winning at all against him there.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Only thing that I think could rival Sane Herk is Serious Gilgamesh.

[Elf]

Only thing that I think could rival Sane Herk is Serious Gilgamesh.

Which Gil is never serious.

Also, remember the part where Herk is reflecting on the battle and wishes he could have fought Archer sane and enjoyed it? That will play a part here.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

And apparently Archer is the best class for Herk because it lets him favor cleverness and tactics. So if he ever got to use that guile, everyone is in for a nasty surprise. Genius Bruiser, anyone?

Pretty sure Herk had some sharp hunting skills, so if he fights like a hunter instead of a warrior, I pity anyone not on his side.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Which Gil is never serious.

Also, remember the part where Herk is reflecting on the battle and wishes he could have fought Archer sane and enjoyed it? That will play a part here.

Oh. OH.

Also, thinking about it, Berserker Cu while under the Riastrad would be something pretty damn close. And Achilles could likely tank Nine Lives the first time.

[SVNB Backup]

^Above three posts.

I foresee "Stupid low luck rating!" in Archer's future.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Oh. OH.

Also, thinking about it, Berserker Cu while under the Riastrad would be something pretty damn close. And Achilles could likely tank Nine Lives the first time.

Indeed, on both counts. Assuming Achilles protection is literally invincibility anywhere except for his ankles. If it's something like, "Unless pierced by a sufficiently strong NP," then Achilles is much less dangerous.

And got shafted, IMO.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Indeed, on both counts. Assuming Achilles protection is literally invincibility anywhere except for his ankles. If it's something like, "Unless pierced by a sufficiently strong NP," then Achilles is much less dangerous.

And got shafted, IMO.

Jason might stand a chance. And DEFINATELY Diomedes.
Smug son of a bitch wounded ARES.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Jason might stand a chance. And DEFINATELY Diomedes.
Smug son of a bitch wounded ARES.

Oh damn, I totally forgot about Diomedes. That fucker kicked ass and took names.

And he was mortal too. Scary, scary.

[Lycodrake]

Jason might stand a chance.

...you don't know how much I want Berserker-Herakles to smash Jason into bloody paste.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Oh damn, I totally forgot about Diomedes. That fucker kicked ass and took names.

And he was mortal too. Scary, scary.

The only reason I'd say Jason stands a chance is the Fleece (Which means FUCKING DRAGONS), and that the two have interacted before. Herc was part of the Argonauts IIRC.

[Lycodrake]

The only reason I'd say Jason stands a chance is the Fleece (Which means FUCKING DRAGONS), and that the two have interacted before. Herc was part of the Argonauts IIRC.

...why would Jason be able to activate Argon Coin if Medea can't?
Especially since Jason, by at least over half (possibly over 3/4ths) of the accounts, was purely human.

Not only that, but: dragons do not work that way in Nasuverse. Ever.

[Elf]

Also, how soon should the lemon scene pop up?

I kid, mostly.