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First this will most likely contain SPOILERS for BOTH STORMLIGHT BOOKS!

So, Adolin is among the most skilled swordfighters we have met in the Cosmere. I thought it would be fun to debate how he would do against other skilled swordfighters, like Lan Mandragoran, Aragorn, Lothar, you name it. 

For the sake of discussion, Adolin has no Shardplate, and his opponents have swords that can block Shardblades.

So, which fantasy swordsmen could beat Adolin in a duel? Didcuss!

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3 hours ago, Elenion said:

I would want to see Adolin vs. Aragorn: both are masters with the sword, though Adolin's extra reach with his blade would be tough to match.

No 'Blade is given to Adolin.  (Otherwise normal swordsmen would be cakewalks)  This question might hinge on what type of sword Adolin chooses.  

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1 hour ago, Landis963 said:

No 'Blade is given to Adolin.  (Otherwise normal swordsmen would be cakewalks)  This question might hinge on what type of sword Adolin chooses.  

The OP only specified no Plate, and the condition that other swords could block Blades makes it sound like they would be allowed.

 

With no Shardblades, I become pretty confident that Aragorn would come out on top. Anduril is a wicked weapon to face, and Adolin would be at a disadvantage because he wouldn't be used to a non-shard weapon.

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Am I the only one who thinks having his fighting being compartmentalized into 10 stances made to look flowery would play against Adolin? I also think Adolin has limited experience with a real sword which means I'd give the advantage to more of his opponents. 

Against Lan, I'd give the advantage to Lan. Against Rand, Galad or Gawyn, I'd give the advantage to Adolin.

Against Brienne, I'd be a tough call.

Against Aragorn, I'd give the advantage to Aragorn.

Adolin without Shards just has a lot of disadvantages. He's talented, but his talent came mostly from hard training. Once trust outside his comfort zone, he may need time he doesn't have to adjust.

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Without his Shardplate I think Adolin would be at a severe disadvantage. His training has revolved entirely around using his Shardplate as he has always had it (iirc, he inherited from his mother's side of the family).

Not to mention that Adolin is used to lower gravity then most other sword fighters (this assumes any world that does not have a specified gravity - ala, WoT, ASOIAF etc. is Earth gravity).

I just think the style of fighting as a full Shardbearer is just so radically different when compared to regular swords that it would be almost impossible to compare them.

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It's like asking Kaladin to use a sword instead of a spear. While he still would handle it very well due to his training plus stormlight, he wouldn't be nearly as effective as he would with a spear.

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6 hours ago, CaptainRyan said:

Without his Shardplate I think Adolin would be at a severe disadvantage. His training has revolved entirely around using his Shardplate as he has always had it (iirc, he inherited from his mother's side of the family).

Not to mention that Adolin is used to lower gravity then most other sword fighters (this assumes any world that does not have a specified gravity - ala, WoT, ASOIAF etc. is Earth gravity).

I just think the style of fighting as a full Shardbearer is just so radically different when compared to regular swords that it would be almost impossible to compare them.

It is said, somewhere in the books, learning to fight without Shards after having been a Shardbearer is extremely difficult. We can take it Shardbearers do adjust their fighting style to the fact they are wearing a nearly invincible armor needing several strong hits to even start to crack. We have seen Adolin, in book, use his armor as a helm to fend off blows. We have also seen him take blows in order to secure an advantage: these strategies will not work once he removes his Plate. He'd risk taking serious injuries were he to try it without his Plate to protect him.

I'd also say, someone like Adolin, whom has had his Plate since his teenage years is probably at a severe disadvantage once outside of it for the mere fact he has literally no fighting experience while wearing normal gear. He never went to war without his Plate and if he is seen fighting without it for short period of times, he did walk out of those bruised and bloody.

Still, Adolin has good swords techniques, talent and a keen eye for strategy which gives him an edge against more people, except those having more techniques, more talent, more practice and a keener eye for strategy. Lan, dixit the man who tricked Demandred, certainly falls within this category. 

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No shield or armor? Just a sword? 

If Adolin's shardblade loses its magical properties and just becomes a really light and sharp sword, then...

Denth or Hadrian Blackwater from Riyria should beat him with or without shardplate.

Aragorn is stronger and more experienced than Adolin. He should win.

Jaime should win too

Spoiler

with both hands of course

Brienne of Tarth would probably lose. She's just a normal human without supernatural amps unlike the others. If Adolin doesn't underestimate her he has the edge in skill and strength.

He should fight evenly with Rand, Field Marshal Tamas from Promise of Blood, or Jon Snow from GoT

 

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19 hours ago, maxal said:

But Brienne probably fights like Eshonai with whom he had trouble with... I wouldn't give Brienne the short-hand just right away...

Eshonai has the increased speed/strength of Stormform plus Shardplate (though Adolin had Shardplate as well so they cancel out). Brienne lacks the power of Stormform so I doubt she is a good comparison for Eshonai.

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2 hours ago, Straw said:

Durzo Blint vs Adolin

Durzo Blint would win this easily.

Eragon vs Adolin 

This would be a tie.

Anomander Rake vs Adolin

Rake would win easily.

 

 

Eragon would destroy adolin without shardplate imo. He's faster than Szeth or Kaladin, can nearly match a shardplate for strength, and equal to Adolin in sheer skill. Even with shardplate I would be hesitant to give Adolin the win.

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44 minutes ago, asterion137 said:

Eragon would destroy adolin without shardplate imo. He's faster than Szeth or Kaladin, can nearly match a shardplate for strength, and equal to Adolin in sheer skill. Even with shardplate I would be hesitant to give Adolin the win.

Eragon could probably wipe the whole Stormlight Archives with his magic. He can one-shot people with the death words.

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nah the cosmere has inherent magic resistance because of their investiture. Stormlight users would be REALLY hard to kill with death words because the death words sever nerves that will automatically be reknit instantly. Pure hand to hand Eragon beats everyone in Stormlight except maybe kaladin.

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On 19 augusti 2016 at 3:34 AM, asterion137 said:

nah the cosmere has inherent magic resistance because of their investiture. Stormlight users would be REALLY hard to kill with death words because the death words sever nerves that will automatically be reknit instantly. Pure hand to hand Eragon beats everyone in Stormlight except maybe kaladin.

I think Adolin could be a good match for Eragon. Eragon's good, but so is Adolin. In shardplate, I'd give it to him. He has beatenEshonai, was skilled enough to hide his skill while still beating his opponent, Dalinar though he was a genius with his blade, it was stated that two Shardbearers was a fair matchup for him... 

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26 minutes ago, Chull #445 said:

I think Adolin could be a good match for Eragon. Eragon's good, but so is Adolin. In shardplate, I'd give it to him. He has beatenEshonai, was skilled enough to hide his skill while still beating his opponent, Dalinar though he was a genius with his blade, it was stated that two Shardbearers was a fair matchup for him... 

Eragon can block shardblade blows as he has comparable strength and a magic sword. Eragon is a swordmaster who was beating some of the best warriors in his world. However, the thing that I think would really let him beat Adolin would be his speed. Kaladin was outpacing shardbearers with ease, as was Szeth. Neither of them are nearly as fast as Eragon. Eragon can catch arrows on dragonback. He can move faster than even enhanced eyes can follow. If he breaks Adolin's Plate quickly, it's game over and most likely Eragon will be able to do just that.

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14 hours ago, asterion137 said:

Eragon can block shardblade blows as he has comparable strength and a magic sword. Eragon is a swordmaster who was beating some of the best warriors in his world. However, the thing that I think would really let him beat Adolin would be his speed. Kaladin was outpacing shardbearers with ease, as was Szeth. Neither of them are nearly as fast as Eragon. Eragon can catch arrows on dragonback. He can move faster than even enhanced eyes can follow. If he breaks Adolin's Plate quickly, it's game over and most likely Eragon will be able to do just that.

I can get behind that. Pure skill though, I'd say Adolin is better. But Eragon takes it from speed.

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  • 3 weeks later...

My thoughts are Adolin is a very talented and intelligent swordsman, but he lacks the relevant experience. We must keep in mind he has been staying outside the demanding, challenging duels ever since his father adhere to the codes. He was about 16-17 years old. The wars on the Shattered Plains aren't a trial for him as all he does is slam effortlessly at undefended Parshendis. Even then, I am not sure those duels actually compare to true fighting against real foes. All in all, he has very limited experience with real fights.

I thus think anyone with enough raw talent and experience would probably be a real trial for Adolin. For instances, I don't think Adolin can a beat Zahel...

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