Hakusho Slick

For Roshar I think I would pick Alethkar and end up in the Ardentia, doing artifabrian stuff for Navani in Urithiru. Seems like the coolest job in the world, reverse engineering ancient artifacts. If I keep my current knowledge I could definitely crack fabrial walkie-talkies and air vehicles. For Mistborn Era 2 I would want to be a twinborn compounder for zinc, to be the ultimate quick thinker and inspiring leader. Chromium compounding is probably the most powerful of the compounded powers, but I think that much Fortune has Cosmere-wide impact that I might want to steer clear of. Kelsier is a great character, so solid choice there. I haven't read Emperor's Soul yet (I know, I know, but Stormlight Reread 3 and Wheel of Time is all I have time for given college schedules), but Shai seems like an awesome character too. Dalinar has gotta be my pick though, since he nails the "flawed hero" archetype in a way that feels fresh/clever and fits the story perfectly. Plus, his whole "the next step is most important" thing really speaks to me and what I need to do. Dalinar honestly changed my life. I think as a Radiant I would fit most with the Bondsmiths, and I'm not just saying that since they seem powerful. So there's my Dalinar essay! It's not my fault I love his character so much, blame Sanderson for that one.

Honestly I don't remember them much-- just saw them in the library as a kid, and read until there weren't any more. Then the LotR addiction kicked off until I picked up Final Empire, and the rest was history.

Oh man hard to say between Scadrial and Roshar. Being a background extra in both places would seriously suck since so much upheaval is happening 24/7. Roshar would be a hard sell if I was Alethi since I'm a musician, a science student, an avid reader, and a man.(Turns out I would make a good Vorin woman.) I guess I would pick Scadrial, then. Assuming we're talking Era 1, I would want to be the Smoker for a thieving crew with a middle-class restaurant/bar as a front. As for favorite character, Dalinar. Are there really any other choices?

The Sanderson addiction is strong so I think I'll be here a lot . The first Sanderson I ever read was the first Evil Librarians at age 8 or so, then got into the Cosmere with Final Empire a few years later. Hard to believe I've been reading Brando for most of my life.

Thanks for digging up the exact quote! Looks like Go Go Gadget Stab actually works! Sweet. I'd love to see Brando involve some unconventional fighting in the upcoming books-- maybe in the back 5 as people have more time to experiment with Radiant Blades.

I don't have a copy of the book handy, since I've loaned em all out, so thanks for checking up on this one. My rough guess is that more-demanding transformations like Kal does require an unform/reform-- but I definitely remember Pattern simply changing length at will. Even if required to dissolve and reappear, imaging swinging an axe at someone, but your axe puffs/unpuffs midswing to line up the blade with a vital area. Not quite as funny as Go Go Gadget Stab, but definitely a strong technique.

Perhaps a fabrial might be constructed to send Stormlight to another fabrial, i.e. when one gem is infused, the other becomes infused also. Combine that with fabrial flying ship tech and fabrial durability tech. Then, fly a giant fabrial ship in front of a highstorm. It constantly refills its own durability/flight power. Pack it full of conjoined-infusion gems that stay topped off, and have a never-ending source of Stormlight thanks to their counterparts. It could be autonomous, but having a crew to steer it would make for a great novella. Plus, non-Radiants could "hitch a ride" as Radiants can pick them up at an "airport" and drop them off on the ship, then other Radiants can take them off again at another "airport." Useful until we can build more Oathgates.

It's gotta be a tie between Final Empire and Oathbringer. Very different books that I like for very different reasons. Oathbringer finally makes good on the amazing characters and worldbuilding that have been simmering in the first two SA books, and it's a cathartic payoff. But, Final Empire was the first Cosmere book I ever read and has a special place in my heart.

Quick idea here-- Something of note to me is the fighting styles used by modern Radiants. Kaladin obviously uses spear fighting with the Sylblade, and Shallan is learning Alethi Shardblade stances from Adolin. However, Radiant Blades are wickedly versatile, as Kaladin demonstrates while fighting Szeth. It's interesting that Sanderson has mainly shown existing fighting styles adapted to Radiant Blades. This led to an interesting idea. If a Radiant Blade can change shape on the fly, what is to prevent someone from extending a spear from, say, 4 feet to 6 feet during a fight? If the extending action happened above your hands, the spear tip would simply extend out 2 feet. If the spear tip is still useable while being extended, a Radiant could potentially Go Go Gadget Arms stab somebody without moving any limbs-- a hell of a surprise attack. There might not be much power behind the thrust, but that's irrelevant unless your opponent is in Plate. If this has been used in the books (it's been a minute since I read the Kal/Szeth fight in WoR), or has been discussed or WoB'd already, please let me know. If not, what fighting style would YOU employ with a transforming weapon?

Hey everyone! I've been a Sanderson fan for a very long time,(over a decade!) and have lurked the forum frequently for answers to questions and interesting theories. I recently got my friend into Stormlight, and have been digging into the details of the Cosmere to answer his burning questions as they arise. I figured it was finally time to bite the bullet and join the 17th shard officially! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. -H