Rebuttal: Prodigy (Slingers) vs Donald Pierce
Harlekin said:
Thing is, Prodigy just needs to hit hard enough to make sure Pierce won't be able to retaliate by the time the next hit comes in. Prodigy is that kind of guy, swoop in, punch the **** out of the guy, move out of the way and continue it again. He's going to wear Pierce down. Sure, Pierce is the more intelligent one of the two, and he's certainly going to be getting a few hits in, but that doesn't give him the automatic win either. In order to outsmart someone, you're going to need the time to think up a strategy. Prodigy won't be letting up on Pierce for a second, hitting, pounding and making sure he doesn't get up again.
If Prodigy is going to keep jumping/flying away (re the hit and run tactic that we were discussing), then he is letting up. If Pierce doesn’t get up, there’s no reason for Prodigy to jump/fly away so this doesn’t really offer an advantage to either character. As for time required to think up a strategy I’d expect both guys to be capable of thinking up strategies on their feet as the fight progresses (most comic characters seem to be able to do this). The difference is that the vastly experienced Pierce’s analysis and assessment of the situation will be far superior.
Harlekin said:
Info, really, that doesn't go beyond a few articles on the internet. Neither is going to benefit a lot from prep-time, since information will be scarce. I'll give you that Pierce will be able to act a lot better on the info he has, though.
I would suggest Pierce is capable of going a lot further than internet articles. Even a normal guy with enough money can trace and infiltrate the
inner circle of a regular guy attending high school, especially one as indiscreet as Prodigy. As we've established that the guy is a bit of a jerk, I bet people would be queuing up to give up bits of info at the right price (and facing the appropriate level of threat) that
might lead to useful information. Some of Pierce’s Hellfire contacts collate intelligence as part of their daily work and would be able to help him analyse any weaknesses that they know of or discover from these or any other efforts. With whatever he manages to dig up (even if nothing) he can use his tech (from 200 yrs in the future -
sorry to repeat points) and “genius” mechanical mind to enhance his cybernetic body to the ideal specification for his opponent.
(Ignore the above if any of the actions are not allowed during prep time.)
Harlekin said:
I'm just saying that Prodigy won't be holding back.
OK. I won't dispute that. Pierce obviously has no reason to hold back either.
Harlekin said:
It's A) the opinion of a Wikipedia editor, and b) not all that odd that he'd lose to Iron Man. Pierce would lose to Iron Man just as easily.
a) I'm guessing a fair number of arguments make use of Wikipedia entries, especially for the characters with which people are less familiar. The match threads link to wikipedia bios so we have to assume that the opinions carry some weight. Even the comics disagree on the extent of character's powers and who would win various fights, more so as writers change. The summaries and desriptions of powers etc could also be incorrect/exaggerated but I'm assuming that wikipedia is being treated as a trusted secondary source to the comics. Saying that, I’m happy to discount anything from the site if everyone else agrees to do the same.
b) I don’t think it would be as easy as the defeat of Prodigy but I better stop here as I'm only expressing my own opinions.
Harlekin said:
Just because he's a juiced up jerk doesn't mean he can't win this.
True.
Harlekin said:
Sure, Donald's got him in the experience, but Prodigy's got the recklessness of youth. The recklessness that makes Prodigy capable of tearing off Pierce's arms if he gets pissed, and Prodigy gets pissed often.
Hannibal Lecter will tell you that recklessness is not a requirement to be capable of mutilation. A guy like Pierce who can be mutilated without feeling pain/being overly affected will not be too worried at the prospect. But yeah, Prodigy certainly does get pissed often.
Harlekin said:
What it really comes down to is if one thinks Prodigy is superior in physical prowess or not, and I think he is. Pierce has shown no extraordinary feats of strength or speed, relying primarily on his cybernetics, and more notably, his pals the Reavers, to take care of a foe. Prodigy's whole thing is that he has vast superhuman strength and likes to punch a lot.
If this was a straight fight based only on strength (and Pierce’s brain, tech and other advantages were somehow switched off) I’d give your boy a chance. I can’t say for sure that Pierce is stronger so I won’t.
Harlekin said:
And he's going to like punching Pierce's head off.
I can't argue with that. If Prodigy had the ability, he would definitely enjoy it, and more than most.

t:
A pleasure debating with you
WINNER=DONALD PIERCE