Welcome, one and all, to the Tournament of Champions! For those of you who might not have paid attention to the tournament-related threads on the Versus Forum for the past few months, this is a collaboration of members of MTGS who have nominated teams, submitted write ups, and have otherwise invested time and energy to create a single-elimination tournament consisting of 32 different "tag teams", pitted against each other in a supreme fighting championship. Who will decide the ultimate winner? Why YOU of course!
There will now be two matches every week, each one also lasting a week (except semi-finals and finals, those last for two weeks each) until the conclusion of the tournament, and you're just in time for Round 1.
The members of both teams are transported to a different dimension with all information about their opponents “uploaded” into their minds. They have 30 minutes to prepare and talk to each other (they don’t know anything about each other as teammates, save for any experience from previous matches of this same tournament), and will also have full access to any technology, magic, weaponry, resources, etc. which they would routinely be able to use from their respective universes. Teammates may share resources with each other. Afterwards, both teams are teleported to the randomly chosen plane, which has mystically sealed off so that none of them can escape the battlefield in any way. The team that manages to knock out and/or kill both members of the opposing team will be declared the winner. There is no time limit.
Write ups for both teams:
Team "Basketballers" - Shaq and Barkley
Aside from crushing mortals on the court, Barkley and Shaq also rescues innocents from certain death.
After Barkley destroyed Shadow Barkley and the B-Ball Removal department (with the help of the ghost of Lebron James) he meets up with the big daddy Shaq, who had just school the evil mummy Sett Ra both on and off the court. Together the 2 ballers form the ultimate tag team as they style on losers left right and center.
Barkley armed with the super destructive Chaos Dunk that can level a city, will supply the support fire while Shaq Fu the one on one expert tanks attacks from the enemies while styling on them with his Inferno Kick and broken fighting system, as well as dunking on fools whenever possible (oh snap).
Team "Electromagnetic Pulse" - Magneto and Static
Erik Lehnsherr (though if this is his true name or not is disputed), also known as Magneto, grew up to become one of the world's most powerful mutants and undoubtedly the X-Men's most dangerous foe. The young Magneto has not yet become the villain bent on mutant superiority, and thus needs to still discover how to control his powers. He can move metallic objects to a fine degree, and this, combined with his training, knowledge of tactics and weapons, dark past and often extreme mentality, made him dangerous even as a young man. As he grew older, he became even more powerful, able to move even extremely heavy metal objects the size of a jet or an entire bridge quite easily, as well as shape metal to his will, using only his mind. He eventually developed control over the entire electromagnetic spectrum (approached from the "magnetic" end). Indeed, his status, power, and charisma has made him feared and revered by most, if not all, mutants in his universe. He is also a capable and knowledgeable leader, well versed in science and tactical strategies, and remains one of the most incredible villains in the Marvel Universe.
Virgil Hawkins, also known as Static, grew up to become one of the world’s greatest heroes, and a respected member of the Justice League Unlimited. He started off as a teenage superhero whose powers developed over time. His electric powers can energize, power and supercharge mechanical and metallic objects, he can send bolts of electric power at his opponents, and create static and magnetic cling on various metallic, and later on even non-metallic, objects, making him a versatile, if unrefined, superhero. As he grew older, he became even more powerful, his diverse powers having a great number of applications. He eventually developed control over the entire electromagnetic spectrum (approached from the "electric" end). His quick wit and knowledge of science has greatly assisted him on many occasions, and he is acknowledged by both Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis to have grown to become a veteran superhero on the power level of Green Lantern and Wonder Woman within the DC Universe, with powers capable of changing the world.
Both of them have amazing similarities and contrasts. Both of them have powers related to electromagnetism (Magneto is more “magnetism” and Static is more “electro”, but there is a lot of overlap). Both of them have dealt with, and grew up being, super-powered teenagers from their respective universes (in Magneto’s case, mutants, in Static’s case, metahumans), both of them have had encounters with the greatest superheroes and supervillains from their respective universes (and managed to even beat them on occasion), and both of them have grown up to develop power over one of the world’s fundamental forces, and are acknowledged in-universe as each being one of the most powerful beings on the planet (they started off at different ends of the spectrum, and there are various differences, but they got there).
How do I vote for the team I like? Well, I'm glad you asked...
This tournament uses a “Dual-Voting System” in which every user on MTGS may vote twice, once on the poll of the thread, and once by posting on the thread itself (by explicitly stating “I vote for team *insert name* because *insert reason*” in a post on the thread). You may spread these votes as you wish (you can vote anonymously on the poll for one team, but express your vote publicly through a post for another), or use them both to vote for the same team, or only vote once (using either method). In the end, the total of both "poll" and "post" votes will be used to determine a winner. In the event of a tie between total votes, the team with the most votes posted publicly on the thread itself shall be declared the winner, and move on to the next round. You only have one week to vote (two weeks for the semi-finals and finals), and the poll automatically closes on Sunday, 12MN (GMT +1). Only posts that occur before that time will be counted as valid votes.
Now, who wins this match? Root for your favorites now!
Round 1
Match 1: "Godslayer" vs. "Wizard Guide" - Team "Wizard Guide" (25 - 39)
Match 2: "Cybernetic Cannon" vs. "By Your Powers Combined" - "By Your Powers Combined" (21 - 24)
Match 3: "Smash" vs. "Metal Men" - (22 - 27)
Match 4: "Justice For All" vs. "Speed" - "Justice For All" (25 - 20)
Match 5: "Fun Size" vs. "Pest Control Problem" - "Fun Size" (22 - 14)
Match 6: "Rescue the Princess" vs. "Disney Villains" - "Rescue the Princess" (24 - 18)
Match 7: "Basketballers" vs. "Electromagnetic Pulse" - ???
Match 8: "Dark Lords" vs. "Human Mental Prowess" - ???
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
Well I know how I would vote if uninformed (as I currently as with team Basketballers) so I am requesting some more information as to what this team can do. Before I place a vote. As it stands I see two VERY powerful mutants (debatable some of the most powerful in there respective universes) VS basketball players who have loonie toon powers, which while that grants amazing endurance I don't feel its enough with just the raw power (and brains Eric is a smart guy) of team Electromagnetic Pulse. However not voting yet, I would like some more info before I make a decision.
I voted for the Basketballers in the poll, only because I know these guys are gonna get absolutely destroyed in every sense of the word. But the fact that these guys are all fighting in the Llanowar Forest where none of these guys are going to be comfortable, at all, makes me chuckle quite a bit.
To put some perspective as to why the Basketballers were a dominated "viable team"
Shaq is the main character of the Shaq Fu video game. Where he brutally beats the crap out of Necromancers, Monsters made out of pure magma, supernatural mummies and more.
Barkley is apparently from a post apocalyptic future where he learns the ultimate dunking technique that is said to be able to level entire cities, and was the cause of the apocalypse in the first place. This technique allows him to dunk through giant aircraft carriers and other things basketballs normally should not be able to dunk through.
So essentially, these are a couple of guys that have superior toughness to be able to fight supernatural monsters and an incredible propensity for damage dealing, capable of destroying entire terrains if the situation calls for it.
Now the question for most (hilariously) is if these abilities are enough to take down two super mutants capable of controlling the electro magnetic field and then some.
so city endding dunks and able to destroy magma demons, OK, Thats going to at least make me think they MAY stand for afew minets (before before these guys change the gravity around them so they can't move with electrocling) I like the possable synergy here with Electro static, Both sides have tricks they could (and likely would) share with each other since their powers are basically the same (with a slight edge to magneto) but have demonstrated different ability. This makes both teams more members more dangerous. How does one hit someone who can be made frictionless? even with "normal power levels" I think our basket ball players don't stand much chance here. My vote team Electromagnetic pulse.
The Basketballers will get fried, but not before Barkley manages to make a slam-dunk through Magneto's shields (which, IIRC, have stood up to a blast from Galactus) and off the top of his helmet.
Also, I get the feeling that a few minutes of the Basketballers' prep time will be consumed by a Kazaam rap.
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Cheeseburger, french fries, chocolate shake, somebody's mind I's about to take!
When I drew up this match, I thought it couldn't get any better, but when it ended up in Llanowar, of all places, that just drove me up the wall too.
There are actually a few more reasons why this match is funny (and this serves as my "devil's advocate" argument in favor of the "Basketballers"):
Static and Shaq have met (and fought alongside each other) before. Robert Hawkins (Static's father) is a childhood friend of Shaq's, and in Static's youth, he was able to meet him personally. The entire encounter can be viewed here (the link is to an episode of the younger Static's TV series, in which he meets shoots hoops with The Big Shamrock himself), and a few seasons afterwards, Static meets up, and teams up, with other famous basketball-players-turned-superheroes in a later episode, seen here (the Hoop Squad; Steve Nash, Yao Ming, Karl Malone, and Tracy McGrady). Apparently, playing basketball already makes you a superhero in the DCAU, and Static has canonically met them before. In any case, this will make Static otherwise unwilling to go all out on the two B-Ballers (though I think both teams are level-headed enough to realize that this can be a friendly match anyway).
The main weapons of Shaq and Barkley are the also the perfect counterweapon for Electromagnetism. While other Tag Teams have knives, swords, guns and bullets, they have basketballs, which are resistant (if not immune) to both electricity (rubber being an insulator) and magnetism (being non-metallic). These aren’t normal basketballs either, but weaponized ones thanks to Barkley's game. If these two B-Ball gods start tossing their stuff at the two heroes (well, one's a hero and one's an anti-villain, but Mags can be pretty heroic at times), sure they could mount up a considerable resistance, and as a bonus, in a match of elemental rock-paper-scissors, the "Basketballers" team has the rock to the "Electromagnetic Pulse" scissors, so to speak.
Lastly, the terrain is not favorable to two metal-manipulators. Of course, I think Virgil and Erik have enough foresight to plan and bring some metal with them during the prep time (because they're both supergeniuses and will probably know that wherever they'll be going might not have any metal), and they do have powers that don't depend on it, but it's still a heavy disadvantage. If this were on Mirrodin, it would be a lot clearer, but in this terrain? Not so much.
I like Magneto and Static. A lot. Magneto is perhaps my favorite Marvel villain, and Static is probably my favorite DC hero by a long stretch (excluding Batman and Superman), but this is one match in which I can realistically see them losing for one reason or another due to really unlucky terrain and opponent draws.
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
Magneto is a mutant with the power to manipulate electromagnetic fields to achieve a wide range of effects.
The primary application of his power is control over magnetism and the manipulation of ferrous and nonferrous metal. While the maximum amount of mass he can manipulate at one time is unknown, he has moved large asteroids several times and effortlessly levitated a 30,000 ton nuclear submarine. His powers extend into the subatomic level (insofar as the electromagnetic force is responsible for chemical bonding), allowing him to manipulate chemical structures and rearrange matter, although this is often a strenuous task Another way in which Magneto frequently uses his power is the projection of force-fields which selectively block out matter and energy. These fields are strong enough to withstand the detonation of multiple thermonuclear weapons, hence Magneto is invulnerable to most harm when surrounded by his shield and can survive in deep space thanks to it. He can also channel his powers through his own body to increase his strength and durability far beyond human limits and has a baseline reaction time 15 times shorter than that of regular humans. On occasion he has altered the behavior of gravitational fields around him, which has been suggested as evidence of the existence of a unified field which he can manipulate. He has demonstrated the capacity to produce a wormhole and to safely teleport himself and others via the wormhole.[85]
In addition to his powers, Magneto has many other skills. He is a genius with competence in various fields of advanced science, especially in genetic manipulation, particle physics, engineering, and other fields of technology. He has engineered advanced weaponry, space stations, superpowered humanoid lifeforms, devices that generate volcanoes and earthquakes, devices that block telepathy, and devices that can nullify all mutant powers except for his own. He has reconstructed computerized devices from memory. He is fluent in many human languages and once single-handedly deciphered the unknown language of a lost civilization.[87] He possesses extraordinary skill in "reading" the microexpressions on others' faces and sensing what they are thinking and feeling, whether they are lying, fearful, etc. a skill which he refers to as "taking your enemy's measure."[88] He also is a master strategist and tactician with extensive combat experience, and has often been successful in single-handed combat against entire groups of superhuman adversaries. He also has some military training in hand-to-hand combat and has been shown to be effective with his fists, but he prefers to use his powers when in combat situations.
Based on this, It suggests that Magneto could, teach static his "sheild" power, then proceed to nuke the living hell out of team backetball by breaking atomic bonds. I don't see them living though multinukes. This is far from a gross overuse of his powers based on the fact that many teams could LIVE through a multnuke stratagy.
Team "Electromagnetic Pulse" cannot touch 2 of the greatest of all time.
Static will probably turn on Magneto as soon as the fight starts because Shaw and Barkley are like his heroes and turn this to a 3v1.
Magneto is powerful, however he is not:
2 of the greatest players of all time
Tall dark and handsome
Counting stacks
Rolling in women
Shaq was a genie at one point
One of the greatest rappers of all time with 1 platinum album(Shaq Diesel, ya feels me?)
Supertall(yes that is a superpower)
Barkley destroyed a city at one point
Barkley has canonly defeated Godzilla
4 Olympic gold medals combined(Magneto has how many?)
Too many awards to count
+ whatever Static does
Magneto gets dunked on all day by some old school ballahs like it's their job and walks away in shame as Shaq and Barkley rolls out in their pimping rides followed by Static.
Static will probably turn on Magneto as soon as the fight starts because Shaw and Barkley are like his heroes and turn this to a 3v1.
Your entire post was brilliant in a hilarious way, and this one sentence is actually a really good argument. Static's a hero, but Magneto is an anti-villain. The only other team in the tournament with that kind of pairing is Batman and Punisher. While the two of them are very similar, Static might just turn on Magneto if he goes genocidal on his childhood heroes due to his strong moral code (this is the adult Static, after all, so by 2040 I think even the Basketball greats would have passed on... but Static would see this as another chance to meet the greats).
Just so were clear (and while we're making lists) here's a rundown of some of Statics powers, personality traits, etc.:
Magnetic Powers - Static can affect metal objects and magnetize them at will. He can move them, bend them and levitate them. He routinely carries metallic equipment like his “Static Saucer”, which he uses to surf the skies at incredible speed, giving him flight.
Electric Powers - Static can create powerful blasts of electricity which he can use to incapacitate and electrocute his opponents, or generate heat, light and even fire, depending on the situation. His punches can also be supercharged. He can transmit energy through mechanical objects and cause them to function according to his will. He can also charge objects with enough energy to make them explode, or just enough to make them function again. Similarly, Static can drain energy from other sources to recharge himself, or simply to remove energy from them and stop them from functioning.
Electromagnetic Powers - Static can also generate an electromagnetic pulse that can wipe out the power of all machines and electronic devices in a radius the size of a city. He can create force fields to prevent himself from being harmed by various projectiles. He is also immune (or at least highly resistant) to telepathy, mind control, and other psychic attacks by virtue of his electromagnetic powers.
Other Powers - Static can use his abilities to “listen in” on radio frequencies or tap into phone lines. Static can also generate large flashes of bright light at will to provide cover or blind his opponents temporarily. He can also affect non-metallic objects by inducing “static cling”, making them attract other objects.
Equipment - Routinely has his aforementioned “Static Saucer”, which can be used to levitate him, and can also double as a shield when necessary. Is known to also have access to, and occasionally carry, various inventions by his metahuman allies.
Personality - A highly intelligent, gifted student in the sciences, Static built a machine that could trace electromagnetic signatures when he was fifteen, and has vast knowledge over fields of electromagnetism and molecular science. He also has a good sense of humor, and a vast knowledge of pop culture. Static is an African-American who gained his powers when he was a young teenager in the 1990’s, used them to become the resident superhero of Dakota City, and eventually grew up to become one of the greatest heroes of the Justice League, and is still active in Batman II’s (Terry McGinnis) timeline in 2040. In an alternate timeline, he was one of the few surviving members of the Justice League when a reality warping time lord, Chronos, nearly wiped them all out in his bid for world domination.
Oh, and I'm only using the DCAU Static as reference for the above feats and abilities. If I bring out the comics, his power level goes bonkers, but I don't want to do that and have another OP comic book character running around.
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 2
Electromagnetic Pulse - 2
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 10
Electromagnetic Pulse - 12
As with the other threads, I won't officially count your vote until you specify that your post vote is going to a particular team by stating "I vote for Team _____" coupled with your reason.
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
Team "Electromagnetic Pulse" cannot touch 2 of the greatest of all time.
Static will probably turn on Magneto as soon as the fight starts because Shaw and Barkley are like his heroes and turn this to a 3v1.
Magneto is powerful, however he is not:
2 of the greatest players of all time
One of the most powerful entitys in the universe.
Tall dark and handsome
also tall and handsome.
Counting stacks
Who needs money when you can just change lead to gold? (manicular chemical bonds)
Rolling in women
Do you KNOW how many mutent children Magneto has sired?
Shaq was a genie at one point
Magneto has engaged and survied god like beings attacks...
One of the greatest rappers of all time with 1 platinum album(Shaq Diesel, ya feels me?)
How is this relevant in a combat situation?
Supertall(yes that is a superpower)
all the more target area to hit you with very fast flying hunks of mettle.
Barkley destroyed a city at one point
Magneto had far greater destructive power than destroying a mere city. Talk to me when you get to nations.
Barkley has canonly defeated Godzilla
Survived attacks from galactis.
4 Olympic gold medals combined(Magneto has how many?)
More combat experience than all three other contestants combine.
Too many awards to count
Built a nation, quite literally.
Magneto gets dunked on all day by some old school ballahs like it's their job and walks away in shame as Shaq and Barkley rolls out in their pimping rides followed by Static.
If both sides are aware that killing each other will not in any way effect the time line I can see static taking up the hard offensive, He does have game, and very competitive person.
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 2
Electromagnetic Pulse - 5
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 17
Electromagnetic Pulse - 18
Remarkably close match, but I suppose it's because everyone is focusing on the other match this week, in which four of the greatest villains in all of fiction are duking it out in an intense debate full of blood, sweat and tears.
Regardless, this match is still anyone's game, and should intensify by Sunday, as everyone knows that the "last two minutes" of any basketball game are the only really competitive part of the sport.
Also, now would be a good time to ask for requests as to next week's matches. Any takers?
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
It is fairly obvious that the basketballers will win. How does one defeat shaq, other than by avoiding his shaq fu? The answer is: you can't. He is a genie, and a genius.
Shaq is love. Shaq is life.
(Slightly satirical vote in favor of ten basketballers. So yeah, put me down for basketballers)
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Commission Rezombied to alter some cards, he's awesome!
Also, now would be a good time to ask for requests as to next week's matches. Any takers?
Sort of. I'm not making a request for next week, I'm asking if the two biggest and most popular comic characters to actually make it into the tournament can wait till the last round. Save the best for last kind of thing. I am talking of course about Batman and Wolverine.
Sort of. I'm not making a request for next week, I'm asking if the two biggest and most popular comic characters to actually make it into the tournament can wait till the last round. Save the best for last kind of thing. I am talking of course about Batman and Wolverine.
Done! I'll save those matches for last then (meaning matches 15 and 16 of round 1... unless, you know, they just happen to be fighting each other). Though we still have a few more comic character teams other than the ones you mentioned (Team "Mythology", Team "Insane" and Team "Aimbot").
I'm still open to requests for next week, so if you have any, just ask.
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
a very tough battle to call.
alas, I must go to sleep now (damn third shift!).
But I know the deadline and my vote(s) will be in by then.
I know which side I'm leaning toward, but keep the validscenarios/arguments coming!
Same goes for this week's "other match".
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Quote from "Mysticake" »
(about the English language) It's kinda like a raft that was cobbled together from parts of three different boats and since then has been kept barely afloat with crude repairs every time a leak appeared.
My vote goes towards Team EMP.
Granted I may be biased because Magneto is #1 on my list of favorite bad guys (ironically, sir Palpatine is my #2 favorite villain who happens to be featured in this week's other more heated, harshly debated (?) contest).
At any rate... once the combatants are thrust into Llanowar (Dominaria), Erik will just take off his helmet and let him and Static use it for whatever purpose. I mean... he only wears it to guard from psychic attacks; and I assume its made of some sort of metal (yesh he's my favorite villain, but I can't say I've gone into that much research about him; I only know him based on the comics I own/read (not the entire backstory, sadly)).
At any rate, I do like the plausible thought of Static joining the B-Ballers side, but I think that would only make Magneto more determined and more pissed off. And that's not usually a good thing.
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Quote from "Mysticake" »
(about the English language) It's kinda like a raft that was cobbled together from parts of three different boats and since then has been kept barely afloat with crude repairs every time a leak appeared.
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 3
Electromagnetic Pulse - 8
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 21
Electromagnetic Pulse - 25
With that, it looks like Team Basketballers will have to try out their game in the TOU, while Team Electromagnetic Pulse moves on to the next round of the TOC! Thank you, one and all, for participating in this battle. Be sure to check out this week's matches... they're real killers.
As usual, this thread will be open for further discussion, if needed, but the poll for voting will be considered closed.
I participate yearly in a survival challenge in which I am dropped off in the wilderness with 1 days rations, a knife, and no other supplies, and have to find my way home. This is typically several weeks hiking from civilization.
I have personally killed several bears in the course of this challenge, with the use of snares and other traps.
There will now be two matches every week, each one also lasting a week (except semi-finals and finals, those last for two weeks each) until the conclusion of the tournament, and you're just in time for Round 1.
One of this week’s matches:
Team "Basketballers" - Shaq and Barkley
vs.
Team "Electromagnetic Pulse" - Magneto and Static
Fighting in: Llanowar (Dominaria)
The members of both teams are transported to a different dimension with all information about their opponents “uploaded” into their minds. They have 30 minutes to prepare and talk to each other (they don’t know anything about each other as teammates, save for any experience from previous matches of this same tournament), and will also have full access to any technology, magic, weaponry, resources, etc. which they would routinely be able to use from their respective universes. Teammates may share resources with each other. Afterwards, both teams are teleported to the randomly chosen plane, which has mystically sealed off so that none of them can escape the battlefield in any way. The team that manages to knock out and/or kill both members of the opposing team will be declared the winner. There is no time limit.
Write ups for both teams:
Team "Basketballers" - Shaq and Barkley
Aside from crushing mortals on the court, Barkley and Shaq also rescues innocents from certain death.
After Barkley destroyed Shadow Barkley and the B-Ball Removal department (with the help of the ghost of Lebron James) he meets up with the big daddy Shaq, who had just school the evil mummy Sett Ra both on and off the court. Together the 2 ballers form the ultimate tag team as they style on losers left right and center.
Barkley armed with the super destructive Chaos Dunk that can level a city, will supply the support fire while Shaq Fu the one on one expert tanks attacks from the enemies while styling on them with his Inferno Kick and broken fighting system, as well as dunking on fools whenever possible (oh snap).
Team "Electromagnetic Pulse" - Magneto and Static
Erik Lehnsherr (though if this is his true name or not is disputed), also known as Magneto, grew up to become one of the world's most powerful mutants and undoubtedly the X-Men's most dangerous foe. The young Magneto has not yet become the villain bent on mutant superiority, and thus needs to still discover how to control his powers. He can move metallic objects to a fine degree, and this, combined with his training, knowledge of tactics and weapons, dark past and often extreme mentality, made him dangerous even as a young man. As he grew older, he became even more powerful, able to move even extremely heavy metal objects the size of a jet or an entire bridge quite easily, as well as shape metal to his will, using only his mind. He eventually developed control over the entire electromagnetic spectrum (approached from the "magnetic" end). Indeed, his status, power, and charisma has made him feared and revered by most, if not all, mutants in his universe. He is also a capable and knowledgeable leader, well versed in science and tactical strategies, and remains one of the most incredible villains in the Marvel Universe.
Virgil Hawkins, also known as Static, grew up to become one of the world’s greatest heroes, and a respected member of the Justice League Unlimited. He started off as a teenage superhero whose powers developed over time. His electric powers can energize, power and supercharge mechanical and metallic objects, he can send bolts of electric power at his opponents, and create static and magnetic cling on various metallic, and later on even non-metallic, objects, making him a versatile, if unrefined, superhero. As he grew older, he became even more powerful, his diverse powers having a great number of applications. He eventually developed control over the entire electromagnetic spectrum (approached from the "electric" end). His quick wit and knowledge of science has greatly assisted him on many occasions, and he is acknowledged by both Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis to have grown to become a veteran superhero on the power level of Green Lantern and Wonder Woman within the DC Universe, with powers capable of changing the world.
Both of them have amazing similarities and contrasts. Both of them have powers related to electromagnetism (Magneto is more “magnetism” and Static is more “electro”, but there is a lot of overlap). Both of them have dealt with, and grew up being, super-powered teenagers from their respective universes (in Magneto’s case, mutants, in Static’s case, metahumans), both of them have had encounters with the greatest superheroes and supervillains from their respective universes (and managed to even beat them on occasion), and both of them have grown up to develop power over one of the world’s fundamental forces, and are acknowledged in-universe as each being one of the most powerful beings on the planet (they started off at different ends of the spectrum, and there are various differences, but they got there).
How do I vote for the team I like? Well, I'm glad you asked...
Now, who wins this match?
Round 1
Match 1: "Godslayer" vs. "Wizard Guide" - Team "Wizard Guide" (25 - 39)
Match 2: "Cybernetic Cannon" vs. "By Your Powers Combined" - "By Your Powers Combined" (21 - 24)
Match 3: "Smash" vs. "Metal Men" - (22 - 27)
Match 4: "Justice For All" vs. "Speed" - "Justice For All" (25 - 20)
Match 5: "Fun Size" vs. "Pest Control Problem" - "Fun Size" (22 - 14)
Match 6: "Rescue the Princess" vs. "Disney Villains" - "Rescue the Princess" (24 - 18)
Match 7: "Basketballers" vs. "Electromagnetic Pulse" - ???
Match 8: "Dark Lords" vs. "Human Mental Prowess" - ???
How well do you do against one?
I voted for the Basketballers in the poll, only because I know these guys are gonna get absolutely destroyed in every sense of the word. But the fact that these guys are all fighting in the Llanowar Forest where none of these guys are going to be comfortable, at all, makes me chuckle quite a bit.
To put some perspective as to why the Basketballers were a dominated "viable team"
Shaq is the main character of the Shaq Fu video game. Where he brutally beats the crap out of Necromancers, Monsters made out of pure magma, supernatural mummies and more.
Barkley is apparently from a post apocalyptic future where he learns the ultimate dunking technique that is said to be able to level entire cities, and was the cause of the apocalypse in the first place. This technique allows him to dunk through giant aircraft carriers and other things basketballs normally should not be able to dunk through.
So essentially, these are a couple of guys that have superior toughness to be able to fight supernatural monsters and an incredible propensity for damage dealing, capable of destroying entire terrains if the situation calls for it.
Now the question for most (hilariously) is if these abilities are enough to take down two super mutants capable of controlling the electro magnetic field and then some.
Also, I get the feeling that a few minutes of the Basketballers' prep time will be consumed by a Kazaam rap.
When I drew up this match, I thought it couldn't get any better, but when it ended up in Llanowar, of all places, that just drove me up the wall too.
There are actually a few more reasons why this match is funny (and this serves as my "devil's advocate" argument in favor of the "Basketballers"):
Static and Shaq have met (and fought alongside each other) before. Robert Hawkins (Static's father) is a childhood friend of Shaq's, and in Static's youth, he was able to meet him personally. The entire encounter can be viewed here (the link is to an episode of the younger Static's TV series, in which he meets shoots hoops with The Big Shamrock himself), and a few seasons afterwards, Static meets up, and teams up, with other famous basketball-players-turned-superheroes in a later episode, seen here (the Hoop Squad; Steve Nash, Yao Ming, Karl Malone, and Tracy McGrady). Apparently, playing basketball already makes you a superhero in the DCAU, and Static has canonically met them before. In any case, this will make Static otherwise unwilling to go all out on the two B-Ballers (though I think both teams are level-headed enough to realize that this can be a friendly match anyway).
The main weapons of Shaq and Barkley are the also the perfect counterweapon for Electromagnetism. While other Tag Teams have knives, swords, guns and bullets, they have basketballs, which are resistant (if not immune) to both electricity (rubber being an insulator) and magnetism (being non-metallic). These aren’t normal basketballs either, but weaponized ones thanks to Barkley's game. If these two B-Ball gods start tossing their stuff at the two heroes (well, one's a hero and one's an anti-villain, but Mags can be pretty heroic at times), sure they could mount up a considerable resistance, and as a bonus, in a match of elemental rock-paper-scissors, the "Basketballers" team has the rock to the "Electromagnetic Pulse" scissors, so to speak.
Lastly, the terrain is not favorable to two metal-manipulators. Of course, I think Virgil and Erik have enough foresight to plan and bring some metal with them during the prep time (because they're both supergeniuses and will probably know that wherever they'll be going might not have any metal), and they do have powers that don't depend on it, but it's still a heavy disadvantage. If this were on Mirrodin, it would be a lot clearer, but in this terrain? Not so much.
I like Magneto and Static. A lot. Magneto is perhaps my favorite Marvel villain, and Static is probably my favorite DC hero by a long stretch (excluding Batman and Superman), but this is one match in which I can realistically see them losing for one reason or another due to really unlucky terrain and opponent draws.
How well do you do against one?
The primary application of his power is control over magnetism and the manipulation of ferrous and nonferrous metal. While the maximum amount of mass he can manipulate at one time is unknown, he has moved large asteroids several times and effortlessly levitated a 30,000 ton nuclear submarine. His powers extend into the subatomic level (insofar as the electromagnetic force is responsible for chemical bonding), allowing him to manipulate chemical structures and rearrange matter, although this is often a strenuous task Another way in which Magneto frequently uses his power is the projection of force-fields which selectively block out matter and energy. These fields are strong enough to withstand the detonation of multiple thermonuclear weapons, hence Magneto is invulnerable to most harm when surrounded by his shield and can survive in deep space thanks to it. He can also channel his powers through his own body to increase his strength and durability far beyond human limits and has a baseline reaction time 15 times shorter than that of regular humans. On occasion he has altered the behavior of gravitational fields around him, which has been suggested as evidence of the existence of a unified field which he can manipulate. He has demonstrated the capacity to produce a wormhole and to safely teleport himself and others via the wormhole.[85]
In addition to his powers, Magneto has many other skills. He is a genius with competence in various fields of advanced science, especially in genetic manipulation, particle physics, engineering, and other fields of technology. He has engineered advanced weaponry, space stations, superpowered humanoid lifeforms, devices that generate volcanoes and earthquakes, devices that block telepathy, and devices that can nullify all mutant powers except for his own. He has reconstructed computerized devices from memory. He is fluent in many human languages and once single-handedly deciphered the unknown language of a lost civilization.[87] He possesses extraordinary skill in "reading" the microexpressions on others' faces and sensing what they are thinking and feeling, whether they are lying, fearful, etc. a skill which he refers to as "taking your enemy's measure."[88] He also is a master strategist and tactician with extensive combat experience, and has often been successful in single-handed combat against entire groups of superhuman adversaries. He also has some military training in hand-to-hand combat and has been shown to be effective with his fists, but he prefers to use his powers when in combat situations.
Based on this, It suggests that Magneto could, teach static his "sheild" power, then proceed to nuke the living hell out of team backetball by breaking atomic bonds. I don't see them living though multinukes. This is far from a gross overuse of his powers based on the fact that many teams could LIVE through a multnuke stratagy.
Static will probably turn on Magneto as soon as the fight starts because Shaw and Barkley are like his heroes and turn this to a 3v1.
Magneto is powerful, however he is not:
2 of the greatest players of all time
Tall dark and handsome
Counting stacks
Rolling in women
Shaq was a genie at one point
One of the greatest rappers of all time with 1 platinum album(Shaq Diesel, ya feels me?)
Supertall(yes that is a superpower)
Barkley destroyed a city at one point
Barkley has canonly defeated Godzilla
4 Olympic gold medals combined(Magneto has how many?)
Too many awards to count
+ whatever Static does
Magneto gets dunked on all day by some old school ballahs like it's their job and walks away in shame as Shaq and Barkley rolls out in their pimping rides followed by Static.
Your entire post was brilliant in a hilarious way, and this one sentence is actually a really good argument. Static's a hero, but Magneto is an anti-villain. The only other team in the tournament with that kind of pairing is Batman and Punisher. While the two of them are very similar, Static might just turn on Magneto if he goes genocidal on his childhood heroes due to his strong moral code (this is the adult Static, after all, so by 2040 I think even the Basketball greats would have passed on... but Static would see this as another chance to meet the greats).
Just so were clear (and while we're making lists) here's a rundown of some of Statics powers, personality traits, etc.:
Magnetic Powers - Static can affect metal objects and magnetize them at will. He can move them, bend them and levitate them. He routinely carries metallic equipment like his “Static Saucer”, which he uses to surf the skies at incredible speed, giving him flight.
Electric Powers - Static can create powerful blasts of electricity which he can use to incapacitate and electrocute his opponents, or generate heat, light and even fire, depending on the situation. His punches can also be supercharged. He can transmit energy through mechanical objects and cause them to function according to his will. He can also charge objects with enough energy to make them explode, or just enough to make them function again. Similarly, Static can drain energy from other sources to recharge himself, or simply to remove energy from them and stop them from functioning.
Electromagnetic Powers - Static can also generate an electromagnetic pulse that can wipe out the power of all machines and electronic devices in a radius the size of a city. He can create force fields to prevent himself from being harmed by various projectiles. He is also immune (or at least highly resistant) to telepathy, mind control, and other psychic attacks by virtue of his electromagnetic powers.
Other Powers - Static can use his abilities to “listen in” on radio frequencies or tap into phone lines. Static can also generate large flashes of bright light at will to provide cover or blind his opponents temporarily. He can also affect non-metallic objects by inducing “static cling”, making them attract other objects.
Equipment - Routinely has his aforementioned “Static Saucer”, which can be used to levitate him, and can also double as a shield when necessary. Is known to also have access to, and occasionally carry, various inventions by his metahuman allies.
Personality - A highly intelligent, gifted student in the sciences, Static built a machine that could trace electromagnetic signatures when he was fifteen, and has vast knowledge over fields of electromagnetism and molecular science. He also has a good sense of humor, and a vast knowledge of pop culture. Static is an African-American who gained his powers when he was a young teenager in the 1990’s, used them to become the resident superhero of Dakota City, and eventually grew up to become one of the greatest heroes of the Justice League, and is still active in Batman II’s (Terry McGinnis) timeline in 2040. In an alternate timeline, he was one of the few surviving members of the Justice League when a reality warping time lord, Chronos, nearly wiped them all out in his bid for world domination.
Oh, and I'm only using the DCAU Static as reference for the above feats and abilities. If I bring out the comics, his power level goes bonkers, but I don't want to do that and have another OP comic book character running around.
Tally:
Poll Votes:
Basketballers - 8
Electromagnetic Pulse - 10
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 2
Electromagnetic Pulse - 2
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 10
Electromagnetic Pulse - 12
As with the other threads, I won't officially count your vote until you specify that your post vote is going to a particular team by stating "I vote for Team _____" coupled with your reason.
How well do you do against one?
If both sides are aware that killing each other will not in any way effect the time line I can see static taking up the hard offensive, He does have game, and very competitive person.
Poll Votes:
Basketballers - 15
Electromagnetic Pulse - 13
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 2
Electromagnetic Pulse - 5
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 17
Electromagnetic Pulse - 18
Remarkably close match, but I suppose it's because everyone is focusing on the other match this week, in which four of the greatest villains in all of fiction are duking it out in an intense debate full of blood, sweat and tears.
Regardless, this match is still anyone's game, and should intensify by Sunday, as everyone knows that the "last two minutes" of any basketball game are the only really competitive part of the sport.
Also, now would be a good time to ask for requests as to next week's matches. Any takers?
How well do you do against one?
Shaq is love. Shaq is life.
(Slightly satirical vote in favor of ten basketballers. So yeah, put me down for basketballers)
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Sort of. I'm not making a request for next week, I'm asking if the two biggest and most popular comic characters to actually make it into the tournament can wait till the last round. Save the best for last kind of thing. I am talking of course about Batman and Wolverine.
Done! I'll save those matches for last then (meaning matches 15 and 16 of round 1... unless, you know, they just happen to be fighting each other). Though we still have a few more comic character teams other than the ones you mentioned (Team "Mythology", Team "Insane" and Team "Aimbot").
I'm still open to requests for next week, so if you have any, just ask.
How well do you do against one?
I'd love to see Team Chaotic Genius In a match next week,
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alas, I must go to sleep now (damn third shift!).
But I know the deadline and my vote(s) will be in by then.
I know which side I'm leaning toward, but keep the valid scenarios/arguments coming!
Same goes for this week's "other match".
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Granted I may be biased because Magneto is #1 on my list of favorite bad guys (ironically, sir Palpatine is my #2 favorite villain who happens to be featured in this week's other more heated, harshly debated (?) contest).
At any rate... once the combatants are thrust into Llanowar (Dominaria), Erik will just take off his helmet and let him and Static use it for whatever purpose. I mean... he only wears it to guard from psychic attacks; and I assume its made of some sort of metal (yesh he's my favorite villain, but I can't say I've gone into that much research about him; I only know him based on the comics I own/read (not the entire backstory, sadly)).
At any rate, I do like the plausible thought of Static joining the B-Ballers side, but I think that would only make Magneto more determined and more pissed off. And that's not usually a good thing.
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Poll Votes:
Basketballers - 18
Electromagnetic Pulse - 17
Post Votes:
Basketballers - 3
Electromagnetic Pulse - 8
Total Votes:
Basketballers - 21
Electromagnetic Pulse - 25
With that, it looks like Team Basketballers will have to try out their game in the TOU, while Team Electromagnetic Pulse moves on to the next round of the TOC! Thank you, one and all, for participating in this battle. Be sure to check out this week's matches... they're real killers.
As usual, this thread will be open for further discussion, if needed, but the poll for voting will be considered closed.
How well do you do against one?