User blog comment:Cfp3157/Steven Armstrong vs. Zoom/@comment-27334870-20170406044100

Dargoo Faust's [REDACTED] EDGES: "Speed versus strength! Man versus Machine!"

The Leader


 * Alright, powers. Armstrong is naturally stronger than Zoom, but Zoom is substantially faster than Armstrong. Not enough, however, for a straight speedblitz. Considering Armstrong can react without much difficulty to Raiden's blade mode attacks, I think he will be able to react to Zoom's attacks, but will most likely get caught off guard once or twice. The thing is, I don't think Zoom can actually harm him much. Like, really. Even if Zoom can ignore Armstrong's immense durability, his healing factor makes it even harder for him to be properly put down. As for Zoom's durability, it is hard to say, but I think Armstrong can cripple him fairly quickly with AoE attacks making it even harder for Zoom to approach. Zoom is going to land a substantial amount of blows, but he just doesn't have enough to put Armstrong down for good, and eventually he's going to take a hit from Armstrong he can't handle. Pure speed is a large advantage, but Armstrong's powers are greater in every other aspect.


 * Hand to Hand. Zoom seems actually more affluent in H2H, as Armstrong doesn't solely rely on it. The gap isn't very wide here, however. Armstrong focuses on big, relentless blows. Zoom focuses on an endless barrage of swift attacks a-la death by a thousand cuts. Zoom is more versatile in pure H2H, but it won't serve him well if he is properly outclassed in powers.

OVERALL EDGE: ARMSTRONG

The Minions

Thank the heavens I've already voted on a battle with the Desperado Enforcement in it, otherwise I would have had to do a metric ton of research. Ironically, some of Zoom's people are near perfect counters to Armstrong's people, with Deathstorm's power absorption being one of the most deadly out of them all. Sundowner especially packs an explosive arsenal in his shields which Deathstorm (correct me if I'm wrong) could absorb a substantial amount of power. Siren and Frost both have powerful AoE effects, with the latter also having a counter to the immense speed and reactions that the Metal Gear Rising antagonists carry. Rupture seems like a weaker link in Zoom's arsenal, but the remaining members have a number of counters that I think can't be ignored. However, I don't think Frost's ice manipulation is potent enough to overcome Armstrong's pyrokenesis and temperature, and the underlying durability factor of all of Armstrong's peeps is still there. Overall, I think Zoom's Lieutenants lack in overall power, but have good counters to the edges of the Desperado Enforcement, pulling them a slight edge.

OVERALL EDGE: ZOOM

X - FACTORS, SON!

Armstrong clearly pulls out here. Zoom's killer instinct and superior tactics aren't going to do much against the overall Cooperation and Physicality edges that Armstrong's crew carries. Like I have preached before, the gap in durability is substantial, and cannot be ignored when voting. Other edges Zoom has over Armstrong aren't nearly has wide as a gap, with the largest being in tactics. Not to say the Tactics should be ignored, in fact they make this a much more interesting battle. Zoom will play this smart, and will try to work around his groups issues and the gap in strength and durability. The problem is, more times than not they just won't be able to do enough damage compared to what they'll take in.

OVERALL EDGE: ARMSTRONG

 OVERALL WINNER: THE DESPERADO ENFORCEMENT 

This is much closer than it seems. The counters that Zoom's team provides allows the nefarious speedster to maximize that advantage, but it just won't be enough. In fact, I can imagine the team having high difficulty taking down Armstrong by himself, and the fact Armstrong has most of his crew with him makes that possibility even smaller. My primary reasoning for this win is the gap in durability, as I can't see (without concentrated effort and cooperation) Zoom or anyone on Zoom's team doing lethal damage to Armstrong. The secondary reasoning is the strength gap, and eventually Zoom will have to take a hit, which will cripple him. I imagine this fight will end with heavy casualties on Armstrong's side, but a hard-fought win, son.