Tourney Review: Zidane/Vivi vs. Beatrix/Nil

Now both sides had their fair share of skills but Beatrix and Nil had a clear advantage in the firepower department. With multiple specialty spells and even a doubled holy Nil was the shining gem of this category, Vivi just couldn't stack up against even in Trance. The team members taking this category also also each sported effective abilities for all ranges, this team had a damage output that just couldn't be matched. In addition, it was clear from the start that the duo had an advantage in the aggression department.

Before the match even started it was clear that Zidane was intimidated and while he and Vivi had a strong start in response, with Zidane trying to control the flow of battle, it wouldn't hold. Beatrix and Nil had abilities effective for all ranges and quickly turned the tables and held the pressure advantage for the rest of the fight, downing not two but three opponents, and poor Vivi, well, despite his best efforts that poor boy got tossed around like a rag doll. They could even afford to heal their opponent and still come out with a handy victory.

Both teams made effective use of their abilities to keep the pressure on in the previous category. This category is almost a tossup. The teamwork of both teams was both lacking and impeccable in various stages of the fight. Both Zidane and Beatrix displayed their combat expertise par excellence during this fight, always looking for openings to disrupt their opponents and prevent disruption. Beatrix and Nil's supportive teamwork was active and like watching a tango, and while I can appreciate Zidane supporting the little guy, Vivi's teamwork didn't wow me. Had that been all there was to this category it would go to Beatrix and Nil hands down, but it's not.

Nil cast a powerful ultima not only on his opponents but on his allies and only by the grace of his partner's decision to pursue a weapon that can be summoned at will that saved them from heavy losses. As it stands, the attack downed Vivi and resulted in Zidane taking the floor too for different reasons, the edge for this attack goes to Beatrix and Nil. Beatrix made a conscious effort to silence the young mage and succeeded, while Zidane's silence of her came too late, judging from what we saw it might have been better used on Nil who was clearly the magical powerhouse of the part, the edge here goes to Beatrix and Nil. Zidane on his last legs got the little mage back up which gave us a rousing show but was ultimately futile. Novel, but not enough to turn the tide so no points there. Beatrix made the mindbogglingly strange and unwise choice to heal her opponent in competitive tournament when he's more than capable of healing himself at others' expense and has had no qualms about doing so. That feels like a demerit to me. This could almost go either way but I have to call it.

Right up front, the jewel in the crown for this performance has to go to Vivi and Zidane. Despite some obvious foibles on the part of Zidane in quality standards for grammar, and some rectified failings on behalf of Vivi, their posts were a joy to read. The instant that little mage showed up on stage I was right there with him rooting him on and he did not disappoint, pulling me along for a ride. I feel like I got to know him through Show, not tell. Zidane's acrobatic style and cheeky attitude is as always a joy to watch. Watching the monkey boy prance about and try to control the flow of battle while assisting his little buddy.That said, for a mage, it shouldn't take ultimate spells to wow me. I feel like Vivi's heart wasn't quite in his magic and it showed, save for a few instances it wasn't much to watch.

Beatrix herself was as flashy as Zidane and I'd put her right up there with him. While Nil had some flashy attacks with plenty of bite I feel they were lacking substance and watching him fight is like watching a charging bull. Not elegant. It feels like Nil has two people piloting his body, he can lay the savage beatdown on a little magical boy one moment and then completely drop his guard the next. I didn't expect to see something like that out of the gentle giant.

Lastly, first and foremost this is a competition. Everyone comes in here intent to stand upon their own two feet, or four feet, as this is doubles matches and you darn sure are supposed to let them. If a combatant is intent on standing against you, you don't disrespect that resolve by healing him unprompted and putting you and your team mate at further risk and by that same token offering him quarter. That's not sportsmanship, it's just foolish. If somebody wants to win under their own power they should have that opportunity. In contrast, Zidane was in tune with the spirit of this competition. It's supposed to be a fun partnership, and having had his fun he got his partner right back up and his partner honored that no questions asked and no quarter given. Both Zidane and Vivi gave it their absolute all in this bout and I'm proud to see it. No fighter wants to feel like their opponents took it easy on them. You come here to play but more than that, you come here to win.