Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26468287-20150614010051/@comment-3389778-20150715044745

Moonlight Guidepost wrote:

'" She sucks at swordfighting, and she uses a knife in combat even though she isn't actually good with it like Annabeth." '

 Never in that statement was Piper being as good as the other demigods or human beings was mentioned. 

I replied in kind. Replying to a claim that says Piper is bad at sword-fighting (Without evidence) and I supported with evidence that Piper is not bad at Sword-Fighting.

'''Okay. So you replied in kind. Saying that she held her own alongside Jason and Annie. I responded saying that we're comparing her directly to other demigods. Her simply being able to hold her own and stay alive against souls alongside stronger and more capable fighters who had her back isn't nearly a meter by which to gauge how good she is compared  to other demigods. That's why I said "not plain human beings", because yes, while she is much better at this stuff generally than normal humans and thus can do these things like fight and maybe bring down a giant on her own, we're not just appraising her abilities in and of herself. We're appraising them and THEN comparing her to the other 7. That's the point of this thread and the meaning behind the comment you originally replied to. Hence also why I said "what they're talking about" instead of " we're talking about" seeing as the only input I had in this thread up till now had basically just been "True."'''

The main gist and takeaway from this in response to your comment of course just being "Compared to the others, she is."

Actually part of it has become the 'let's point out Piper's flaws' kind of thread and I responded to that original statement in the context of that.

Alright, if we want to compare Piper to the other 7- then let's go.

Leo- little to no combat training, he spent most of his time building and fixing the Argo ll.

Following the logic. Leo should suck worst than Piper does. But no one really mentions that because Leo can do no wrong.

Heck Nico hasn't really had any formal training- but somehow stills fairs well in battle. (And before you go, 'It was because it was off-screen. It makes it okay.' Piper's sword training with Hazel also happened off-screen. You can't disregard one and accept the other)

'Talking about whether or not someone sucks at something depends heavily on the scenario and context discussed and is determined by their skill with it in relation to others in that context, league, class or qualification of some kind, this one being demigods or more specifically, the Seven. Thus, saying that somebody sucks at something only if they don't know the first thing about it, or in other words, if they only have the very base amount of skill and prowess possible, is just foolish. No further need for explanation. You cannot be more ridiculous with that statement. And yes, you were saying that "they suck only if they don't know anything" because if you weren't making that the sole condition, then that statement would be a pointless observation that serves to add absolutely nothing to the conversation.'

In that circumstance, Piper would be less skilled that Annabeth. She wouldn't suck.

Also, most of the Seven would probably would not have much experience in fighting with a knife or wield it in battle. (Because a knife and a sword are different weapons) so again, by the logic, Piper wouldn't suck- heck she would be one of the better ones.

'This is a failed point because something occurring purely because of plot is determined by consistency, levels of which vary from character to character. So no, applying that "logic" to Piper at in an attempt to outline her quality in relation to other characters is not applying it "only to Piper". Making that connection is something that most readers don't have a problem with. I'm baffled that you somehow glazed over this and made that a part of your argument.'

Well if you want to talk about inconsistency, I can mention a few from the other characters.

Leo beating Khione; who is btw, a goddess, single-handedly when this was his first real armed fight. Because Plot.

Frank getting taller- for some reason.

Hazel's cursed metal thing- for the sake of adding conflict because it was never mentioned past the second/third book. Heck Hazel control of over riches thing was barely mentioned past her initial appearance in the second book.

Hazel's mist powers. Plot Macguffin.

Anyway- My point that I've been trying to say over and over again- is that Piper is not the best but far from the worst because most of the other characters have committed the same sins she has. (*cough* Percy's growing obessesion with Annabeth but that's hardly brought up *cough*) and that people make her far worse off that she actually is.

Done. Drop mic.