One should not talk about bordom here; we're on an internet forum discussing the logistics and physical implications of a child's comic book. We're the friggin' batmen of bordom.
@theinvisibleworm:
You read the essays, and admit the better writer, or if they are both outstanding, you admit both.
Ceteris paribus for everything except what I outlined, and I can't admit both because I'm operating from a small liberal arts college in Nebraska.
@onemoment:
You are….really overcomplicating this. Okay, Croc (and Enel too, it seems) can take great damage considering that they are Logia users, even though logic suggests they shouldn't. Yeah, they done good. It still doesn't change the fact that Lucci is phyiscally stronger.
Ener and Croc were likely very athletic before they became Logias; Ener's physique (and his homeland, known for fierce warriors) and Croc's physical scars are evidence of this. However, Ener has lived uncontested for six years as God of Skypiea, and he's physically deteriorated while Croc hasn't much at all.
I know Lucci is physically superior to Croc, but you're missing the point. I'm talking about relative toughness; Lucci's strengths are his physical abilities. Croc's strengths are his brains and Devil Fruit. In comparing the two, Lucci doesn't have as many independent strengths as Croc; his DF, Rokushiki and douriki are all connected to one another. Croc's DF mastery, his intelligence and his physical power are all seperate entities; one might argue that it takes "intelligence" to master a DF, but Monkey D. Luffy himself is proof that even an idiot can come up with creative applications.
What is Croc's strength relative to Lucci? Lucci trained his whole life to be physically powerful, and everything about him is a synergy to channel his strength. Croc may have been a melee fighter at one time, but for many years he's been a DF user and hasn't had to rely on his old skills; yet, he still has them and can make good use.
scratches head
I need a metaphor. This is just going over the heads of people.
,,,
OK, DBZ time. Goku v. Vegeta had the same degree of intensity as Goku v. Frieza. Are we clear? Goku when he fought Vegeta was a lot weaker than when he fought Freiza, yet his change in self was great enough to even out the discrepancies between the two powerful fighters. The constant is intensity, though the numbers (let's say 2 x 2 and 4 x 4) are different. That's the ratio argument.
The same applies to OP. Luffy v. Croc Round 3 was of the same intensity as Luffy v. Lucci, even though Luffy was a lot stronger during the Lucci battle than against Croc. As such, in relative terms, Croc would equal Lucci in toughness, but taking into account Croc's features and the hits he took, Croc prevails.
@onemoment:
And…a perfect hand? Dude, Croc and Enel seemed to have perfect hands too before they fought Luffy right? And now...they're off in the gutter somewhere. Don't suggest that Lucci just got lucky. As you've seen from his fellow CP9, not every zoan user/roushiki user has Lucci's strength. That type of strength may have been earned for all we know. In fact, the same might apply for Croc too, what are the odds he got that scar after becoming a logia?
The hand metaphor was to show that Croc's been screwed all his life and that even with trashy cards, he managed to accomplish incredible feats like build BW, become a Shichibukai, almost attain a kingship, ect. If it wasn't clear to you lot, Croc is Oda's interpretation of Luffy had Luffy's life taken a different path not guided by Shanks; he'd still have his idealism, but along the way he'd lose faith and turn into a cynical/sadistic fiend he is today.
@onemoment:
I just in case any bias is in this arguement…Croc is overall a greater "villian" them Lucci. It's just that Lucci is much, much stronger then him. Hell, all of Luffy's adversaries (sans Mr. 3/Bellamy) take damage pretty well, don't they? In all honesty, I think the bad guys just stop when Oda wants them too, therefore the Logias lasted pretty damn long.
Strongest Villan (physically): Lucci
Strongest Villan (Devil Fruit): Ener
Most Dangerous Villan: Ener
Best Villan: Croc
Toughest Villan: Croc
Toughest Fight: Luffy v. Lucci