Favorite OOTS Character Tournament: #7 ELAN vs #2 REDCLOAK [Archive]

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-03, 12:53 AM

IT'S TOO LATE, MAN!

TOO.

LATE!

VOTING IS CLOSED

And now for the battle of total strangers. They are on opposing teams, and yet I'm 99% certain neither knows who the other is...

#7
ELAN
vs
#2
REDCLOAK

https://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/oots/images/1/1f/Elan_New.png/revision/latest?cb=20150420021309
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/oots/images/1/12/Arrrghcloak.png/revision/latest?cb=20170303022655

Let's do this.

Euclidodese

2017-09-03, 07:54 AM

Tricky... Very tricky...

LadyEowyn

2017-09-03, 08:01 AM

Redcloak. Because he's my favourite character and because, let's face it, we all want to see the next round be a Redcloak vs. O-Chul standoff.

Dr.Zero

2017-09-03, 08:07 AM

I vote for Redcloack.

Hamste

2017-09-03, 08:41 AM

I vote Elan

Dellis

2017-09-03, 08:50 AM

By the gods, Elan, comrades, Elan! I hadn't planned on posting but I CANNOT let him down in this time of need!

KorvinStarmast

2017-09-03, 08:56 AM

Elan. (But only because Rich has taken the effort to provide him growth, and his antics on the Mechane. I have a bias toward matters nautical ...)

Sylian

2017-09-03, 09:40 AM

Redcloak. Read Start of Darkness and you might understand why (though he's pretty great in the main story too).

Jaxzan Proditor

2017-09-03, 09:46 AM

I didn't even vote for Elan in his last round; this one is definitely going to Redcloak.

Also, can we vote for our favorite voter? Cause Sylian keeps cracking me up in all of these threads. :smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin:

2D8HP

2017-09-03, 10:13 AM

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/Cats_Are_Aliens/Banners/Redcloak.png
vs.
:elan:
?

♫ ♫ ♫ Vote! vote! vote! for the Bard/Dashing Swordsman! ♫ ♫ ♫

Hmmm...

I nodded for Tsukiko over Redcloak last round (cause. pigtails! Just so damn cute!)

And Elan's growth because of Therkla drew tears from me...

But the green guy's dry wit has it.

I nod for Redcloak

zimmerwald1915

2017-09-03, 11:02 AM

Elan. My reasons are my own.

Euclidodese

2017-09-03, 11:14 AM

This is the only one so far where I'm really having trouble.

Redcloak is a great, incredibly well written character, his journey and his motivations are really well explored...

But Elan has so many funny lines, and he was the first character in the comic that I really fell in love with...

I love that Elan contributes in his own way, and how emotionally honest and vulnerable he can be...

But... It'll have to be Redcloak, for his original noble intentions, his perfectly-mapped slide into evil... But only by a gnat's whisker.

JbeJ275

2017-09-03, 11:34 AM

Recloak no of course I'm not a gobotopian in disguise.

StreamOfTheSky

2017-09-03, 12:45 PM

Best villain in the comic vs. a guy I don't even like? Hmm...

Redcloak.

137beth

2017-09-03, 12:46 PM

I'm going with Redcloak.

Potatomade

2017-09-03, 01:28 PM

Elan. Redcloak is awesome, and my preferences may change when I finally read Start of Darkness, but in the main comic, his development is less interesting than Elan's. Elan's contentedness with nominal usefulness is absolute adorableness. For me, it kinda boils down to this: I am not automatically happy when I see Redcloak. I am when I see Elan.

Porthos

2017-09-03, 01:47 PM

Years ago, I would have said Redcloak. Problem is, Redcloak is like that old band still relying on its greatest hits compilation while all their new stuff is cold and lifeless. Elan, meanwhile is vibrant and raw, still experimenting and changing.

----

This is my way of noting that while Redcloak was an unexpectedly dynamic and complex character, I think he's gotten a bit flat and stale lately. Part of it is bias against the choices he's made, sure. But he also seems to be descending into the same one-note villainy he so much claims to detest. Just, in this case, it's what happens when the noxious combination of revenge and sunk-cost fallacy become overwhelming.

Mind, it's an entirely realistic direction for the character and good writing to boot. But, well, Elan is just better anyways. :smalltongue:

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-03, 01:59 PM

Yeah, what Porthos said. It makes perfect sense for Redcloak to be a snarky but passive passenger in his own life at this point. But it's clear that he won't and can't do anything really interesting until the climax, when he may finally play the trump card he's keeping up his sleeve.

But until then, he's not really interesting anymore.

Elan

Riftwolf

2017-09-03, 02:24 PM

Elan. My reasons are my own.

Has Elan offered to make you his consort in exchange for that vote?

I vote Elan also. I'm not a Redcloak fan.

L8r

2017-09-03, 02:33 PM

Redcloak, he is my favourite character

Laurana

2017-09-03, 03:18 PM

No doubts about this, Elan all the way.

Fincher

2017-09-03, 03:19 PM

Elan. I don't have any special appreciation for Redcloak.

The Curt Jester

2017-09-03, 03:20 PM

Redcloak has been one of my favorite characters since he began to have a personality and he still is. While Elan adds humor, I am generally not a fan of his childishness.

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-03, 03:27 PM

I vote Elan.
He's a hilarious, singing, plot driving, swashbuckling, 4th wall breaking, lute playing, inanimate object naming, romantic, who always tries to do the right thing, and has fun doing it.
Also, it wouldn't be very dramatic if the #2 seed won the tournament.

Joerg

2017-09-03, 03:48 PM

Redcloak may be my favorite character overall, so he gets my vote.

Mandor

2017-09-03, 04:50 PM

Oh man. Elan is a righteous (if clueless) dude.
But I have to vote for Redcloak.

Because I secretly want another Ultimate Duel Between Clerics.

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-03, 04:57 PM

Because I secretly want another Ultimate Duel Between Clerics.
And you could get one, if Banjo had more worshipers :)

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-03, 05:13 PM

And you could get one, if Banjo had more worshipers :)

I would SO love to see Banjo officially accepted by the other deities.

BrotherClod

2017-09-03, 06:44 PM

One more nod to the guy in the Red Cloak

Liquor Box

2017-09-03, 08:08 PM

My vote is for Redcloak.

Elan is probably the least interesting of the 6 PC's, his "look how stupid I am" jokes the least funny and also the least effective.

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-03, 09:59 PM

Through Liquor Box:

7 vs 2 Nods
#2) :redcloak: Redcloak 15
#7) :elan: Elan 11

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-03, 10:23 PM

I would SO love to see Banjo officially accepted by the other deities.

Well, we have it by word of Oracle that Elan will get a happy ending, so there's at least a tiny bit of hope :-)

Cernor

2017-09-03, 10:50 PM

Redcloak is smart, tough, and powerful. A great villain with a great arc.

On the other hand, Elan's jokes are AWESOME.

So I vote Elan.

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-03, 11:11 PM

I can see why people are looking forward to seeing a rematch from the comic of O-Chul taking on Redcloak, but allow me to make a case for the opposite matchup.

If Elan and MitD advance, not only would we see a contest for the true master of obliviousness... Also, we would have then seen Elan take on each member of Team Evil, one by one, stupid-ninja style.

MSTang

2017-09-04, 12:45 AM

Elan. His character growth over the last story arc, especially during the Girard illusion segment, really got to me.

bguy

2017-09-04, 02:09 AM

Casting my vote for Elan.

Arkku

2017-09-04, 05:44 AM

Redcloak, simply for playing such a large part in making the story of Team Evil interesting.

littlebum2002

2017-09-05, 09:06 AM

It's a really tough decision, because Redcloak is such a complex character, but I'm going to have to go with Elan. His "just good enough to get by" attitude is so relatable.

elros

2017-09-05, 09:22 AM

This one is tough! But I vote for Redcloak, because he is easily the most interesting villain (check out "Start of Darkness"). I like Elan, but supporting him is like cheering for the house in blackjack- he's just too affable.

Chei

2017-09-05, 11:07 AM

Redcloak. Elan only wore an eyepatch once because he thought it was a stylish way to show a timeskip happened - such a poseur.

drazen

2017-09-05, 11:21 AM

Redcloak. :redcloak: all the way.

Elan is mostly annoying; Redcloak is an excellent, nuanced updating of Captain Ahab.

martianmister

2017-09-05, 01:30 PM

I choose Redcloak.

Rogan

2017-09-05, 02:04 PM

:elan: Vote, vote, vote for a Bard!

Okay Elan, I can't resist your song.

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-05, 02:18 PM

The margin of victory hasn't changed in the past couple of days-- Redcloak and Elan have each gotten five votes, so Redcloak is still four votes ahead.

This race is NOT closing tonight, and remains open till Saturday, when the winner goes on to immediately face the winner of O-Chul and his friend the Monster.

Drakilian

2017-09-06, 02:05 AM

Redcloak, no contest

Ruck

2017-09-06, 02:13 AM

Zaclock

2017-09-06, 06:34 AM

grandpheonix

2017-09-06, 06:58 AM

My man REDCLOAK gets it! Whooooo!

KorvinStarmast

2017-09-06, 08:01 AM

Elan, even though I generally don't care for the bard in this story very much. I also don't like characters who are written as pointlessly stupid.

Redcloak just doesn't do it for me in any way, shape, or form.

martianmister

2017-09-06, 08:28 AM

Google failed me, who is the house in blackjack?

Hamste

2017-09-06, 09:46 AM

Google failed me, who is the house in blackjack?

The dealer I presume (the house refers to the casino).

martianmister

2017-09-06, 01:41 PM

The dealer I presume (the house refers to the casino).

Well...that makes no sense.

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-06, 02:05 PM

Well...that makes no sense.

I don't see how it is "affable", but I would agree that rooting for the casino is a bit strange, for what it's worth.

Peelee

2017-09-06, 03:11 PM

You find the house in blackjack affable?

Who else is more polite and friendly while taking all your money?

Crusher

2017-09-06, 03:36 PM

I don't see how it is "affable", but I would agree that rooting for the casino is a bit strange, for what it's worth.

The house doesn't care if you root for it. The game is set up such that the house always wins in the long run. It'd be like rooting for gravity or old age or something.

Oh, I vote for Elan. Don't get me wrong, I love Redcloak, but the underdog needs a hand here!

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-06, 03:55 PM

The house doesn't care if you root for it. The game is set up such that the house always wins in the long run. It'd be like rooting for gravity or old age or something
Elan, on the other hand, definitely wants you to root for him. :-)

(And yes, I'm well aware that the house always wins. )

Peelee

2017-09-06, 04:04 PM

So, do Australians still use "root" as slang for...?

Dragolord

2017-09-06, 05:13 PM

So, do Australians still use "root" as slang for...?

It means supporting. Also, Redcloak.

Peelee

2017-09-06, 05:31 PM

It means supporting.

In Australia, I assume you mean? So the answer to my question would be no?

Liquor Box

2017-09-06, 07:04 PM

So, do Australians still use "root" as slang for...?

The answer to your question is yes. Not just Australians either.

Peelee

2017-09-06, 07:10 PM

The answer to your question is yes. Not just Australians either.

This pleases me.

Also, where else?

B. Dandelion

2017-09-07, 01:21 AM

These are literally my two favorites in the strip, so it hurts to cast a vote against either of them. *sigh*

At the end of the series, maybe I'd give to Elan. He has a had a lot of growth and moments of surprising poignancy, some of the best in comic even. I expect he will continue to grow and his particular spirit may ultimately prove to be one of the most crucial elements of all. But Redcloak is still just more compelling to me personally. The depth, the tragedy, the complexity and ambiguity of his character are perfectly done, and I honestly feel like he could go in a lot of different ways by the end, so I am always hooked to get more clues about how his plotline and related plotlines will conclude. When it's over, maybe I'll like him a lot less for choices he ultimately makes, where I think Elan is a lot more certain to make the right choices. But for now, it's still gonna have to be Redcloak.

robbie374

2017-09-07, 09:19 AM

Elan. (But I do like Redcloak...)

Elanasaurus

2017-09-08, 02:38 AM

Elan any day.

martianmister

2017-09-08, 06:10 AM

This pleases me.

Also, where else?

United States, Canada and UK.

Peelee

2017-09-08, 06:49 AM

United States, Canada and UK.

....i find this list suspect, given that I live in the United States.

hroþila

2017-09-08, 07:00 AM

Just to be clear, Peelee isn't asking about "root for" as in "support" - that's pretty standard English, not slang. The question is about number 5 here (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/root#Etymology_2).

martianmister

2017-09-08, 10:04 AM

Hamste

2017-09-08, 10:10 AM

Why ask something like that though?

It was a joke from earlier in the thread (at least I think it was supposed to be a joke)

Peelee

2017-09-08, 01:56 PM

It was a joke from earlier in the thread (at least I think it was supposed to be a joke)

Yes. I'm easily amused, and the thought of a significant numbers of English speakers reading post after post of rooting for people, but meaning something else, amuses me.

KorvinStarmast

2017-09-08, 02:22 PM

Peelee, it gives a whole new meaning to hearing "Get your kicks on root sixty six" when that song is on the radio.

(Spelled route but pronounced root in the song)

Porthos

2017-09-08, 02:28 PM

Yes. I'm easily amused, and the thought of a significant numbers of English speakers reading post after post of rooting for people, but meaning something else, amuses me.

Fun fact. One of the regional sports networks on cable in the US (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_SportsNet) branded itself as "Root Sports" for a while. Still called Root Sports Northwest up in the Pacific Northwest, as a matter of fact.

Peelee

2017-09-08, 03:08 PM

Peelee, it gives a whole new meaning to hearing "Get your kicks on root sixty six" when that song is on the radio.

(Spelled route but pronounced root in the song)
I think most people (me included) pronounce it "rowt" when talking about any route, and "root" when talking about a soec8fic route.

Fun fact. One of the regional sports networks on cable in the US (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_SportsNet) branded itself as "Root Sports" for a while. Still called Root Sports Northwest up in the Pacific Northwest, as a matter of fact.

That is the most fun fact I've ever been told!

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-09, 08:51 PM

I have some homework to do first, so there's a couple hours left for last minute voting. Then I will tally and the winner will go on to face the winner of O-Chul and Monster-san.

Ruck

2017-09-09, 10:23 PM

I keep going back and forth and I have no idea who's winning, but I'm gonna register one for Elan. It just feels right.

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-09, 11:29 PM

VOTING IS CLOSED

7 vs 2 Nods
#2) :redcloak: Redcloak 24
#7) :elan: Elan 22

God damn that was close.

LadyEowyn

2017-09-10, 12:50 AM

Wow, so close!

Bob_McSurly

2017-09-10, 10:41 AM

Okay, I'm calling it. I predict that this tournament will not contain a single upset.

alwaysbebatman

2017-09-10, 11:21 AM

Well.... O-Chul has a decent lead over Redcloak at the moment. But then, they're only one seed apart. AND we've seen similar early leads fall apart soon after.

Elan's performance was damn impressive. He didn't upset Redcloak, but if there were a Vegas in Stick-world, he definitely would have beat the spread.