Grrl Power V: Probably Not an Octopus

[lord_khaine]

For maximizing fitness you want to have a variety of exercises and I cannot empathize enough how healthy rock climbing is for you.


To a degree I suppose, but they have her practicing on the fire range with it. No. Just no. You have a much better ranged weapon in the PPO, and a much safer disabling weapon with the Lighthook. There is never a reason to use a gun. Practice with the gun should be replaced with practicing with the PPO. Particularly since Sydney gets upgrades after using her Orbs enough.


True, but that does make Math a liability. For all of Sydney's faults she does at least listen to orders during a fight. (Also it was 3 scrubs and relocating one who immediately got back up)

And im stating i think trying to maximise Sydney's fitnes past morning jogs are a waste of time when she could be using that time to train with any of 7 orbs.

And it does not make Math a liability. Any less that having Son Goku on your team is a liability for anything but your ensurance.
He paused Concretia's rampage. Smacked down 3 guys who could have had any sort of nasty powers that did not protect against a kick in the face.

"Ok, we managed to take over dr von evilgiggles castle and knocked out his men. Everyone grab a prisoner or two under each arm and start marching!" "Or, and this is just me spitballing, I can use my incredible extendable light hook to wrap up the entire bundle of thugs and bring them outside so the rest of the team has its hands free in case of trouble." "Good idea sydney, but you start to wheeze every time you walk up a flight of stairs, im not sure that we have the hour to spend if you have to walk."

As an added bonus, we already have seen her do this to vehemence when the fight was over. She loaded him in the truck with her lighthook.

Thats absolutely a Atari 2600 controller scenario.
If Dr Von Evilgiggle and his men are unconcious Sydnet can use her flight orb with her lighthook.
If they are not unconcious, well then Sydney should not be allowed near them. She dont have the attention span for keeping guard.

But thats ignoring, this isnt something Sydney should be doing to start with. Moving prisoners around is a job for Archones massive support staff.
(who btw have the routine pretty well done already)
Capturing them is a job for heroes like Sydney.

[Forum Explorer]

And im stating i think trying to maximise Sydney's fitnes past morning jogs are a waste of time when she could be using that time to train with any of 7 orbs.

And it does not make Math a liability. Any less that having Son Goku on your team is a liability for anything but your ensurance.
He paused Concretia's rampage. Smacked down 3 guys who could have had any sort of nasty powers that did not protect against a kick in the face.

I disagree. There isn't much training she can actually do with the Orbs, besides just keep using them and hoping that leads to a 'level up.' Particularly since it's the same time spent as the morning jog, just used more efficiently.


Goku is totally a liability to have on your team. The only time I'd want him on the team is when the entire planet is at risk. Then he couldn't really make things worse. Conretia's rampage consisted of getting punched out the window. And they all took out a bunch of scrubs. Nobody really considered them a threat.

[Dragonus45]

Math and Dabbler need lots of team training as they both are the sort to go it solo for their previous experiences. Math needs to be trained out of his goku thought process of looking for a good fight and holding back unless its absolutely necessary and learn to do quick take downs while dabbler needs to learn less of that but more self control. She is pretty good in a fight, her zone of perpetual sexual harassment more or less vanishes but she is easily distracted and doesnt always think of the team when fighting. Funny thing ive noticed, math has stepped back from being a male dabbler significantly. Maybe dave decided it was creepier when a dude was acting that way than a woman? In his earlier appearances he is literally stalking harem asking if the reason she is laughing is because one of her other bodies is doing something sexy and wants details. Shoving his head into anvils cleavage and taking selfies in a "spar" things like that. Maybe spending a few months surrounded by peak sexy women in sexy clothing at all times has calmed him down as he gets his horn dog fix at a low level just from being present lol.

Everyone involved in Maths antics at that point seemed to be “established” for lack of a better term with it being part of everyone’s group dynamic. Dabbler’s casual attempts to redefine concepts of consent and peoples right to be less libertine then her about sex through implying we are all backward rubes if we disagree with her has a whole different level of stink on it.

[Traab]

And im stating i think trying to maximise Sydney's fitnes past morning jogs are a waste of time when she could be using that time to train with any of 7 orbs.

And it does not make Math a liability. Any less that having Son Goku on your team is a liability for anything but your ensurance.
He paused Concretia's rampage. Smacked down 3 guys who could have had any sort of nasty powers that did not protect against a kick in the face.



Thats absolutely a Atari 2600 controller scenario.
If Dr Von Evilgiggle and his men are unconcious Sydnet can use her flight orb with her lighthook.
If they are not unconcious, well then Sydney should not be allowed near them. She dont have the attention span for keeping guard.

But thats ignoring, this isnt something Sydney should be doing to start with. Moving prisoners around is a job for Archones massive support staff.
(who btw have the routine pretty well done already)
Capturing them is a job for heroes like Sydney.

And if one wakes up they are inside the force field with a vulnerable sydney. As ive already pointed out, she has been seen using her lighthook to transport prisoners even something as simple as loading him onto a truck. So clearly its NOT an atari scenario as its already happened once and is a effective use of her abilities. Im not sure of the full extent of the lighthooks reach but she has also used it to transport, i want to say, 3 other members of archon at the steakhouse so they wouldnt spill the vegetarian beans. So we know it works for that just fine. It has a 15 ton weight limit going by max's best estimate so weight generally wont be an issue, and its a safe restraint that keeps them at a good distance from sydney making it a safe transport option. I realize you are devoted to the idea of sydney being able to

Spoiler: mojo

Show

herself through her orbs so there is no reason for her to be fit, but that doesnt mean you can just dismiss the ways she has already used her powers as unrealistic or unlikely options. Because, again, she has already DONE this stuff.

[Keltest]

Also, her weakness is mittens. What does she do if its cold?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Depends. If all she does is play around with the little balls, she puts on mittens and becomes even more useless. If she goes through actual training to build up her stamina and tolerance for minor discomfort, she keeps using the little balls and maybe gets the job done if she actually listens to what she's told to do.

[lord_khaine]

I disagree. There isn't much training she can actually do with the Orbs, besides just keep using them and hoping that leads to a 'level up.' Particularly since it's the same time spent as the morning jog, just used more efficiently.

There most certainly are! Every singel orb has room for improvement.
Flying orb - Aerial mobility.
Pew Pew Orb. Targeting practice (not all teammates are bullet proof)
Light hook. Close combat training.
Shield Orb. Limited options here. But stuff like blocking for teammates. Or switching shield size.
Truesight orb. Light bee maneuvering, teleporting in combat. Tactical stuff.
Air orb. Training to find other options.
Final orb. Training to learn what it does.

Goku is totally a liability to have on your team. The only time I'd want him on the team is when the entire planet is at risk. Then he couldn't really make things worse. Conretia's rampage consisted of getting punched out the window. And they all took out a bunch of scrubs. Nobody really considered them a threat.

Goku is the absolute opposite of a liability. You have to be a really bad micromanager to reject a garanti to win -every- conflict you get into, on the basis of "this guy wont obey my orders 100 %"
Ill take Goku EVERY single time over a 10 Captain Amerika level supers who will be completely obedient. Yes it takes more efford to direct and motivate Goku, thats why they pay me (the leader) the big salary.
And yes Goku might grow bored and take twice as long to defeat the opposite team as he should have. I dont care because he wins. Thats what matters when lifes are on the stake, not my ego as leader.

Spoiler: mojo

Nice Strawman you build there Traab. Just a shame it has ABSOLUTELY no connection to reality.
Im quoting myself "And im stating i think trying to maximise Sydney's fitnes past morning jogs are a waste of time" That means she does morning jogs, and no more.

And if one wakes up they are inside the force field with a vulnerable sydney. As ive already pointed out, she has been seen using her lighthook to transport prisoners even something as simple as loading him onto a truck. So clearly its NOT an atari scenario as its already happened once and is a effective use of her abilities. Im not sure of the full extent of the lighthooks reach but she has also used it to transport, i want to say, 3 other members of archon at the steakhouse so they wouldnt spill the vegetarian beans. So we know it works for that just fine. It has a 15 ton weight limit going by max's best estimate so weight generally wont be an issue, and its a safe restraint that keeps them at a good distance from sydney making it a safe transport option

It absolutely are an Atari 2600 your repeatedly trying to sell us. Now they first have to be unconcious? And we need a situation where Sydney needs to transport them? Instead of, i dont know, leaving that part of the job for the specialised Archin support staff with medical training? and the captive needs to wake up? And the captive needs to be able to actively hurt sydney, despite being tied up by the light hook?

And your building all of this on a single time Sydney helped lifting a 200 kg (rough estimate) prisoner, because it was convenient?
Yes i have repearedly ignored that, because i dont think it changes anything. They could also have moved Vehemence without Sydney.

[Keltest]

It absolutely are an Atari 2600 your repeatedly trying to sell us. Now they first have to be unconcious? And we need a situation where Sydney needs to transport them? Instead of, i dont know, leaving that part of the job for the specialised Archin support staff with medical training? and the captive needs to wake up? And the captive needs to be able to actively hurt sydney, despite being tied up by the light hook?

And your building all of this on a single time Sydney helped lifting a 200 kg (rough estimate) prisoner, because it was convenient?
Yes i have repearedly ignored that, because i dont think it changes anything. They could also have moved Vehemence without Sydney.

Sydney cant fly, bubble and use the light hook simultaneously. Flight and shield are necessary for any particularly long distance transport, so anything she is carrying is loose inside the bubble with minimal restraint. If she's using the light hook and flight, her max speed is very limited. If she isnt flying, then she's walking, ergo she should be fit.


Also, i will repeat, since you seem to have missed it, what does she do when winter comes and she needs to wear gloves out doors? Suck it up and end up in the hospital with severe frostbite?

[Traab]

Sydney cant fly, bubble and use the light hook simultaneously. Flight and shield are necessary for any particularly long distance transport, so anything she is carrying is loose inside the bubble with minimal restraint. If she's using the light hook and flight, her max speed is very limited. If she isnt flying, then she's walking, ergo she should be fit.


Also, i will repeat, since you seem to have missed it, what does she do when winter comes and she needs to wear gloves out doors? Suck it up and end up in the hospital with severe frostbite?

Maybe we will find the enviro orb provides not just air but a decent temp to dwell in as well. In fact, it almost has to considering space tends to be... less than toasty warm? But yeah, im done arguing this, its already been done in comic therefore it is demonstrably not a stretch scenario to imagine, he just refuses to accept it so why bother arguing that 1+1=2 with someone who is determined to pretend its 7?

[Keltest]

Maybe we will find the enviro orb provides not just air but a decent temp to dwell in as well. In fact, it almost has to considering space tends to be... less than toasty warm? But yeah, im done arguing this, its already been done in comic therefore it is demonstrably not a stretch scenario to imagine, he just refuses to accept it so why bother arguing that 1+1=2 with someone who is determined to pretend its 7?

I could see it having temp control, but im given to understand that, assuming she forms her shield in atmosphere, it will actually have very little temperature bleed even if the shield doesnt provide any particular insulation. Due to the absence of any notable amounts of gases to pull heat away, heat dispersal in space is a significantly larger problem than heat retention. Theres just nowhere for it to go.

[Traab]

I could see it having temp control, but im given to understand that, assuming she forms her shield in atmosphere, it will actually have very little temperature bleed even if the shield doesnt provide any particular insulation. Due to the absence of any notable amounts of gases to pull heat away, heat dispersal in space is a significantly larger problem than heat retention. Theres just nowhere for it to go.

Fair point, but even so, its a life support orb, so maintaining a safe temp range just makes sense. We will have to wait till they put sydney in the walk in fridge training room to see how well it works. And, for example, if it works with the shield not up. Sort of like running the heat with the doors to the house open. Sure the hot air leaks out, but maybe enough stays nearby to make a difference. I could see her being used as a portable warming station on winter missions, when heatwave isnt around at least.

[JeenLeen]

When she was attempting to fly into space to escape the alien planet, did it come up how she protected herself from cold? I could see the shield orb doing something to maintain temperature within it to a safe degree (and maybe it did that while underwater going to the Vault as well). Or the air-making (environment?) orb doing that as well, but I don't recall if she was using that orb then or just using her rebreather tech. Probably the air-orb underwater, since (IIRC) it was introduced shortly before, but Id on't recall with the space trip.

[Max_Killjoy]

Maybe one thing fitness will help with is dealing with being sealed inside her shield without an air supply and not wanting to let go of one of the other orbs to use her air-orb.

[Rogar Demonblud]

When she was attempting to fly into space to escape the alien planet, did it come up how she protected herself from cold? I could see the shield orb doing something to maintain temperature within it to a safe degree (and maybe it did that while underwater going to the Vault as well). Or the air-making (environment?) orb doing that as well, but I don't recall if she was using that orb then or just using her rebreather tech. Probably the air-orb underwater, since (IIRC) it was introduced shortly before, but I don't recall with the space trip.

The temperature stayed about the same in both cases because she filled the orb with temperate air. It was remarked when she and Max were doing high altitude that if she dropped her shield up there, she'd freeze because of the temperature of the air, even if she but the shield back up.

And yes, Sydney getting in better shape would also improve her respiratory system's efficiency.

Anyway, new strip, and we learn Sydney's getting outpaced by a desk officer in his fifties and a pudgy secretary.

[lord_khaine]

Sydney cant fly, bubble and use the light hook simultaneously. Flight and shield are necessary for any particularly long distance transport, so anything she is carrying is loose inside the bubble with minimal restraint. If she's using the light hook and flight, her max speed is very limited. If she isnt flying, then she's walking, ergo she should be fit.

Or.. she should not be doing the job of a helicopter, because a helicopter cant do the job of Sydney..?

Also, i will repeat, since you seem to have missed it, what does she do when winter comes and she needs to wear gloves out doors? Suck it up and end up in the hospital with severe frostbite?

Nope. I just didnt see how it related to my point
Sydney is going to get the same degree of frostbite, no matter how fit she are.
Whats going to keep her from getting frostbite is orbs (she handled spaceflights, thats going to give a lot more than just severe frostbite)

But yeah, im done arguing this, its already been done in comic therefore it is demonstrably not a stretch scenario to imagine, he just refuses to accept it so why bother arguing that 1+1=2 with someone who is determined to pretend its 7?

Thats hilarious comming from you!
You picked the most absurd hill to make your stand on, refuses to back off, and now its somehow me who refuses to accept something
Where it should be pointed out, it has -not- been done in comic. Sydney didnt work as a prison transport there. She worked as a forklift.

Maybe one thing fitness will help with is dealing with being sealed inside her shield without an air supply and not wanting to let go of one of the other orbs to use her air-orb.

And yes, Sydney getting in better shape would also improve her respiratory system's efficiency.

Actually no, or well yes. It would improve herrespiratory efficiency.
But that would not change anything. Since that does not affect her oxygen consumption.

[Keltest]

Or.. she should not be doing the job of a helicopter, because a helicopter cant do the job of Sydney..?



Nope. I just didnt see how it related to my point
Sydney is going to get the same degree of frostbite, no matter how fit she are.
Whats going to keep her from getting frostbite is orbs (she handled spaceflights, thats going to give a lot more than just severe frostbite)

Ok, the implied argument there was "what happens when she has to wear gloves for the cold and cant use the orbs?" but apparently i was not explicit enough. So lets try that again.

What does she do when something prevents her from using the orbs? Winter is the most obvious and easily predictable one, and Sydney herself is aware of this and specifically called out that if she ever has to wear gloves or mittens for whatever reason, she cant use her powers.

And since you brought up space flight, that was covered previously. The physics dont actually work like that. Heat dispersal does not readily happen in space.

[Kantaki]

I mean, if Sydney can't use her orbs what the heck is she doing out in the field, in a combat situation*?
In that scenario either her superiors messed up to a degree that they should look for a new job last century or something went so utterly wrong she probably can't do much either way, no matter how fit she gets.

*Or any situation she'd need either her powers or physical abilities.

[Keltest]

I mean, if Sydney can't use her orbs what the heck is she doing out in the field, in a combat situation*?
In that scenario either her superiors messed up to a degree that they should look for a new job last century or something went so utterly wrong she probably can't do much either way, no matter how fit she gets.

*Or any situation she'd need either her powers or physical abilities.

So they should just... accept that the team is down a member during the winter, or if they need to go to, say, the mountains? Beyond which, its not like they have total 100% control over what fights she gets into, or the circumstances thereof. What happens if somebody attacks Sydney when she's driving to the comic shop in January? Its not like she has a secret identity.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Or just runs into a cryokinetic villain.

[Ibrinar]

Or just runs into a cryokinetic villain.

If he is a threat mere mittens probably won't help much unless he specializes in wide range aoe effects. But more importantly that doesn't seem to make much sense. Sidney won't willingly wear gloves in any fight if she gets ambushed with gloves the first priority is taking the gloves off.* If she can't handle fighting the cyrokinetic villain without gloves because it is too cold then running into him means she has to run away, because without orbs she should never be much of a threat to any competent super.

The only situations where wearing gloves is likely to be relevant are out of mission ambush situations and in mission travel time. For mission travel time she should have her shield up and without air circulation there are other ways to keep the bubble warm (Like bringing a portable heater). Though you could give her front less (except some connective elements) gloves with active heating on the back side and she should be fine outside extreme cold anyway. For extreme cold missions maybe make her hand bubbles which enclose one hand and a few orbs. Limits which orbs can be paired but better than disabling her powers. When combat is expected any plan that disables her powers is a flawed plan.

Btw about the hauling stuff topic. If they want to prepare for Sidney as a hauler protected by her shield I thing they should just bring a sturdy "double" net by which I mean one part to collect people/items, the other goes around her shield so that she can drag it while flying.

* If training for such scenarios they should probably prioritize speed, reflexes and situational awareness so she manages that fast enough. And maybe unarmed fighting and strength to get out of a grabble. They probably should do some specialized training to help her figure out how to best use the orbs as blunt weapons since that is probably her best free handed melee fight option.

[Traab]

Get the tailor super to make her palm free mittens. Maybe uncover the finger tips if she needs them to activate the specific orb functions like the multiple fire mode of the ppo. Its not perfect and wouldnt be great for exceptionally long periods of exposure, but they would be a decent option for a battle. Her wrist, the back of her hand, and most of her fingers would be covered, just a bald patch in the palm (which will have an orb pressed into it anyways) and her fingertips would be exposed.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Yeah, that'd work. Probably. We really don't know enough about the orbs for proper theory crafting.

Besides cold, other reasons to cover up hands involve things like a hostile terrain (in the U.S., poison ivy/oak/sumac, probably many more exotic items in Galytn) and camouflage during a stealth mission (see again Galytn).

[Forum Explorer]

There most certainly are! Every singel orb has room for improvement.
Flying orb - Aerial mobility.
Pew Pew Orb. Targeting practice (not all teammates are bullet proof)
Light hook. Close combat training.
Shield Orb. Limited options here. But stuff like blocking for teammates. Or switching shield size.
Truesight orb. Light bee maneuvering, teleporting in combat. Tactical stuff.
Air orb. Training to find other options.
Final orb. Training to learn what it does.



Goku is the absolute opposite of a liability. You have to be a really bad micromanager to reject a garanti to win -every- conflict you get into, on the basis of "this guy wont obey my orders 100 %"
Ill take Goku EVERY single time over a 10 Captain Amerika level supers who will be completely obedient. Yes it takes more efford to direct and motivate Goku, thats why they pay me (the leader) the big salary.
And yes Goku might grow bored and take twice as long to defeat the opposite team as he should have. I dont care because he wins. Thats what matters when lifes are on the stake, not my ego as leader.

Flying Orb: She's already got some pretty good mastery of that. The orb itself eliminates the side effects of going too fast (or else she would've passed out from the speeds she travels at) and she was able to duck and weave at super sonic speeds without crashing. She could run some more drills sure, but I don't feel like there is that much room for improvement here.
PPO: Agreed. She should be mastering this instead of shooting a gun
Light Hook: How so? The light hook seems to do whatever her mind tells it to. I can't imagine there is any specific techniques they could teach her that wouldn't fall under normal basic training that you are wanting her to skip.
Truesight Orb: Teleporting in combat maybe. Except not really, because her shield is a much better bet about 99% of the time. Tactical stuff is incredibly vague so be more specific please.
Air orb: Cool. How?
Final Orb: Which they do allocate time for. After all, we saw them figure out the air orb during testing, so it's not like they aren't doing that.


I'm pretty sure that if Goku had been at the Vehemence fight their would have massive damages and perhaps even a defeat depending on if Vehemence does have a limit or not, because Goku would totally keep sandbagging against V to keep charging him up more and more until he either did hit a limit or surpassed Goku entirely.

[Ibrinar]

I'm pretty sure that if Goku had been at the Vehemence fight their would have massive damages and perhaps even a defeat depending on if Vehemence does have a limit or not, because Goku would totally keep sandbagging against V to keep charging him up more and more until he either did hit a limit or surpassed Goku entirely.

Yeah, might I remind everyone of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U3HRN17_xA .Yes that is the abridged version but he really did that, he gave an powerful enemy a full heal before sending his son to fight him. Without the plot armor of always winning in the end Goku could be a bit on a liability. Of course anything in this setting is unlikely to ever be a challenge to him (unless vehemence has unlimited scalling and goku lots of patience) so he would be a major asset in a setting like this.

[sihnfahl]

Besides cold, other reasons to cover up hands involve things like a hostile terrain (in the U.S., poison ivy/oak/sumac, probably many more exotic items in Galytn) and camouflage during a stealth mission (see again Galytn).

Any biological hazard area ... like getting latrine duty....

[Traab]

Any biological hazard area ... like getting latrine duty....

I imagine that in a serious biohazard duty area she would likely be full shielded at all times, but even if she needed to wear the suit, she could probably keep the orbs up her sleeves.

[Dragonus45]

And here we have Cora rather subtly saying all the things about the virtues of wild and crazy polyamorous pansexual space culture that Dabbler screams to the heavens with little no effect other then coming across as whatever the other end of the spectrum from an uptight unpleasant prude is. Also, the thing with the leg is rather heartwarming and I enjoy having little sweet moments like that.

[Max_Killjoy]

I'm pretty sure that if Goku had been at the Vehemence fight their would have massive damages and perhaps even a defeat depending on if Vehemence does have a limit or not, because Goku would totally keep sandbagging against V to keep charging him up more and more until he either did hit a limit or surpassed Goku entirely.

Yeah, might I remind everyone of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U3HRN17_xA .Yes that is the abridged version but he really did that, he gave an powerful enemy a full heal before sending his son to fight him. Without the plot armor of always winning in the end Goku could be a bit on a liability. Of course anything in this setting is unlikely to ever be a challenge to him (unless vehemence has unlimited scalling and goku lots of patience) so he would be a major asset in a setting like this.

From what I could stomach of watching that show, Goku was the biggest threat to earth. He attracted all sorts of violent planet-destroying scum to fight him, and was more concerned with getting the biggest challenge he could get than stopping them as quickly as possible. He was some sort of sociopath or whatever.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Most people in action movies and cartoons are sociopaths.

Anyway, nothing major in today's update. The commentary again shows that Cora's playing fast and loose with the rules, but that's old news.

[Traab]

I dunno, I get the feeling that what she is doing is forgivable. Aside from providing the limb she isnt giving earth anything tech wise they can use, dabbler is the one holding onto it after all. And they are already giving earth (read arcswat) a space ship of their own to work on reverse engineering in exchange for taking the fel ship off their hands. So even if they DO get a bit of extra tech from the leg growing device its not that big a deal considering what they will already be getting. And I think she can further justify it by pointing out these tech backwards savages casually obliterated a fel ship with just their biological capabilities, meaning it might be a good idea to build up some goodwill as they already have access through sydney to ways to get off world if they want.