How can Illyrian fighting techniques be more superior?
It's critical Tuesday y'all, this is probably a nitpick but it's a fair critic of how this book is written.
Saying Illyrian techniques are more superior than spring's reeks of arrogance because no fighting technique are superior to another. It can be more suited to counter certain fighting styles or more suited to a person's body or preference in combat but a fighting style can't be more superior in general.
After book 2, the author hypes Rhysand as the most strongest and smartest. She uses statements like this to cement rhysand as the ✨better✨choice over Tamlin.
She likes telling her readers what to think but the statement doesn't make sense.
In combat, technique isn't just a factor for the outcome of the fight. Adaptability, physical prowess, experience even the location can affect the effectiveness of combat. This statement feels so empty because for a technique claimed to be superior the users are shown to be fraudulent.
Rhysand Popping his ult misting attack not on the king but on nameless fodders. Mind you, he had two armies with one being Illyrian and he couldn't have depended on them to take on hybern armies so he could close in on Hybern generals or the king himself? This is basic fantasy combat, save your ultimate attack for the big bad. Plus Illyrians have the superior technique, surely rhysand could have them push back so he could face the king.
Cassian getting his wings injured during the war. Maybe it's how they treat it, but with wings so sacred and having a superior battle style. I feel like his wings should be the least injured, their fighting style would have prioritise wing safety maybe specialises wing armour. Cassian should have more damage to his body than his wings.
Despite knowing the superior technique, none of the bat boys have ever killed a named villain.
Lucien who's been training with Tamlin for centuries somehow managed to remain mostly unscathed. He's been all over the place as well. What does that say about the batboys who got severely injured despite having the superior technique?
Illyrian biology:
Illyrians are humanoid species, with large bat like wings (not sure if they feel like reptiles or if they have a soft thin cover of fur. I wanna say they have some fur cause fluff.) said to have immense strength, fast regeneration and have siphons that allow them to make constructs like shields. (Azriel's shadows not included)
The fighting style:
Their fighting styles would be suited for people with immense strength and large wings. They would be protective of their wings, focused on aerial combat and aerial strikes. Hit and run style
They would fight like an eagle, flying close to the target then swooping down to use the momentum combined with their added strength to kill an enemy in one slash. On the ground or tight spaces they would have to learn to fight to stab quick and find a way to fly up high cause if their wings are injured their flying would be jeopardise.
The long distance options would be acting like flying javelins launcher or canons, flying up high then raining death upon their enemies with spears or heavy projectiles.
It would have made more sense for Illyrians to use spears or heavy polearms. Daggers or short swords would be for close quarters or maybe heavy swords like claymores to use their Illyrian strength to the advantage.
The complaint:
We didn't get that an indept explanation, The author just said it is superior so we as readers need to accept it. Not question it.
If you want to say your fighting style is superior than at least show it in your writing that it can be used to best several opponents, be detailed, not just tell and off screen kills. Show don't tell.
Questions also pile up like What about winged faes who don't have super strength like Illyrians? Or non winged fairies in general? They couldn't used Illyrian techniques cause it's not suited to them or their bodies. What about ocean based combats, how would illyrians technique fair against aquatic Fae who have home advantage? Or fight against places with tight spaces that would limit their wing usage?
In conclusion:
Illyrian technique being said to be superior is an empty statement by itself and yes the author should have done more research and added more info about it in the book to show it is superior. This is fantasy romance, the fantasy aspect is just as important as the romance.
Statements without proof just look fraudulent and that's why JJK fans slander Kashimo.