Gradius's HoTS Story Review

[Aldrius]

You seem to have largely backed into "she didn't need to be competent" and "she didn't want to be competent" defences, which as far as I'm concerned is enough for me since they're basically admissions of incompetence anyway. If you ever want to advance a counter-argument arguing that she did anything intelligent, I would be happy to discuss this further.

Firstly, I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself and don't need you to put words into my mouth (or 'interpreting what I'm saying') to justify your own argument. I haven't done so, so I'd really fucking appreciate it if you wouldn't. Thanks.

Let me put it this way. If I have a goal of going to the store, and then I get to the store and I have an opportunity to go to another store afterwards but I don't really care to. That's not incompetence, that's disinterest. The other store already has the stuff I just bought, so it's not necessary. Maybe someday it will be, but not right now.

Kerrigan wanted to control the Swarm (and by proxy the sector). Once she'd done that, she didn't really... want anything more. she didn't need Raszagal anymore. And that's the only instance I can think you're referring to. That doesn't make her incompetent, that just means she was satisfied. Could she have kept Raszagal around just in case? Sure, but she didn't need to do that. Your other example is Aldaris and going to Shakuras, and she even says why she did that. She wanted to ensure the Zerg on Shakuras were defeated, she did that. And there's no telling whether or not she was necessary, and I'm not going to get into a hypothetical debate on whether or not the Protoss were capable of retrieving the two crystals on their own, it's a waste of time.

Unless you're referring to something else?

Mengsk: "Korhal will endure! I will endure!"
Kerrigan: "Nice quote. I'll have it engraved on your tombstone."

For a second there, it felt like Brood War Kerrigan was back.

I know! That was the one bitchy thing she said in the whole campaign. So disappointing. In general I actually thought the whole Mengsk revenge angle was really unnecessary. Having her just want the swarm back and wanting to kill mengsk because he was a threat to her safety was all that was really needed I think.

And all the scenes about the civilian sectors and stuff were so cheesy and pointless.

[FanaticTemplar]

Firstly, I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself and don't need you to put words into my mouth (or 'interpreting what I'm saying') to justify your own argument. I haven't done so, so I'd really fucking appreciate it if you wouldn't. Thanks.

Very well, I apologise for any offence I may have caused, I was just trying to simplify things by not responding point by point to an already long post.

So, do you have any examples of Kerrigan being competent or even hyper-competent?

[Aldrius]

So, do you have any examples of Kerrigan being competent or even hyper-competent?

Well first off, this whole time the burden of proof has not been on me. She won. In Brood War, she won. She outsmarted the Protoss, Terrans and Zerg (with some tactical advice from Duran) and she emerged on top.

If you don't want to accept that because you feel the Zerg being powerful is a retcon, or because you feel Mengsk, Zeratul and Raynor were being dumb (which in Mengsk and Zeratul's case at the very least there are many legitimate reasons for their actions). Then all right, but that doesn't change the fact that she used the Protoss, she manipulated the UED into fighting itself (and took out the Psi Disruptor) and with Mengsk's help took control of the Zerg Swarm. Maybe you expected more. but that was enough for me to make her a dangerous and intelligent character, and not even close to *incompetent*.

[Gradius]

Kerrigan was competent in BW. The only thing you can say is that other characters had to do stupid things in order for her to look good.

and then when asked to fulfill her half of the bargain and let her puppet return to a position of leadership among the Protoss, she decides 'nah, I don't wanna' which forces a fight with Zeratul. After which she allows Zeratul to leave.

Why? Kerrigan can sweep the sector at any time, including the protoss. She was in the position where it didn't even matter anymore, so she used Raszagal to torment Zeratul.

I had the same thought when Mengsk explodes. A firestorm erupts, blowing the windows off and instantly killing Raynor by burning his face left exposed by the open visor. A tragic end for our heroes, literally consumed by their hatred for Mengsk.

And what was that anyway? It would have been cool if she just gutted him again with her blades, not exorcising a demon from his body or whatever it was. Man, that entire scene...

Kerrigan: "You will pay for all the lives you ruined."
Mengsk: "I turned you into a monster!"
Me: "What?"

[gigalib]

Kerrigan: "You will pay for all the lives you ruined."
Mengsk: "I turned you into a monster!"
Me: "What?"

Haha, I was thinking the same. It is like Mengsk deliberately let Kerrigan overrun by Zerg, knowing that she will be infested, used her to defeat the UED (maybe he already got the message that they are coming), and also know that Xelnaga artifact existed that will finally get rid of Kerrigan, all part of Mengsk ultimate goal of becoming a sole conqueror of the sector. Or maybe all these are the plan of Duran/Narud to revive Amon, which is inline with Mengsk's plan.

[gigalib]

Sorry double post.

[FanaticTemplar]

Well first off, this whole time the burden of proof has not been on me.

Well, not quite. You have made many assertions, saying that she was ruthless, wanted to achieve her goals at any cost, admittedly hyperbolically that she was hyper-competent, that she was very cunning and intelligent. These are things that need to be supported. But if you want to retract them, that's fine. I am perfectly willing to just defend my position.

Which was, if you recall, that Kerrigan's petty cruelty and unrestrained ego continually getting in the way of competency.

She won. In Brood War, she won.

The Protoss won the original StarCraft and yet you thought that was debatable. But I'm not here to argue that at all. I simply understand that achieving your goals is not always a question of competency. I am saying that given the circumstantial advantages she had, most people could have achieved what she did. Most could have done it better. Because she let her cruelty and unrestrained ego get in the way.

She outsmarted the Protoss, Terrans and Zerg

See, this is the sort of thing I'd like you to substantiate. That she won is indisputable. But when you say 'outsmarted' do you mean that she was less grossly stupid than others, or do you actually mean that she did something intelligent?

Why? Kerrigan can sweep the sector at any time, including the protoss.

What about that planet that has a magical planet-wide Zerg-killing Temple on it?

[Kaiser]

I have a funny feeling that Stukov is actually Duran, would be kinda cool. Pretend he gets killed but is secretly next to her the entire time. Would redeem Duran as being a "master of disguise" so to speak.

[Laurentian]

I have a funny feeling that Stukov is actually Duran, would be kinda cool. Pretend he gets killed but is secretly next to her the entire time. Would redeem Duran as being a "master of disguise" so to speak.

I am expecting Duran/Narud to still be alive. Rather predictable but his death in HOTS is rather underwhelming.

[Kaiser]

I thought it was underwhelming too, especially since his build up was enormous in the original StarCraft.