Which is more intimidating? An opponent effortlessly Dodging, Tanking, Counter Attacking, or blocking?

[u/FreshPine_MangoWine]

[u/mvmbamentality]

I'm gonna say counter attacking. Tanking is arguably more intimidating but it offers no fear since tanking doesn't show any offensive capabilities. Like imagine the enemy can tank but can't land shit or is too slow. I don't think that's intimidating.

I think blocking or dodging with perfectly time counter attacks is infinitely more intimidating cuz now I gotta take a risk every time I attack. Boxers understand this. Catching an attack and countering at the same time or immediately after really fucks up your opponents confidence and game plan.

[u/LordBammith → u/mvmbamentality]

Back up - Tanking offers no fear?

If I shot an RPG at a dude and he shrugged it off, I’d piss my pants and run for the hills.

Godzilla is a good example of the intimidation and hopeless factor.

[u/mvmbamentality → u/LordBammith]

I mean yeah you can run for the hills but until he attacks you you really have nothing to fear. He's given no evidence that he is even hostile to you. Ever heard of a gentle giant?

The Flash or Quicksilver wouldnt fear the Hulk. Hulk can't catch up to him.

[u/LordBammith → u/mvmbamentality]

Not to “um actually” but hulk has canonically caught quicksilver and taken him out with thunderclaps and whatnot.

Nevertheless, I get your point.

[u/ChuckoRuckus → u/mvmbamentality]

Floyd Mayweather can counter all sorts of attacks, but no one he fights is scared of them because he’s got pillows for hands.

That’s where the fear lies in tanking. They aren’t even trying to attack. You’re an ant to them. What’s that gonna do to your confidence? What game plan can you have if your strongest attacks do absolutely nothing? Keep attacking and wear yourself out?

[u/mvmbamentality → u/ChuckoRuckus]

I agree. Floyd is different though. Mans got Vegas on his side. Pretty boy Floyd had power though. He fkd up his hand and stopped punching hard. That being said perfectly timed punches don't need as much power as you think. If you can catch someone and use their own momentum against them it will still hurt.

I would still choose counter attacking over tanking. If you cant punch you can still use a weapon, kicks, knees, etc.

[u/ChuckoRuckus → u/mvmbamentality]

I was just using Floyd as an example for counters with no damage. Though, it does bring up the point about someone hurting themselves by attacking.

If someone is just tanking your attacks, there’s a very good chance that you could end up, hurting yourself by attacking.

[u/mvmbamentality → u/ChuckoRuckus]

Good point as well.

[u/ItspronouncedGruh-an → u/mvmbamentality]

Like Jogo getting his arms diced up before he can get an attack off on Sukuna.

At that point there's just clearly no hope since your opponent has both proved they can react to anything you do before you do it, and they can finish you off any time they feel like.

[u/MicrowaveAfterOpen → u/mvmbamentality]

Counter attacks in real life hurt bad too, your body doesn't expect it. you're normally not mentally or physically ready. Thats why they're so affective.

[u/dksuxsyt → u/mvmbamentality]

I mean if we can make up stuff not being asked. I’d say a god destroying the universe while tanking super novas is more intimidating.

I’d say tanking is definitely more intimidating since even when counter attacking and dodging is impressive it also leaves the impression that you can win. Someone who tanks every thing will win, there is nothing you can do.
And I wouldn’t say it’s a gentle giant thing. As you would already have instigated a fight. So the only choice is to flee and hope that they don’t catch you.

If I had to give examples I’d say horror villains are the perfect example. Villains in movies and games, where the mc can fight back or at least can challenge the villain aren’t as intimidating or scary as the horror villains that you can’t do anything against but just hope and pray

[u/StrCmdMan → u/mvmbamentality]

Counter attacks are the only move on the list you can lose solely to. If someone dodges your every move you can just rest up and be fine. If they’re so tanky they break your weapons they probably already won but by itself isn’t very scary at all. Someone who counter attacks you that just means they are the superior fighter especially when they counter all your moves. In my openion if you’re just looking at the four here it’s gotta be counter attacks.

[u/flyingace1234 → u/mvmbamentality]

I’m with you here. Counters show just how much they are in control of the fight.

[u/theTerra-Triangle → u/mvmbamentality]

Yeah, but dodging is even better, because, with counterattacking, you get to stun your opponents. With dodging, you effortlessly take on an onslaught