KMC Forums - Dr. Fate & Strange Vs DCnU/Vertigo Constantine

quote: (post)
Originally posted by Golgo13
How?

Constantine is a mortal mystic in the DCU bound by the rules of magic that apply. As such the amount of magic under the rules of the 9th age of magic that he can wiled is limited.

In the words of the Phantom stranger for a mortal to work overt magic requires either a talisman, familiar, a place of power or to draw power through the Lords of magic (i.e Lords of Order and Chaos). These are the only ways to personally tap tap magic without destroying a mortal form. Even forms that are stronger have to be careful in how much magic they work. this is why Nabu had to rest in a tomb and why when he resided in Kent's body he could only do limited magic (the form was frail and doing to much would destroy it and scatter his energy across the universe which might take ages to pull back together). It's also why Shat- Ru when Inza trapped him in Kent's body was so vastly limited.

John doesn't use any talismans (well he does and has with prep but he doesn't carry them - Examples would be the blade he used to cut out Gabriel's heart or when he sought out the grail to battle the spear) and he's never had familiars. For the most part he works only ritual magic. Basically this is using rituals and invocations to use the manna (or magic energy) that is around him. It is vastly limited when compared to directly channeling magic through you as both Fate and Strange can do.

Strange isn't bound by those DC magic rules and so not restricted in this manner

While Fate is he isn't restricted to anywhere near the level for three reasons
1. He has three talismans of power two artifacts of order the helm of Nabu and the cloak of Destiny and one of Chaos the Amulet of Anubis (taken by Nabu from Anubis' servant Khalis in ancient Egypt)
2. he draws his power from the lords of Order as he serves their purpose
3. All versions of Dr fate except Linda were mystically altered by Nabu and in doing so made more than mortal (not aging etc), so that they were stronger forms able to wiled more magic (Kent due to the Kali Yuga age didn't last as long as Nabu's body because he used so much more energy in a shorter period). Kent in his origin, Eric was mystically aged and altered as was the reborn Hector. Inza was given a new body created by Nabu when her and Kent were returned to life. Jarred (Fate not Dr) was infused with Nabu's power as a gift when he denied Nabu in being his servant.

The level of power both can draw is vastly greater than what John can do. Both have access to more information that what Constantine does through his TP. Strange through the Eye of Agmotto Fate through the Orb of Nabu and his various spells ( Hector Fate could actually spy on mystics far above him in power and only the Phantom stranger was able to detect it)

John's usual motif of playing his opponents motivations against them simply isn't going to cut it here. he needs a LOT more.

Quite simply they're outclassed and most Versions of Fate don't have the emotional weaknesses that can be exploited that John has used to defeat so many hell lords due to possession/sharing with Nabu/ others (Eric/Linda etc). Similarly Strange is notably quite restrained.