Current Strange doesn't have the edge on Z that he would have had before...
Ultron is *singularly* tough, but Braniac is the beast-king of ubiquitous existence/attacks; still, Ultron can take a beating...
*****
I'm inclined to think it's a narrative split. The real test is between Ultron and Braniac... Strange and Z are a more or less coin toss, relatively speaking.
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Like I said: a nod of respect for the lingering aspects of former glory. Strange is still comparatively formidable, but not nearly as much as before. Where Z might out-"muscle" him, so to speak, I'd still give him the edge for finesse and over-all meta-knowledge. Again, he'd still be more likely to lose, but it wouldn't be a slam, necessarily. Hence, the couple of wins as a nod to "age and treachery"...
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Isn't strange prepped for another zom possessed hulk fight?? if so we'll see how he does. Either he goes back to "normal" levels or Hulk wins confirming first win as non PIS either way I'm happy.