Hey all. Im new to this thread and I have to say it was a complete riot! You guys are great (all of you) while some of you may be out there a little bit. So I thought id throw in my 2 cents. All IN MY OPINION
First, this kind of battle has to be taken from as non a biased a perspective as possible, so here is the abilities tally on these characters:
BATMAN:
Superior Tactical Ability.
Superior Fighting Technique (he's traveled learning the martial arts of the WORLD)
Weaponry: The ****en arsenal in his utlitiy belt (Only what he carries in his belt at any given time. Nothing More)
WOLVERINE:
Superior Experience (Damn near 100 years old, been throw hell multiple times. He's seen it all before Bats was even born)
Superior Fighting Technique (perhaps not quite as knowledgeable as bats, but he has rocked with the best of them. And again, he has superior fighting experience)
Stamina and Endurance (Healing, regeneration)
Weaponry: Adamantiaum Claws and Skeleton
First of all, as posted before, preptime is beside the point. Either of them can find out how to defeat the other given enough r&d (perhaps topic for another thread) but for the likes of my argument, their encounter is completely random. (Not to take a shot at anyone in particular, but that magnet shit is rediculous)
Second, the method in which they encounter is extremely important. Each character has to be put in a situation in which their natural defenses are in 100% alert mode and DOESNT take away from their established likeness (character profile). So for the sake of my argument, i give the following (somehwat cliche) scenario:
Encounter:
Wolverine has been ordered by Prof X to prevent an artifact of great power from being stolen by Apacolypse, Magneto or some other super villian with plans to use it for something twisted (Like turning Michael Jackson to Stone and rebuilding never never land in their image).
Batman is also on alert to protect this item, and has no prior knowledge of Wolverine. We now have enough tension and suspiciousness in both characters to spawn a fair random first meeting without taking away from eithers likeness (ie, batman goes rogue, wolverine under mind control etc)
Act 1
Wolverine breaks in but immediatley encounters batman. Wolvie's first reaction is a quick takedown so he is likely NOT to use his claws and not to use any particularly effective fighting technique (arguably, it is common for Wolverines character to build up his fighting style as necessary throughout a fight). Batman easily counters any attack having been underestimated and counterattacks with his own flooring wolverine. We give Act 1 to Batman because of Superior Tactical ability and the fact that it is common to Batmans fighting technique to be on the defensive in an encounter.
Act 2
Wolverine recovers quickly and obviosuly understands he has to step it up a notch. Claws are unsheathed and the battle is on.
I am going to stop here and point out a couple of things. 1st, over the years logan's experience has given him the ability to develop a fighting technique unique to his own natural (enhanced abilities) and since acquiring his claws, he has had to change his fighting technique accordingly to make the best use of them. In short, he fights differentyl using the claws than not using them. I chose not to delay him using them here (ie putting on more of a fight WITHOUT them which we all agree he could easily do. THey are hardly his last resort) but a) I dont want to be accused of beating around the bush with what are arguably one of his greatest assets, and b) Wolverine has a goal that is not to fight batman for the sake of fighting him. He sees batman as an obstacle to be removed so he will obviously chose the most efficient way possible. This reaction steps up wolverines fighting style to its optimum.
Continuing: Wolverine with claws unsheathed attacks batman without a seconds hesitiation. Batman now has to adjust his fighting technique, compensate for full recogonition of Wolvie's strength and speed, and avoid getting gutted like thanksgiving dinner. In other words wolvie has the upper hand. Act 2 is given to Wolverine with Batman on the defensive to restrategize.
Act 3
With wolverine full on the offensive, Batman has to dodge parry, use his mastery of Aikido to stay ahead of him. If you note, with wolverine on the offensive, he is using his superior knowledge of offensive fighting techniques to take batman down. Batman is using his knoweledge of defensive techniques to stay alive and for a time we are at a paradox (superior defensive vs superior offence). Batman decides to pull out a trick and tosses an electrified batarang to wolvie which wolvie easily bats away (no pun intended.. also it has no effect because I lean towards the fact that the batarang has to be in contact with the victim for at least a few seconds before it has its full effect). Batman has to setup a trap to use his electro shock weapons on wolverine AND manage to stay alive.
At this point, the battle can go either way. We know what batman is capable of and this is IMO the only advantage batman would have against wolverine in a random chance encounter. Electrocution takes effect almost immediatly and dont forget, wolvie is laced with a highly conductive metal. This would be sufficient enough to render him either unconcious or slow him down enough for Batman to get the artifact and get the hell out of there. Act 3 goes to Batman for using up his one trump card.
ON THE OTHERHAND
Wolverine is a fast berzerking crazy sumbitch AND he's smart. Im hesitant to put him in full beat down mode for a couple of reasons. A) Wolvie only goes berserker when he loses control or is under serious threat. Thats hardly the case here. He isnt fighting 20 ninjas. He is fighting one man. B) Wolverine is here to dispatch with batman not kill him. He is also a strategist and knows his advantage is in his speed. Strength is irrelevent. If wolverine can CATCH batman, he'll easily be able to knock him out with a single blow. Act 3: Goes to wolverine for being able to catch him. but we have to all agree, in this encounter he is NOT likely to kill him. Its not his goal. (and not in his likeness in this scenario)
So when it comes down to it, I am effectively pitting both characters tactical, strategic ability and effectiveness during a fight.
Conclusion: First encounter goes to Batman. His tactical abilities as well as natural preperdness gives him an edge. No prep time, no fancy magnets, no volatile chemicals. We all know he keeps electrocutive weapons in his belt all the time.
Why I gave this to batman: IMO I kept both characters true to their writing and likeness. Wolverine's superior experience and inherent abilities makes him the ultimate soldier. Batmans fighting ability doesnt come close and is therefore NOT a soldier. He is a tactician. Even if the roles were reveresed, it is within batmans likeness and character profile to fight in this way. You would never see batman brawling with someone who's abilities surpass his own. He's MO is to disable. Wolverine on the otherhand is also a master strategist and experiend fied soldier. After this first encounter he knows what to watch out for. Ive never seen wolverine get beaten by the same enemy twice. Next time around, I would DEFINATLY give the battle to wolverine as there is (in accordance with the majority of writing for the Batman character) a 60% chance that batman would use similiar tactics on wolverine that wolvie would be ready for. Bats would likely use the same techniques with different implementation because he's already used them in success. However, they would NOT be different enough to overcome wolverines preperation. (wolvie can change fighting style to be more defensive, he could be wearing a distribution rod to absorb the effects of an electrical attack. he could bring a partner.).... Also, wolverinenow knows how the Bat thinks and sets up any number of contingency plans for himself.. He is a soldier after all. and more than that.. a survivor. The survival factor is something core to wolverine's on being (ie his abilitiy to regenerate).
That about closes my rant. I cant wait for the flaming to begin but I think ive been fairly non biased enough to portray the MOST LIKELY encounter between 2 of the some of the greatest titans of their respective universes.
If you got this far, thanks for reading
-=The Roadhog