Originally posted by FrothByte
There is no double standard. You're simply misrepresenting what I said. I NEVER said that something needed to be shown with an exact, specific feat in order to be valid. I don't even know why you think that's what I said.What I did say was, a feat that was done outside combat does not mean it can be applied in combat, since combat situations can be vastly more stressful and difficult.
So there is no double standard, since Thor, Cap and the SHIELD agents (including new recruits) all have displayed their feats in question while in combat, whereas AO's astral punch was never used in combat. It's that simple.
Well, to me, it was clearly meant to be portrayed as something she could do easily and casually (the act itself, not necessarily connecting it on someone trying to avoid it). She didn't show any strain, she wasn't out of breath etc. She showed no sign at all that it was difficult for her to do, or that she needed any recovery time afterwards. And she did it against a moving opponent who was trying to grab her, even if he was not a particularly skilled. She also showed herself to be cool and meticulous in actual combat, as well as very economical with her movements and actions (which would make sense, considering she literally has centuries of XP). So, to me, personally, I find it a weak reason to dismiss this particular case.
Anyway, it seems like we won't agree on this, so I see little point in continuing.