Who is the best unicorn for magic? Twilight or Shining?

[Arcanel 3,041]

Now now, before all you fans of both ponies throw me off the Neighagra Falls, hear me out. There's a reason I'm asking this.

 

We KNOW that Twilight has a fair chance of knowing more spells than Shining probably does, with all her studies and being trained by Celestia herself and all. Kind of like being the Hermione Granger of FiM, if you wish to make a comparison to someone. And she DOES have power, so that isn't lacking at all as well.

 

HOWEVER, I can clearly see that constant casts of magic requires physical strength, which I'm sure Shining has more than Twilight. Plus, that shield for a cutie mark isn't just to indicate the "Guarding the ponies" part, as I believe it also indicates he's probably a master in defensive spells, especially those regarding force fields and such, like the one in A Canterlot Wedding.

 

There's also the fact that Shining probably has his fair share of spells useful for his job, as well as magic training being the captain of the Royal Guard and all. He's also older and probably with more experience in magic, EVEN THOUGH, Twilight is the Element of Magic, and she uses magic all the time.

 

For some reason, if you ask me, I believe that Twilight wins in the aspect of full knowledge of spells, as well as having variety. But, Shining has more stamina to cast more spells that'd require more body endurance, plus the experience he probably has.

 

So...supppose you would have a myriad of situations that required magic experts...for the majority of them, who'd you call? Twilight Sparkle or Shining Armor?

 

I do not know, if this is the best title for the thread, but had I said "Best unicorn" in general, people would have jumped at "X IS BEST PONY!" and this isn't really something to see who would win a fight. If anyone has any better title, I'm open for suggestions.

[Bohtty 1,775]

You can stop at "element of magic". If Twilight isn't at least better than her sibling then that would be incredibly disappointing.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Bohtty

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Twilight seems to have a more broad knowledge of magic, while Shining is great at what he does. It makes sense given their occupations.

 

Twilight is an academic. She studies all kinds of magic, but she never stops to focus on one particular spell or magic type. Twilight learns a spell and moves on without developing it to its full potential. Meanwhile, Shining is the captain of the Royal Guard. He's highly trained for the job, and so is highly adept at the magic required to carry out his tasks.

 

You might say that Twilight is a generalist, while Shining is a specialist.

[Princes Cadance 345]

Shining Armor is her older brother so naturally he would be better or at least as good, Twilight's magic is getting better but Shining Armor is at least 4 years older...I think

[Arcanel 3,041]

You can stop at "element of magic". If Twilight isn't at least better than her sibling then that would be incredibly disappointing.

While I think that the Element of Magic part clearly refers to her magical power, I think it mostly refers to the magic of friendship. Plus, she was chosen to be carrier, but also because she was able to relate to the other ponies who became the carriers of the other elements, so I'm keeping my doubts on whether being the Element of Magic automatically makes her the best of the best. And as another plus, we didn't really get to see more abilities from Shining Armor, so who knows?

[Minath Khalsi 195]

I think they're most likely equal, just their strengths are different. Like you pointed out, Shining is more likely to have protective spells, while Twilight does cantrips and the such. Shining specializes in whta he does, while Twilight goal it to learn as mush as possible. So I think they're about equal.

[Motion Spark 7,807]

pretty much what Aquila said, I think there would be no comparison...if we talk about strenght only, I think that Shining Armor would beat Twilight's ass, but by the vast variety of spells that Twilight knows it would be pretty hard on him because she can get away with it.

We have to take into consideration that Twilight is clever, she can figure out a way of defeating Shining Armor without hurting him.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Motion Spark

[Just some guy 1,070]

I'd have to go with Twilight on this one.

 

Sure,Shining could-and most likely does-cast more powerful offensive and defensive spells due to his military training and his cutie mark,but I'd rather have Twilight on my side for most magical situations.Her repertoire of spells would be much larger than Shining's most likely and she has lots of raw magical power as well,making any spell she would cast quite powerful.Plus,with her knowledge and her understanding of magic,she could probably apply magic in ways Shining could not even think of in some situations.Granted,it might be a rare case since Shining does have military training,but the possibility is always there.

[SagasaPony 122]

TRIXIE *IS* THE HIGHEST LEVEL UNICORN!

 

*Ahem* Now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's really no contest given the things we've seen Twilight do over the course of the show. We've seen telekinesis, teleportation, growth magic, age magic, time-travel magic, and she hasn't even hit her peak yet.

 

Twilight is a magical prodigy in every sense of the word.

 

Shining Armor really only has that shield spell of his, and while its magnitude and scale is impressive (covering all of Canterlot for several days at a time), Twilight could probably copy it and even improve it like she did with Rarity's Gem Finding Spell.

 

So yeah, Twilight is the Element of Magic for a reason.

Edited December 6, 2012 by SagasaPony

[Bohtty 1,775]

While I think that the Element of Magic part clearly refers to her magical power, I think it mostly refers to the magic of friendship. Plus, she was chosen to be carrier, but also because she was able to relate to the other ponies who became the carriers of the other elements, so I'm keeping my doubts on whether being the Element of Magic automatically makes her the best of the best. And as another plus, we didn't really get to see more abilities from Shining Armor, so who knows?

How do we even know that the shield is even technically difficult to perform? Maybe it was just difficult for him? or maybe it's an easy spell, but he had just been doing it for such a long time that it was just now starting to cause issues.

 

Plus twilight goes back in time.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Regardless of who is more powerful now, Twilight will have left Shining far behind in a few years.

 

I agree with what some of the others said, Twilight is beating him on variety, but he is winning on competence with what he has. If you asked each of them to learn a spell I would bet on Twilight learning it faster. One thing to consider is that a few times Twilight has massively botched spells, the one that most jumps to mind is Swarm of the Century. I can't picture that happening with her brother somehow.

 

I'd say they're roughly even now, maybe with Twilight a smidge ahead, but Shining won't be able to keep up forever.

[Starshine 16,333]

The last thing I want to happen when a monster invaded my home is to have my supposed protector went tardy because she don't know enough spells to prevent the monster from eating my home

 

While some may say Twilie knows more spells and have more raw power than shining armor, none of that will matter if she couldn't handle herself and prone to mistake (read: parasprite infestation).

 

In the other hand... Shining Armor is a captain of the Royal Guard, he knows how to handle stress and more than ready to put himself at risk.

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

Shining Armor is her older brother so naturally he would be better or at least as good, Twilight's magic is getting better but Shining Armor is at least 4 years older...I think

 

He's quite a bit older than she is, it seems. From the portrayal of their foalhood in "B.B.B.F.F.", Shining appeared to be the equivalent to a human teenager (13-15 years of age) when Twilight was just a filly (6-10 years of age).

 

As for magical prowess: Aquila made a good point about Twilight being more of the academic while Shining Armor would specialize in a small field of practical magic (defensive spells). Twilight is likely very capable of outpacing her brother in almost any magical area, though he would have a head start in protection spells and the like. There was an implicit understanding in Canterlot, at least as I watched the Season 2 finale, that only Shining Armor could effectively cast the defensive barrier to defend the entire city.

 

In terms of raw potential, however, Twilight is leaps and bounds ahead of her older brother.

[Arcanel 3,041]

TRIXIE *IS* THE HIGHEST LEVEL UNICORN!   *Ahem* Now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's really no contest given the things we've seen Twilight do over the course of the show. We've seen telekinesis, teleportation, growth magic, age magic, time-travel magic, and she hasn't even hit her peak yet.

Considering how that phrase enabled the best evil laughter that would rival even NIghtmare Moon's, I'll allow it. 

 

And there's also the thing. We don't know what could Shining do because he few chances he has showed to show his magic where only two.

 

When he casted the HUGE shield spell, and when fired magical laser beams (I'm going to believe they are supposed to hurt, only problem is I don't know how). I believe Shining could well defend himself against most enemies. Not quite his fault a changeling had been brainwashing him and making him weaker and weaker, and his other confrontation was a cloud of smoke for the most part.

 

 

 

How do we even know that the shield is even technically difficult to perform? Maybe it was just difficult for him? or maybe it's an easy spell, but he had just been doing it for such a long time that it was just now starting to cause issues.

 

Plus twilight goes back in time.

Twilight didn't know how to go back in time until she read it in the Canterlot library, which I'm sure someone like Shining could easily have access to.

 

And as for the shield spell, Twilight casted something similar but only around her home. Shining casted it around CANTERLOT, for days on end, WHILE being robbed of his power each day passed by the disguised Chrysalis. oh and having to enfure changeling attacks from above. I think that alone shows how much power he has.

While some may say Twilie knows more spells and have more raw power than shining armor, none of that will matter if she couldn't handle herself and prone to mistake (read: parasprite infestation).

In the other hand... Shining Armor is a captain of the Royal Guard, he knows how to handle stress and more than ready to put himself at risk.

This as well. I'm pretty sure that the reaction when doing a spell is shorter on Shining because he probably knows how to handle himself, while Twilight may need to think a little as she might not yet be used to magical bouts and such. And plus, being in the military probably tends to make Shining as much as a perfeccionist as his little sister (maybe a hidden trait of Shining that both siblings share in common).

 

 

 

As for magical prowess: Aquila made a good point about Twilight being more of the academic while Shining Armor would specialize in a small field of practical magic (defensive spells). Twilight is likely very capable of outpacing her brother in almost any magical area, though he would have a head start in protection spells and the like. There was an implicit understanding in Canterlot, at least as I watched the Season 2 finale, that only Shining Armor could effectively cast the defensive barrier to defend the entire city.

While the especialty of Shining's spells are probably the defensice ones, I'm sure that being Captain of the Royal Guard, he probably has lots of tricks under his hooves, and I'm certain that offensive spells are a given in anywayif you are in the military, IMO. So I'd like to think that Twilight wouldn't beat Shining so easily on other magic fields.

[NavelColt 22,880]

I think Shining might be able to win against her in a fight, as quoted from me in a similar topic:

 

Shining Armor. He's the Captain of the Royal Guard, and has more battle experience as well as tactics than Twilight. Plus, his magic is specially designed for fighting and protection whereas Twilight's magic is scattered throughout all categories, not focused in a single area like Armor's is. I certainly think Shining Armor would come out of it exhausted though, Twilight would certainly give him a run for his money. But in the end I just think his training, experience and combat specialist skills would beat out general skill in magic.

 

But as far as 'best at magic', that's really Twilight. She knows more spells, she's the Element of Magic, and has a lot more experience with tons of types of magic that Shining probably hasn't practiced or even tried, since his talent isn't magic.

[Arcanel 3,041]

I think Shining might be able to win against her in a fight, as quoted from me in a similar topic:

 

 

But as far as 'best at magic', that's really Twilight. She knows more spells, she's the Element of Magic, and has a lot more experience with tons of types of magic that Shining probably hasn't practiced or even tried, since his talent isn't magic.

This is the kind of things that make me wonder if I should create another thread in which this time I ask "Who would win in a battle?"

[NavelColt 22,880]

This is the kind of things that make me wonder if I should create another thread in which this time I ask "Who would win in a battle?"

 

Don't It's already been done. Where do you think I took my quote from?

 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/32321-twilight-sparkle-vs-shining-armor/

 

Twilight has fairly adept magic all across the categories, while Shining armor has magic even more advanced than her, but only in defensive and offensive categories. That's what it comes down to.

[Jammo 986]

Shining is very good at magic, but Twilight is moving forward to being "The Maresiah"

Pretty sure this season will end with Twilight on a cross, betrayed by her friends only to ascend to the heavens as an Alicorn.

 

No, that's bad fan fiction. *writes said fan fiction*

[Xievie 498]

This is a tough one. Was Twilight just a normal filly? I thought she had to be inspired by Celestia before beginning them studies?

Was she born with something special?

 

Even though this has little to do with the subject, it's worth thinking about. If you compared a 5 year old Twilight with a 5 year old Shining Armor, who was naturally better?

 

If Shining was naturally better, can the heavy general training Twilight recieve outweigh Shining's training?

If Twilight was naturally better, well there is a good chance she's better...

 

But in all, Spike is the best magic user. I mean he's such an awesome Pegasus!

[Whofch 128]

I'd go down the road of what has already been said. Shining Armour, hinted at by his name and Cutie Mark, will dominate in his area of magic. That being defence.

Twilight on the other hand can happily learn and perform pretty much anything. Granted she may not be able to take it to the extremes of her brother's spell but she'll be able to do so much more. Also she's relatively young in the use and training of her magic compared to her brother.

[Spring Storm 276]

I honestly can't decide which one of the two is better at magic - it would probably be a really close match if they were ever to duel, perhaps even resulting in a draw. I'd certainly love to see more of what Shining can do in terms of magic. I'm sure Twilight will definitely surpass him in the not-too-distant future, though.

[Betez 1,734]

I think it's Twilight. I mean, Shining Armor is really good with magic, but Twilight's learning new magic all the time. And I feel like at the rate she's going, she could surpass Shining Armor's magic skills.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

Twilight is way more powerful at magic then Shining.  Unicorns usually only have magic for their special talent.  Twilight's talent probably is magic.  So, it only makes sense that Twilight would be more powerful.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Don't discount Cadence.

 

 

 

Strength and stamina are different things. Plenty of women can outrun me and run longer than I can despite my legs being much stronger. His body may be the stronger of the two but I doubt that's going to help him here. Twilight has frequently pushed herself to her limits and built her stamina, and I can't think of anything that could be more difficult than the transmutation spells she frequently uses.

 

 

Plus twilight goes back in time.

 

^ Maybe that.

 

 

Given that Shining Armor's job requires spells for shielding and attack more than the things Twilight does for research and to make everyday life easier, I think he might be better at those particular spells, but that's it.

 

There was an implicit understanding in Canterlot, at least as I watched the Season 2 finale, that only Shining Armor could effectively cast the defensive barrier to defend the entire city.

At least he was the only one residing in the city who could effectively cast it. Twilight may have been able to do the same thing had she been there from the start, who knows. You'd think she could help out after arriving, but maybe her lack of assistance means that a unicorn can't supplement another unicorn's magic with her own. An interesting element of magical mechanics, if so.

 

Cadence demonstrated that she's also very adept at shielding. Obviously she couldn't help out during the incident in Canterlot given that she was trapped in a mine. Could her shield have even helped out during the changeling invasion? Her shield was allegedly so effective against Sombra because of the love she personifies, but that would have been food for the changelings. I wonder if the other two have any such "elemental" weaknesses.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Artemis

[pinkiefan1287 610]

Well this is tricky to answer, mostly due to the fact that we don't know what kinda of spells he can due next to Twilight. If the only thing he can do is make barriers, than I would have to say Twilight is the best. Because she has performed many different spells. Like teleports, levitation, mustache growing, and like her brother can make barriers.