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

[dekutree64 713]

From what we've seen, definitely Twilight. Shining Armor can definitely make a larger and tougher shield bubble (after all, he did say "this, you have to see", as if he's improved since she last saw it), but that's his special spell that goes with his cutie mark, like Rarity's gem finding spell... and Twilight copied them both, Rarity's being done from memory just after seeing it once before. Which is really kind of sad, how not-special that makes every other unicorn's magic seem

 

She even copied Princess Celestia's shadow magic after one demonstration, and didn't get corrupted by it (which now we've seen that magical corruption is definitely possible). Not to mention vanquishing the ursa minor. I'm not sure Shining would know that music spell, or have the levitation control to float a water tower, its lid, a cow, and milk said cow, all from a long distance by magical sensory rather than visual. But judging by the size of his shield, he probably does have the brute strength to float the bear back to its cave in the forest. He definitely could have saved the town in any case, just by luring the ursa away and then casting a shield to keep it out, but that's not as magically impressive as Twilight's approach.

 

And there's Twilight's long distance teleportation of herself along with 3 other creatures in Dragon Quest... although it did fail on the first attempt. But can Shining even teleport at all? And the time travel...

 

But of course the strongest of all is the magic of friendship And that's something Twilight can't do by herself. Although I do find it very cool how symbolic Twilight's cutie mark is. Her talent is magic, friendship=magic, there are 6 elements of friendship, and her mark is a big star representing the element of magic itself, surrounded by 5 other stars representing the other elements. So... she may actually be able to utilize the magic of friendship more effectively than other ponies, making her almost undeniably the best.

 

However, it would be interesting to pit the magic of friendship against the magic of romantic love, and see which would win Then again, Shining and Cadence are both capable of mega-size shields on their own, so maybe their changeling-launcher was less a "power of love" spell, and more just rejuvenation of Shining by Cadence's love, and then cast their regular shields together.

Edited December 6, 2012 by dekutree64

[Arcanel 3,041]

Don't discount Cadence.

 

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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.

 

  

^ 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.

 

 

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 elements 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.

I would put Cadence, but she's an alicorn.  (also, hilarious image there.  )

 

Suddenly, Fullmetal Alchemist.  Anyway, the problem with this is, that there probably IS a stamina difference big enough to actually make a difference in some situations. I'm not saying this is because Twilight's a girl or anything (OH HELL NO! Trust me, the last thing I'll do is say that). But rather because:

 

1. Shining strikes me as the stallion with enough body mass and muscle like Big Mac.

2. He has been in the military which clearly would make more and more resistant in body endurance and strength.

3. We don't know how long he has been in the military, but I'd say quite a lot if he's also the Captain of the Royal Guard.

 

IMO, depending on the type of situation, Shining could clearly have an advantage against Twilight. I KNOW she has pushed herself to the limits plenty of times, but this was with just one spell, for example. Shining had maintained the shield spell around Canterlot for who knows how much, WHILE getting drained of his magic and energy as well.

 

And like I said, Twilight didn't know how to travel in time until she went to Canterlot's library, a spell she learned over THERE. Shining could proably do the same if he wanted.

 

And I know that he'd obviously be better at protection spells, but I'd believe his job requires plenty more than just protective spells. He's in the military. He clearly would need offensive and tactical spells, even more being the Captain. I'd think that he can give Twilight a run for her money in MORE than just one zone.

 

As for the protection spell around Canterlot, I think the colors probably indicate that the "armor" was probably stronger in Shining's because of the deeper purple color. Plus, it IS a big spell and I'd think only someone that is well versed in the protective spoells could manage to do it...non-stop, if I should add.

 

The reason I don't include Cadence, is because I think the shield she raised was probably only effective to that point in the Crystal Empire, as it is clearly the place her magic correlates more with, and given the fact that love and care is also what powers the empire, which are all the things Cadence is good at, so I'd think only Cadence would have been able to cast the shield dome in the Crystal Empire.

 

However, it would be interesting to pit the magic of friendship against the magic of romantic love, and see which would win

...

 

Shining Armor: "FOR CADENCE!"

Twilight Sparkle: "FOR MY FRIENDS!"

 

*epic battle against each other and music ensues*

 

I don't care what they say, I can see this happening in my head, you're a genius, and I demand an animation, music and fanfic for this NOW!

[Bohtty 1,775]

Yeah, but Twilight's special talent IS magic. Just because Shining could read the book doesn't mean he would be able to perform the spell. If it was that easy then I'm sure Twilight would be much stronger since she reads more books.

 

It's not like twilight needed to cast a shield around Ponyville. The Canterlot shield It either shows how much power he has or it shows how easy the spell is. Since the shield was only a sphere I can only imagine that it would be recursive in nature. Even if we assume it was just Shining's power, I still think Twilight is stronger. Her special talent is magic, she is the element of magic, she went to a prestigious magic school and she is Celestia's favorite student.

 

Also if the element of magic referred to the magic of friendship then how did Celestia banish luna to the moon by herself?

 

Also fuck this new quote system. it won't let me type text underneath the quote.

EDIT: or copy and paste other quotes.

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.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Bohtty

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

Hmm i'd have to go with Shining Armor. I know Twilight's magic is abnormally strong but she hasnt mastered it yet. Also Shining Armor has practice since he was the Captin of the Royal guard so chances are he must've actually practiced both offensive and defensive magic (defensive magic being is forte). Twilight herself has praticed with magic but not for combative purposes therefore i don't thik she could win a physical magic duel against her brother.

Edited December 6, 2012 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Arcanel 3,041]

Yeah, but Twilight's special talent IS magic. Just because Shining could read the book doesn't mean he would be able to perform the spell. If it was that easy then I'm sure Twilight would be much stronger since she reads more books.

 

It's not like twilight needed to cast a shield around Ponyville. The Canterlot shield It either shows how much power he has or it shows how easy the spell is. Since the shield was only a sphere I can only imagine that it would be recursive in nature. Even if we assume it was just Shining's power, I still think Twilight is stronger. Her special talent is magic, she is the element of magic, she went to a prestigious magic school and she is Celestia's favorite student.

 

Also if the element of magic referred to the magic of friendship then how did Celestia banish luna to the moon by herself?

 

Also fuck this new quote system. it won't let me type text underneath the quote.

EDIT: or copy and paste other quotes.

Oh, I know. But I am assuming that Shining is powerful enough to make that type of spell. Plus, it's not like the spell let's you do much anyway. If the spell had been much more complex, even if time travel is complex on its own then maybe I'd think more about it.

 

Naturally speaking, I'd think Twilight IS better with magic, but let's not forget that Shining probably:

 

1. Has more experience with magic than Twilight due to him being older.

2. Has had intensive unicorn traning in the military.

3. Is strong enough magically to be deemed Captain of the Royal Guard along with his experience, tactical abilities, brain power and physical strength.

 

AS for your question, Celestia WAS able to use all six elements before. But I'm guessing that once used and she no longer was able to wield them, she made it so that only it would reveal the sixth element to someone who had a strong friendship AND magical prowess, AKA Twilight Sparkle in this case. Had it there been no friendship at all, the sixth element might as well never appeared adn the elements never gathered, as they needed the Magic to be activated as a whole. So i'm betting to believe that her friendship is still the main part of her element, giving the title to the show: Friendship is Magic. As well as the elements only had been activated when the strong friendship was shown and all 6 were gathered.

 

And I don't like the quoting system either. It gets weird-y sometimes.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Arcanel

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

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 elements 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.

 

But it was implied that Cadence and Shining were working together to sustain the shield around the Crystal Empire---at least until Shining's horn got jacked up by Sombra. Two unicorns (or magic users, given that Cadence is an Alicorn) seem perfectly capable of utilizing their powers as a team. Twilight may not have helped Shining in Canterlot (or the Crystal Empire) because a.) it was not considered necessary at the time ("Let me do my brother's job for him!") or b.) Twilight wasn't properly familiar with the scope of the barrier spell. If Twilight could have cast it with relative ease, she probably would have done so as soon as it failed.

 

It's unclear as to why Cadence did not implement the barrier spell in Canterlot, once she had been freed from the caverns. My impression was that since the Changelings had already made their way into the city, creating another barrier would not expel them. Consider Chrysalis's line when Shining tries to set up the shield after being liberated from the Changeling Queen's hypnosis:

 

"What good would that do? My changelings already roam free."

 

The implication is that the barrier spell cannot repulse what already resides within the protected area; it can only keep things outside of its range from entering.

 

The Power of Love spell and the Crystal Heart were responsible for expelling the Changelings and King Sombra, respectively. But those powers were very different from a typical barrier spell. And I doubt Cadence's connection with love meant her barrier was vulnerable to the Changelings; after all, the spell which brought about their defeat was powered by love itself. The mechanics rather than the essence of the spells were decisive.

[BaBaBrony 111]

Shining Armor and Cadence appear to be able to conjure Element of Harmony level magic despite not being connected to them. I guess that makes him pretty strong. But his son Shining Snow has the potential to be much stronger :-P

[Motion Spark 7,807]

Don't discount Cadence.

I wouldn't include Cadence because her magic would be pretty much useless in a battle. Her magic is based in love, so that's why she was the only one, not to attack but to defend the Crystal Empire against king Sombra, apparently he's vulnerable against the power of love so that's why Twilight nor Shining Armor were match for him, because he is inmune to regular unicorn magic. 

Edited December 6, 2012 by Motion Spark

[Bohtty 1,775]

1. Has more experience with magic than Twilight due to him being older.

2. Has had intensive unicorn traning in the military.

3. Is strong enough magically to be deemed Captain of the Royal Guard along with his experience, tactical abilities, brain power and physical strength.

1. He might not since magic is Twilight's thing, not her brother's. I mean she studies and learns magic for fun. Thats like doing school work and learning just for fun. I doubt twilight's brother does that. He probably has his own hobby he uses when he is free and not on duty.

2. Yeah but he would have also had to do physical training which means it's not like all they did was magic. Plus it's not like he would  be able to practice that much while on duty. The higher up in leadership you go the more paperwork you have.

3. It's more likely that he is Captain because he is a good leader.

 

I wouldn't include Cadence because her magic would be pretty much useless in a battle. Her magic is based in love, so that's why she was the only one, not to attack but to defend the Crystal Empire against king Sombra, apparently he's vulnerable against the power of love so that's why Twilight nor Shining Armor were match for him, because he is inmune to regular unicorn magic. 

You could probably not include Cadence simply because she is an Alicorn... which makes her on Celestia's/Luna's level. The second part of your comment seems completely made up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't say or show that only love magic works on Sombra.

 

Plus twilight probably knows love magic. She did after all use the want it need it enchantment on her smarty pants doll which looked like a spell that would fit in the love category. 

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

My impression is that powerful magic runs in the family, and that they are probably on roughly the same level. Shining Armor's magic is more specific of course, and since he's older he's probably had more practice, but I think they're more or less even.

[Discovery Dream 592]

Shining is most likely better at defensive spells than Twilight will ever be, considering that it's his job. Twi is probably has a broader range of magic than Shining, though.

[angels_gal 204]

for right now i'm going to say  Shining Armor.  he's older than Twilight so of course his magic would be more advanced then hers.  but I can see Twilight becoming quite powerful when she gets older.  

[Arcanel 3,041]

1. He might not since magic is Twilight's thing, not her brother's. I mean she studies and learns magic for fun. Thats like doing school work and learning just for fun. I doubt twilight's brother does that. He probably has his own hobby he uses when he is free and not on duty. 2. Yeah but he would have also had to do physical training which means it's not like all they did was magic. Plus it's not like he would  be able to practice that much while on duty. The higher up in leadership you go the more paperwork you have. 3. It's more likely that he is Captain because he is a good leader.

Magic may not be Shining's thing, but for that will he be mad less versed. Twilight WILL know more spells than Shining due to ALL her reading, probably. But I'm guessing Shining had to learn a lot as well.

 

And oh, I'm not saying that there wasn't any physical training. But I AM begging to  believe that when they DID use magic, it might as well have been just as intense as Twilight did when she was a filly, probably more given that in the military they are probably less lenient.

 

And while leadership is one of the main qualities of Shining for being chosen captain for sure, one doesn't simpoly go to command the whole royal guard just by having leadership qualities, rather it would also be someone the guards would look up to in terms of abilities as well.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

Shining has great powers of his own, but I believe Arcanel was right about his magic being more specialized and focused on defensive spells. Thus, he is at his best in a supporting role (i.e. to Cadence, who may be stronger than him). But Twilight has more time to study, a wider range of interests, and I think more natural power to work with. She does almost everything and she does it very well, from teleportation and time travel to levitating multiple objects and giving earthbound ponies wings. I doubt if Shining can do all that...and of course there's the Element of Magic thing. So I would say Twilight.

Edited December 7, 2012 by TailsAlone

[DaBatGuy 6]

Currently Shining may have more raw magic and talent in shield spells but Twilight has a much wider range of spells. However we've seen that Twilight has a well of immense untapped potential that she still has yet to reach. In the Cutie Mark Chronicles she managed to both transform living beings(her parents) into plants(which she only began to master in S3E3) and cast an age spell on Spike(a spell she is still far from mastering). If and when she learns to fully contol that magic she'll far outclass her brother.