Deathstroke vs Taskmaster

[Acroyear]

Deathstroke the Terminator - regenerating super soldier

vs

Taskmaster - with his photographic reflexes and gestalt skillset

Can Taskmaster's mimicry keep up with the amplified physical abilities and bring the brawl to a draw? Or can the man who once put the beatdown on Batman use his immortal butt kicking to put down the criminal academy founder.

Deathstroke is capable of using 90% of his brain capacity, making him a master tactician. He also has heightened strength, agility, stamina and reflexes. In addition, he has rapid-healing powers and is immortal, being able to return from the grave and regenerate himself. The right eye he lost has since been restored with an artificial eye, equipped with infrared vision. Deathstroke also has years of combat training. He is a master in hand to hand combat and is skilled in use of all kinds of weaponry.

vs

Taskmaster possesses “Photographic reflexes” which enable him to watch another person’s physical movements and duplicate them without practice, no matter how complex. This ability is only limited by the fact that he does not possess superhuman strength or other superhuman attributes. He is a naturally gifted athlete who has trained himself to superb physical condition. His retention of a particular skill or technique is virtually permanent, as long as he periodically reviews its source, either live or taped.

Taskmaster has made extensive use of video tapes and movies to study the movements of superhuman adventurers, as well as athletes, marksmen, stunt performers, and soldiers. Thus he has gained a wide range of combat and acrobatic skills. These skills include all present day and many historical martial arts, boxing, wrestling, swordsmanship, archery, marksmanship, gymnastics, aerial acrobatics, and sleight of hand. He has intensively studied the fighting styles of Spider-Man, Captain America and Daredevil. He also makes use of replicas of the weapons used by certain costumed adventurers.

[MisterVimes]

Photographic reflexes are the bomb... Deathstrke wouldn't be fighting Taskmaster, he'd be fighting Cap/Daredevil/Punisher/Himself... that's just nasty.

[Gary]

Taskmaster would win. He'd fight defensively until he understood Deathstroke's style of fighting and then counter it.

[Agent X]

Deathstroke is above peak human. He is superhuman. I think Deathstroke wins.

[Superskrull]

Deathstroke wins. Sure, Taskmaster has Cap's fighting skills to some degree, knows how Daredevil and Spidey flip about and move in combat and shoots like the Punisher. Big deal. He's missing the edge enjoyed by several of his emulated styles. DD's style is augmented by the fact that he always knows his ad everyone else's exact location/position. Spidey has a style only accessible by those with inhuman agility and flexibility combined with the kind of superhuman strength needed to literally fling himself off the walls and across the rooftops. Cap's fighting ability is enhanced by his supersoldier-enhanced stamina and his peak human abilities in stength, agility, speed and durability. Taskmaster's training only goes just so far in duplicating any of this and he does best in predicting what a given opponent will do and avoiding it.

Deathstroke, OTOH, has superhuman physical stats in addition to his military and martial skills. He's tagged Kid Flash, slapped Nightwing and Batman around like Ike on Tina and has a much coveted "Healing Factor" like Wolverine, Sabertooth and the majority of the Weapon X alumni. He can kick down steel doors and make fools of entire teams of superhumans.

Taskmaster, much as I like the guy, tends to fold against the competition and has been outfought by Spiderman, outmaneuvered by DD and slapped around by Deadpool to name just a few. Deathstroke, meanwhile, usually had to be reasoned with or out-thought by the good guys.

It'd be a cool looking fight though.

[Shadow Dancer]

having once had an "EPIC" battle against Deathstroke with my version of Moon Knight <unlimited point game, no end, 36 dex with 7-8 speed i think, martial arts out the arse.... etc... >

My battle with Deathstroke lasted 3 hours RT, with the martial maneuvers, descriptions and everything else,.. I never touched him, he hit me 3 times, twice with his fists and once with his "staff/blaster", and that was that.. <grin> ...

I'd definitely have to give the battle to Deathstroke, ..yes Taskmaster would be able to study an duplicate the moves, but deathstroke has the strength and speed, plus he uses 90% of his mental and 100% of his Physical capabilities, that in and of itself, IMO would allow him to over come the Photographic reflexes of Taskmaster.

[Gary]

Don't forget, Taskmaster has the ability to predict his opponents moves before they make them if he has studied them.

That's why he would fight defensively in the beginning, and place all his levels in DCV. After he learned Deathstroke's style, Deathstroke would be predictable and Taskmaster would have the advantage.

Skill levels beat damage classes any day. ;)

[Southern Cross]

True enough,Taskmaster isn't a true superhuman,however he has always managed to get away from his opponents.The only person who ever managed to clobber him was Deadpool,and only because ol' Motormouth attacked without using any style at all.

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Gary
Don't forget, Taskmaster has the ability to predict his opponents moves before they make them if he has studied them.

That's why he would fight defensively in the beginning, and place all his levels in DCV. After he learned Deathstroke's style, Deathstroke would be predictable and Taskmaster would have the advantage.

Skill levels beat damage classes any day. ;)

Depends on the quantities of each. In this case, I don't believe they favor Taskmaster.

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Southern Cross
True enough,Taskmaster isn't a true superhuman,however he has always managed to get away from his opponents.The only person who ever managed to clobber him was Deadpool,and only because ol' Motormouth attacked without using any style at all.

Is this battle about escaping your opponent or beating your opponent?

[Agent Escafarc]

If Deathstroke did lose it would be because he was distracted by maintaining three secret IDs (Deathstroke/Slade Wilson, Travis Morgan/Warlord, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow)
:cool: :D :rolleyes:

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Agent Escafarc
If Deathstroke did lose it would be because he was distracted by maintaining three secret IDs (Deathstroke/Slade Wilson, Travis Morgan/Warlord, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow)
:cool: :D :rolleyes: I don't know. That just shows how mighty he truly is.:cool:

[Armitage]

Originally posted by Superskrull
Taskmaster, much as I like the guy, tends to fold against the competition and has been outfought by Spiderman, outmaneuvered by DD and slapped around by Deadpool to name just a few. Deathstroke, meanwhile, usually had to be reasoned with or out-thought by the good guys.

The updated Taskmaster from his own limited series and the Agent X series might be another story though. His skills and arsenal have been improved and he's gained an actual personality. (And the cape and skull mask are gone too).
Plus he developed a new trick in the limited series. He discovered that by watching a martial arts tape playing at double speed, he could perform the maneuvers at double speed as well. It nearly killed him since his muscles couldn't handle the stress, but it makes a good emergency weapon of last resort.

[Jeff T.]

Originally posted by Southern Cross
True enough,Taskmaster isn't a true superhuman,however he has always managed to get away from his opponents.The only person who ever managed to clobber him was Deadpool,and only because ol' Motormouth attacked without using any style at all.

Actually, Taskmaster has since been beaten by Captain America and Spider-Man.

While Taskmaster's real advantage would be his ability to predict what his opponent will do, I think he would be at a disadvantage against a highly skilled superhuman warrior like Deathstroke. He couldn't keep up with Spider-Man (well, who can?).

[Gary]

Originally posted by Agent X
Depends on the quantities of each. In this case, I don't believe they favor Taskmaster.

Considering that Taskmaster should have the number of skill levels of the best person he's ever studied, plus a few extra, I don't agree that this comparison favors Deathstroke. My guess is that Deathstroke has a couple of skill levels less than Batman, but Taskmaster has a few skill skill levels more than Captain America or Shang Chi. Plus after he's studied Deathstroke, he would have a few more only usable vs Deathstroke.

[Fuzzy Gnome]

The trick of martial arts is to program sophisticated moves into the um "reptile hindbrain" so they come off automatically. Taskmaster can do this instantly instead of needing time-consuming practice. But he's still just a script kiddie to Deathstroke's Commander Data. With his entire brain working at 10 times the power of a mere human's, Deathstroke should be able to duplicate Taskmaster's powers and do more sophisticated things too, like improvising new martial arts moves faster than martial artists like Bruce Lee or Ranma ever could, much less a wannabe martial artist like Taskmaster.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Fuzzy Gnome
The trick of martial arts is to program sophisticated moves into the um "reptile hindbrain" so they come off automatically. Taskmaster can do this instantly instead of needing time-consuming practice. But he's still just a script kiddie to Deathstroke's Commander Data. With his entire brain working at 10 times the power of a mere human's, Deathstroke should be able to duplicate Taskmaster's powers and do more sophisticated things too, like improvising new martial arts moves faster than martial artists like Bruce Lee or Ranma ever could, much less a wannabe martial artist like Taskmaster.

What makes you think that Taskmaster's brain is only working at human levels? His mutant ability probably does entail his brain working overtime. A normal brain certainly couldn't process all that data...

[Fuzzy Gnome]

I think the part of Taskmaster's brain that deals with physical skills is superhuman. I estimate* that Deathstroke's entire brain is equally superhuman so he can duplicate Taskmaster's feats plus come up with his own.
I could be wrong but I'm going to vote for Terminator.

* = wild guess

[Agent X]

Wow, I had no idea that there would be any disagreement on this one.

[KawangaKid]

I think that Deathstroke would win. While Taskmaster might attempt to copy his moves (and use the moves of other martial artists and combat savants) to defeat him, Deathstroke has shown time and again his ability to improvise... to come up with new fighting techniques and use his environment tactically to defeat an opponent.

This, added to his superhuman regenerative abilities (the ability to go the distance) spells doom for Taskmaster.

[Chaosliege]

Originally posted by KawangaKid
I think that Deathstroke would win. While Taskmaster might attempt to copy his moves (and use the moves of other martial artists and combat savants) to defeat him, Deathstroke has shown time and again his ability to improvise... to come up with new fighting techniques and use his environment tactically to defeat an opponent.

This, added to his superhuman regenerative abilities (the ability to go the distance) spells doom for Taskmaster.

Yeah, what he said. Sure Taskmaster can copy the moves, but he can't copy the tactics. There's nothing reflexive about tactical improvisation.

[ZootSoot]

I have to vote for Taskmaster simply because Deathstroke's whole schtick is based on pseudo-neurology. William James makes an off the cuff comment based on pure intuition over a century ago and the 10% rule becomes the layman's gospel on mental capacities. If Deathstroke uses 90% of his brain then then he has a 10% deficit compared to a normal person.

[Agent X]

Originally posted by ZootSoot
I have to vote for Taskmaster simply because Deathstroke's whole schtick is based on pseudo-neurology. William James makes an off the cuff comment based on pure intuition over a century ago and the 10% rule becomes the layman's gospel on mental capacities. If Deathstroke uses 90% of his brain then then he has a 10% deficit compared to a normal person. Ouch, ZootSoot.

Let's remember we're talking about Superhero physics and Superhero Science. There are a number of Scientific Fallacies that are used to explain superpowers. This is a great one. The way to interpret it is that Deathstroke's mental faculties are 9 times that of a normal human being. Besides his mental abilities Deathstroke is insanely powerful physically. This should be enough to explain why Taskmaster shouldn't have a chance.

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Gary
Considering that Taskmaster should have the number of skill levels of the best person he's ever studied, plus a few extra, I don't agree that this comparison favors Deathstroke. My guess is that Deathstroke has a couple of skill levels less than Batman, but Taskmaster has a few skill skill levels more than Captain America or Shang Chi. Plus after he's studied Deathstroke, he would have a few more only usable vs Deathstroke.

But Deathstroke has beaten Batman like a cheap date...and that was when he was still handicapped with loss of peripheral vision. While he may have "fewer levels" he has higher base CV with his enhanced agility & reflexes. And that doesn't necessarily mean he has fewer levels, either.

Why would Taskmaster have more levels than the best person he's studied when his entire gimmick is he mimics what he sees? The gestalt skillset doesn't necessarily translate into a whole greater than its parts. It could, but I haven't read anything on Tasky to indicate that. I may be wrong. Although I figure if I statted him out, I'd give him a slight edge just because he practices with the combination of skills from various sources to try to exceed the limitations of mimicry.

I think it would be one hell of a fight, myself. I'm giving it to Deathstroke, though. I just don't think Tasky will be able to withstand the sheer "superhuman-ness" of Deathstroke when it comes to the end.

[Superskrull]

Originally posted by Acroyear
But Deathstroke has beaten Batman like a cheap date...and that was when he was still handicapped with loss of peripheral vision. While he may have "fewer levels" he has higher base CV with his enhanced agility & reflexes. And that doesn't necessarily mean he has fewer levels, either.

Why would Taskmaster have more levels than the best person he's studied when his entire gimmick is he mimics what he sees? The gestalt skillset doesn't necessarily translate into a whole greater than its parts. It could, but I haven't read anything on Tasky to indicate that. I may be wrong. Although I figure if I statted him out, I'd give him a slight edge just because he practices with the combination of skills from various sources to try to exceed the limitations of mimicry.



Aw, man! Lousy night job, keeping me from responding before you! 'Course, it pays for my net access so I guess it isn't all bad.

I'm with you on the skill levels thing for Taskmaster. He's probably got a few extra to simulate knowing how the person he fights moves but that means diddly squat if he can't move in time to use the info. Taskmaster knows how Spidey fights and Spidey slapped him around the room and scared the hell out of him.

"Ah! It's Spider-man! He's going to-"
Crunch!
_mumbling_
"...kick me in the jaw. Ouch."

[Haerandir]

Originally posted by Gary
Skill levels beat damage classes any day. ;)

Even if that was unqualifiedly true, damage classes + greater base CV + comparable skill levels + greater SPD + greater defenses (from the higher STR/CON) + more STUN (from higher STR/CON/BOD) + Regeneration + tactical adaptability beats skill levels every day of the week (and all night long, too).

At least, that's the way it looks from over here.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Deathstroke takes this one in a cakewalk.

[mattingly]

This is very similar to the Batman versus Captain America fight, to me. Batman is a great comback fighter. He might lose the first round, but then he'll study you, and come back prepared. Taskmaster is similar. Deathstroke would probably clock him the first time, but every time Taskmaster fought him, he'd get more skilled. If this is a one-shot, I'd go for Deathstroke, but in a series of bouts, it's gotta go to Taskmaster. He's got the speed and agility of the best that Marvel has to offer, along with the combat training and intuition of the best, along with the weaponry skills of the best, and he can use them all together.

[tiger]

Actually depends on whos writing the story. DC writing them their guy wins, Marvel writing then theirs will

I know not the point :D

[TheEmerged]

I've said this a million times and I'll say it a million more...

It depends entirely on where the fight is taking place. In an Avengers book or Agent X? Deathstroke is paste. In Titans or a similar DC book? Taskmaster is patte.

Let's remember that Deathstroke was effectively beaten by Eddie Fryers (spelling?) in the Green Arrow series.

BTW, Taskmaster rant -- speaking as a total Taskie Fanboi, any appearances in which he has "Skeletor Head" should be ignored from a continuity standpoint. This includes the Deadpool and Elektra appearances, for example.

[Hermit]

I have to go with the Emerged. It really depends on the writer and so forth.

So I voted for Tasky just because I like him more :)

[Acroyear]

These things assume it's neutral ground. I didn't think that needed to be said...

The question isn't "who do you like more?"

[Hermit]

But who is more popular does have an effect on who wins these things in the comic books. I'm not saying that's fair, right, or accurate (I still boggle that Wolverine 'beat' Lobo); but it has been a factor in the past.

[Acroyear]

Originally posted by Hermit
I still boggle that Wolverine 'beat' Lobo

lol

That was so impossible they hid it behind a bar counter because not even people who create comic books could depict it.

[Hermit]

Actually, I have a theory on that. After all, for a group of persecuted mutants, the Xmen usually seem to be doing all right money wise... and we all know Lobo can be bought... if the price is right ;)

"Psst, here Bub, the money we agreed on, now stay down."
"Gotcha but don't gloat too much you little bastich..."
"I'll jest smoke a freaking cigar, okay?"
"AND you'll intro me to that delish redhead."

"Hey, I didn't..." Then thinks about how Jean can look out for herself and giving Scott more headaches isn't such a bad deal, "Sure thing... "

And the dark deal was done. Truly a moment of comic book shame :D

[Acroyear]

lol

Yeah, that's the only way it could have possibly happened.

[winterhawk]

Taskmaster, especially as portrayed in the recent miniseries.

[Agent X]

Does anybody remember the fight sequence in NTT #2? Deathstroke is mighty! I have seen him plow into an entire team of supers. I have seen Taskmaster consistently RUN from a group of supers.

[ZootSoot]

Originally posted by Agent X
Does anybody remember the fight sequence in NTT #2? Deathstroke is mighty! I have seen him plow into an entire team of supers. I have seen Taskmaster consistently RUN from a group of supers.

That is Taskmaster's greatest advantage over almost any other villain, he knows when to run and he knows when to surrender. Look, Deathstroke may be smarter than Taskmaster and he can certainly come up with the advantages to win, but from a deadstop Tasky takes him.

[Agent X]

Originally posted by ZootSoot
That is Taskmaster's greatest advantage over almost any other villain, he knows when to run and he knows when to surrender. Look, Deathstroke may be smarter than Taskmaster and he can certainly come up with the advantages to win, but from a deadstop Tasky takes him. He wins the fight based on his ability to run away. I might buy that philosophically but as a superfight; I call "no way."

[TheEmerged]

Originally posted by Acroyear
These things assume it's neutral ground. I didn't think that needed to be said...

The question isn't "who do you like more?"

And my counter-argument would be, "There is no such thing as neutral ground." :D

This is a humorous dig, don't take it the wrong way.

[Lord Liaden]

Originally posted by Agent X
Does anybody remember the fight sequence in NTT #2? Deathstroke is mighty! I have seen him plow into an entire team of supers. I have seen Taskmaster consistently RUN from a group of supers.

Deathstroke was most impressive in that fight - even tripped up Wally West. That fight also highlighted another of the Terminator's strong points: research. He studies many potential foes, and if he expects to fight someone runs extensive intel on them. He may not have photographic reflexes, but I'd expect him to pick up on how an opponent fights almost as fast as Taskmaster. And with his experience, I doubt there's any tactic that he wouldn't be ready to counter. Factor in his physical superiority, and I would expect him to come out ahead of Taskmaster.

[Dynamo]

Another good match-up, but it was slightly easier to choose this time. I had to go with Deathstroke. Both characters fill similar niches in their respective universes, but I think Mr WIlson has the edge with clearly superhuman physical traits to backup his extensive combat skills. Not to say it wouldn't be a helluva fight.

[ZootSoot]

Originally posted by Agent X
He wins the fight based on his ability to run away. I might buy that philosophically but as a superfight; I call "no way."

Nah, his advantage in this fight is a fully functioning brain rather than 90% of one. I just meant that in general Taskmaster is smarter than most villains in knowing when to run and when to surrender . . .

[Gary]

Samurai Jack beats both of them easily.

[Dynamo]

Originally posted by Gary
Samurai Jack beats both of them easily.
I don't know about easily. They'll appear to have the upper hand until Deathstroke slashes Jack's gi. Once Jack's chest is bare, it's all over but the cryin'.

"Who else wants some!!!"
-Samurai Jack

[Balok]

In a variation on a classic comic riff:

"They beat on each other for awhile, then realize they're more alike than different ... both in it for the cash. Then they team up and form the nucleus of a new, mercenary villain team."

[Agent X]

Originally posted by Balok
In a variation on a classic comic riff:

"They beat on each other for awhile, then realize they're more alike than different ... both in it for the cash. Then they team up and form the nucleus of a new, mercenary villain team." Or they realize that if they kill the other guy, there is no one to rival them in their business.

[Nightfire]

Originally posted by Gary
Taskmaster would win. He'd fight defensively until he understood Deathstroke's style of fighting and then counter it.

Except unlike other martial artists, by time he understood Deathstroke's powers, he'd already be dead.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Nightfire
Except unlike other martial artists, by time he understood Deathstroke's powers, he'd already be dead.

Umm, if Deathstroke could kill Taskmaster that quickly, that would imply that he could kill Captain America, Daredevil, Shang Chi, Iron Fist, or Batman as quickly or quicker.

Since I don't think he could kill any of those martial artists without a major struggle, I don't think he could do the same to Taskmaster with all levels in DCV.

[Nightfire]

Originally posted by Gary
Umm, if Deathstroke could kill Taskmaster that quickly, that would imply that he could kill Captain America, Daredevil, Shang Chi, Iron Fist, or Batman as quickly or quicker.

Since I don't think he could kill any of those martial artists without a major struggle, I don't think he could do the same to Taskmaster with all levels in DCV.

I'm not refering to just skills and abilities, I am also referring to ethics. Deathstroke, while he is honorable is not a hero (not even for hire) Deathstroke is capable both analyzing and acting at the same time, His claim to fame was that he utilized 100% of his brain and muscle power. The difference between him and Taskmaster, is Deathstroke was trained to not have his opponent be around for a round two.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Nightfire
I'm not refering to just skills and abilities, I am also referring to ethics. Deathstroke, while he is honorable is not a hero (not even for hire) Deathstroke is capable both analyzing and acting at the same time, His claim to fame was that he utilized 100% of his brain and muscle power. The difference between him and Taskmaster, is Deathstroke was trained to not have his opponent be around for a round two.

Do you think Deathstroke could kill Batman or Captain America quickly and easily?

[Nightfire]

Originally posted by Gary
Do you think Deathstroke could kill Batman or Captain America quickly and easily?

Nope, nor do I think it would be easy for him to kill Taskmaster, but Deathstroke isn't in this business to be the best there is, he's in it to survive. Interestingly, I think it's what would ultimately make him the victor in any real fight. I don't see him being in a gentlemanly "who's better" just a fight to the finish.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Nightfire
Nope, nor do I think it would be easy for him to kill Taskmaster, but Deathstroke isn't in this business to be the best there is, he's in it to survive. Interestingly, I think it's what would ultimately make him the victor in any real fight. I don't see him being in a gentlemanly "who's better" just a fight to the finish.

Well, since it's pretty obvious that Taskmaster would last at least as long as Captain America or Batman, especially if he's fighting defensively, I think this would give him enough time to study and understand Deathstroke fighting style.

[Nightfire]

Originally posted by Gary
Well, since it's pretty obvious that Taskmaster would last at least as long as Captain America or Batman, especially if he's fighting defensively, I think this would give him enough time to study and understand Deathstroke fighting style.

Doen't mean that Taskmaster would win, just that he'd understand the fighting style of the man who had beaten him. Ultimately Taskmaster is a peak human, while Deathstroke is a peak human who was given superhuman reflexes, enduarnace and the like. Captain America and Deathstroke have more in common, but the key difference is that Cap got the serum, and then the training, Slade had the training, and then was enhanced. Taskmaster to my understanding is an unaltered human, he's going to tire before Deathstroke.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Nightfire
Doen't mean that Taskmaster would win, just that he'd understand the fighting style of the man who had beaten him. Ultimately Taskmaster is a peak human, while Deathstroke is a peak human who was given superhuman reflexes, enduarnace and the like. Captain America and Deathstroke have more in common, but the key difference is that Cap got the serum, and then the training, Slade had the training, and then was enhanced. Taskmaster to my understanding is an unaltered human, he's going to tire before Deathstroke.

It's true that Taskmaster will tire first, but once he analyzes Deathstroke's style, he'll be a better fighter (more skill levels).

At worst, he'll make it a mutual suicide pact by using one of Hawkeye's asteroid busting arrows...

[Champsguy]

What would happen if Taskmaster fought USAgent? There's someone with enhanced strength, speed, etc. I know that USAgent ain't quite Deathstroke, but I'd say Tasky would hold his own fairly well.

It all depends on which appearances you take as canon. Yes, Spidey slapped my photo-reflexes boy around like a kid at K-Mart, but was that indicative of how the fight would always go? Or was Spidey on one of those kicks where he gets an extra 10 overall levels, just from being Spidey? (Note: Batman is also prone to getting these levels at times) Remember, this is a guy who kicked around the X-Men, all at once. Taskmaster getting clocked is no real big shame. Similarly, every time he runs from a fight, it's because he's not sure he can win, not because he's sure he'll lose.

I'd give the edge to Deathstroke, not because I think he can adjust to fighting styles as quickly as my boy (he can't), but because he's just faster and stronger. That doesn't mean that it's a gimme, though. Remember, Taskmaster loves to prep, as well, and has access to things like image inducers and other high tech gizmos. I wouldn't put it beyond ol' Skeletor to have a ginormous bomb hidden at the site and do some serious ducking behind that adamantium shield he carries.

[ashland838]

What bugs me about this is that no one ever says Batman couldn't beat him because he doesn't have superhuman abilities. BTW didn't Nightwing beat Slade's ass? This fight goes to Taskmaster. Why? Because it's a fight. It's not a plan or a plot or a scheme, it's a fight. That's what taskmaster does. Taskmasters photographic reflexes actually copy the movements he sees with exact detail even to superhuman ability. Although his strength is not superhuman nor his speed, his agility is almost unlimited. Slade is very good, and in a criminal mastermind sort of way a very charming villian. I like Deathstroke but that doesn't change the fact that Taskmaster is Marvels go to guy when they want to validate a hero. Just recently he's been used by Marvel to validate Dead Pool and Moon Knight. Although I personally think Taskmaster could take either of them if they went at it with a full arsenal. Someday Task is going to get his own book and then we'll see what's good. But for now when Marvel wants to show that "This guys a badass" they throw him up against TM. If you want to do the math on the power side it's 90 % brain capacity against 100% accuracy. Superhuman doesn't automatically mean you win, just ask Bat Man.

[Bloodstone]

Green Arrow and Black Canary combined couldn't beat Deathstroke.

Casandra Cain, the most bad ass of the Bat-family martial artists, couldn't beat him.

If I recall, the only person that has legitimately beat him since Identity Crisis was Superman, and even then Dethstroke outsmarted the entire JLA and escaped.

Slade is now like the evil version of Captain America, only stronger, faster, tougher, smarter and with more wonderful toys.

In their current incarnations, Taskmaster probably wouldn't survive a Presense attack from Deathstroke :(

EDIT: Didn't even realize this was a bubamancy... damn this is an old thread..

[ashland838]

I say again, Nightwing..... Yeah I saw the fight with the JLA and it was minus the Big three, and Green Arrow stabbed him in the Eye (socket) w/ a broken arrow. It wasn't all that impressive, He escaped. He didn't win. Task whipped on the entire X men. TM isn't going to fall for anything psychological, and the fact is if Task has his way he won't even fight a defensive fight. I'll give you a play by play of how this fight would go.

Task swings in on a grappling hook and dropkicks Deathstroke into the side of a building. Deathstroke shrugs off the monster shot gets up and analyzes the situation. He calculates a perfect attack plan and realizes that there's no way the TM can beat him, he isn't strong enough or fast enough. Slade closes the gap and commences to trying to wear out the physically inferior TM. Launching Flurry after flurry Deathstroke wounds TM several times. Slade continues to press but every plan he tries to use to seal the deal has Taskmaster switching styles and countering his attacks. Taskmaster feigns exhaustion and gives just enough for DS to think he has won. TM plays to Slade's overconfidence making himself appear that Slade has gotten the drop on him. Slade goes for his deathstroke to find nobody home. By the time he realizes he's been fooled TM has already hamstung him. The severed tendon stuns Deathstroke and the admantium Shield bash that follows is lights out.

I apologize to Slade fans everywhere but in a straight up fight Task wins.:eg:

[Bloodstone]

I say again, Nightwing..... Yeah I saw the fight with the JLA and it was minus the Big three, and Green Arrow stabbed him in the Eye (socket) w/ a broken arrow. It wasn't all that impressive, He escaped. He didn't win.

I wasn't actually referencing that fight... I was talking about when he took out Green Arrow and Black Canary and the only thing that saved both of them was that the JLA showing.And as I said, he still escaped from Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Hal Jordan and the Flash.. and others.


I apologize to Slade fans everywhere but in a straight up fight Task wins.:eg:

LOL!

Actually, I'm more of a Taskmaster fan, but having seen how they have both been written over the last six years, I give it to Deathstroke by a mile.

[Hugh Neilson]

Based on his miniseries, TM videos DS in action, in fast forward mode, and proceeds to clean DS' clock.

There's no "objective answer" to these "who would win" threads. Whoever the writer wants to win, wins. So who's publishing this, Marvel or DC?

[Psybolt]

I am a Marvel fan, so I voted for Taskmaster

[Enforcer84]

Well in his mini Taskmaster was shown using some martial artists skill at "Fast Forward" speed. His agility/reflexes are superhuman. He can easily mimic superhuman. So he's had a power boost.

Slade's abilities have been shown to go up or down depending on his foe. He was reportedly much more superhuman in his youth.

That said...

I don't think the fight would last too long unless Deathstroke wanted it to. If it was a Blind confrontation where neither had a chance to study the other Taskmaster would disengage after taking a few blows until he could figure out what he was up against. He doesn't fight for a cause, or for pits and giggles, he fights for a) Cash and lots of it, or b) no other choice. So Slade would get the nod in blind combat because Taskmaster would high tail it out of there and running away is a loss.

If it was a case of shared universes and they were given a real reason to fight it out and knew what to expect, I think that Taskmaster would fare better and would be more aggressive. Depending on who's home turf they were on, one would have a booby trap advantage (as they both will do that), take that away, I still think that Taskmaster's ability to predict and his superhuman agility would allow him to keep ahead of the stronger, tougher, and only slightly (if at all) slower Deathstroke.

But I'd be just as unsurprised if Slade beat him.


Heck I'd be unsurprised if they went out for beers afterwards.

[Theron]

Slade for the win, says this DC fanboy.

[Nagisawa Takumi]

Taskmaster, but it's more wishful thinking.

[Bloodstone]

Taskmaster can't do the super speed thing for long though. It tires him out too fast.

In fact, I'm not actually sure he can do it at all anymore, since there have been several situations where his life was on the line and he didn't use it.

I think just about everything from that mini has been ignored in recent continuity, honestly :(

Plus Slade is no slouch when it comes to speed and reflexes...

And I will point out, Slade back in the 80's would be no match for the Taskmaster if that era. Dethstroke has gotten a lot stronger since then, while Tasky has been Worfed several times.

[Enforcer84]

Taskmaster can't do the super speed thing for long though. It tires him out too fast.

In fact, I'm not actually sure he can do it at all anymore, since there have been several situations where his life was on the line and he didn't use it.

I think just about everything from that mini has been ignored in recent continuity, honestly :(

Plus Slade is no slouch when it comes to speed and reflexes...

And I will point out, Slade back in the 80's would be no match for the Taskmaster if that era. Dethstroke has gotten a lot stronger since then, while Tasky has been Worfed several times.
But, I get to do the write ups for each before the fight... :)

[Bloodstone]

Oh, I'm sure on Earth 84 things would be quite different :D

[Hugh Neilson]

There's no "objective answer" to these "who would win" threads. Whoever the writer wants to win, wins. So who's publishing this, Marvel or DC?

But, I get to do the write ups for each before the fight... :)

Like I said (emphasis added)... :rolleyes:

[Bloodstone]

:p

X versus Y arguments just happen to be the number two reason for having the Internets!

I'll let the geeks argue over what the number one reason for it is ;)

[Maelstrom]

DC has a higher starting power level, IMO.

Further, Deathstroke is way more aggressive. He'd clean up Taskmaster before TM knew there was a fight.

[ashland838]

Actually, I'm more of a Taskmaster fan, but having seen how they have both been written over the last six years, I give it to Deathstroke by a mile.[/quote]

Actually (and sadly) you are right about the writing. Deathstroke gets props in the DCU where TM has been run over (except his miniseries) by Marvel several times. However if the guy who stomped on the Xmen, or even the guy from the miniseries showed up DS would be in a world of hurt.

[Kristopher]

I have to go with Taskmaster, because Deathstroke is such a cheesed-out character, and the whole "percentage of your brain" thing is a crock of poop to begin with, so the entire basis of his ability is counterfactual nonsense.

[Bloodstone]

Always amusing to see which line of bull people find more believable than some other line of bull :sneaky:

Though I must point out Slades abilites are not all based on his enhanced brain. He also has superhuman physical attributes, regeneration and an array of useful high tech gadgets.

But Deathstroke has been powered up to an enormous degree. For good or for ill, he's really become one of DC's top master villains. I actually kind of wonder if the Teen Titans cartoon had anything to do with that or not.

[badger3k]

Don't forget that Taskmaster has "gone legit" so to speak and has been training the initiative, so he has a much wider pool to draw on. How well could deathstroke predict or react to a fighting style that is no style, but incorporates widely disparate elements?

I like Slade (well, liked, until the cheesed him out, but he may be going back to more of a mercenary and less of a psycho, so I am not sure now), and am ambivalent towards Taskmaster, but I voted to TM.

Of course, TM could be a secret super skrull too, which would be a further advantage (maybe).

[badger3k]

:p

X versus Y arguments just happen to be the number two reason for having the Internets!

I'll let the geeks argue over what the number one reason for it is ;)

Like who is hotter - dominatrix emma frost or amazon princess diana?
:D

[Blue]

It's like 2003 all over in here again!

[Lawnmower Boy]

It's like 2003 all over in here again!

How much Bubbamancy did I miss over the weekend? (By the way: the Okanogan Valley rocks!)

[Hugh Neilson]

I have to go with Taskmaster, because Deathstroke is such a cheesed-out character, and the whole "percentage of your brain" thing is a crock of poop to begin with, so the entire basis of his ability is counterfactual nonsense.

Yes, comics should stick to more factual concepts.

Like being on fire letting you fly rather than burning you alive.

And mutations granting superpowers.

And radiation exposure causing development of superhuman abilities rather than development of cancer.

And the granting of superhuman abilities based on the spectrum of sunlight one is exposed to.

Realistic things like that, solidly grounded in real science.

[badger3k]

Yes, comics should stick to more factual concepts.

Like being on fire letting you fly rather than burning you alive.

And mutations granting superpowers.

And radiation exposure causing development of superhuman abilities rather than development of cancer.

And the granting of superhuman abilities based on the spectrum of sunlight one is exposed to.

Realistic things like that, solidly grounded in real science.

I don't agree. Most superheroes have powers that are so far out there that we all know they are fake. I still hear that "humans only use..." crap quite often - people are ignorant enough of the operation of our brain that they believe it, and that makes it more irritating.

Nothing to do with comics per se, just when people start believing that they are reality....:idjit:

[Bloodstone]

That's all perception based on what we personally know though.

Look at Bullseye. He's a "normal" human that does not have any super powers at all. Through skill and training, he has the the ability to throw things with deadly force and near perfect accuracy.

Mythbusters has proved that huge amount of the stuff Bullseye does is totally impossible, even for a machine. You simply can't kill someone with a thrown playing card or penny. Does this suddenly mean we have to hate on Bullseye for having an ability based on nonsense?

The stuff your typical martial artist, acrobat, detective or hacker is able to do in a comic book is utterly ludicrous compared to how things work in real life. In fact, just about all super skill based characters can seem ridiculous if we have this sort of standard...

All that said, this complaint would go away if they just rephrased Slade's oft quoted "uses 90% of his brain" thing. Something along the lines of:

"A master strategist, with the ability to process massive amounts of information and calculate probable outcomes of a million different combat permutations in the blink of an eye"

or

"Has a brain like a tactical computer"

or perhaps

"Slade am smarter than you!" :sneaky:

[badger3k]

That's all perception based on what we personally know though.

Look at Bullseye. He's a "normal" human that does not have any super powers at all. Through skill and training, he has the the ability to throw things with deadly force and near perfect accuracy.

Mythbusters has proved that huge amount of the stuff Bullseye does is totally impossible, even for a machine. You simply can't kill someone with a thrown playing card or penny. Does this suddenly mean we have to hate on Bullseye for having an ability based on nonsense?

The stuff your typical martial artist, acrobat, detective or hacker is able to do in a comic book is utterly ludicrous compared to how things work in real life. In fact, just about all super skill based characters can seem ridiculous if we have this sort of standard...

All that said, this complaint would go away if they just rephrased Slade's oft quoted "uses 90% of his brain" thing. Something along the lines of:

"A master strategist, with the ability to process massive amounts of information and calculate probable outcomes of a million different combat permutations in the blink of an eye"

or

"Has a brain like a tactical computer"

or perhaps

"Slade am smarter than you!" :sneaky:

Considering the ways I hear the 10% of the brain thing, the last is more appropriate. I teach biology and general science, and having people repeat debunked garbage, especially when they try to explain why scientists/doctors/others are wrong....:stupid: Is it the comics fault, no - but if the writers, in the infinite number of rewrites, couldn't fix one really stupid thing with another that at least has no connection to a real world urban legend, while changing just about every other character....:doi:

Add in: I normally don't hear a lot of anything like what Bullseye does (or others) being talked about as real, so it's not become a pain in the posterior like the other one.

I've got other issues with DC writers, but the least they can do is try to make an attempt to learn something about what they routinely break (for an excellent resource, look up 'the physics of superheroes' by Jim Kakalios http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com/ to see how some writers got it right).

pre-post edit - for a fun example of how to ruin years of character development with stupidity, look at what was done to Peter Parker with this "brand new day" garbage. Not really related, but the mention of character revisions and rewrites, I thought of it. I'm sure there's a thread somewhere about it - I may go looking.

[Vanguard00]

Actually, Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg have written (as a team) a series of books about all this stuff. "The Science of Superheroes", "Supervillains", a book on James Bond, Indiana Jones and so on. Some of it is kinda...hinky, I guess. Some of it, though, is pretty darn entertaining, and useful.

I don't think Taskmaster or Deathstroke are dealt with, but it does pertain to comic science, so I thought I'd share.

Just something to check out when you get the chance...

[badger3k]

Actually, Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg have written (as a team) a series of books about all this stuff. "The Science of Superheroes", "Supervillains", a book on James Bond, Indiana Jones and so on. Some of it is kinda...hinky, I guess. Some of it, though, is pretty darn entertaining, and useful.

I don't think Taskmaster or Deathstroke are dealt with, but it does pertain to comic science, so I thought I'd share.

Just something to check out when you get the chance...

There's also been some good shows (on Discovery and such) that deal with the subject. Very entertaining and informative.

[Bloodstone]

Add in: I normally don't hear a lot of anything like what Bullseye does (or others) being talked about as real, so it's not become a pain in the posterior like the other one.

I can relate.

I've got some pretty extensive martial arts and weapons training.

I occasionally get impatient with people telling my how these things should work because they saw it in a movie or read it in a comic and it was cool!

But I try not to impose my vision of how it "really" works because the truth is quite often not very cool at all...

[Tech]

Deathstroke is capable of using 90% of his brain capacity, making him a master tactician. He also has heightened strength, agility, stamina and reflexes. In addition, he has rapid-healing powers and is immortal, being able to return from the grave and regenerate himself. The right eye he lost has since been restored with an artificial eye, equipped with infrared vision.

First, I haven't read comic books in quite awhile and am unaware of Marvel's Deathstroke. However, based only on what was said, isn't Deathstroke a contradiction? He has rapid-healing, is immoral, can return from the grave and regenerate. That's fine. Yet, he needed his right eye that was lost to be restored with an artificial eye? :confused: I see a bad origin here.

[Vanguard00]

First, I haven't read comic books in quite awhile and am unaware of Marvel's Deathstroke. However, based only on what was said, isn't Deathstroke a contradiction? He has rapid-healing, is immoral, can return from the grave and regenerate. That's fine. Yet, he needed his right eye that was lost to be restored with an artificial eye? :confused: I see a bad origin here.

Deathstroke is a DC villain, just FYI. Mainly a Teen Titans villain/sometime-hero, though in recent years he's stepped up to the big leagues.

Also, his regenerative powers (indeed, the whole "maximize brain usage" thing) came about after he lost his eye. Since the eye was already gone, it stayed gone. He was basically an adventurer who was recruited by a "top secret" group trying to create a super soldier.

[badger3k]

I can relate.

I've got some pretty extensive martial arts and weapons training.

I occasionally get impatient with people telling my how these things should work because they saw it in a movie or read it in a comic and it was cool!

But I try not to impose my vision of how it "really" works because the truth is quite often not very cool at all...

"I want to learn ninjutsu so I can kill with a touch, walk on walls, and have magical powers."

http://web.mac.com/badger3k/Site/Comics_files/fail.jpg

[Tech]

Deathstroke is a DC villain, just FYI. Mainly a Teen Titans villain/sometime-hero, though in recent years he's stepped up to the big leagues.

Also, his regenerative powers (indeed, the whole "maximize brain usage" thing) came about after he lost his eye. Since the eye was already gone, it stayed gone. He was basically an adventurer who was recruited by a "top secret" group trying to create a super soldier.

See? That just shows I haven't read comics in awhile. :) Thanks for the bit o background. I still don't buy DC's origin: if he can regenerate, his eye would regenerate unless the bionic eye was already in place.

We now go back to the topic at hand.

[badger3k]

See? That just shows I haven't read comics in awhile. :) Thanks for the bit o background. I still don't buy DC's origin: if he can regenerate, his eye would regenerate unless the bionic eye was already in place.

We now go back to the topic at hand.

No, we don't...:eg: You didn't think you could get away that easily, did you Mr Bond?

See, if we assume that the body has a morphogenic field that changes as the body changes, his field "lost an eye" when he did, and his power just froze his field at that point, so he can regenerate everything that the field has. Sort of Like Cpt Jack (Torchwood) (but don't ask me how he could become the Face of Bo or die, given what he is).

See how easy it is? Of course, all of that is probably contradicted by 100 books and itself, but since when has that ever mattered? :) :mad:

[Maelstrom]

Deathstroke was a soldier in the US Army at the time of his selection. His origin is a lot like Cap's, except Vietnam-era, and he became a merc, and assassin.

I kinda combined Deathstroke and Cap for the Paladins you find working for the US gummint in my Champions campaign.

[Bloodstone]

I still don't buy DC's origin: if he can regenerate, his eye would regenerate unless the bionic eye was already in place.

Actually, he just doesn't have the Can Heal Limbs adder, though he does have the Resurrection adder.

[Maelstrom]

Actually, he just doesn't have the Can Heal Limbs adder, though he does have the Resurrection adder.

Yeah, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye . . . and then feverishly looks all over his character sheet. "I can't believe I got Resurrection and not Heal Limbs! Just can't believe it! Just gimme a sec . . . ."