Everyone seems to read the series and they try to make a scale for themselves regarding how strong the channelers are. It all comes down to interpretation. Anyone who says that their strength list is irrefutable is massively incorrect, because even people who read this stuff all the time have to rely on speculation for the most part.
There is only one irrefutable type of statement i.e. when a channeler who is at full strength comments on the strength of another character who is at full strength. This phenomenon is rare, but has happened in the case of Graendal comparing herself to Cyndane, for instance.
The problem with our Egwene-Nynaeve comparisons is that we've never had direct comparisons between the two, and most importantly, they both spend most of the series building up their strength and commenting on how strong they are at the time. Even if Egwene comments on Nynaeve's strength in the next book, we still need to know if Egwene is at her full strength, and if Nynaeve is too.
Only a year ago, almost no one would have contested that Semirhage and Mesaana had similar strengths in the Power. Mesaana compared herself to Semirhage and said that they were relatively similar. We now know that Mesaana is weaker than Semirhage, despite one of the stronger statements we've had regarding two Forsaken comparing each other. RJ always said he wanted to keep it vague, and this is proof. To compare Egwene and Nynaeve at their strengths at that time based on a quote to power a ter'angreal is just as erroneous.
Anyway, I've been in tons of these debates, and I'll always think Nynaeve is much stronger than Egwene. My simple proof is this : Alivia is said to be considerably stronger than Nynaeve at that stage in WH. Nynaeve was at least as strong as Moghedien in TSR and thus even stronger in WH when this comment was made. This means that a woman can be much stronger than Moghedien. There are only six women stronger than Nynaeve, so it makes sense that Nynaeve is very close to the upper strength limit. Considering Egwene can never reach Moghedien's level, it makes Nynaeve much stronger than Egwene.
Unless you believe that Lanfear is half again as strong as Nynaeve for some reason, or that Reanne was wrong... or some other reason you have your own beliefs. That's my 'academic' reasoning for it anyway. I've also got the general impression that whenever Elayne or Egwene have wanted to describe something indescribable or monumental regarding the Power, they've referred to Nynaeve. Their statements convey a sense of awe, as if they could never approach that level even from a distance. Other readers may feel differently.
There is only one irrefutable type of statement i.e. when a channeler who is at full strength comments on the strength of another character who is at full strength. This phenomenon is rare, but has happened in the case of Graendal comparing herself to Cyndane, for instance.
The problem with our Egwene-Nynaeve comparisons is that we've never had direct comparisons between the two, and most importantly, they both spend most of the series building up their strength and commenting on how strong they are at the time. Even if Egwene comments on Nynaeve's strength in the next book, we still need to know if Egwene is at her full strength, and if Nynaeve is too.
Only a year ago, almost no one would have contested that Semirhage and Mesaana had similar strengths in the Power. Mesaana compared herself to Semirhage and said that they were relatively similar. We now know that Mesaana is weaker than Semirhage, despite one of the stronger statements we've had regarding two Forsaken comparing each other. RJ always said he wanted to keep it vague, and this is proof. To compare Egwene and Nynaeve at their strengths at that time based on a quote to power a ter'angreal is just as erroneous.
Anyway, I've been in tons of these debates, and I'll always think Nynaeve is much stronger than Egwene. My simple proof is this : Alivia is said to be considerably stronger than Nynaeve at that stage in WH. Nynaeve was at least as strong as Moghedien in TSR and thus even stronger in WH when this comment was made. This means that a woman can be much stronger than Moghedien. There are only six women stronger than Nynaeve, so it makes sense that Nynaeve is very close to the upper strength limit. Considering Egwene can never reach Moghedien's level, it makes Nynaeve much stronger than Egwene.
Unless you believe that Lanfear is half again as strong as Nynaeve for some reason, or that Reanne was wrong... or some other reason you have your own beliefs. That's my 'academic' reasoning for it anyway. I've also got the general impression that whenever Elayne or Egwene have wanted to describe something indescribable or monumental regarding the Power, they've referred to Nynaeve. Their statements convey a sense of awe, as if they could never approach that level even from a distance. Other readers may feel differently.
Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
This message last edited by Sidious on 01/06/2010 at 06:35:25 PM
Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 31/05/2010 02:17:06 PM
1297 Views
Re: Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 31/05/2010 04:18:08 PM
873 Views
I don't know. Elayne knows how strong a woman needs to be in order to activate the Bowl.
- 31/05/2010 07:51:08 PM
767 Views
Egwene plus Aviendha roughly equal Lanfaer. And yet Lanfear isn't close to double Nynaeve's strength
- 31/05/2010 09:07:06 PM
902 Views
Egwene and Aviendha combined in TFoH (when Avi had been channeling for only a few months)
- 31/05/2010 09:22:17 PM
829 Views
We've done this so many times. Even I have lost the strength for it. What can I still muster...
- 31/05/2010 09:38:24 PM
717 Views
again with the interpretive quoting
- 31/05/2010 11:05:58 PM
749 Views
Individual interpretation is all we've got really
- 01/06/2010 06:32:05 PM
692 Views
- 01/06/2010 06:32:05 PM
692 Views
agreed, sort of
- 04/06/2010 12:57:00 PM
707 Views
- 04/06/2010 12:57:00 PM
707 Views
Consider this...
- 04/06/2010 01:21:43 PM
673 Views
You continue to translate things. That is NOT how the quote reads
- 04/06/2010 01:30:43 PM
458 Views
Not my fault if the books prove you wrong
- 04/06/2010 01:41:00 PM
588 Views
I'm denying that you have a clue
- 04/06/2010 01:51:14 PM
639 Views
Bonfire next to a candle. I rest my case.
- 04/06/2010 01:53:59 PM
506 Views
then Nynaeve is the Creator
- 04/06/2010 02:03:27 PM
626 Views
Estimating potential is exact, fragmentary historical notes are not. And RJ disproves your point..
- 04/06/2010 02:57:32 PM
732 Views
The books disagree with this
- 04/06/2010 03:24:46 PM
560 Views
Right, NOW we're getting somewhere...
- 04/06/2010 03:57:32 PM
682 Views
You are hilarious
- 04/06/2010 04:06:37 PM
471 Views
Close the door on your way out...
- 04/06/2010 04:21:11 PM
501 Views
no I just refuse to bother with a jackass who doesn't know the text well enough to debate *NM*
- 04/06/2010 10:35:09 PM
296 Views
Re: agreed, sort of
- 04/06/2010 04:46:59 PM
1365 Views
- 04/06/2010 04:46:59 PM
1365 Views
this doesn't square in any way with Bell Curve though
- 04/06/2010 10:33:04 PM
742 Views
No, Rand was not stronger than the male Forsaken at the start of tSR...
- 01/06/2010 09:27:47 AM
645 Views
Aginor burned out attempting to use the Eye, which Rand managed to do without burning out *NM*
- 01/06/2010 12:06:01 PM
334 Views
The Eye was just a source of the Power - like a well, just bigger.
- 01/06/2010 12:17:29 PM
631 Views
nope
- 01/06/2010 12:52:46 PM
642 Views
Re: I don't know. Elayne knows how strong a woman needs to be in order to activate the Bowl.
- 01/06/2010 02:18:38 AM
727 Views
I'm not trying to say that Nynaeve isn't significantly stronger
- 01/06/2010 12:44:20 PM
778 Views
If 3 sisters can hold you, it probaly means you are as strong as 4 sisters...
- 01/06/2010 06:37:01 PM
523 Views
Re: I'm not trying to say that Nynaeve isn't significantly stronger
- 01/06/2010 06:43:08 PM
530 Views
Sidenote: What's with Elayne dumping people into the river?
- 31/05/2010 06:22:26 PM
576 Views
Not Elayne, Egwene in Cairhien. She went to meet the Windfinder and got kicked out. Wasn't awesome *NM*
- 31/05/2010 07:13:25 PM
407 Views
Re: Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 31/05/2010 07:21:32 PM
610 Views
Re: Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 31/05/2010 07:41:02 PM
631 Views
Re: Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 01/06/2010 06:07:35 PM
502 Views
Re: Interesting clues to OP Strength difference between Nynaeve and Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha
- 01/06/2010 06:21:29 PM
514 Views
Remember gatways
- 31/05/2010 09:15:31 PM
567 Views
I agree that it's probably some kind of max height you can lift an object
- 31/05/2010 09:25:25 PM
558 Views
I think lifting people on flows of air is much like weaving bridges.
- 01/06/2010 07:42:59 AM
706 Views
I'm pretty convinced that 'strength' really refers to your skill and experience.
- 01/06/2010 08:35:16 PM
678 Views
Strength is a touchy word in this case...
- 03/06/2010 07:31:19 AM
649 Views
