there is very little evidence to show which of the men are stronger than which and zero showing to what degree ... given how competitive life was among the Chosen during the WOP I find it incredibly unlikely people significantly weaker than the top strength levels coupled with obviously less skill (Asmodean and Balthamel were nowhere close to the skill level of Lanfear, Graendal, Ishamael or Demandred) would have survived as one of the top level Chosen. The 13 we started with were on the short list of top generals, something they would not have been able to achieve with both a lack of skill and very close to the maximum level of strength.
Only thing we can go on is that in a very short window of time Rand is known to be "slightly" stronger than Rahvin, Sammael, Be'lal, Asmodean and Taim ... he even says in all of these instances (except Be'lal) that these men "were holding nearly as much saidin as he could" which indicates he was a bit stronger than each of them as he faced off with them and this all takes place in about a 6 month window.
We will never agree on the degree of what "nearly as much" means. And I'm okay with that ... you like the Forsaken to be massively stronger than anyone ... I prefer them to be somewhat stronger, but massively more skilled. It's the way I read the series and in my mind that makes it much more compelling than what amounts to a bunch of thugs who got to the top based completely on being lucky enough to be born with incredible OP strength. The top 6 in my head aren't even necessarily the Strongest in the OP they were the ones with the most skill. Strength in my head was a razors breadth difference between them. Skill on the other hand has much wider margins.
How ever you read the series and this topic it's obvious that Rand's strength accumulation is MUCH faster than anyone else we've ever seen. Within 1 year of first Channeling he had gained the vast majority of his strength.
Only thing we can go on is that in a very short window of time Rand is known to be "slightly" stronger than Rahvin, Sammael, Be'lal, Asmodean and Taim ... he even says in all of these instances (except Be'lal) that these men "were holding nearly as much saidin as he could" which indicates he was a bit stronger than each of them as he faced off with them and this all takes place in about a 6 month window.
We will never agree on the degree of what "nearly as much" means. And I'm okay with that ... you like the Forsaken to be massively stronger than anyone ... I prefer them to be somewhat stronger, but massively more skilled. It's the way I read the series and in my mind that makes it much more compelling than what amounts to a bunch of thugs who got to the top based completely on being lucky enough to be born with incredible OP strength. The top 6 in my head aren't even necessarily the Strongest in the OP they were the ones with the most skill. Strength in my head was a razors breadth difference between them. Skill on the other hand has much wider margins.
How ever you read the series and this topic it's obvious that Rand's strength accumulation is MUCH faster than anyone else we've ever seen. Within 1 year of first Channeling he had gained the vast majority of his strength.
Domani Drag Queen in the White Tower ... Aran'gar watch out!
I really hate to bring up strength in the OP, but thankfully it doesn't regard Egwene or any women.
- 04/12/2012 06:01:45 AM
1913 Views
My thoughts
- 04/12/2012 07:15:44 AM
1322 Views
90 is REALLY high
- 04/12/2012 07:25:15 AM
1286 Views
Couple of things ... **reminder that this is a lot of speculation**
- 04/12/2012 04:29:50 PM
1282 Views
Narishma is definitely stronger, you're right.
- 07/12/2012 03:00:53 AM
1179 Views
He was stronger than Aginor in order to channel the power of the Eye
- 07/12/2012 03:00:10 PM
1198 Views
No I don't think so
- 07/12/2012 04:13:48 PM
1062 Views
I'd say more than 80
- 07/12/2012 07:07:32 PM
1016 Views
81 then
- 07/12/2012 08:11:34 PM
930 Views
and that's just YOUR theory Sidius
- 07/12/2012 09:13:42 PM
1004 Views
- 07/12/2012 09:13:42 PM
1004 Views
Aginors defeat could be a result of multiple factors. So can Ishmaels
- 07/12/2012 01:24:18 PM
1074 Views
Regardless, Rand was clearly in the same strength category when Aginor and he faced off
- 07/12/2012 03:03:04 PM
1079 Views
I disagree.
- 07/12/2012 06:55:43 PM
967 Views
Aginor burned out trying to use the Eye in the real world
- 07/12/2012 07:12:44 PM
1022 Views
Re: Aginor burned out trying to use the Eye in the real world
- 07/12/2012 07:51:37 PM
978 Views
he faced Asmodean strength for strength before Rahvin
- 07/12/2012 09:23:42 PM
1065 Views
Just to be a bitch
- 07/12/2012 10:17:11 PM
900 Views
He didn't face Asmodean he chased him and wrestled him over a sa'angreal.
- 10/12/2012 11:16:18 PM
1114 Views
Asmo hurled plenty of stuff at Rand during the "Chase" it wasnt all that much different
- 11/12/2012 03:16:36 AM
960 Views
I disagree with your plenty cause no one was TRYING to crush him. *NM*
- 11/12/2012 07:13:12 PM
570 Views
as I said before ... your interpretations are yours to have ... as are mine. *NM*
- 11/12/2012 09:16:36 PM
481 Views
think youre misjudgjng the benefits of the link. they dont have to add up to 90.
- 07/12/2012 12:34:59 PM
1011 Views
There is also no why to tell if Flinn hit Demandred with all the strength available to him either
- 07/12/2012 03:05:38 PM
991 Views
the "circle" was stronger but the individuals weren't *NM*
- 07/12/2012 06:58:38 PM
596 Views
that's what I just said *NM*
- 07/12/2012 07:23:34 PM
532 Views
that was not clear *NM*
- 07/12/2012 07:43:54 PM
622 Views
*shrug*
- 07/12/2012 09:25:00 PM
895 Views
Re: *shrug*
- 10/12/2012 11:27:42 PM
991 Views
If I had said the individuals in the circle added to Dmandreds strength perhaps
- 11/12/2012 03:28:23 AM
1039 Views
in the context of this discussion you did not distinguish between the effective strength and
- 11/12/2012 07:10:48 PM
948 Views
whatever ... didn't think it was necessary ... and with that I'm done
- 11/12/2012 09:16:03 PM
914 Views
About Rand's strength... an important quote is being ignored:
- 08/12/2012 12:37:38 AM
1145 Views
Perhaps
- 08/12/2012 01:01:21 AM
965 Views
Re: Perhaps
- 08/12/2012 02:06:39 AM
1026 Views
Like I said ... Could be
- 08/12/2012 02:33:43 AM
999 Views
I disagree...
- 08/12/2012 04:53:09 AM
969 Views
Re: I disagree...
- 08/12/2012 05:20:08 AM
898 Views
I disagree again!
- 08/12/2012 05:49:15 AM
966 Views
Probably
- 08/12/2012 02:46:15 PM
1008 Views
Re: Probably
- 09/12/2012 07:51:59 PM
1016 Views
Always thought the forsaken didn't really know much about Rand
- 08/12/2012 02:38:08 AM
1032 Views
And they had plenty of spies around him and clearly knew that he managed
- 08/12/2012 02:43:15 AM
949 Views
Re: And they had plenty of spies around him and clearly knew that he managed
- 08/12/2012 05:34:54 AM
1018 Views
Who can say. Graendal wraps them so deep in compulsion that she can dig
- 08/12/2012 05:42:39 AM
1005 Views
I don't think they could have had a clear idea of his strength eary in the series...
- 08/12/2012 09:34:36 AM
1134 Views
Re: I don't think they could have had a clear idea of his strength eary in the series...
- 08/12/2012 02:54:08 PM
927 Views
Re: About Rand's strength... an important quote is being ignored:
- 11/12/2012 11:36:51 PM
999 Views

*NM*