Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-25908228-20141222101442/@comment-117.197.135.82-20161218012316

Can we really decide for sure who's stronger between Asuna, Kirito and Yuuki? Sorry, a SAO newbie here so I don't know if it'll make sense but as mentioned numerous times above the author himself said that Dual Wielding would possibly have been of no use but Excaliber might have made up for the difference. But this statement at least confirms that Kirito might have put out much more with Excaliber and with the sword he could have possibly won. So Kirito wasn't using everything he could to win. Second, it can't been denied that not only his skills got a little rusty, he (and the SAO survivors) doesn't have that bloodlust and desparate need to survive the game which he did in SAO and Yuuki spent more time in VR using a more powerful machine that allowed much more immersiveness than its predecessors. And this one's my personal feeling but Yuuki must have felt the need to prove and belong, since it was the only world she could 'live' in.

All this doesn't mean that Kirito was at a disadvantage or Yuuki had an advantage of sorts. To truly see whose stronger we need to see them fight with everything they have at that time, using all their options which Yuuki was doing and apparently Kirito was not. Things like he could have beaten her if he was at the same strength as SAO are the same as saying given enough training he could surpass her in the future and both of these statements have no validity.

Honestly, I do feel that if Kirito used Excaliber he would have beaten her. Some might say its unfair that it was because of the sword and it doesn't show his strength but I don't think so, in a battle, your strength consists of not only your EXP, but your skills, items, weapons and in the same way the time she spent and experience got in VR with a more powerful gear might be said as something unfair but its not, its just an extra 'skill' she's got.

The interesting question's this, make everything same - skill, weapons, VR experience, their bloodlust and desparation, everything EXCEPT for their personal figting style. Who do you think would be stronger then?