And so it begins…
For the past few years, Suvudu has been the home of Cage Match, where we pit fantasy and science fiction characters against each other in a March Madness-style bracket.
Check out last year’s Cage Match to get an idea of what I’m talking about.
Seriously–go on and take a look. We’ll wait.
…
You back?
Excellent! As you can see, Steven Erikson’s Quick Ben took the crown with close victory over Brandon Sanderson’s Vin, following a year in which Robert Jordan’s Rand al’Thor took not only the inaugural Cage Match, but also beat out the satellite Villains! tournament winner, George R.R. Martin’s Gregor Clegaine, for the 2010 Championship crown.
Because coming up in March 2012, we’re doing it again–this time with a full field of 64 characters!
We tried to have a good balance of newer characters and classic ones, YA and adult, powerful and simply compelling–and we think we did a good job.
But below is the list, in alphabetical order, of the 64 contestants for the 2012 Cage Match title, and we have some questions for you:
• How would you seed them?
• What match-ups would you like to see?
• Who’d we miss?
Take a look, and stay tuned to Suvudu in the next coming weeks and months for more updates leading to the beginning of the tournament!
THE 2012 CAGE MATCH CHARACTER LIST
• Anasûrimbor Kellhus — R. Scott Bakker
• Anomander Rake — Steven Erikson
• Atticus O’Sullivan — Kevin Hearne
• Aurest — Paula Brandon
• Babcock — Justin Cronin
• Bast — Patrick Rothfuss
• Bram — Lia Habel
• Caine — Matthew Stover
• Carnival — Alan Campbell
• Chess Putnam — Stacia Kane
• Claire Haskell — David J. Williams
• The Dagda Mor — Terry Brooks
• Darian Frey — Chris Wooding
• Esmerelda “Esme” Weatherwax (Granny Weatherwax) — Terry Pratchett
• Evangeline Stone — Kelly Meding
• Erevis Cale — Paul S. Kemp
• The Escapist — Michael Chabon
• Felix — Ted Kosmatka
• Ferro Maljinn — Joe Abercrombie
• The Fool — Robin Hobb
• Gale Hawthorne — Suzanne Collins
• Gimli — J.R.R. Tolkien
• Gray Mouser — Fritz Lieber
• Greg Mandel — Peter F. Hamilton
• Harry Potter — J.K. Rowling
• Havemercy — Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett
• The Horned King — Lloyd Alexander
• Iorek Byrnison — Philip Pullman
• Jardir — Peter Brett
• Jean Tannen — Scott Lynch
• Jonathan Strange — Susanna Clarke
• Juan “Johnny” Rico — Robert Heinlein
• Julia — Lev Grossman
• Kelsier — Brandon Sanderson
• Kull — Robert E. Howard
• Kylar Stern — Brent Weeks
• Lady Jessica — Frank Herbert
• Mellorin Rebaine — Ari Marmell
• Moiraine Damodred — Robert Jordan
• Morrolan e’Drien — Steven Brust
• Mr. Wednesday — Neil Gaiman
• Napoleon (on a dragon) — Naomi Novik
• Paksenarrion — Elizabeth Moon
• Peter Grant — Ben Aaronovitch
• Rachel Morgan — Kim Harrison
• Randur Estevu — Mark Charan Newton
• Ray Lilly – Harry Connolly
• Raylene Pendle — Cherie Priest
• Revan — Drew Karpyshyn
• Richard Rahl — Terry Goodkind
• Ringil Eskiath — Richard K. Morgan
• Saphira — Chris Paolini
• Seregil — Lynn Flewelling
• Sparhawk — David Eddings
• Stony Mayhall — Daryl Gregory
• Susannah Dean — Stephen King
• Tarzan — Edgar Rice Burroughs
• Tattoo — China Miéville
• Tomas — Raymond Feist
• Tyrion Lannister — George R.R. Martin
• Waylander — David Gemmell
• The Wicked Witch — Frank Baum
• Y.T. — Neal Stephenson
• Zaphod Beeblebrox — Douglas Adams
Anita was probably already in it, but if not, then obviously she’s too busy having sex (with every furry in the Northern Hemisphere) to participate. XD
GIMLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the win!
So happy to see some familiar characters, and even happier that I don’t know even more of them.
That means that I will have plenty of new books to look into once the Cage Match starts.
I do believe that eventually it would be nice to do a Cage Match with all of the first-round losers of the past ones… basically, a best of the worst. Because good characters do get out early, and it gives those more obscure characters who may not have gotten the chance to shine in their first tourney a second chance to show what they can really do (like the Warded Man/The Painted Man’s Arlen from Peter V. Brett, or The Bloody Nine from Joe Abercombie’s First Law Trilogy, good characters who faced against tough competition right at the start; Beowulf and 2nd placer Vin, respectively). Of course, some of the characters were less popular to begin with, (Edward and Jacob from Twilight were both first-round losers: 2010, 2011, respectively) so maybe not the best idea exactly as-is…
One character who I wish had made the cut is Miles Vorkosigan from Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga, but there’s always next year. Otherwise, happy with those I recognize and very interested in the many who I don’t.
RAKE RAKE RAKE
David what books were you reading??????? Quick Ben isn’t even in the same power ballpark as Rake let alone his superior lol
LOL David if you think QB is more powerful than Rake, then I DONT KNOW WHAT BOOK U WERE READING LMFAO
@ARSoD Rake is a vastly superior swordsman and superior to Quick in raw power. However, neither of these make up for Quick’s tactical genius. He once defeated three soultaken dragon’s close to Rake’s power at once. Not to mention the fact that he is likely to always have access to Moranth munitions. IMHO Quick Ben would take Anomander easily 9 times out of 10.
Anomander Rake FTW
All of you people keep comparing these characters as if they are in your favorite character’s mythos… Have you ever considered that they may not be as badass in a neutral or foreign setting? Perhaps his or her favorite tricks don’t work in that setting or against that particular foe… anything is possible. Its called fantasy for a reason!
Admittedly I haven’t read about half of the series on the list, but things are infinitely more exciting and interesting if the possibilities are infinite themselves.
Lol johthohar. You correctly state that Rake is indeed vastly superior as a swordsman and in raw magical power. Not to mention he is a Soletaken Eleint. His feats include:
A master of Kurald Galain, Starvald Demelain and Chaos
He is the only known slayer of Tiam – and without Dragnipur (although she re-manifests) -
He slew Draconus – he earned his respect as well.
He slew Apsal’ara
He slew Hood
He defeated Kilmandaros (and perhaps Sechul Lath)
He has defeated the Soletaken Elient Galain Lord
He defeated Osserc numerous times
He slew 2 hounds of shadow in a split second while fighting the bunch of them
He forced the hounds and Ammeanas/Cot to withdraw
He sealed the gates to Starvald Demelain
He warred with the pure blood eleints – defeating and trapping many (including the 3 in Shadow)
He trapped defeated and trapped KORBAS LOL (the otataral dragon)
He filled Dragnipur with a huge number of deadly beings from elder gods to powerful mortals
He took on Tay,A’Kar,Hairlock,Tattersail,Calot,Nightchill(an Elder god),Bellurden with cadres of lesser mages supporting them – His power was used to at least deflect onto A’Kar/Hairlock/Tattersail/Calot – killing them all save for Tattersail – leaving Tay unable to stand.
He had Gothos respect
He had the power to defeat Dessembrae
He had the power to destroy Azath
He hammered back Chaos with the pure power of his being, giving gate of Kurald Galain back to the Tiste Andii
Now Quick Ben with the HELP of Hedge raised the earth and hammered back Sukul, Menandore and Lore. They completely underestimated him and didn’t think he would even fight back lol. In their frustration Menandore was killed because Lore and Sukul teamed up against her. Lore was then killed by a Moranth Cusser from Hedge. Sukul was then killed by the T’lan Imass. So actually all QB did was hammer them back when they had completely underestimated him. Thirdly All three of those Soletaken were needed to have a chance of killing Ruin, Rakes (weaker brother). So saying they are individually close to Rakes power is nonsense. Unless you weren’t implying that.
Rake is as much of TACTICAL GENIUS as anyone in the series. It is often overlooked as he has so much Raw power. Endest Silan, Tulus Shorn and Ruin rate Rake as the most intelligent being they have EVER encountered in over 300,000 years of existence. God/Ascendant or Mortal. Rake laid the impossible trap to capture Korbas. He has warred for 300,000 – 1million years being the most deadly ascendant in MbotF.
Finally in MoI i think it is quick ben who is absolutely petrified of Rake, wanting absolutely nothing to do with him.
Regards.
Blasphemy!, Where is Mat Cauthon?
@ JoodeWess
The good folks at Suvudu realize that if Mat is in a Cage Match, the WOT fanbase will not let him lose, under any circumstances.
… and they probably got tired of the Ta’veren argument as well.
@JoodeWess and @trench:
We wanted to include more female characters in Cage Match, so we thought we’d include Moiraine from WoT this time around. Considering she’s pretty bad-ass in her own right, we think she’s a great addition to the 2012 bracket.
I don’t know most of these characters, but from what research I’ve done, I think I would seed them in this order:
1: Sparhawk (assuming he’s at the height of his power and not just a mortal knight)
2: Mr. Wednesday
3: Anomander Rake
4: Tomas
5: Richard Rahl
6: Morrolan e’Drien
7: Revan
8: Moiraine Damodred
9: Esmerelda Weatherwax
10: The Dagda Mor
11: Carnival
12: Anasûrimbor Kellus
13: Julia
14: Harry Potter
15: Rachel Morgan
16: Jardir
17: Kelsier
18: Lady Jessica
19: Jonathon Strange
20: Atticus O’Sullivan
21: Havemercy
22: Saphira
23: Napolean
24: Kylar Stern
25: Juan Rico
26: Babcock
27: Raylene Pendle
28: The Wicked Witch
29: Ray Lilly
30: Bast
31: Greg Mandel
32: The Horned King
33: The Escapist
34: Darian Frey
35: Felix
36: Bram
37: Evangeline Stone
38: Chess Putnam
39: Randur Estevu
40: Tattoo
41: Erevis Cale
42: Ferro Maljinn
43: Waylander
44: Iorek Byrnison
45: Stony Mayhall
46: Peter Grant
47: Claire Haskell
48: Susannah Dean
49: Gale Hawthorne
50: Paksenarrion
51: Gimli
52: Jean Tannen
53: Kull
54: Mellorin Rebaine
55: Aurest
56: Ringil Eskiath
57: Caine
58: Tarzan
59: Tyrion Lannister
60: Gray Mouser
61: Seregil
62: Y.T.
63: Zaphod Beeblebrox
64: The Fool
What no Daenaerys (on a dragon) you cannot deny the awesomeness of Daenaerys (on a dragon) fighting Napoleon (on a dragon)
Gah, still no love for the Kushiel series? Ah well…I’d give it to Rake, but Moiraine can use balefire and roast him out of existence, soooo…dunno. Kylar Stern could possibly assassinate Moiraine before she had a chance to use the Power, though.
Depends on the organization of the matches, I suppose.
Sadly Harry Dresden is not on this list cause it would be nice to see a “Harry, the Wizard vs Harry, the Wizard” fight
@WhisperByte Harry Dresden was in the first ever cage match. @ARSoD True, I’ve never read that series. I had read somewhere that Rake only had access to 3 warrens while QB had access to 10. Guess I’ll have to read the series.
Well, I don’t know enough about all of them to rank them… but I can think of a couple of characters you missed that I think may be powerful or compelling enough to include in future cage matches:
Grinsa Jal Arriet – From David B. Coe’s Southland series… Weaver (wielder and master of multiple magical skills) of great renown and ability
Alcatraz Smedry – From Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz series… Occulator (able to use various lenses to make things happen) with the amazing talent of Breaking Things
F’lar (on Mnementh) or Lessa (on Ramoth) – From Anne McCaffery’s Pern series…
Naitachal – From The Bard’s Tale… reformed Necromancer turned Master Bard… the combination of the 2 would make a formidable fighter…
Marcia Overstrand – From Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series… ExtraOrdinary Wizard with not insignificant powers and knowledge… would certainly hold her own…
DAVID: @ARSoD True, I’ve never read that series. I had read somewhere that Rake only had access to 3 warrens while QB had access to 10. Guess I’ll have to read the series.
Number of Warrens is no indicative of Power. Rakes KNOWN warrens are Elder racial warrens, which are much more powerful than QBs numerous human accessible warrens. Rake is the Archmage of the Elder Warren of Darkness (the most powerful warren in the series) – he is the premier Mage of his race. In one sweep of his flight over a 300,000 man strong tenescowri army which sprawled over miles – he decimated at least one third of it with Kurald Galain before they scattered.
Rake can annihilate armies/cities and more (we don’t know his limit) etc in a single unveiling of Kurald Galain.
hmmmm, but ther eis also so much more to Qb than there is to Rake…. at least 12 things and some of those may be as old as Rake himself…… not that I’m dissing Rake at all…… he is/was the Uber power overall but …. .as has been pointed out numerous times in the Malaz world… no matter how big a shot you are, the twins have the ultimate say in who wins and who doesn’t….
Simply put, a fight between QB and Rake is not clear cut. As was explained in the series, raw power isn’t everything, and Gods were shown that several times throughout. There is a strong argument for either one winning (Remember, QB is far more than he appears, to the point that by the end of the main series we are not supposed to know who he really is).
@ ARSoD
I would hate to spoil it, so if you haven’t read the entire series stop reading here, but…
QB is the Magi of darkness, though this happened right around the time of Rake’s death, but it puts their relative power in context (effectively, either one might be stronger, depending). Rake, of course, spent the entire series as the Knight of dark.
Mat would win, but his “Ta’vereness” isn’t the issue, his luck is separate and beyond it, to the point that if this fights happened when Mat was on a lucky streak he could kill every single other character at once without doing anything intentionally, because by some chance things would work out that way. Mat, effectively, is the only non-magical character who ever has a shot of winning in a fair fight, because he is insanely lucky.
I have read it all Chris. Knight/Champion is normally the powerhouse role of a house. The death-dealer the big bad-ass. Magi vs. Knight doesn’t really put any of their relative power into any context. Pust is the Magi of Shadow… i could name numerous mages that aren’t Magi of anything but are potentially more powerful than Pust. Anyway I do rate QB massively. He is capable of producing an upset. But killing Rake would be just that, an upset.
Characters I would like to see fighting in Cage Matches:
Dany Targaryen (from A Song of Ice and Fire) With her dragons, of course.
Arya Stark (also from A Song of Ice and Fire) I don’t think we can have two characters from the same series, but I’d love to see one of these two characters in the Cage Matches. I don’t think she’d make it very far since these matches are mostly determined by magic, which she doesn’t have, but it would be nice to see her fighting.
I don’t think Tyrion, the A Song of Ice and Fire character that’s being included is a good choice: sure, I love him, and he might do well solely because of his insane popularity, but he’s not much of a fighter. Okay, correction: He’s not a fighter AT ALL.
Reepicheep (Narnia) Maybe against Martin the Warrior? I know Martin was in last year’s matches but this fight would be pure awesome.
Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter) Because we haven’t got enough villains on the list.
Eowyn (Lord of the Rings) Honestly, I don’t know why I picked her. I’d just like to see her in this.
Gholam from WoT would be fun to see at the 2012 villain match.
That thing would give serious headache for anyone.
For those who haven’t read WoT:
Gholam is basically T-1000 Terminator with a magic immunity and infallible tracking ability… It can’t change it’s appearance from what its been made but is otherwise exact in powers.
It sustains itself with blood ala vampire, likes human blood and absolutely loves mage’s blood.
Now about the hero match 2012; I’m in a firm belief that the poor Fool aka “the white prophet” is going to get creamed in short order. He has only two magically inclined abilities and none of them are combat oriented. The first is his ability to “feel” the true make-up of objects which usually results him to create exquisite art pieces and the other is a form of foretelling. I’m not listing his ability to effect his proxy or “catalyst” FitzChivalry in this since his more of a free agent than a minion and was already there the last time around at 2011.
The rest of the blokes and gal’s on the list might actually have a slight chance against Rake except Zaphoid whose even bigger “wimp” at the combat department than the Fool.
I just found this and am wondering if Ronin/Dai-San from Eric Von Lustabders Sunset Warrior series has ever been in this and how others think he might fare.
1st: Luggage from Diskworld would win any match, ever. Out of the choices available though, I’d rather enjoy Tarzan winning.
2nd: when can I start voting?
Discworld is spelled with a c in the middle. obviously.
@ARSoD Sparhawk should be an interesting opponent for Rake, then. That’s assuming he is permitted to be Anakha in this tournament.
Morrolan e’Drien. It’s obvious!
8 ft tall, master swordsman, witch, sorcerer, and he has Blackwand, a Great Weapon. Brust might not have the best series out of this group, but Morrolan is the clear favorite imho.
I’m betting on Kylar Stern, not only because he has almost inexhaustible power, but because even if someone DOES manage to kill him, he’ll just come back to life, hunt them down, and kill them anyway.
@NightAngelFan
LOL thats the thing about RAKE. When he kills people. They stay dead forever because you are thrown into a hellish afterlife that traps you forever. Or till the chaotic powers that are the essence of everything in the universe annihilate you on contact. thats spirit flesh and everything. So little Kylar Stern is screwed. Trust me.
Is it too late to offer names for the list? If not, I’d like to toss some love to Jim Butcher — either Karren Murphy (Dresden Files) or Isana (Codex Alera) if you still need women. Tavi would work as well, or even Gaius Septimus, if you allow him to call all the furies of Alera…
Well. This will be interesting.
Rake for the win!
… lets face it, he is the coolest and will own anything on this list.
I would love to see Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher in a good fight, if its not too late to chime in.
What about Agatha Heterodyne from Girl Genius, especially if you want more women in the cage match.
Oh man! I can’t wait for this!
Some suggested matchups:
1) Gimli vs. Tyrion Lanister (dwarf v. dwarf!!!)
2) Saphira vs. Napoleon
Also, very glad to see Bast in here, he should be interesting!
I have read nearly of every character up there… I am supporting them in this order and for reasoning listed.
1. Atticus O’Sullivan — Kevin Hearne – Because lets face it… He kills gods, is neigh immortal and has lived several thousand years longer than anyone else on the list.
2.Kylar Stern — Brent Weeks — Again, neigh immortal. Due to his ability to get resurrected from death near indefinitely. Is a professional assassin which magic does not really work against AND can change his appearance and shape at will essentially.
3. Jadir – Peter V Brett.– No secret I thought Arlen was robbed last time. For this time however, I think Jadir has a good shot. He has ancient armor and weapons which absorb any magic and block mind control. Has trained his entire life to kill demons easily 5 times larger than himself and is adept to every type of combat essentially. Also is ruthless.
4.Richard Rahl — Terry Goodkind — I am rating Richard lower simply because he lacks a great deal of ability when it comes to using his powers. Otherwise he would be a lot more formidable.
Characters I think would stand no chance are.
1. Gimli
2. Harry Potter
3.Tyrion Lannister
Character that I think would put up a good fight against anyone but might not win.
1. Bast
1.5 and Kelsier — Brandon Sanderson
2. Mr.Wednesday
3.Saphira
4.The Fool
All around I am really hoping this match up goes better than last years. GL to everyones favorite characters.
I am unfamiliar with most of the characters on the list. The ones I am familiar with, I rate as follows:
Haven’t got a chance-
Gimli- The axe won’t help against someone with power
Johnny Rico- He’s brave. He’s got a gun. Too many on the list are immune to bullets
Kull- He’s no Conan
Tarzan- He’s strong, but the guys I just mentioned could take him
Zaphod Beeblebrox- Seriously?
Have a decent chance-
Richard Rahl- He’s a powerful wizard, albeit poorly trained
Wicked Witch- She’s got power, but she’s beatable
Harry Potter- He’s resourceful, but he isn’t Dumbledore or Snape
Have a good chance-
Kelsier- Next to Vin, he was the most powerful Allomancer
Sparhawk- He’s the premier knight in Elenia. He has the Bhelliom. He’s Anakha. ‘Nuff said.
On a side note. I’m also familiar with the Dagda Mor. I know ‘he’ is a powerful demon sorcerer. I’m just not sure why a villain was put on the list. There have been morally ambiguous characters (i.e. Snape, LeStat, the Wicked Witch) but this character is pure evil.
Can we all agree to be realistic in our voting? For instance, let’s not have Tarzan getting the drop on Rake.
So many characters on the list that i do not care about.
I’d like to see Qvothe (fomr Patrick Rothfuss).
I give human determination high odds, so would not discount (the real) Tarzan (from ERB, not the moives and cartoons). I hope Moiraine whus everyone! She is quite capable. I admit I don’t know this Rake everyone favors.
Adam: just to let you know, Harry Dresden was in the first Cage Match. He went up against Conan, and even Jim Butcher thought he’d lose in that fight!
http://suvudu.com/2010/03/cage-match-2010-round-1-12-harry-dresden-vs-21-conan-the-barbarian.html
Novashannon: I understand. Many big characters were used in previous fights (including Qvothe, who made it pretty far into the first Cage Match).
I would say, though, that one thing we’re trying to do is hopefully MAKE you care about some of these other characters. You never know who you might discover as a new favorite read.
And, just to let you know: the bracket will be revealed Sunday, February 26th. So stay tuned!
I’m afraid Rake has to be the top of the bracket, he is something in the order of 300,000 years old, carries a sword that can imprison pretty much anyone permanently and has enough magical juice to quite literally halt armies in their tracks. One top of that if he gets bored he can also turn into a dragon.
Question then is whether Sparhawk has access to his Bhelliom/Anakha powers, though if he does then it makes talking about most of this academic in the same way as when Cthulu was in the villains bracket.
I agree that it is a shame that there aren’t more girls around, Sabriel would make for a couple of interesting fights, the surprise of being chucked past a few gates of death would make for a good reading. Similarly from the Dresdenverse instead of Murphy take either Lara Wraith or (more likely to be successful) Mab.
However personally rooting for Granny Weatherwax, you just can’t beat Headology.
No Narnia representative? :\
As for who I think will win, MAYBE Kelsier. If he does win, it’s just because B.S.’s fanbase is too in love with the Survivor and will all show up in droves to vote for him. I kind of wish we could get a B.S. representative that’s, ya know, NOT from Mistborn though. Like Szeth. Szeth kicks ass.
Moiraine is my only bet for being able to beat Rake with something approaching a realistic chance. She has to use balefire almost immediately though, and be very clever. If they’re allowed to bring assistants again, she might definitely be able to pull it off if she bring some other sisters to link with. (Or she could just be cheap and bring Rand and some Asha’man)
Oh, oh, oh, as for my choice for a future B.S. rep, HOID ALL THE WAY GUYS. Lightweaving is just too awesome to pass up. And the worldhopping. Though I think he’d be better to save for when Dragonsteel comes out.
Dalinar Kholin would also be cool. I would say Vasher, the man himself, but I’m not sure we know the extent of his powers as of yet.
A shard could definitely beat Rake, though the only ones we’ve seen in detail are Preservation, Ruin, and the fusion of the two in the form of Harmony. Ruin would definitely be a favored win, even over Rake.
You all do know that Moiraine can just balefire anybody she wants out of existence like rand al’thor did right?
I know it’s much too late to be adding names but what about Kate Daniels and Curran from the Ilona Andrews books? Also…Mercy Thompson and Adam from the Patricia Briggs books.
Wooo! Paksenarrion and Rachel Morgan! This is awesome! The only thing missing is some Pern Love! Mnementh could kick ass any day of the week!