The meatshield concept is not a new one. I’m sure it was invented the first time a caveman decided that he would rather let someone else get eaten by some giant crazy animal and ducked behind someone else.
I wouldn’t say uncharacteristically so. They’ve both always had fuller lips than the men in the comic and both have always had the upturned nose. She just happens to be using a very Frigg-like expression atm, since Frigg primarily communicates through cursing, smirks, scowls, sneers and big sticks.
Meatshield: Another word for tank, bodyguard, defensive linebacker, brick wall, mobile fortress, or otherwise they who stand in front and takes the hits with shield and armor and makes sure the enemy focuses on THEM, and not on the rest of the party.
in theory, Byron should be tank, he’s the one with CON, since Frigg is obviously STR. however those berserker qualities, which we have yet to see, may make that impossible
The real question ends up being… does Byron, the person who has been knocked out a couple of times so far, really want to be a meat shield. I think he’s tired of head injuries at this point.
Yeah, you would think that he’d march off to the armory and requisition himself up a helmet or something. Two shots to the noggin in one adventure’s plenty.
I’d like Best to rescue the party at some point. Then they’d still hate him but would also owe their lives to him (which arguably they already do). T’would be a wonderful moral conundrum.
Nah, it wouldn’t be a moral conundrum. Nobody is truly all good or all bad, since people behave differently depending on context. Best’s problem is that he seems to think his good points mean that people should completely ignore his flaws, and for the most part life doesn’t work like that. People may acknowledge debts, but that doesn’t mean they have to like you.
I agree. If you hate someone, it’s usually for a good reason (note I said usually!) and those very strong emotions tend to get in the way of things like gratitude. Also, what if they did owe Best, and Best wanted to call in the favor…but he wants their help not to save his life but to save his “career”?
I’d have a very hard time helping Best out, if I were these guys. Life debt or no life debt, he seems like a menace to the countryside :P
I still don’t see how it’s a moral conundrum. Whether you consider an act to be moral or immoral should be rather independent of your personal feelings about those involved. Otherwise you’re not really being the best person you can be.
As for saving his career goes, I would still argue that you don’t owe the guy anything more honesty.
Wonderful counter-usual phrase in the last panel. A friend of mine, who has, err…, vast tracts of land, has a phrase embroidered around the neckline of one of her dresses. “Hi, my name is (name elided), I have a doctorate, my eyes are blue.”
That being said, I think Frigg is a great tank, both in characteristics and in personality.
Anyone else beggining to think that Byron’s just a bit Sh*t? I mean yeah, he’s had some nice plans and such. But so far he’s had his ass handed to him by:
Frigg,
A large Ogre
A small child
A poncy elf.
I mean come on! He’s a Berserker! I wanna see him RAGE out in battle one time. Slash some faces chop some heads and leave everyone like 0_0
BANDIT SQUEEE!
+1
Jim
+2
Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Just in time.
Ahhhh haaaa!
OK, if Frigg knows GTFO, I can accept Syr understanding the concept of a Meatshield.
The meatshield concept is not a new one. I’m sure it was invented the first time a caveman decided that he would rather let someone else get eaten by some giant crazy animal and ducked behind someone else.
I believe the reference was more to the term “meatshield” itself rather than actually interposing someone between the self and harm.
Bandit is an Ozzie?
Or a cockney…
or permanently drunk.
Or a hooligan.
I’m thinking Scottish accent?
No way. Liverpool.
or shes jewish
OR a hooligan from Liverpool that spent some time in London’s east end then studied abroad in Scotland where she developed a taste for alcohol.
Also, she’s Jewish.
a Scouser would say “ey!” rather than “oi!” methinks
And wouldn’t have the “h” on “here”.
Also she said “my” rather than “me”. That is telling:
She has a generic fantasy accent.
BTW, Syr’nj is the beset hardnosed medic ever.
Is it me, or does Bandit’s face look uncharacteristically like Frigg’s?
just you.
I wouldn’t say uncharacteristically so. They’ve both always had fuller lips than the men in the comic and both have always had the upturned nose. She just happens to be using a very Frigg-like expression atm, since Frigg primarily communicates through cursing, smirks, scowls, sneers and big sticks.
That last panel, sir, is an incredible pun.
two times the shield and three times the meat.
New favorite line.
“Two times the shield and three times the meat” also made it into my collection of quotes. I adore the writing of the entire strip.
Let me get this straight. Syr’nj used a phrase that doesn’t involved plants in some way?
By god, they’re getting to her.
In an unrelated note, you can almost see the gilded gears in Bandit’s head start to turn.
So, does anyone else notice the incredible angryface of Syr’nj in the 4th panel?
Bandit stole her hat. She LIKES her hat.
XKCD win?
Hats are kinda generic.
I tend to think of Jagerkin first.
Gravedust doesn’t look particularly pleased either.
Gravedust always looks like that.
Gravedust, master of disapproving stares
That “get off my lawn you whipper snapper, and give back my wallet!” look lol
Kids these days…
yes. it’s GREAT
Ha, so much for Bandit being in custody. Not that I suspected they would have been able to hold her long.
We knew she’d escaped in the KA-PEACE panel :)
Is a meat shield a bit like an improvised meat platter?
Meatshield: Another word for tank, bodyguard, defensive linebacker, brick wall, mobile fortress, or otherwise they who stand in front and takes the hits with shield and armor and makes sure the enemy focuses on THEM, and not on the rest of the party.
Meh, if the enemy does that they’re stupid. Rule 4 clearly states “Kill the skinny one in the robes first!!”
This simple rule has served me well in life’s travels. Well, there was that one tragic lab accident, but there were so many robes…
…I know what a meatshield is
Why can’t Byron be the meat shield? He’s done a decent job of it so far.
Byron could fill meatshield duties, but he is better suited for DPS or strategy. Meatshield would be his fallback duty.
Plus, no one beats Frigg at drawing aggro
in theory, Byron should be tank, he’s the one with CON, since Frigg is obviously STR. however those berserker qualities, which we have yet to see, may make that impossible
The real question ends up being… does Byron, the person who has been knocked out a couple of times so far, really want to be a meat shield. I think he’s tired of head injuries at this point.
Yeah, you would think that he’d march off to the armory and requisition himself up a helmet or something. Two shots to the noggin in one adventure’s plenty.
Those are simply occupational hazards every professional meat shield must face. But I guess B’s heart (or head perhaps) isn’t really in it.
I think Byron is the guy who bursts out from behind the party and hacks at everything when the enemy are tired from trying to get past Frigg.
Yeah! Hahahaha WOOOHHH! Fantastic! I was wondering how she was going to be introduced and BAM!
Now all we need is Best again what do you say! :D
If he show up as the antagonist, sure.
I’d like Best to rescue the party at some point. Then they’d still hate him but would also owe their lives to him (which arguably they already do). T’would be a wonderful moral conundrum.
Nah, it wouldn’t be a moral conundrum. Nobody is truly all good or all bad, since people behave differently depending on context. Best’s problem is that he seems to think his good points mean that people should completely ignore his flaws, and for the most part life doesn’t work like that. People may acknowledge debts, but that doesn’t mean they have to like you.
Don’t know about you but having my life saved buy someone I hate would be quite awkward for me.
I agree. If you hate someone, it’s usually for a good reason (note I said usually!) and those very strong emotions tend to get in the way of things like gratitude. Also, what if they did owe Best, and Best wanted to call in the favor…but he wants their help not to save his life but to save his “career”?
I’d have a very hard time helping Best out, if I were these guys. Life debt or no life debt, he seems like a menace to the countryside :P
I still don’t see how it’s a moral conundrum. Whether you consider an act to be moral or immoral should be rather independent of your personal feelings about those involved. Otherwise you’re not really being the best person you can be.
As for saving his career goes, I would still argue that you don’t owe the guy anything more honesty.
*anything more than honesty, even. Darn typos.
That would be a case of Mhne’Sahe.
Win.
Theeeeere she is.
Okay, now just to rescue Frigg and get to the volcano. Or the jail cell.
Enter the gnome.
I’d like to take this opportunity before it becomes obvious and everyone else agrees.
Bandit is my favourite character :D
Ah. The snappy introduction line. I’ve always wanted one of those.
I suppose Best’s would be “Call me Best. Everyone does. Repeatedly.“
NICE!!
Would that make Frigg a meat meat meat shield shield?
I like that. I like that a LOT.
Person1: Bandit has been released.
Person2: Released….or set loose?
Person1: :o
Wonderful counter-usual phrase in the last panel. A friend of mine, who has, err…, vast tracts of land, has a phrase embroidered around the neckline of one of her dresses. “Hi, my name is (name elided), I have a doctorate, my eyes are blue.”
That being said, I think Frigg is a great tank, both in characteristics and in personality.
Gotta love Syr’s shoulder switching bandolier. Surprised Bandit hasn’t swiped it yet.
Anyone else beggining to think that Byron’s just a bit Sh*t? I mean yeah, he’s had some nice plans and such. But so far he’s had his ass handed to him by:
Frigg,
A large Ogre
A small child
A poncy elf.
I mean come on! He’s a Berserker! I wanna see him RAGE out in battle one time. Slash some faces chop some heads and leave everyone like 0_0
And Dammit Gravedust’s too short to be cool.
<3 FRIGG
Enter: Awesome.
Gnome? I thought Bandit was a hobbit.