The ultimate hypothetical battle in Attack on Titan isn't just a clash of titans, but a devastating confrontation between two former best friends, Armin Arlert and Eren Yeager. While both possess incredible power and strategic minds, the question of who would truly emerge victorious has long sparked fierce debate among fans. Let's cut straight to the chase: in a direct confrontation, Eren Yeager would be the undisputed victor.
This isn't a simple contest of brute force; it's a strategic showdown where Eren's unique combination of Titan abilities, especially the devastating power of the Founding Titan, gives him an insurmountable advantage. To understand why, we must delve into the distinct strengths and weaknesses of each character and their formidable Titan forms.
Unpacking Eren Yeager's Overwhelming Arsenal
Eren Yeager, the series' protagonist, evolves from a determined young soldier into a force capable of reshaping the world. His journey culminates in wielding not one, but three distinct Titan powers, each bringing unique capabilities to the battlefield. The sheer scope of his abilities fundamentally tips the scales in his favor.
At his core, Eren possesses the Attack Titan, a 15-meter class Titan renowned for its incredible hardening abilities, resilience, and unique power to see the memories of future inheritors. This foresight alone offers a massive strategic edge. He further augmented his combat prowess by acquiring the War Hammer Titan, enhancing his hardening capabilities and allowing him to manifest weapons and structures from Titan flesh. These two Titans make him a formidable fighter, but they pale in comparison to his ultimate trump card.
The true game-changer, and the reason for Eren's inevitable victory, is the Founding Titan. Inherited from his father, this ancient power grants Eren the ability to command all other Titans, including those within the walls, and even manipulate the biology of Eldians. This absolute control means that any Titan Armin might bring to bear could, in theory, be turned against him or rendered inert. To fully grasp how truly dominant Eren becomes with these powers, you'll want to explore the full spectrum of Eren's formidable Titan powers.
Analyzing Armin Arlert's Strategic Genius and Colossal Power
Armin Arlert, though physically less imposing than Eren, is a brilliant strategist and an elite soldier of the Survey Corps. His sharp intellect, tactical foresight, and unwavering composure in dire situations have saved his comrades countless times. He became the inheritor of the Colossal Titan after a pivotal moment where he was injected with Titan serum and consumed Bertholdt Hoover.
The Colossal Titan is arguably the most destructive of the Nine Titans, known for its immense size (60 meters), explosive transformation, and ability to emit scorching steam. This steam can incinerate anything in its immediate vicinity and prevent opponents from getting too close. Its physical strength is colossal, capable of crushing warships and devastating entire landscapes. The explosive transformation itself is a weapon, demonstrated when Armin single-handedly destroyed the Marleyan naval fleet. Furthermore, like all Titans, it possesses remarkable regeneration from severe injuries.
Despite these terrifying powers, Armin's Colossal Titan does have drawbacks. Its immense size makes it a slow target, and its steam emission requires draining its body mass, limiting its sustained use. While Armin's strategic mind paired with the Colossal Titan's destructive potential is a fearsome combination, it ultimately falls short against Eren's full might. For a deep dive into what makes Armin such a critical player, you might want to dive deeper into Armin's strategic genius and the capabilities of his Colossal Titan.
The Decisive Factor: The Founding Titan's Absolute Authority
The core of Eren's victory lies unequivocally with the Founding Titan's unique capabilities. Even if Armin unleashed the full might of his Colossal Titan, with its explosive transformation, overwhelming physical strength, and defensive steam, Eren possesses the ultimate counter.
The Founding Titan grants its user the ability to control all other Titans. This isn't just about influencing them; it's about absolute command. In a fight against Armin, Eren could theoretically:
- Neutralize the Colossal Titan: By using the Founding Titan's power, Eren could seize control of Armin's Colossal Titan, effectively turning it into a puppet or rendering it immobile. This single ability bypasses all of the Colossal Titan's destructive potential.
- Summon an Army: Eren could call upon countless other Titans, including the Wall Titans released during The Rumbling, to overwhelm Armin.
- Manipulate Armin's Biology: If necessary, Eren could even use the Founding Titan's power to alter Armin's very biology, stripping him of his Titan power or incapacitating him directly.
While the Colossal Titan is immensely powerful, capable of widespread destruction and physical dominance, its strength is rendered obsolete by the Founding Titan's ability to simply take control of it. Eren's ultimate advantage isn't just having more Titans; it's having the Titan that dictates the very rules of engagement for all others. To truly understand how the Founding Titan's absolute control over other Titans reshapes the battlefield, you'll find an expanded explanation in our dedicated guide.
The Colossal Titan's Might Against the King of Titans
Let's not underestimate the Colossal Titan. It stands as a testament to pure destructive power. Its ability to generate an atomic-bomb-like explosion upon transformation, its immense reach, and its scalding steam are unparalleled among the Nine Titans for sheer area-of-effect devastation. Armin's tactical prowess would undoubtedly be focused on exploiting these abilities to their fullest, aiming for a swift, decisive strike. For a detailed exploration of its unique characteristics, you'll want to examine the full extent of the Colossal Titan's destructive potential and its inherent vulnerabilities.
However, even with Armin's strategic brilliance guiding the Colossal Titan, Eren with the Founding Titan holds an insurmountable trump card. The Founding Titan's ability to directly control other Titans, including Armin's Colossal, nullifies its greatest threats. It's the ultimate counter-measure, turning Armin's strength into a potential weakness for Eren to exploit.
The Verdict: Eren's Unassailable Victory
In the tragic hypothetical confrontation between Armin Arlert and Eren Yeager, the outcome is clear: Eren would emerge as the victor. While Armin's intellect and the destructive power of the Colossal Titan are truly fearsome, they simply cannot overcome Eren's total control over all Titan-kind through the Founding Titan. This ultimate power allows Eren to neutralize Armin's greatest asset, making the battle one-sided.
Eren's combination of the Attack Titan's combat hardening and foresight, the War Hammer Titan's weapon manifestation, and critically, the Founding Titan's ability to command all Titans, including Armin's, ensures his triumph. This isn't just about who hits harder; it's about who controls the very fabric of the Titan world. For a comprehensive breakdown of exactly why Eren prevails, you can get a comprehensive breakdown of why Eren emerges victorious.
While it's a somber thought to imagine these two friends pitted against each other, the narrative of Attack on Titan ultimately showcased how Eren's pursuit of freedom, no matter the cost, armed him with an unparalleled arsenal that even his most brilliant comrade could not overcome. The question isn't just "who would win," but how the very nature of their powers defined their destiny.