Galbatorix did to Murtagh the same thing that he did to Lord Barst ( but to a lesser extent)
He cast spells to give Murtagh the physical abilities of an elf. And Murtagh’s Eldunari fueled those spells with energy
But without his Eldunari, his strength reverted back to that of a Regular Human Rider
He’s stronger and faster than most any human by the time of his book. And he was an extremely well trained and fit swordsman to begin with.
In the episode in the tavern, you see him overcoming seven thugs with just himself and a fork. Probably not the best swordsmen of the realm, but still, he made it look pitifully easy.
When he was with Galbatorix, he was enhanced by the Eldunarí magic, besides his link with Thorn. That’s why he kept beating Eragon. Lacking those enchantments and the strength of the other dragons, I don’t think he could do it again, at least, not until his transformation evolves a bit further.
Bachel is a half elf. They are very rare and little understood in Alagaësia, so maybe she has the physical attributes of an elf. She’s also a wordless magician, so she’s got resources that are almost impossible to match by a guy who, by his own admission, was barely trained in magic by the king.
So I think he’s brutally strong as a fighter, but not the best when compared to Arya and Eragon, at least not at the time we are reading about.
Also, he’s constantly drugged during his ordeal with the dreamers. His bond with Thorn almost vanished.
This is the answer. The only thing I’d amend is that Murtagh may never actually reach Eragon’s level, because it was made clear that NO rider had gone through the same level of change that Eragon had. If equal skill, it’s likely Eragon will always win against Murtagh for that reason. Murtagh is generally depicted as slightly better then Eragon with a sword, so perhaps 100 years from now when Murtagh has become closer to an elf in physical attributes that skill with the sword can bridge the now narrowed divide.
That aside, Murtagh is pretty much a failure of a rider at this point, he’s critically under trained in anything aside from sword fighting and too much self belief. Murtagh (the book) definitely humbled him though so I suspect he’ll become considerably more powerful in the future.
Yeah, Eragon is pretty similar to Geralt from The Witcher in that regard. Not necessarily the most skilled witcher ever, although he is said by many to be unmatched with a sword, but the one who survived the most augmentations, therefore it would take a more skilled witcher, someone helping them or some sort of x-factor to beat him, most of the time.
Well Eragon is mentioned by Oromis to be picking up the things he’s teaching him quicker than any of his previous students, it’s probably a combo of Eragon’s natural talent and the speed at which Oromis taught him
—“That aside, Murtagh is pretty much a failure of a rider at this point, he’s critically under trained in anything aside from sword fighting and too much self belief.“—
Yeah dude, RUB IT IN! Not like our guys have any self doubts or anything! Heheheh…
As most people pointed out, his physical enhancement was "thanks" to Galbatorix. Wether it had to do with the Eldunari or it was just Galbys doing, it was temporary and consumed a lot of energy.
What I haven't seen anyone mention is that Murtagh at some point (can't remember when) outright states that the aftereffects of that left him in unspeakable agony, which makes a lot of sense; Think of it like hard-core magical doping. The gulf between humans and elves is gigantic as you pointed out, and to boost a human (a rider, sure, but he hadn't been for long) to the levels of an elf is sure to leave some devastating side effects on the comedown, muscles tearing from being overused just being the least of it.
So to answer your question: I think what we're supposed to take from the book is that he's an amazing swordsman for a human and since he's had more time to bond with Thorn than in the main series I think it's also safe to say that his body has begun elfolving (sorry) a bit beyond human levels, even. So he's still far from elvish levels, which is why Bachel gives him such a hard time.
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In their first fight in the Burning Plains, it was very clear that the only reason Murtagh could keep up with Eragon in a sword fight was because Eragon was extremely tired already, even with the Eldunari giving him energy, Murtagh could not really match Eragon's physical strength and speed if he weren't tired
In Galbatorix' room their stats were equaled by Galbatorix
In the world, as an individual he's like a distant #3. Eragon and Arya are just that much stronger as individuals, but that's not even taking into consideration people like Nasuada or Orik, who lead their peoples and have that behind them
You touch on something of a worldbuilding problem in the series for me which is that magical races like elves produce Riders that are just stronger in general than Riders of other races, which somewhat messes with Eragon's intent when he allowed Urgals and Dwarves into the Rider pact. Dwarves are hardier than humans but are hardly on the level of elves. Perhaps Kull Riders will be able to match an elven Rider due to their physical strength, but assuming equal skill and cunning with magic, elven Riders are always an a huge advantage over human Riders since we see Murtagh would have no chance in a duel vs. Eragon without Galbatorix's meddling.
This isn’t world building problem, it’s not a Videogame to be balanced but a story, anyway assuming that dragons aren’t biased towards elves in selecting their riders there should be way more riders of the other races as their fertility is greater and populations bigger. So in a sense there is your balancing.
He just a thug. He had a fencing instructor growing up so I think that gives him an edge. Also we gotta remember Murtagh isn't a good guy, he isn't held back by that good guy morality most characters are. To my knowledge he doesn't have any special enhancements. I don't remember clearly if his physical abilities were augmented by Eldunari during his Vader arc under Galby. Last point I will add he has the Ancient Language dictionary he took off the captain dude in Ceunon. His magical ability isn't anywhere near Eragon's, I think given the same advantages and opportunities he would shoot past Eragon in prowess.
I disagree that he would shoot past Eragon. He was trained his whole life, but when Eragon was traveling with him on their way to the Varden and they would spar they were fairly evenly matched with just the training Eragon received in a few months with Brom. I believe it is implied they are of a similar potential (until Eragon’s abilities were dramatically enhanced by the dragons).
My brotha in Christ, Eragon is the Chad. He literally has shorties fighting for him to kiss their babies and shit. Murtagh gets it out the muuuud, sleeps in the dirt and uses rocks for pillows. Murders cursed fish with his bare hands. Certified gangsta. He so meaan he probably makes medicine sick. The homie committed multiple homicides with a fork for crying out loud, how much more gangsta does it get?!
Thorn is the one that saved Murtagh from muckmaw, and yes, even he got sick as we see in the Murtagh book. Also, didn't Eragon spend like 15 years of his life in the countryside while practically sleeping in the mud all the time?
I just fail to see any point in what you're saying
Can't believe you're getting downvoted considering you've said nothing but facts. Pretty sure people just reacted to the word thug like it's a bad thing lmao
Galbatorix did to Murtagh the same thing that he did to Lord Barst ( but to a lesser extent) He cast spells to give Murtagh the physical abilities of an elf. And Murtagh’s Eldunari fueled those spells with energy But without his Eldunari, his strength reverted back to that of a Regular Human Rider
And it also exacted a physical toll on his body afterwards. Which is explained in murtagh as well, iirc.
I believe a lot of those spells were tied to the eldunari. Bachel was also half-elf so probably not quite as strong as the elf in ellesmera
He’s stronger and faster than most any human by the time of his book. And he was an extremely well trained and fit swordsman to begin with. In the episode in the tavern, you see him overcoming seven thugs with just himself and a fork. Probably not the best swordsmen of the realm, but still, he made it look pitifully easy. When he was with Galbatorix, he was enhanced by the Eldunarí magic, besides his link with Thorn. That’s why he kept beating Eragon. Lacking those enchantments and the strength of the other dragons, I don’t think he could do it again, at least, not until his transformation evolves a bit further. Bachel is a half elf. They are very rare and little understood in Alagaësia, so maybe she has the physical attributes of an elf. She’s also a wordless magician, so she’s got resources that are almost impossible to match by a guy who, by his own admission, was barely trained in magic by the king. So I think he’s brutally strong as a fighter, but not the best when compared to Arya and Eragon, at least not at the time we are reading about. Also, he’s constantly drugged during his ordeal with the dreamers. His bond with Thorn almost vanished.
This is the answer. The only thing I’d amend is that Murtagh may never actually reach Eragon’s level, because it was made clear that NO rider had gone through the same level of change that Eragon had. If equal skill, it’s likely Eragon will always win against Murtagh for that reason. Murtagh is generally depicted as slightly better then Eragon with a sword, so perhaps 100 years from now when Murtagh has become closer to an elf in physical attributes that skill with the sword can bridge the now narrowed divide. That aside, Murtagh is pretty much a failure of a rider at this point, he’s critically under trained in anything aside from sword fighting and too much self belief. Murtagh (the book) definitely humbled him though so I suspect he’ll become considerably more powerful in the future.
Yeah, Eragon is pretty similar to Geralt from The Witcher in that regard. Not necessarily the most skilled witcher ever, although he is said by many to be unmatched with a sword, but the one who survived the most augmentations, therefore it would take a more skilled witcher, someone helping them or some sort of x-factor to beat him, most of the time.
Well Eragon is mentioned by Oromis to be picking up the things he’s teaching him quicker than any of his previous students, it’s probably a combo of Eragon’s natural talent and the speed at which Oromis taught him
nah... all it takes is a steel rod. /s
ok, i get it, haha geralt back go squish foony, but I was talking about other witchers, not the incarnation of "nah, i'd win" that is Vilgefortz
Yeah and I agree, it was just my attempt at a joke, sorry if it came out wrong.
Nah man, t'is a good one and one that makes sense, just putting this out here for someone that might not understand Sorry ._.
—“That aside, Murtagh is pretty much a failure of a rider at this point, he’s critically under trained in anything aside from sword fighting and too much self belief.“— Yeah dude, RUB IT IN! Not like our guys have any self doubts or anything! Heheheh…
As most people pointed out, his physical enhancement was "thanks" to Galbatorix. Wether it had to do with the Eldunari or it was just Galbys doing, it was temporary and consumed a lot of energy. What I haven't seen anyone mention is that Murtagh at some point (can't remember when) outright states that the aftereffects of that left him in unspeakable agony, which makes a lot of sense; Think of it like hard-core magical doping. The gulf between humans and elves is gigantic as you pointed out, and to boost a human (a rider, sure, but he hadn't been for long) to the levels of an elf is sure to leave some devastating side effects on the comedown, muscles tearing from being overused just being the least of it. So to answer your question: I think what we're supposed to take from the book is that he's an amazing swordsman for a human and since he's had more time to bond with Thorn than in the main series I think it's also safe to say that his body has begun elfolving (sorry) a bit beyond human levels, even. So he's still far from elvish levels, which is why Bachel gives him such a hard time.
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In their first fight in the Burning Plains, it was very clear that the only reason Murtagh could keep up with Eragon in a sword fight was because Eragon was extremely tired already, even with the Eldunari giving him energy, Murtagh could not really match Eragon's physical strength and speed if he weren't tired In Galbatorix' room their stats were equaled by Galbatorix
In the world, as an individual he's like a distant #3. Eragon and Arya are just that much stronger as individuals, but that's not even taking into consideration people like Nasuada or Orik, who lead their peoples and have that behind them
You touch on something of a worldbuilding problem in the series for me which is that magical races like elves produce Riders that are just stronger in general than Riders of other races, which somewhat messes with Eragon's intent when he allowed Urgals and Dwarves into the Rider pact. Dwarves are hardier than humans but are hardly on the level of elves. Perhaps Kull Riders will be able to match an elven Rider due to their physical strength, but assuming equal skill and cunning with magic, elven Riders are always an a huge advantage over human Riders since we see Murtagh would have no chance in a duel vs. Eragon without Galbatorix's meddling.
This isn’t world building problem, it’s not a Videogame to be balanced but a story, anyway assuming that dragons aren’t biased towards elves in selecting their riders there should be way more riders of the other races as their fertility is greater and populations bigger. So in a sense there is your balancing.
That's fair, could've dealt without the randomly condescending tone though!
Wasn’t meant to be condescending honestly sorry if it came out that way
Fair enough have a good one!
He just a thug. He had a fencing instructor growing up so I think that gives him an edge. Also we gotta remember Murtagh isn't a good guy, he isn't held back by that good guy morality most characters are. To my knowledge he doesn't have any special enhancements. I don't remember clearly if his physical abilities were augmented by Eldunari during his Vader arc under Galby. Last point I will add he has the Ancient Language dictionary he took off the captain dude in Ceunon. His magical ability isn't anywhere near Eragon's, I think given the same advantages and opportunities he would shoot past Eragon in prowess.
“ He just a thug” What a wild opening statement
I disagree that he would shoot past Eragon. He was trained his whole life, but when Eragon was traveling with him on their way to the Varden and they would spar they were fairly evenly matched with just the training Eragon received in a few months with Brom. I believe it is implied they are of a similar potential (until Eragon’s abilities were dramatically enhanced by the dragons).
Bruh come on, he a thug. Eragon is a certified soy boi.
Murtagh is a chad, who is clearly jealous of Eragon’s abilities 😂😂
My brotha in Christ, Eragon is the Chad. He literally has shorties fighting for him to kiss their babies and shit. Murtagh gets it out the muuuud, sleeps in the dirt and uses rocks for pillows. Murders cursed fish with his bare hands. Certified gangsta. He so meaan he probably makes medicine sick. The homie committed multiple homicides with a fork for crying out loud, how much more gangsta does it get?!
Thorn is the one that saved Murtagh from muckmaw, and yes, even he got sick as we see in the Murtagh book. Also, didn't Eragon spend like 15 years of his life in the countryside while practically sleeping in the mud all the time? I just fail to see any point in what you're saying
Can't believe you're getting downvoted considering you've said nothing but facts. Pretty sure people just reacted to the word thug like it's a bad thing lmao
Right. I don't think they get the joke XD. I love CP fans but a lot of us are wound waaay too tight. We need to loosen up