Does Elidibus actually think he can defeat the WoL?

[Lium]

Not to be arrogant or anything, because an unsundered Ascian is still quite a force. But now, Elidibus is all alone. Lahabrea and Emet-Selch are both gone, both were slain by the WoL. (Technically, Lahabrea was killed by Thordan, but after he had been defeated by the WoL.)

So, I wonder what he's thinking. I heard his plan about bringing in other WoLs, and to be clear, the Warrior of Light is not invincible. He/She can be killed like anyone else, it just requires more effort.

But we were already the famed Ascian-slayer, as Emet-Selch called us. And now Elidibus must stand against us alone. Does he think he can win, or is winning no longer his goal? Is it just to create as much chaos and havoc as possible before either we or Zenos ends him?

[Seraph522]

I'm sure he's starting to feel desperate after Emet-Selch's death. We've already seen him much more willing to kill the WoL after Lahabrea's death (see: the events of 4.56), and the fact that he's now the only remaining unsundered Ascian puts him in a rather dire spot. At the same time, that doesn't mean he isn't aiming to still bring Zodiark back; after all, he isn't being driven by pure pragmatism in this, but has a personal vested interest in seeing Zodiark's return, much like Emet-Selch did, so the question of "can I win?" doesn't matter so much as the question "what will happen if I don't win?". He'll just have to pull out all the stops to make sure Lahabrea and Emet Selch's deaths weren't in vain - and as a millennia-old, nigh immortal being, he's probably got a lot of desperate ploys left to play.

And of course, while we as players and observers of this story can safely presume that we will eventually win - FFXIV isn't really the sort of story that will likely end with a completely tragic and dark ending - we also have the understanding of this as a story with all of the usual narrative flow and tropes that lead us to that conclusion, whereas Elidibus doesn't see himself as a villain in a fantasy work. Winning is entirely still within the realm of possibility for him, even if it's no longer certain.

[Scintilla]

Whilst the WoL may have an impressive reputation, a good proportion of their most incredible feats have been largely due to external factors: To defeat Lahabrea in the Praetorium they were aided by Hydaelyn. To completely destroy Igeyorhm they had to use Nidhogg's Eye, for Nabriales they needed Tupsimati, and for Emet-Selch they needed the Scions, other WoL summoned by G'raha Tia, and the combined light of the Lightwardens and even then it seemed like a narrow win.
Sure, they had technically defeated Lahabrea and Igeyorhm prior to their deaths but without Nidhogg's Eye and Thordan it would only have been a temporary win, and it was implied throughout ShB that Lahabrea's regular vessel-jumping had left him as a fraction of his former strength. I don't think Elidibus has given up just yet, only that he's fully aware that there's no more room for silly mistakes and he has to tread very carefully from here on.

I hope there's more to his comment about sending other WoL against us, though, rather than simply repeating his plan with the WoD.

[Berteaux_Braumegain]

Does anyone else find it funny that Elidibus' new plan of "I'll kill the Warrior of Darkness with Warriors of Light! I am a genius!" is not only exactly the same plan he had in Heavensward but also a major part of the reason that Emet-Selch failed in Shadowbringers?

[Iscah]

for Nabriales they needed Tupsimati

* Tupsimati AND Moenbryda's lifeforce.

[Rannie]

Does anyone else find it funny that Elidibus' new plan of "I'll kill the Warrior of Darkness with Warriors of Light! I am a genius!" is not only exactly the same plan he had in Heavensward but also a major part of the reason that Emet-Selch failed in Shadowbringers?

His picture needs to be put next to the definition of insanity or as the definition of insanity

[Cilia]

I don't see why he wouldn't be able to.

While Emet-Selch ultimately failed, it took an impossible-to-predict space-time traveler to throw a wrench into his plans and he still came within a hair's breadth of victory.

Elidibus is more of a schemer, and he's been reduced to playing off the cuff - but that just makes him more dangerous, because he might not be considering all the consequences at this point. Even a cornered rat is dangerous.

[moxzie]

Since the Ascians are tempered and have to act in the interest of Zodiark, and the WoL is a huge threat to bringing Zodiark back, Elidibus may not have a choice. I'm not sure if tempering would alter his belief in being capable of killing the WoL, but it'd definitely push him to try, and being confident of victory could be part of the influence.

[Scintilla]

* Tupsimati AND Moenbryda's lifeforce.

True. Somehow I had forgotten about poor Moenbryda

[Larirawiel]

Mhhh, Elidibus was defeated by Zenos. And Zenos was not in his original body so he was much weaker. I don't think that Elidibus can defeat the WoL at a direct confrontation. And Elidibus seems not be as smart as Emet-Selch was. I think, Elidibus will need a kind of "super weapon" or "super primae" to be a danger to the WoL. I'm curious how the plot will continue.


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