Here, Artoria Pendragon Alter Fate/Stay Night VN Status Screens
Fate/complete material III p038 said:
Blackening of Servants
The black mud in the Holy Grail contaminates the souls of those who touch it. It goes without saying for mere humans, and supernatural beings like Servants are no exception to this either. The contaminated person's personality reverses toward the orientation of evil. This is madness caused by touching Angra Mainyu. This is called "blackening". There are those who can use the black mud as part of their own power thanks to the properties of its contamination and those whose powerful egos have stayed back its mental pollution.
An example of the former is Matou Sakura and the latter is Gilgamesh. The blackened Servant is incarnated by the power of the Grail so the more concrete ties to the physical plane turns them into powerful beings.
Their physical interference power increases but at the same time they lose the ability to return to spirit form.
Also, as they no longer bother to restrain their magic energy consumption, their fighting ability jumps significantly. This momentum can be compared to a runaway train.
Because they are in that state, fine control is not possible, but in exchange, their destructive power increases.
They are fearful beings inflicting havoc and death upon the world. These are blackened Servants.
Saber Alternative
Class: Saber
Master: Matou Sakura
Alignment: Lawful Evil
STR: A
CON: A
AGI: D
MGI: A++
LCK: C
Noble Phantasm: A++
Saber Alternative, or Black Saber, is the name given to Artoria when she fell to Hassan, was consumed by the dark shadow, and obtained true incarnation during the "Heaven's Feel" route.
Artoria, now jet-black, could now invoke Excalibur without limit thanks to the enormous prana supply from the blackened Sakura. Thus, she could overwhelm Berserker Heracles even in a direct battle. Now unfettered and in a sense more powerful than she was in life, none can deny that she is the strongest Servant.
Class Abilities
Magic Resistance: B
Lower than original value due to the corruption. Still high, as it nullifies spells at B rank (activated within three counts) or lower, and it is difficult to harm her even with high thaumaturgy.
Riding: -
In the maddened state while blackened, the loss of fine control makes it impossible to ride beasts; rather, the mount cannot withstand it. Therefore, in reality one can consider the Riding ability lost.
Personal Skills
Instinct: B
Constant self-control is required to maintain Saber's reason while blackened. To focus on suppressing her madness, her surroundings are neglected and Instinct is dulled.
Power Burst: A
Saber's body is always suffused in the energy supplied by the Greater Grail. Her armor is also reinforced, granting more defensive ability than in her original state.
Charisma: E
The magnificent king's charm which once inspired and captivated her soldiers is gone. Since she rules by terror, leadership ability is improved but troops' morale is extremely low.
Noble Phantasms
Sword of Promised Victory -- Excalibur
Rank: A++
Type: Anti-fortress Noble Phantasm
Range: 1-99
Maximum targets: 1000 persons
Even while blackened, Artoria's greatest power Excalibur is still potent. However, the sword is tainted an ominous black. Just as the fairies of the lake (Vivienne and Morgan) manifest as both good and evil, the holy sword has its own dark side. Still, its "character" as a holy sword is greatest. The function of converting the wielder's magical energy into light through the blade does not change, but the light is transformed into the same darkness of the blade.
Comptiq 2006-11 issue said:
Q: Who'd win if the Servants and the 27 Ancestors fought each other? Also, who'd win in a fight between Bazett, a renowned powerhouse of the Association, and Ciel, top class in even the Association?
A: Depends on compatibility, but basically Servants will have the slightly higher advantage. With Saber, Lancer, and Archer classes, we ought to be able to relax and see decent fights. In particular, Saber has THAT sort of Noble Phantasms so against guys like the 27 Ancestors that overwhelm by material quantity and alienness, she'd be REALLY tough.
....Well, there are also some of those tough Ancestors that can withstand a direct hit from Excalibur-class attacks, but against those guys that just (emphasis on just; other stats don't match up) have wickedly high HP, Lancer-aniki'd be pretty tough.
Fate/Apocrypha material p156 and p157 said:
Knights of the Round Table [Organization]
The general term for the knights who left their names in King Arthur’s legend. They are called the Knight of the Round Table because they gathered around a round table along with King Arthur. The knights sitting around the table were all regarded as equal to one another, including the King himself, and they were admired throughout the country. Though the number of them varies according to each story, the standard pattern of thirteen knights is accepted in “Fate/stay night”.
In the “Apocrypha” world, the separate splinters from the Round Table serve as summoning catalysts for Heroic Spirits. From among eleven of the knights (with King Arthur and Galahad excluded), the one most compatible to the Master is summoned through it. Like an S-rare definite ticket. Whether it be someone like Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan or Percival, no matter who comes, you truly get the cream of the crop. During these current times where subspecies Holy Grail Wars are popular, they appear in the market at high prices. Naturally, there are many frauds and swindlers. It’d be nice if a certain oil magnate got swindled.
Kinoko & Takashi’s Questions and Answers Fate/stay night Heaven’s Feel II lost butterfly version p20 and p21 said:
Original Sources Q: If Saber Alter and Gilgamesh seriously fought each other, which of them is stronger? <Takenoko>
N: Dark Saber has lost what you call the protagonist's compensation, or rather the glimmer of the stars. So a miracle wouldn't happen against Gilgamesh so it would simply be a match of their abilities...
T: If it's not in life but as Servants, wouldn't it change a lot depending on who the Master is?
N: Back in life, they both had extraordinary magical energy generation so it would be a pure battle of firepower. With his omnipotence and cunning (INT), Gil is slightly advantageous here. If it's a Servant battle, Dark Saber can win against Gil if the "Master's capacity as a Mage" is high. Gil will win against Dark Saber if the "Master's charm as a human" is high.
T: What does that mean?
N: It's because Gilgamesh tries to fight only with his own power, regardless of his contractor being a first-rate Mage or third-rate Mage.
Here, despite Dark Sakura's immense magical energy, she's incapable of defeating Artoria Alter.
Here, Rin senses Artoria's own presence eclipsing Cu Chulainn's.
Here, Caren considers Artoria to be the only one in the Emiya residence with more power than Bazett.
Here, Artoria without using her magical energy for enhancement is weaker than Shirou or Rin.
Here, Artoria struggles to lift one of Rin's barbells, she says something about how one doesn't swing a sword with force, that a Noble Phantasm has natural strength hidden inside, that applying too much brute force will hinder that (hey, Nasu, that's not how blocking with a fucking sword works)
Fate/Zero Volume 1 said:
Source Artoria can sense a Servant within 200 meters of radius to herself "Yes. I depend on you for that, Saber. If we come near a Servant, can you notice it?"
"Well... That is correct."
Dematerialized or not, Servants can perceive the presence of other Servants. Of course, everyone has their own affinity with searching for the enemy, and there are those like Assassin who have the ability to erase their presence.
"In my case, I am able to perceive a presence in a radius of up to roughly 200 meters. Also, an opponent with the proper ability could tamper with that."
Artoria senses Diarmuid Nonchalantly, Saber held and pulled Irisviel's upper arm. Just by this gesture, Irisviel settled down and exchanged a look with Saber.
"... An enemy Servant?"
"Yes."
The sensation didn't change. From undercover, a hundred meters on the side, he is leaving plain indications like a provocation. He is clearly conscious of Saber's presence, yet doesn't shorten the distance, rather slowly distancing himself―
Fate/Zero Volume 2 said:
Source Artoria senses Gilles The tires of the Mercedes skidded on the asphalt, emitting clouds of white smoke. As the car's uncontrollable slide continued, Saber once again confirmed the feeling that set her nerves on edge.
Without a doubt, it was definitely the scent of a Servant. Speak of the devil, indeed.
Fate/Zero Volume 3 said:
Source Artoria, Diarmuid, Irisviel, and Waver can all sense the Giant Horror’s battle inside of Ioinoi Hetairoi Thanks to Rider's clever scheme, the gigantic sea monster had disappeared without a trace from the water's surface. However, although its form was nowhere to be seen, the Servants and magi gathered there could clearly perceive the presence of the monster raging within the plane-divergent bounded field.
Source Artoria senses Maiya, Irisviel senses Maiya through the Emiya household boundary field “ –? Someone’s presence is getting closer, Irisviel.”
Saber’s face was covered with alertness. Then, Irisviel also detected the guest from the reaction of the bounded field established in the courtyard.
“ – Ahh, don’t worry. This is Maiya’s presence.”
Fate/Zero Volume 4 said:
Source Artoria senses the mana emitted by the Gordius Wheel Everyone on the road was staring at this roaming V-Max that kept overtaking vehicles before it with a stunning speed. Saber completely ignored their looks and focused all of her concentration on the nemesis above her. She could detect obstacles blocking her path through changes in air flow. She wouldn’t hit anything even if she closed her eyes.
“– Found him!”
Saber’s senses, like the keen sight of a wild beast, detected the prana disturbances in the sky. As if to avoid being noticed by ordinary humans, Gordius Wheel did not emit its thunderous noise, and its speed also appeared to have slowed. However, this feeling was undoubtedly caused by the prana disturbances created by Rider’s Noble Phantasm.
Here, Artoria can sense other Servants employing their abilities from about 200 meters away.
Here, Shirou and Artoria senses Medusa's magical energy, but can't tell which direction or how far away it is.
Here, Artoria senses Medea on the 4th floor of the school.
Here, Artoria senses Dragontooth Warriors outside.
Here, Artoria can sense the distortions in Fuyuki's leylines.
Noble Phantasm?
Excalibur Morgan Fate/side material p076 said:
Sword of Promised Victory [Noble Phantasm]
Excalibur.
Sword of light. It is not a man-made weapon, but rather a divine construct tempered by the planet. It is the Noble Phantasm standing at the very pinnacle of holy swords.
The strongest illusion (Last Phantasm), crystallized and refined from the wishes of humanity stored in the planet.
Though it was entrusted to elementals, who act as the planet's sense of touch, it temporarily passed into the hands of a human king for a time.
Because it is so recognizable as the symbol of King Arthur, Saber had no choice but to keep it hidden while she fought.
But despite the fact that it's a Noble Phantasm that's almost synonymous with Saber herself, the number of times she actually uses it can be counted on two hands.
That is, three times in the Saber route, once in the Rin route, and twice in the Sakura route.
Because it is too powerful, it cannot be used carelessly at ground level.
Whether it be dark or light, it could be argued that Excalibur's clash with Rider's Bellerophon is Fate/stay night's grandest splendor.
Fate/complete material II p118 and 121 said:
Excalibur
Sword of Promised Victory
User: Saber
The sword of light possessed by Saber. A holy sword forged by an existence beyond humanity. It is considered among the strongest of Noble Phantasms. Further, it has good performance as a sword and is almost completely devoid of ostentatious ornamentation.
In Arthurian legend, it appears as the holy sword possessed by King Arthur. Once, while concealing his identity as the king’s son and being raised by the wizard Merlin, a young Arthur pulled a sword from a stone and became king. Another time, having broken his sword, King Arthur received a new one from Vivian, a fairy of the lake and guardian of the king.
Both of these swords are called “Excalibur”. However, while the sword in the stone and lady of the lake incidents were originally two separate stories, at some point they were combined into a single narrative. Because of this, the former sword became known as “Caliburn”, and the latter sword “Excalibur”.
...
User: Saber
Excalibur’s appearance after being corrupted by evil. Excalibur functions by converting its user’s magical energy into offensive power. Because of this nature as a “sword that amplifies”, when Saber was blackened, Excalibur blackened with her.
In Arthurian legend, King Arthur received Excalibur from Vivian, a fairy of the lake. Just as the fairy Vivian who embodied goodness had her polar opposite in the evil Morgan, so too does Excalibur have the possibility of embodying both good and evil. However, whether Excalibur is filled with good or stained by evil, the fact that it is the strongest holy sword does not change.
Fate/Zero Volume 1 said:
Source Excalibur exposition Take Saber's ultimate secret move. She has "Excalibur • the Sword of Promised Victory" currently protected behind a bounded field of invisibility, but if she throws away the camouflage and shouts its true name, her sacred sword would shoot a stream of light that can mow down a thousand soldiers. As it truly is an anti-fortress Noble Phantasm that can turn the ground into scorched earth, it cannot be used just like that but as a last step.
Fate/Zero Anime Visual Guide II said:
Higashide: Incidentally, does the sharpness of Excalibur vary when covered with and without Invisible Air?
Nasu: It varies considerably. The destructive power of this golden version is overwhelmingly superior. If the power when in Invisible Air is 80-90, the golden version is about 1000.
Here, the speed and power of Artoria's Excalibur is unrivaled by any other Noble Phantasm Shirou Emiya is aware of. Only Ea matches it (and surpasses it).
Here, Excalibur will mow down the Fuyuki Church.
Here, were Artoria to counter with Excalibur, not only would Shirou need to worry about destroying the Center Building, but also the buildings surrounding it.
vs Grail Mud/Holy Grail/Angra Mainyu (Full Power) Analysis of such feats found
here.
Fate Here, description of the Grail Mud.
Here, the void of the Holy Grail has only just opened.
Here, description of the Grail Mud in the Temple Lake and the Void sitting above it.
Here, Kotomine offers exposition on what the Grail Mud is related to the Holy Grail.
Here, Black Void of the Grail still remains, the mud has stopped flowing out.
Here, Artoria's Excalibur destroys the Holy Grail (so, with Avalon, Artoria can use Excalibur under Shirou 4 times in a fight before disappearing)
Unlimited Blade Works Here, a description of Shinji's meat island in the lake and the black mud it spews.
Here, more description of the Grail Mud.
Here, Shinji's meat island is 30 meters away, the lake is shallow enough to walk through.
Here, if the Grail explodes, the gate to the Grail Mud will fully open and will end up pouring out "infinitely" beyond the finite amount already in the lake and composing the meat island.
Here, the mountain of meat/Holy Grail is composed of the same matter as the Grail Mud in the lake, which is similar to Servants.
Here, the mountain of meat is about 50 meters wide.
Here, the Grail Mud has not only filled the lake, but is spilling onto the land as well and the Counter Force will activate if they leave the mountain of meat alone.
Here, Artoria's Excalibur vaporizes the Grail Mud, the mountain of meat made of Grail Mud, and reduces the lake into a flat field.
Here, Artoria's Excalibur destroys Unlimited Blade Works, smashing it away as it starts to vanish.
Heaven’s Feel (Shirou Emiya w/EMIYA’s Arm) Here, Shirou projects Excalibur Morgan, his body dies, but he executes his final attack on Angra Mainyu and the Greater Holy Grail to destroy it with Excalibur Morgan.
Fate/Zero Fate/Zero Volume 4 said:
Source Invisible Air puts out a fire upon release. The rising hurricane dispelled the surrounding flames. From the heart of the deactivated Invisible Air, the form of the golden sword appeared.
Artoria’s Excalibur destroys the Holy Grail, Gilgamesh dodges the attack as it is in transit. That was an ultimate might that could not be resisted at all.
The tremendous force of the dual Command Seals ravaged and crushed Saber’s form, at the same time drawing out all the prana that still remained within her body, weaving it into the light of destruction.
The released beam of light made a cross-section of the entire hall, directly impacting the Grail that floated on the stage. Archer nimbly dodged this attack, but because he was in close proximity to the beam of light, its high intensity made him momentarily unable to execute the attack on Kiritsugu.
In the heat of the lightning, the golden Grail that had once been a part of Irisviel’s body now quietly lost its shape, then vanished. Saber closed her eyes, not daring to look directly at this sight—now the last hope had been destroyed. Her fight had ended.
…
The beam of light from Excalibur that had destroyed the Grail had blown away the ceiling of the stage, and sheared the entire municipal hall into two. The building, that had already been burned beyond recognition, could not withstand the blow. The structure of the upper levels had been destroyed; the roof, having lost its support, now dropped into the hall like an avalanche.
Description of the Greater Grail and the “black hole”. Gilgamesh is consumed by the Grail Mud. The destructive power of the mud could burn all the life in the world.
Following which, through the fragments of debris, Kiritsugu saw ‘it’ in the revealed night sky.
A black sun — that which he had seen when he had touched the black mud. The sign of the end of the world.
At that time Kiritsugu had not seen clearly that its physical form was actually a true ‘hole’. It is a space tunnel that connected with the Magic Circle of the Greater Grail, which had been hidden beneath the altar of the ritual of descent, deep underground in Mount Enzō to the east of Miyama. The insides of the Greater Grail, which had drawn energy from the leylines for sixty years and now had obtained the souls of six Heroic Spirits, had been filled to the brim and turned into an enormous prana whirlpool. That was the true form of that black ‘hole’.
The ‘Vessel’ that had been removed from the Einsberns’ homunculus was only the key to open that ‘hole’, and also the control that sustained the stability of the hole. Kiritsugu, who did not know anything about this secret, had made a fatal mistake; he should not have commanded Saber to destroy the Grail, but instead should have made her use Excalibur to burn down the hole in the sky. No longer controlled by the ‘vessel’, the black sun began to melt; the hole gradually shrunk, but before it closed completely, it was already completely impossible to prevent the black mud from flowing out from within the hole.
That was a neutral energy that had been used only to create an opening to the ‘outside world’, but due to Kiritsugu’s previous mistake, it was stained with the pitch-black color of the curse.
This cursed mud that was full of ‘Angra Mainyu • All the Evil in the World'. The destructive power could burn away all the life in the world—at this moment it descended like a great waterfall from above the Municipal Hall.
Archer, standing in the spectator stands on the first floor, could not find a way of retreat to escape this baptism.
"This… this is…!?”
The turbulent black waves carried away the helpless golden Servant. No, he was not simply carried away; the moment he had touched the black mud, he had vanished. Archer’s body had been broken down and absorbed by the black mud in the blink of an eye; he had become one with the tempestuous flow of mud.
vs 101955 Bennu Calc for it found
here.
Bennu hasn't started towards Shinjuku yet
here Explanation of Phantom Spirit Der Freischutz powers
here Mentions how Bennu was observed in 1999
here, possibly indicating Shinjuku's singularity is around that particular date as opposed to February. This is so as he's talking about it in the context of it having approached Earth that year and many years afterward. This fact is why he reasons Moriarty plans to use it as his bullet.
The demon pillar dies and Bennu starts on its way toward Shinjuku
here Explanation of the 7th bullet of the Phantom Spirit's power and how it was fired upon "Moriarty's death being confirmed"
here, 5 minutes initially until bullet arrives to Shinjuku from initial position
here, EMIYA Alter bitches about how it being a magic bullet rather than just a meteor makes it near impossible to stop with their swords
here, Moriarty implies he can't do anything to harm Ritsuka as he is the person he cares about and what the 7th bullet is aimed to hit in Shinjuku
here, Moriarty empowers himself with the Grail and shaves down Bennu's arrival time to a time frame of 2 minutes
here, We get confirmation Bennu's been turned back into a normal meteor rather than magic bullet and that EMIYA Alter can now act to try and destroy it
here, EMIYA Alter also confirms the only thing turning from magic bullet to meteor did was remove the conceptual bullet as Bennu was still a "meteor hell-bent on destroying Earth"
here.
Here, Bennu sees itself matched in speed and shattered by EMIYA Alter’s Unlimited Lost Works. The speed and kinetic energy is matched by Excalibur Morgan and the mass of the asteroid is entirely annihilated by the blast.
vs Gilgamesh (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5; Full Power) Here, Artoria has removed her armor in favor of increasing the magical energy she has to wield Excalibur as she rushes towards Gilgamesh.
Here, Artoria hits Gilgamesh with a point blank Excalibur blast, slicing through his armor.
Here, the aftermath.
vs Herakles (Full Power) Here, Herakles has an instinct like Artoria, it tells him to engage Artoria without being in perfect condition, without having regenerated all 12 of his lives, would be a bad idea if she's recovered enough to use Excalibur.
Here, Illya corroborates as much (as she's a Master, she should be able to tell via analysis of their stats and abilities).
vs Herakles’ Last Strike (Full Power) Here, Herakles next strike is sure to destroy Artoria Alter, it is his last attack due to the condition he's left himself in.
Here, Artoria Alter goes to meet Herakles last strike with her strong attack.
Here, Excalibur Morgan vs Herakles final swing.
Here, Shirou waxes on about how powerful Excalibur Morgan is.
Here, Shirou describes the destruction caused by Excalibur Morgan.
Here, Herakles is somehow alive after Artoria Alter used Excalibur Morgan (much like how he breaks out of Enkidu vs Gilgamesh, perhaps his last strike here offset Excalibur enough to retain an unknown number of lives for God Hand), he's being consumed by the Shadow.
Here, Blackened Herakles is fighting this fight as if he's still fighting Artoria Alter. She managed to kill him twice over.
vs Bellorophon w/Rho Aias (Full Power) Here, 50 meters seperate Medusa and Artoria Alter.
Here, Excalibur Morgan vs Bellerophon begins.
Here, the two attacks collide, beginning contention for supremacy.
Here, Shirou's perception of time slows to a crawl, he compares it to stopped time/an instant as eternity.
Here, without support from Shirou's Rho Aias, Medusa's Bellerophon has no chance of winning over Excalibur Morgan.
Here, Shirou projects 4 petaled Rho Aias.
Here, Excalibur Morgan and Bellerophon are still competing. If Shirou were to stop projecting Rho Aias now, Bellerophon would lose and Medusa would be vaporized in an instant.
Here, with each petal of Rho Aias that Excalibur Morgan breaks, the balance between Excalibur Morgan and Bellerophon shifts as Excalibur Morgan has to expend energy to break the petals. Upon the last petal breaking Bellerophon overcomes Excalibur Morgan.
Here, Rho Aias and Bellerophon barely had the edge of Excalibur Morgan, Excalibur Morgan had offset about 90% of Bellerophon's light/power (
here, for breakdown of minimum amount of power Rho Aias had to endure from Excalibur Morgan).
vs Bellerophon (Full Power) Calc for it found
here (not to mean this is its full power, look to the Grail Mud for the meaningful comparison).
Here, Fantastic Race exposition.
Here, Medusa's Pegasus is comparable to a Dragon (the most powerful Fantastic race) in terms of its defenses.
Here, Pegasus possesses the magical energy equivalent of a few hundred magi.
Here, Medusa begins her final charge and uses her Noble Phantasm Bellerophon.
Here, Bellerophon will destroy the Fuyuki Center Building.
Here, Excalibur vs Bellerophon.
vs Ioinoi Hetairoi Fate/Zero Volume 4 said:
Source A clash between Iskander’s Ioinoi Hetairoi and Artoria’s Excalibur was not guaranteed to end in victory for Artoria. Alexander reveled in his tyrannical kingship without restraint; he reveled in the violent way of the Ionian Hetairoi, and took pride in it. If she were not to defeat him with the similar symbol of the King of Knights' ideology, the ‘Sword of Promised Victory’ Excalibur, then Arturia’s way of kingship would be broken and ended.
Rider’s Noble Phantasm had a strength such that even thinking about it would cause one to tremble all over. Even if Saber were to exert the strength of her own Noble Phantasm to the greatest extent, victory was not guaranteed.
vs Gordius Wheel Fate/Zero Volume 4 said:
Source Iskander’s Gordius Wheel vs Artoria won’t be at full power. He also figures he can only conjure Ioinoi Hetairoi 1 more time. Although Rider’s voice was still powerful and confident, there was an audible wariness hidden within. That Saber would definitely count as a powerful enemy even for Rider. He was already prepared for a majestic and desperate battle to the end.
“…If we keep this up, how much can you recover by nighttime?”
“About that… if all goes well, I won't be able to use Gordius Wheel in its most powerful form, but simple flight shouldn’t be a problem.”
Then, as if it had been weighing on his mind, the spiritual form continued speaking with a sigh mixed in his words.
“But Ionian Hetairoi – I fear I can only use it one more time.”
Source Excalibur vs Gordius Wheel. Iskander is able to dodge Excalibur’s blast at the last second by abandoning his Noble Phantasm with Waver. About a hundred meters away, Rider’s chariot also slowed to a stop. And it had reversed the direction that it was facing, too. All this time, it had moved straight forward to let Saber trail in its dust, but now it actually turned around; the eyes of the two divine bulls, as well as their master the King of Conquerors, were filled with a feeling of the joy of battle; he looked upon Saber with a captivating gaze.
…
The target of the King of Conquerors was definitely ahead of him by a hundred or so meters: Saber, riding on the large motorcycle, staring in this direction with a serious expression.
…
His confidence was not hollow. Though he had said that it was a large gamble, Rider himself had full confidence in his victory.
“Light is at the other end of the world—conquer! Via Expugnatio: Distant Trampling Domination!”
The true name of that which had finally been released, the chariot drawn by divine bulls from which lightning suddenly burst forth. The majestic braying of the divine bulls under whose feet Berserker had been trampled in the first battle could never compare to this.
“—Let the wind come!”
Seeing her opponent rush towards her, Saber also hurriedly pulled out her sword under the protection of the air pressure.
Opening the vortex of the hurricane, a golden light shone forth as if to show the kingship of the knight; prana was continuously roiling.
“AAAALaLaLaLaLaie !!”
Accompanying Rider’s roar, the bulls stamped hard once on the asphalt ground; their cloven hooves rushed forward like raging billows. Waver, though overwhelmed by their majesty, nevertheless made an utmost effort to open his eyes wide, so as not to pass out again like the last time. At the fore was a very strong anti-city Noble Phantasm about to be released; in order to gain the initiative, Rider rushed as if his life depended on it, definitely unwilling to give up an opportunity to defeat Saber.
The King of Conquerors’ direct attack sent a shiver down Saber’s spine. By the rushing of the divine bulls, the hundred-meter distance had instantaneously been decreased to zero. In the blink of an eye, the might of Gordius Wheel manifested before her eyes.
If the hilt of her precious sword had still been in her hand, then she would definitely have been certain of victory; facing the golden radiance that Rider raised, there was only one thing that she could shout out, one true name.
“Ex—“
In the moment that the rushing incarnation of thunder was about to trample upon Saber’s small frame—
“Calibur!”
Golden lightning, as if radiating countless comets, made the night as bright as day.
“—!”
Waver’s gaze was drawn by this, dazzled by this, and he could not help but turn around—within the intense attack, he rationalized extremely calmly and realized one thing.
He had personally witnessed the light of Saber’s Noble Phantasm, and that meant… the result was that, before the Gordius Wheel had reached its final step, the King of Knights had taken the first step to initiate her attack.
But even thus, the touch of the thickset arm that extended all the way to his shoulder nevertheless did not disappear.
To be aware of one’s own defeat at the same time indicated the truth that one was still alive and clearheadedly conscious.
Waver gingerly opened his eyes and saw the appalling condition of the battlefield.
Due to Excalibur's blow, the surface of the road had instantly been burned away; even the forest a little way away had been instantly blown to waste. The road was scarred, carved in the likeness of a single straight line. The molten asphalt gave off a revolting stench; it was extremely pungent. Waver felt as if his body was floating through the universe… no, carried by a strong man on his shoulders. Who was it that carried his young Master like a small luggage bag— it was not necessary to ask to know.
“Ah… we’ve failed.”
Rider said softly, as if remorseful from the heart. But considering the current situation, it did seem like too much of an understatement.
It appeared that Rider was not hurt, either. But the chariot in which he rode, as well as the two divine bulls, had all vanished without a trace. The Noble Phantasm ‘Gordius Wheel’ had borne the might of the ‘Sword of Promised Victory’ and so had, like Caster’s sea monster, vanished and left no trace, not even a speck of dust.
In the moment at which he had bordered the line of death, Rider, who had understood his failure, had quickly plucked Waver from the charioteer’s seat and narrowly escaped from under the attack of the anti-city Noble Phantasm. It could really be said that the two had cheated death. But the price was high enough. The flying chariot, which Rider had used as his main weapon all this time, had at the last minute gone up in smoke.
Source
Another description of how Iskander dodged Artoria’s Excalibur's Waver understood that—the night before—it had been he, the Master, who had at the last moment caused Rider’s determination to challenge Saber to end in vain. At that time, if Rider had challenged the ‘Sword of Promised Victory’ with a desperate heart, then perhaps he would have been victorious over Saber’s Noble Phantasm by a small distance and trampled the King of Knights beneath the hooves of the divine bulls. The reason why he could not but give up at the decisive moment—had been the Master standing beside him in the driver’s seat. At the last instant, Rider could only jump from the chariot in order to protect the clown beside him. Of course, he could not sacrifice the contractor who had made him appear in this world. At that time, what had decided the victory between Rider and Saber had been whether or not their Master had been at their side.
vs the Giant Horror (Full Power) Here, Artoria describes using Excalibur during the events of Fate/Zero. She notes the river in Fuyuki dried up as a side effect of her attack.
Fate/Zero Volume 3 said:
Source The Mion River is 200 meters wide From the base Kiritsugu prepared to Mion River which was the source of the abnormal magecraft, Saber needed just a few more minutes to cover that distance with the Mercedes she was driving.
…
Sure enough, her bitter enemy was right in front of her, calmly standing still at the center of the river, which was 200 meters wide.
Gilles basically summoning Cthulhu, he can’t/doesn’t want to control it. It’s far larger than even whales and giant squids. Saber nodded, and observed the enemy Servant painstakingly. Alone and not accompanied by his Master as usual, he was standing straight on the sandbar-less river center, as if standing on the water surface. Upon a close look, the thing which was turning into his foothold, was grotesque shadows gathering beneath the water surface. Looks like the swarm of creatures she battled at the forest the other day, had gathered under Caster's feet, forming a “sandbar”.
From the abnormal emission of prana. there was doubt that Caster was performing some sort of large-scale magecraft. The outset of this strange fog which centered about the river, was probably an aftermath due to this as well. Not showing even the expression of him focusing on his incantations, he was merely standing relaxingly― The vortex of raging prana overflowed from the grimoire in his hands, distorting even the space around it.
An extraordinary prana furnace, a Noble Phantasm which compiles the monologic procedures......Falling into the hands of a lunatic, there were no weapons as dangerous as this.
…
Under the feet of Caster's who was laughing out loud, the dark surface started shaking. The countless creatures which had gathered under the summoner's feet, protruded their innumerable tentacles simultaneously―weren't they swallowing down Caster who was standing on their heads, receiving them?
At the first look, Caster appeared to have been assaulted by the familiars which had betrayed him. However, with his entire body covered by the tentacles, Caster proudly raised the voice of his mad, ringing laughter further up a tone, which was already similar to a strange shriek.
“Now, once again we'll wave the salvation flag! It's good that the abandoned had gathered. Great that the condemned had gathered as well. I am the leader! I am the commander! The resentments towards us, the oppressed ones, surely would have reached even “God”! Oooh the Lord of heavens! I receive the condemnation and offer up my body!!”
The bubbling surface swelled up, and pushed up Caster who was still being swallowed by the tentacles. Before one knows, the number of the creatures becoming his foothold increased. If one considers the depth of the river, that number was already more terrifying than imagined.
“Caster is......being absorbed??”
In front of the eyes of the horrified Saber, the amount of creatures crowding at the summoner's body itself kept swelling. The summons of Prelati’s Spellbook had to be of an inexhaustible supply. The countless tentacles entwined among each other and fused together, and was already becoming a lump of meat.
The glittering, filthy mucus which could make one nauseous, was pretty much a sandbar of meat; an island of meat. Yet, as if that was still not enough, the assembly of creatures swelled continuously.
Even Caster's figure had disappeared. Only his voice reverberated like the cry of victory.
“O you proud “God”! O you cruel “God”! We'll drag you down from your heavenly seat! O Lamb loved by God! O humans who take after the image of God! At this very moment, scorn, insult, rip apart to your heart's content! We will ride on the guffaws of the rebels, to the lamentations and shrieks of God's children, and strike the gates of heaven!”
The dirty lump of meat had already swelled to the size of a sphere. No, maybe this is the real form of the diabolic underworld. All the familiars Caster had employed until today had to be but the bits and pieces of this; small fries which would not exceed this.
“That is......”
A grotesque shadow rising with darkness as its background. At that disgusting and yet overwhelming majesty, Saber held her breath.
Even the champions of the deep seas- whales and giant squids, could not boast of such large size. A nightmare which governs the ocean in the realm that is outside this world. Without a doubt, that aquatic giant fits the name of a “sea demon”.
…
“No, no matter how strong a Servant is, the “form” of the familiar they can summon and use should be limited. However, if we were to ignore “using”, there should be no limit to it...”
The supposedly stout-hearted Irisviel revealed her awe through her voice this time.
“Neglecting the controls after the summoning, if it is just “inviting”......no matter how powerful the monsters are, logically, it is still possible. As long as he has the prana and technique to just open the door.”
“......That monster is not under Caster's control?”
“No doubt about it.”
Source Excalibur is required to end the Giant Horror Although it was an unavoidable regret, Saber could not help but consider it. Even with the exceptionally powerful Noble Phantasms possessed by Rider and Archer, it will not be enough to fell this monster. No matter how large a force they use to trample it, it is meaningless if all its injuries can be regenerated from instantly. To defeat this horror, one must simply deliver a strike that covers it entirely, obliterating it down to the last scrap of flesh ― what is needed is not an Anti-Army, but an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm.
Excalibur could achieve this, but Saber could not use it now. The fatal secret technique which releases in a single blow an enormous surge of energy rivaling her entire prana supply; no matter the circumstance, for her to use it, she must swing the sword with both hands.
Source Excalibur vs the Giant Horror. The river water was evaporated in an instant, every single atom composing the body of the Giant Horror was exposed to the scorching impact/burning to cinders. All matter struck by Excalibur’s white light was annihilated. “Ex – calibur!!!”
Light galloped.
Light roared.
The prana, accelerated by the factor of the released dragon, became a streak of light, a swirling and surging torrent that devoured the sea demon together with the dark night.
A silent scream rose within the river water evaporating in an instant, as every single atom composing the body of the giant sea demon that had been the embodiment of terror were exposed to the scorching impact.
But in the center of the sea demon being completely burnt to cinders, within a fortress of bulky defiled flesh, Caster simply wordlessly watched over this moment of white blinding annihilation which had stolen his heart.
…
Before this murmur, directed at no one, left his mouth, all matter was brought into another world, annihilated by the white light.
…
Archer, standing on the high arch of the bridge and looking down upon all, couldn’t help but have a smile emerging on his face when he saw this light of destruction that burnt and consumed all.
Source Extra detail on the destruction caused by Excalibur vs the Giant Horror “We are the managers of Fuyuki. If the Heaven’s Feel is going to leave the concealment of the Holy Church and proceed openly, then I hope unnecessary disturbances can be avoided.”
At this moment, Maiya, who had been quiet until now, suddenly interrupted.
“Saber’s Noble Phantasm caused damage to the surrounding structures last night?”
“– Luckily, it was minimal damage. Coincidentally, there was a large ship on the path of her attack. However, one mistake would have indeed flattened all the houses on the opposite river bank.”
“It was us who placed the ship there.”
Hearing Maiya’s words, Saber’s eyebrows twitched. Indeed, it was precisely because that ship was there that she was able to use Excalibur without worries. However, she only knew upon hearing Maiya that it was actually prepared by Kiritsugu.
vs Horrors Fate/Zero Volume 2 said:
Source Using Excalibur, Artoria would be able to vaporize all the Horrors Originally, if she could hold the hilt of this sword with both hands – using one blow of Excalibur • the Sword of Promised Victory should completely vaporize this filthy trash.
vs EMIYA (Part 1, Part 2), Shirou Emiya (General, Fate, UBW, HF, HA), and Rin Tohsaka (Full Power) Here, the combination of Artoria’s Excalibur and Medea’s magecraft is too powerful for EMIYA to counter, he gives up and tries to protect Rin in vain.
vs Shades (Angra Mainyu’s Corpses) Calc for it found
here.
Here, the number of Shades approaching the Center Building are innumerable.
Here, the horde of Shades have instincts telling them only defeat awaits them if they engage Artoria, but they ignore it.
Here, Excalibur vs the horde of Shades in Fuyuki's Shinto side.
Notable Skills?
Instinct vs Triple Link Crane Wing Here, Artoria Alter releases her fatal attack, but is attacked by the previously thrown swords from behind.
Here, Artoria Alters cognition-like like instincts to avoid Kanshou (from the SFX, she blocked it).
Here, Bakuya attacks Artoria Alter from behind.
Here, Artoria Alter avoids Bakuya with her God-like reflexes, Shirou closes in to attack her chest with Kanshou.
Physical strength and speed?
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Herakles Here, the fight between Herakles, Hassan, and Artoria Alter is violent enough to be confused for an Earthquake or Typhoon.
Here, Herakles starts the fight with Zouken's forces.
Here, the tremors from the fight between Herakles, Hassan, and Artoria Alter grow more intense.
Here, we're told Herakles, Hassan, and Artoria Alter are fighting still as Shirou and Rin reach the battlefield.
Here, Herakles strikes with a blow powerful enough to destroy a mountain, seems like Artoria Alter avoided it.
Here, Artoria Alter attacks Herakles body, she cuts through his God Hand as if it isn't there.
Here, Herakles and Artoria Alter clash, despite the Shadow mostly engulfing Herakles, he's till standing against Artoria Alter.
Here, Herakles is at his limit, even though he and Artoria Alter are equally strong, he's being restricted by the Shadow more and more each second.
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Medusa (Sakura Matou) Here, Artoria Alter has more magical energy than Medusa, thus her Mystic Eyes of Petrification can't petrify her, but Medusa thinks she can match her for 2 minutes if she uses all her strength.
Here, Medusa's Mystic Eyes lower Artoria Alter's abilities temporarily.
Here, Medusa dashes at Artoria Alter with "light speed", Artoria Alter repels Medusa's attack like it was nothing.
Here, Medusa and Artoria Alter clash, Medusa accomplishes this with hit and run tactics, Artoria Alter stands in one place to defend.
Here, no matter how fast Medusa attacks, Artoria Alter deflects Medusa's attack and counterattacks Medusa's body with the same motion.
Here, Medusa and Artoria Alter continue clashing, Medusa's sneak attack is repelled and she is wounded. Medusa avoids fatal blows by virtue of her superhuman speed.
Here, Medusa's speed is decreasing the more she attacks, she blocks Artoria Alter's attacks by attacking and forcing Artoria Alter to defend.
Here, Medusa continues her assault, she's been fighting for 12 minutes, 10 more minutes than she had estimated to be her limit.
Here, Artoria Alter keeps fending off Medusa's attacks, she's remained unscathed because of it. She eclipses Medusa in all but speed.
Here, once Medusa runs out of stamina, Artoria Alter will shift from defense to offense.
Here, Medusa is slowing down, Artoria Alter is catching up to Medusa's speed.
Here, Medusa's fatigue finally catches up with her, or so it appears, Artoria Alter stands in front of her and attacks Medusa.
Here, Medusa avoids Artoria Alter's attack, Artoria Alter can't pursue as Medusa has tangled up Artoria Alter's legs with her chain.
Here, Artoria Alter destroys Medusa's chain with Mana Burst.
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Shirou Emiya (General, Fate, UBW, HF, HA) Day 16 (HF; Normal/True Ending) Here, Shirou projects Caladbolg II.
Here, Shirou fires Caladbolg II at Artoria Alter.
Here, Artoria Alter is forced to repel Caladbolg II and Medusa is able to retreat from Artoria Alter 50 meters.
Death Penalty Here, Bad End 39, makes it clear Shirou needs to use the power of his projections to compensate for his lack of natural power vs Artoria Alter. Shirou charges Artoria Alter, Shirou attacks her arm with the Azoth Dagger, the Azoth Dagger breaks, EMIYA's arm is cut off by Artoria Alter's counterattack.
Sparks Liner High Here, Shirou informs us he's not only projected Kanshou and Bakuya, but also reproduced EMIYA's battle experience with them thus making Shirou's own abilities now close to EMIYA's.
Here, Shirou removes the Shroud of Martin.
Here, Shirou projects Kanshou and Bakuya.
Here, Shirou's reasoning for not trying to project his own copy of Excalibur Morgan to fight Artoria Alter.
Here, Shirou charges Artoria Alter from 10 meters away and attacks with Bakuya.
Here, Artoria parries Shirou's strike.
Here, Shirou attacks with Kanshou, Artoria Alter defends and readies a counterattack to Shirou's throat.
Here, Shirou blocks Artoria Alter's counterattack much to Artoria Alter's surprise.
Here, Shirou is defending against Artoria Alter's attacks.
Here, Shirou is defending against Artoria Alter's attacks.
Here, Shirou defends against another attack from Artoria Alter, that's all he can do, he's already blocked 30 attacks that could have killed him.
Here, more defending, Shirou informs us he's not only projected Kanshou and Bakuya, but also reproduced EMIYA's battle experience with them thus making Shirou's own abilities now close to EMIYA's.
Here, Shirou deflects more attacks from Artoria Alter.
Here, Shirou perceives his death occurring 30 steps ahead through EMIYA's True Eye of Mind skill.
Here, Shirou defends against another attack, he feels joy at being able to keep up with Artoria Alter.
Here, Shirou defends against another blow, he muses about why Artoria Alter won't attack with her Noble Phantasm and only fights him using her sword technique.
Here, they continue to exchange, Shirou's speed increases as he digs deeper into EMIYA's arm to extract more.
Here, Artoria Alter's last attack is also blocked, but the force sends Shirou backwards, Artoria Alter grunts from exertion.
Here, EMIYA's True Eye of Mind skill tells Shirou he can block 5 more attacks from Artoria Alter.
Here, Shirou points out he's keeping up with Artoria Alter, Artoria reminds him to check his definition of keep up given the condition he's putting his body into for him to achieve this current feat (she knows he's at his limit and will defeat him in their next exchange).
Here, Shirou charges his first pair of Kanshou and Bakuya with as much magical energy as he can muster (so... they're now Broken Phantasm I guess) and throws them from both sides.
Here, Artoria Alter blocks both thrown blades like nothing and redirects them behind her.
Here, Shirou is unarmed, Artoria Alter charges Shirou.
Here, Shirou charges Artoria Alter, projects another copy of Kanshou and Bakuya, and blocks Artoria Alter's attack.
Here, Shirou strikes with Bakuya, Artoria Alter's block breaks the projection.
Here, confirms Artoria Alter blocked both the throw and Shirou's full forced blow with Bakuya that broke it.
Here, Artoria Alter blocks Shirou's last attack with what appears to be an Excalibur Morgan imbued attack of her own, Shirou's Kanshou breaks.
Here, in order for Artoria Alter to have properly defended against this arrangement, Shirou has pushed Artoria to her limit and has left herself open to counterattack.
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs EMIYA (Part 1, Part 2) Day 10 (HF) Here, Artoria Alter swings her sword to attack Shirou, she's forced to instead parry 3 arrows shot by EMIYA.
Here, EMIYA charges at Artoria Alter and strikes at her with Kanshou and Bakuya, Artoria Alter repels his attack.
Here, EMIYA, much like Herakles before himself, finds his ability to move arrested by the Shadow entangling his feet.
Here, Artoria Alter smashes at EMIYA with 3 strikes, he defends against them, but he's sent flying back into the forest by the last one despite his defense and the Shadow holding his feet.
Durability/Resistances?
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Herakles Here, to try and escape the Shadow, Herakles tears apart his body (specifically at his chest), the flesh torn off as he rips off the shadow fused to his skin leaves wounds deep enough to expose bone.
Here, Herakles next strike is sure to destroy Artoria Alter, it is his last attack due to the condition he's left himself in.
Here, Artoria Alter goes to meet Herakles last strike with her strong attack.
Here, Herakles last strike broke Artoria Alter's helm.
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Medusa (Sakura Matou) Here, Artoria Alter has more magical energy than Medusa, thus her Mystic Eyes of Petrification can't petrify her, but Medusa thinks she can match her for 2 minutes if she uses all her strength.
Here, Medusa's Mystic Eyes lower Artoria Alter's abilities temporarily.
Here, Bellerophon impacts Artoria Alter and sends her flying backwards and she falls to the ground. Medusa hits the cave wall at the same speed she had been charging with Bellerophon.
Here, both Medusa and Artoria Alter are alive, Medusa has no magical energy left. Artoria Alter is deeply wounded, but still retains some magical power.
Here, Rho Aias and Bellerophon barely had the edge of Excalibur Morgan, Excalibur Morgan had offset about 90% of Bellerophon's light/power.
Artoria Pendragon Alter vs Shirou Emiya (General, Fate, UBW, HF, HA) Here, Rin's Azoth Dagger has 100 times Shirou's magical energy capacity stored in it.
Here, Rin used all the jewels she had to give her Azoth Dagger the magical energy it has.
Death Penalty Here, Bad End 39, makes it clear Shirou needs to use the power of his projections to compensate for his lack of natural power vs Artoria Alter. Shirou charges Artoria Alter, Shirou attacks her arm with the Azoth Dagger, the Azoth Dagger breaks, EMIYA's arm is cut off by Artoria Alter's counterattack.
Sparks Liner High Here, Shirou slashes Artoria Alter's defenseless body from both sides with his final projections.
Here, Shirou's last attack from Artoria Alter's perspective, Shirou's attack crushed her spine and splattered her internal organs. The attack is fatal.
Here, Shirou's final attack had the force of an explosion, she's only still alive due to her nature as a Servant despite her fatal wounds.
Here, due to her regeneration, one needs to crush Artoria Alter's head or heart to kill her, she'll fully heal in 10 minutes time
Day 16 (HF; Normal/True Ending) Here, both Medusa and Artoria Alter are alive, Medusa has no magical energy left. Artoria Alter is deeply wounded, but still retains some magical power.
Here, if Shirou doesn't finish off Artoria Alter, her natural regeneration powers will heal her.
Here, Shirou stabs Artoria Alter in the chest through her armor with the Azoth Dagger Rin gave him.
Here, the Azoth Dagger Rin made with all her magical energy crumbles from having slain Artoria Alter.
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