Worstgen

Cinera

Fair enough regarding flying slashes. Cracker has shit endurance though, so even if they normally wouldn't KO high tiers, they should still have enough power to fuck him up pretty badly.

Cinera

Regarding Jozu vs Mihawk, I'm not really convinced. The gap in their haki should be to such an extent that a full power attack from Mihawk probably cleaves cleanly through him.

I expect great DC feats from flying slashes this arc though, so let's see.

ZenZu

What about blocking it with haki + his real sword? You don't think he's capable of that? I don't see it breaking through a high quality blade backed by solid enough haki. It can probably still overpower him but minimizes the damage.

Cinera

I don't see Zoro breaking Cracker's swords. So I guess it comes to how skilled one thinks he is in CQC.

Then again, I'm not really sure how one would block attacks like this:
https://i.imgur.com/dnhcljG.jpg

Cinera

Imagine flying slashes (especially the really large ones would be matched by other flying slashes as opposed to getting blocked. The kind of slashes Zoro showed against Pica would be pretty hard to block. He'd probably decimate the seducing woods in the span of a few slashes.

ZenZu

How do you see Doflamingo dealing with those?

Cinera

Mobility and environmental control mainly. Doffy would have to avoid taking Zoro's slashes head on. He would need to rely on his awakening to harass and pressure him, and would need to maintain his flight.

Cinera

I don't see Doffy making it without awakening. Zoro can probably cut through his strings as well (plot cage not withstanding).

Cinera

Doffy also gets the benefit of the doubt due to punking Law without awakening. This version of Zoro had some feats comparable to Law's.

ZenZu

You don't think he can just parry/pressure Zoro in CQC with his strings to stop those attacks from gaining momentum?

Cinera

Doffy can also stitch himself up and he's an endurance beast. He probably wouldn't go down to the first hit, so he has some lee way.

Cinera

I think Zoro is physically stronger than Doffy. Law could block his overheat, and their performance vs Issho's gravity shows Law is substantially inferior to Zoro physically.

Cinera

When Doffy flexed, he cut several buildings, when Zoro was flexing he was dicing a mountain, I don't think Doffy can handle Zoro in CQC.

ZenZu

I think Awakening is overrated against Law (or Zoro) type of enemies tbh. They can cut through that stuff anyways. Doflamingo doesn't need to play hide and seek with them like with Boundman. Though in select areas awakening would be useful (control footing etc.) but I don't see him fighting the way he did against Luffy. He can get up close and personal.

Cinera

He doesn't have the strength to clash with Zoro's strongest attacks. He doesn't seem to have superior COA. I don't see close quarters combat going well for him. As you said yourself, direct slashes are even stronger.

ZenZu

I have a hard time believing Killer and a casual Denjiro could keep up with a 2 sword Zoro with no issues in CQC but Doflamingo being unable to do so.

ZenZu

As far as clashing goes I agree but there's more to CQC than clashing against attacks. Doflamingo is extremely agile and he has plenty of physical strength to boot.

Cinera

I think a bloodlusted Zoro is much harder to handle in CQC than Law. CQC can shut down Law by preventing him from using his best attacks, but Zoro doesn't become less lethal in CQC.

ZenZu

Than Law? No doubt. Zoro is superior. But Law was so far below Doffy in CQC it looked like childs play.

ZenZu

Luffy is exceptionally strong in CQC and pre gamma knife Doffy could react to and dance around him anyway. With his strings he even has something to ward off Zoro's swords in CQC. He's more than adequate to tango with Zoro in CQC imo.