User blog comment:B214/Shin DxD 1 discussion/@comment-2607:FB90:3851:A5D3:0:14:ECCB:7501-20181029115052/@comment-2607:FB90:3851:A5D3:0:14:ECCB:7501-20181030082141

"They are retired because theybare heavily injured"

Okay and? There's a difference between being killed and being retired. You think Issei would hold back simply because he's afraid of hurting Rias or his friend? Again, you clearly underestimate Issei's resolve. Issei isn't afraid of hurting Rias because at the end of the day, he's not fighting to kill. Again, these are not death battles. Why you think moves like Extinguished Star are banned? Because they could potential kill the opponent during a rating game. Issei won't use his Scorching Blazing inferno for the same reason. Besides hax moves like them, there's nothing to worry about.

Just because Rias is not a battle maniac or battle hardened warrior doesn't mean she's to be underestimated. Sure, her power is nowhere near Issei's but does that mean Issei will hesitate? He could just fight her using his regular BxB.

Why would Issei feel conflicted? Again, volume 22 is proof that you are wrong when Issei declared he would beat Rias. Letting her win is not something Issei would considered. During the tournament, Issei and Rias are enemies and Issei has his own team to think about.

"Issei is more self-sacrificing"

That's only when it comes to life and death situations and if he's fighting for Rias. Neither are the case in this situation. This is just a rating game and he's fighting against Rias.

"When was it solved? Volume 25had the battle plan worked by Ravel"

What was solved was the conflict between Ravel and Issei's trait. The issue was Ravel trait of "supremency" didn't take feelings into account like it waa in DX4. This was solved in volume 25. Ravel had alternate plans but she disregarded because she knows Issei wanted to fight Vidar. That was the point. It's not about if Issei can beat Rias in a battle of wits. He has Ravel for that.

"Strada is part of her challenge to Issei, to overcome the wall that is his emotions to her, for him to take his own goals as priority, even if it means beating her"

Again, Issei made his declaration in volume 22. He has every intention of winning. Strada was merely testing Rias resolve.

"Rias's team are easily on par with Issei's in terms of strength"

Issei has 2 Heavenly Dragon class fighters while Rias only has 1. Ddraig in partical demolished a top 10 class god and swatted away a chief class god. Issei defeated the chief god of Norse who was enhanced by BxB of a dragon king. Strada is nowhere near their level and Kiba doesn't even register. Issei don't even need DxD to beat Kiba. Issei has Grayfia who is Maou class. She is stronger than anyone on Rias team besides Crom and Strada. Xenovia was able to hold her own against a Chief God thanks to Excalibur's Scabbard. Xenovia alone could keep Strada occupied. Asia has better healing that Valerie and unlike Valerie, Asia can actually protect herself. Her BxB is so hax in defense that not even a god can penetrate it. Not to mentkom she has a Dragon King to fight for her. Issei has Roygun who is the former number 2 rank in rating games. She countered all attacks from Typhon (top 10 class god). Rossweiss defeated the strongest Valkyrie in Norse mythology. Thanks to her new wand, I would put her at Maou class. Furthermore, Issei's team has the advantage in numbers.

Case in point. Issei's team is stronger than Rias team.