Summary
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TheFate/Strange FakeHoly Grail War is a spectacle of chaos that redefines the concept of a Grail War entirely. Unlike the structured and tradition-bound wars of Fuyuki City, this American iteration, set in the city of Snowfield, is a chaotic mess caused by a faulty attempt to replicate the original ritual.
What results is aparody of the Holy Grail War—a conflict filled with bizarre Servants, overpowered Masters, and a system that seems to defy logic. This can only be seen as bizarre, even when coming from a franchise (think Fate/Grand Order) that is well-known for its unique storylines andunexpectedly twisted holy grail war endings.
A Flawed Ritual From the Start
It Was Never Meant to Be
The Snowfield Grail War was never destined to function as intended. Designed by a rogue faction of American magi, it attempted to copy the Fuyuki Holy Grail War’s structure but failed to understand the nuances of the original system, wheremasters are supposed to “win” the Holy Grail War. This lack of precision led to the ritual losing key elements—most notably the Saber class—and warping the concept of “heroic spirit.”
The result is a war where the very definition of a Servant is stretched to its limits, allowing the summoning of bizarre entities like Pale Rider, a conceptual embodiment of pestilence, and even Alexandre Dumas as a Caster. Instead of creating a single Grail War, the flawed system divided it into two parallel conflicts: the False Holy Grail War and the True Holy Grail War. The False War exists merely to fuel the True War, turning its participants into expendable pawns. This structural failure ensured that the Snowfield Grail War would descend into chaos before it even began.
Unrestrained Power and OP Participants
The Balance is Way Off
One of the defining features ofFate/Strange Fakeis the sheer power level of its Masters and Servants. As seen in previous “Fates”, the participants and their summons have always followed a ruleset, ensuring that while every side leverages their unique advantages, it isn’t really blown out of proportion. However, the participants in Snowfield are on a completely different scale compared to their Fuyuki counterparts.
Until an enemy worthy of my full attention takes the stage, I shall spend my time under a different guise.
For example, Tiné Chelc, the Master of Gilgamesh (False Archer), has a direct connection to mana-rich leylines, allowing her to supply her Servant with an unlimited flow of energy. This contrasts sharply with previous wars, where limited mana often served as a balancing factor.
The Servants themselves are equally overpowered.Gilgamesh, already a powerhouse with his Gate of Babylonin previous wars, operates at full capacity inStrange Fakedue to his powerful Master. Enkidu, his eternal rival, is also summoned without restrictions, ensuring that their confrontations escalate to levels rarely seen in otherFatestories. The inclusion of unconventional entities like Watcher, Pale Rider, and the manifestation of Ishtar further destabilizes the balance, pushing the war into uncharted territory.
A Mockery of the Holy Grail War
No Rules in Place
If the Fuyuki Grail Wars were flawed but functional, the Snowfield Grail War is a deliberate mockery. The American magi designed it not as a genuine competition for the Grail but as a display of power and an experiment in ritualistic summoning. This intent is evident in the chaotic and unregulated nature of the war, where Masters exploit loopholes, summon Servants using unconventional catalysts, and disregard the traditional rules.
Origin
Faulty replication by American magi
Rooted in traditional Japanese rituals by the Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Matou families
Divided intoTrue WarandFalse War; chaotic and unregulated
Single structured war with defined rules
Warped; bizarre summoning of entities like Pale Rider and Watcher
Unlimited for certain Masters (e.g., Tiné Chelc and Gilgamesh)
Restricted; mana supply serves as a balancing factor
Overpowered; Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight without limits
Balanced by mana restrictions and tactical constraints
Catalysts for Summoning
Unconventional; Flat Escardos uses a toy to summon Jack the Ripper
Traditional relics tied to historical figures
Highly skilled and resource-rich; exploit loopholes
Often inexperienced or morally conflicted
Rogue oversight via Hansa Cervantes adds to chaos
Acts as a stabilizing force, maintaining rules
Display of power and experimentation rather than genuine competition
Competition to win the Grail and fulfill wishes
Tone and Narrative
Chaotic, unpredictable, and absurd; pushes the concept to its limits
Structured, with heavy focus on strategy and tradition
Flat Escardos, for example, summons Jack the Ripper (False Berserker) using a toy as a catalyst, while the Kuruoka family’s actions summon Pale Rider, a being more conceptual than heroic. These absurdities highlight the war’s deviation from its roots, turning it into a spectacle rather than a structured competition. The very title,Strange Fake, encapsulates the war’s nature: a strange, imperfect copy that spirals out of control.
Masters That Wield Way Too Much Power
Fewer Brains and More Muscle
Another factor that destabilizes the Snowfield Grail War is the caliber of its Masters. Unlike previous wars, which often featured inexperienced or morally conflicted Masters, the participants inStrange Fakeare highly skilled and unrestrained. Many of them, such as Bazdilot Cordelion (True Archer’s Master) and Flat Escardos, wield power and resources far beyond what was seen in earlier conflicts amongst what were previously deemed to be thestrongest characters in Fate.
Even the Holy Church, typically a stabilizing force, sends a rogue element in Hansa Cervantes, whose unofficial oversight only adds to the chaos. Meanwhile, participants like the Sigma, who is destined to become True Lancer, further complicate the war’s dynamics. These Masters bring unpredictability to the battlefield, ensuring that no alliance or conflict unfolds as expected.
Why It Works Despite Going Wrong
The Fundamentals are There
Despite—or perhaps because of—its chaotic nature, the Snowfield Grail War is an exploration of what happens when the Holy Grail War concept is pushed to its limits. The lack of rules, the eccentric characters, and the overwhelming power levels create a narrative that feels fresh and unpredictable. Where other Grail Wars are defined by their strategy and tradition,Strange Fakethrives on sheer absurdity.
This chaos allows for moments of brilliance, such as therivalry between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, which takes center stage in a way rarely seen in the franchise. The unpredictable nature of the war ensures that even seasonedFatefans are kept guessing, as the story constantly challenges their understandings.
