So maybe she knows what it is and how to attack with it (which would definitely fit her character), but isn't aware that it's what's keeping her intact in all of the battles?

Considering the amounts of training that Asuka has had, it is INCREDIBLY dubious that nobody has told her, "BTW, your Eva's A.T. Field protects you, so make sure you activate it every time you sortie." Obviously, however, no one has told her, "BTW, your Eva is really your mom and she's protecting you."

Gamer_2k4 wrote:Heck, do we see ANY of the Evas stopping an attack with an AT field before the movie? Because they sure seem to get torn up easily...

To be entirely honest, the answer is "not directly". We see them withstand the explosions of dying Angels such as Israfel and Sahaquiel, but never--as far as I can recall--is an Angel's attack on an Eva stopped entirely by the Eva's AT Field. This isn't to say that the Evas' AT Fields are weak; it's probably because of the majority of Angels' common use of short-range attacks (Sachiel, Shamshel, Gaghiel etc.) instead of firing projectiles, or the use of highly penetrative beams by the Angel (Ramiel, Arael, Zeruel when it cuts EVA-01's arm), or--a slightly vague option--"direct physical contact" attacks such as those used by Armisael and Bardiel.
However, we do see the AT Field in action in places such as the wave of heat emanating from the Eva-lift before Unit 01 attacks Shamshel, the shimmer in the air in the coordinated attack against Israfel, and the midair slicing of Zeruel's razor arm by a berserk EVA-01. Remember, just because the resonating orange barrier isn't seen doesn't mean that the AT Field isn't present, just that nothing's disturbing it strongly enough (a high-energy projectile, prog' knife or the like) to have an effect.

Reichu wrote:Considering the amounts of training that Asuka has had, it is INCREDIBLY dubious that nobody has told her, "BTW, your Eva's A.T. Field protects you, so make sure you activate it every time you sortie."

Well, in EoE, she makes the comment about having 12000 plates of armor. It's possible that the pilots just assumed that that was what was stopping enemy attacks.

AyrYntake wrote:However, we do see the AT Field in action in places such as the wave of heat emanating from the Eva-lift before Unit 01 attacks Shamshel, the shimmer in the air in the coordinated attack against Israfel, and the midair slicing of Zeruel's razor arm by a berserk EVA-01.

Right, and as I noted earlier, those were all offensive uses of the AT field. The pilots clearly knew about the AT fields, but I think it's up in the air whether or not they were aware that they (they, personally; clearly they saw the Angels protecting themselves with AT fields) could use them as shields.

Hmm...so given the neural synchronization used in controlling an Eva, what actually goes through a pilot's mind when they're expanding an AT Field? I don't suppose thinking "create big shieldlike barrier around self" will work, will it...?
And, to recap on an old, probably-already-long-established point, humans' AT Fields are actually physical barriers as well. It's why they fall apart during 3I when the transition guides come for them

Hmm...so given the neural synchronization used in controlling an Eva, what actually goes through a pilot's mind when they're expanding an AT Field? I don't suppose thinking "create big shieldlike barrier around self" will work, will it...?

I figured it could either work as an instinctive reflex, or "OH SHI-" or something of the like.

A thought I had is that perhaps humans and angels simply have a different kind of AT field - I think this was mentioned as a possibility earlier in the thread, but I'll elaborate.

The human AT field is, of course, stated to be the dividing line between individuals; I am me, I am not you, and I can never be you, at least not until third impact happens.

Angels, on the other hand, do not have this limitation. More than one attempts to become one with an Eva (and at least one also tries to become one with the pilot within as well). Their AT field takes on a more physical nature.

I think I will also speculate, that much like how the human AT field keeps us from getting too close spiritually, perhaps this prevents the Angels from getting too close to each other physically. Maybe this is why they attack one at a time?

Of course, that's just random speculation from me. It should, of course, be taken with a grain of salt.

I think I will also speculate, that much like how the human AT field keeps us from getting too close spiritually, perhaps this prevents the Angels from getting too close to each other physically. Maybe this is why they attack one at a time?

I agree, I think the AT fields represents the level of individuality in the forms of life.

Angels(individual beings with no evidence of social behavior)->Humans(some level of individuality with social behavior)-> Humans eventually merging with lilith (no individuality)

Hence humans had weak AT fields because of their inherent social behavior. A large part of NGE is dedicated to inter-personal relationships. Perhaps it is this (albeit incomplete) level of interactions between individuals that prevent AT fields from becoming powerful. Humans are built to socialize rather than segregate.

p06 wrote:I agree, I think the AT fields represents the level of individuality in the forms of life.

Angels(individual beings with no evidence of social behavior)->Humans(some level of individuality with social behavior)-> Humans eventually merging with lilith (no individuality)

Hence humans had weak AT fields because of their inherent social behavior. A large part of NGE is dedicated to inter-personal relationships. Perhaps it is this (albeit incomplete) level of interactions between individuals that prevent AT fields from becoming powerful. Humans are built to socialize rather than segregate.

On the other hand, there's nothing indicating that the Angels' AT fields are stronger than the Evas', and the Evas have absolutely no trouble working together. In fact, the Evas also have no trouble synchronizing with the pilots, though each has their own AT field.

I like what you're saying though, and I almost want to extend it to say that people like Shinji (and really, all of the pilots) have a stronger AT field, and consequently have more trouble bonding with other people. Of course, that's kind of out there.

Actually that might explain quite a bit about Gendo. Perhaps AT-field strengthening as a result of massive childhood trauma was intentionally provoked in pilot candidates and might just be a major selection trait for new recruits (after dead mom and being the right age [for whatever reason], of course).

you mean, although everyone in Shinji's class have dead mothers, Shinji, Asuka, and Touji are selected because they're that much more fucked up than the others in the class? interesting, but way out there.

slothen wrote:you mean, although everyone in Shinji's class have dead mothers, Shinji, Asuka, and Touji are selected because they're that much more fucked up than the others in the class? interesting, but way out there.

Well, from Seele's perspective, it's perfect. The people who are best able to synchronize with Evas are also the people who have a steadfast determination to pilot, and who won't be missed as much if they die. Remember what was constantly being said in the final episodes?

"Why do you exist?" "To pilot the Eva."
"What's your purpose in life?" "Piloting Eva."

That's exactly what the higher-ups would want. Take the people whose only way of proving to themselves that they matter is to do exactly what you want them to. As long as that image is being fostered, that the pilots are just tools whose lives would be meaningless without fighting, you're set.

Remember when Shinji decided the first time that he wouldn't pilot the Eva anymore? They basically said, "Suit yourself, don't let the door hit you on the way out." Remember when Shinji refused to fight Unit 3 because he might have hurt the pilot? They threw him in handcuffs right away. Personal feelings and attachments are liabilities when you're an Eva pilot.

If SEELE only picked the fucked up, depressed kids, moral among the pilots would drop and ability to defeat the Angels would disappear. Seele wanted the Angels dead, so they could do their own 3I. If the pilots failed to do their jobs, no point in hiring them.

They did, however, use Shinji in EoE, because they knew he was fucked up and depressed, and thought that he'd accept Instrumentality for them.

Sachi_13 wrote:If SEELE only picked the fucked up, depressed kids, moral among the pilots would drop and ability to defeat the Angels would disappear.

Well, there's a bit of a difference between being a loner and being depressed. And, if you recall, my original theory (read: wild guess) was that stronger AT fields increased social barriers, not mental instability. Better focus and less personal connections are just side effects of that. If you don't have friends, then you'll try to fill that void by mattering to someone, even if they're people who are only using you for their own means. That doesn't require depression, nor does it have to be associated with it.

Is depression possible? Naturally. Asuka went that way. But no risk, no reward, right? Seele and Nerv constantly had to take risks in order to ensure that their goal would be attained. Let Jet Alone potentially replace the Evas, or take a chance and send a nuclear powered robot on a blind trail of destruction? Activate a dummy plug with potentially disastrous results, or let your pilot get killed by an infected Eva? Lose the LoL to kill an Angel, or let it dismantle your pilots and eventually hit Central Dogma? Seele took risks all the time, and the use of particular children might have just been one of them.

Sachi_13 wrote:They did, however, use Shinji in EoE, because they knew he was fucked up and depressed, and thought that he'd accept Instrumentality for them.

Odd then that the troops attacking Nerv were ordered to kill him.

That may not have been SEELE's idea. According to Chronicle (I think) the JSSDF was the only unit in Japan directly under the command of the Prime Minister. He wanted to seal NERV off for 20 years which is clearly not what SEELE wanted.

Even though SEELE was all like "lol NERV's gonna kill us all lol"? They were clearly trying to take out all the EVA's and their pilots. SEELE's scenario didn't really intend for Shinji to be put in charge of everything, that was Rei's decision. SEELE capitalized on it anyway though.

We really have no idea who gave the order. The PM showed he isn't SEELE's pawn so he could have given it for his own reasons.

Off-topic posts are off-topic. Keep this up, and you know what happens.

This may be a strange theory, but we recall how Kaworu said the AT Field simply was are barrier from other people, one of which is of the mind, correct? Yet it is when the Eva pilots and the Eva (who harness the souls of their mothers) are together the AT Field is so strong that it protects them physically, despite its purpose ultimately seem to be to keep others away, it is when two are together it is strongest. Could this be away of sayng when people embrace each other, they are strongest?

I like it!

And just to clarify:

Angels/Evas AT Fields=physical barriers

Lilin AT Fields=psychological barriers