Comparing Strength: Azathoth vs. Other Mythical Beings

Likely the most belligerent and famously blithe of all Lovecraftian entities, Azathoth garners a great deal of attention in discussions of cosmic beings versus their more active counterparts. However, this 18th century nightmare has perhaps earned its reputation for mystification. So, which fictional creature or god, if any, can hold its own—let alone triumph—against Azathoth?

Introduction

Like most primordial deities, Azathoth doesn’t do anything. At least, that’s what I suspect, as he’s the reigning titan of cosmic insignificance. When you juxtapose Azathoth with other beings like Nyx or Asriel Dreemurr, the former's comparatively plightless state becomes crystal clear. By comparison, Nyx is unbeatable as you cannot kill Night, and Asriel Dreemurr actually engages in the fight, throwing shooting stars and lasers at you.

Divine Dormancy and Cosmic Void

Azathoth, as described in H.P. Lovecraft’s work, is the “blind idiot god” that resides atop a “black throne at the center of ultimate chaos.” This being is Khaos, the void, and the progenitor of reality. Azathoth functions as the dreamer of all existence, meaning that everything that exists exists within the dream of Azathoth. If Azathoth ever wakes up, the universe as we know it will cease to exist. This is the essence of Lovecraftian cosmic horror—the idea that reality itself can simply blip out because an incomprehensible being in the depths of space has stopped dreaming.

Not Doing Anything, but Everything

The problem with Azathoth's described nature is his inactivity. He does nothing, yet everything exists within the dream that he dreams. He is truly a paradox; a being whose apathy stands in contrast to the very existence of all other entities. This raises the question—does Azathoth's lethargy define his power?

Strategic Confrontation with Childlike Wonder

While Azathoth is not a deity of action, there are strategies that one might employ to resist or even overpower such a being. One such method, as depicted in Lovecraft's narrative, involves the weapon of childlike wonder. Onward unswerving, and relentlessly, the dreamer races through the void towards the domains of Azathoth. The chase culminates in the realization that, in the final stages, the dreamer must turn back to the thoughts and visions of their wistful boyhood. This turn allows the sleeper to reclaim their lucidity and thus their victory over the dream.

Other Notable Beings in Comparison

Comparatively, Asriel Dreemurr, a character from the game Undertale, is indeed a victor in certain scenarios. His flamboyant and bright attacks, such as "Shocker Breaker," "Chaos Buster," and "Hyper Goner," aim to halve your HP and cause your boss to take damage. Even when he becomes an all-powerful god who controls time, he still has a human-like mind and emotions that can be appealed to, allowing defeat through emotional and psychological tactics rather than brute force.

Conclusion

While Azathoth’s theoretical defeater might be childlike wonder, which could symbolize the power of reality and lucidity over the abstract dreams of a deity, the actual engagement with such a being is questionable. Azathoth's passive and apathetic nature lends little to the idea of an engaged battle. Thus, while other beings like Nyx and Asriel Dreemurr stand up to their omniscient and omnipotent counterparts through active resistance and psychological warfare, Azathoth remains in a realm of indomitable dreams that are beyond mortal comprehension.

In the grand tapestry of mythological confrontations, Azathoth stands as a monolith of cosmic indifference, a force that exists in dreams but not in action. His strength lies in his inaction, and the true test of opposition might be in understanding the futility of engaging with such a being.