Azul Strength

When Riddle argues that Azul is “hardly a heavy hitter himself with his magic out of the equation,” Floyd responds,

“Who said anything about Azul bein’ weak without his magic? He’s real strong. He’s slow on land and in water, and he’s got lousy athletic reflexes, but that doesn’t mean he’s weak. Azul’s bigger than me in the water, and he’s got eight huge, heavy limbs. His submission holds are bad news, and he’s got crazy grip strength. If he so much as snags you, he can snare you with your arms pinned.”

Vil says that it is “hard to imagine (Azul) having that much in the way of musculature” based upon his “lean figure,” but Floyd responds, “Octopi are, like, all muscle. Seems to me like that wouldn’t go poof just ’cause he took a potion to turn himself human.”

Azul tells Riddle directly that his arms are “quite powerful, unlike yours” in Book 6, but when given the opportunity to display this strength with the thunder spear he still struggles to wield it, even with help.

We do have examples Azul being physically strong, however: he surprises an ill-mannered reporter (“…Wh-whoa, you’re stronger than I thought!”) during Tapis Rouge, seems to help carry Ortho without complaint, and is able to physically pry the extremely strong Stitch off of the prefect.

Azul does ask for help with evacuating Vargas from the mines during Vargas Camp, but it seems less so due to needing help with his weight and more so due to the awkwardness of the confined space: “These tunnels are so narrow, I was afraid I might bump the coach’s head or feet against the rocks.”

According to Sebek, Azul held onto him with a surprisingly strong grip while dream-hopping in Book 7 (“I half feared you’d pull my arm out of its socket!”), and Azul seems to go to Silver and Sebek’s aid with both magical and physical attacks in Leona’s dream.

Afterwards Silver and Sebek explain, “Azul took on a large number of palace guards when we fought them in front of the palace,” “And not just with magic. The way he laid into them with fists and cane was a sight to behold.” (Ruggie: “That’s just a bunch of goons brawling…”)