Is the Cart Titan really the weakest shifter in Attack on Titan? Season 4's "Sneak Attack" episode suggests otherwise. Ymir's Titan power is split into nine when Attack on Titan begins - the Founding Titan, the Attack Titan, the Colossal Titan, the Armored Titan, the Female Titan, the Jaw Titan, the War Hammer Titan, the Beast Titan, and the Cart Titan. All nine possess unique strengths and abilities, and all nine will come into play during Attack on Titan season 4's upcoming final battle.
When debating which Titan-shifter should be considered the strongest, arguments could be made (after the Founder, of course) for the Beast, Colossal and Attack Titans. Discussing which shifter ranks bottom, however, most would likely pick Pieck Finger's Cart Titan. Usually limited to the edge of the battlefield, Pieck carries supplies, shoulders guns, and assists her stronger teammates. In Attack on Titan season 4's "Sneak Attack," however, the Cart Titan distinguishes itself, while another shifter puts in a remarkably useless performance. Does the Cart really deserve its reputation as the weakest Titan? Or should that unenviable honor go to the Jaw Titan?
The Jaw's first contribution to "Sneak Attack" is getting clapped in the mouth by Eren Jaeger's Attack Titan and flying several blocks down the road - an outcome that would've been easily avoided had Porco not left his body completely open while leaping straight toward Eren. After spending half of the episode recovering, the Jaw then bounds straight past Survey Corps members he probably should be killing, and makes directly for Eren. The Jaw is once again shut down immediately, this time by a barrage of rocks from Zeke (who has been throwing them throughout the episode and, as a giant ape standing atop a 50m wall, is hard to miss). That's the Jaw Titan done for the week, and Porco's poor contribution isn't an isolated incident - he has been this useless during other key battles.
While the Jaw is floundering, the Cart successfully evades a Zeke Jaeger Beast Titan fastball, then tricks the Jaegerists into thinking she's defeated by leaving behind a skeleton. This created a rare opening for General Magath to hit Zeke in the neck with a mounted cannon - the closest either side has come to victory since this battle kicked off. On paper, the Jaw Titan should be more powerful than the Cart. Porco's shifter possesses increased agility, hardened teeth, and sharp claws, whereas Pieck's has a big face and can retain its form for extended periods. But in practice, Pieck's Cart is getting results, whereas Porco's Jaw is, once again, becoming a punching bag.
This stark contrast is perhaps less to do with the differences between Jaw vs. Cart, and more about the differences between Porco and Pieck, proving the shifter is more important than the Titan they hold. The Cart's current good form is largely down to Pieck's astute tactical mind and intimate knowledge of how to get the most from her Titan abilities. She also covers the Cart's weaknesses (i.e. no real anti-Titan combat skills) by relying on man-made weaponry. By the same logic, the Jaw Titan's ineffectual past few appearances can be attributed to Porco's rashness - a flaw Eren ruthlessly exploited during the Battle of Liberio, where he turned Porco into a giant bottle opener. Porco is great fighting against human soldiers, but he's had very little luck taking down other Titans. Previous Jaw Titans - the likes of Marcel and Ymir - would likely fare better.
In most circumstances, the Jaw Titan would be a more useful asset on the battlefield than the Cart. But as the situation stands in Attack on Titan season 4, with Porco and Pieck in control of their respective shifters, the Cart is who Eren should worry about, as she exploits her speed, endurance, and communication abilities for maximum results, whereas the Jaw continues to naively make itself an easy target.
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