Warning: Spoilers for Loki episode 3, "Lamentis." 

Despite being the same person, Loki and his Variant, Sylvie, have different fighting styles - here's why that is. The first episode of Disney+'s Loki revealed the murderous Variant the TVA is hunting is a version of the God of Mischief himself (Tom Hiddleston), and episode 2 appeared to confirm she's Lady Loki (Sophia Di Martino). Now, Loki episode 3, "Lamentis," pulls back the curtain even farther on this mysterious Variant - now going by the name Sylvie - and how she differs from the Loki audiences know and love. With three episodes still to go in the series, there is still a lot to be discovered about Sylvie.

Much of the action in Loki episode 3 takes place on the titular moon of Lamentis-1, where Loki and Sylvie are stranded after their fight at the TVA. This leaves the two tricksters to get better acquainted with one another. Though they are both Lokis (any future revelations regarding Sylvie's identity notwithstanding), there are notable differences between them beyond the superficial. From their family history to their preferred ways of using magic to how they fight, Loki and Sylvie stand together but apart all at once.

Related: Why Loki Is Bothered By Everyone In Lamentis-1 Dying

Loki episode 3 slows down the plot considerably, but there are still some action pieces that best showcase how Sylvie and her titular counterpart differ. When it comes to their fighting styles, those are showcased in Loki and Sylvie's scuffle outside the Time-Keepers' elevator and on the train to Lamentis's Ark. At first glance, their moves look quite similar. Both Sylvie and Loki favor blades, though Loki opts for two knives over Sylvie's longer single short sword. Plus, though Loki is without his horned helmet, he's been known to yank it off his head and utilize it as a weapon, as seen in during the Revengers' fight in Thor: Ragnarok. Sylvie is the same with her smaller headdress.

And yet, if one looks closer, they'll see Loki and Sylvie have different preferred combat tactics. Sylvie uses her legs more, whether it's to kick an opponent in the chest or to drag them down. Loki, on the other hand, goes for more upper body movements - blocks and punches. The reason for these differences could be whittled down to their characterization as different versions of the same person, but there's a deeper explanation to be found. While Sylvie's true origins are still unknown as of Loki episode 3, it's quite clear she had a different upbringing than her fellow Variant. She taught herself magic, she doesn't remember her mother, and she always knew she was adopted. Therefore, it stands to reason that she was trained differently than Loki. She's much more of a scrapper.

As a prince of Asgard, however, Loki would've learned how to fight alongside the warriors of Asgard. Though he favors magic above all else, he knows how to use brute force when necessary. Sylvie, meanwhile, is of a different physical stature; she might not have the same strength as Loki, so she must lash out in a different way. Her approach isn't that unlike Black Widow's elsewhere in the MCU. Both women, when faced with larger opponents, find ways to slip under their defenses.

The differences between Loki and Sylvie's fighting styles come down to those two things: Training and physical stature. Yes, they have the same preference for horns and blades when it comes to weapons, and there are even moments when they mirror each other, as Di Martino told Screen Rant. However, though they are technically both Lokis at their cores, they are not carbon copies of each other. It's best to keep that in mind as Loki continues on and more about Sylvie is revealed.

More: Loki Episode 3 Ending: How Loki & Sylvie Escape The Moon Theories

Loki releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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