Okay seriously, I'm curious. How the heck could TB of beaten the scissor gal? She got some pretty high rolls for her attacks, but each time it was blocked and countered.

Here's two factors playing against us:

• Foes have hidden rolls. Although we can get a high roll, if our target does the same, we won't always win.
• Tournament fighters may have more combat-oriented attributes and abilities, such as high weapon mastery.

While it's not impossible to defeat foes stronger than us, the margin for mistake is much smaller. In the encounter against Tonsoria, Trailblazer was too aggressive against an opponent she didn't know enough about. But worry not! Ponies learn from their mistakes, so the tournament was not all in vain. Experience will be applied upon resting.