Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-31283382-20160713041052

While all Sternritter are tough as nails, it would appear that the Schutzstaffel are as tough as mithril-plated elvish cockroaches (forgive me, I feel poetic today). So tough, in fact, that they may be considered semi-immortal. Now, this is a matter for debate (which is basically why I put it here), so here are my arguments for each individual Schutzstaffel:

1. Pernida

I actually have no proof or argument on its possible immortality, but I can assume why it never manifested: after Pernida ate Nemu, the cancer that overtook it broke it down on cellular level, and even if Pernida managed to get up on its feet (I speak figuratively, of course) before it was completely obliterated, the cancer would persist, and finish it of, with possibly no way out. I think it is also important to note that Pernida did not have its Vollständig active at the time of dying.

2. Lille

After Shunsui decapitated Lille (note that Lille had his Vollständig active at the time), Lille came back as an owl-snake-centaur-human hybrid. However, in most cases, if you get decapitated, you die. My guess is that the second form of his Vollständig is actually a defense mechanism that serves to keep Lille alive in case of lethal injury, rather than being a true Vollständig. After Lille got hit by Trompete and went full-speed Marco, and lost his Heiligenschein, and got broken down into score of flamingos, he still lived.

3. Askin

As with Pernida, I have no proofs or arguments of his possible immortality, but I can assume why did it never manifest itself. After Yoruichi blasted him, he entered his Vollständig, but then, Grimmjow came out of nowhere and tore out and crushed Askin's heart (quite literally mind you). Askin survived, but according to our experiences with Schutzstaffel so far, Askin would be back as some sort of Naga, and he would be more powerful than ever. But he didn't. The reason: Grimmjow. It is quite possible that when Grimmjow impaled Askin, his Hollow reiatsu (note that Urahara made effort to point out that Grimmjow's reiatsu was at the moment Hollow, rather than Arrancar) infected Askin, thus preventing the defense mechanism from activating. Also worth noting, Askin was still very much alive when we last saw him, unlike Lille and Gerard, that got beheaded and shattered respectively.

4. Gerard

You could say that the second form of his Vollständig was influenced by The Miracle, but I don't think that Schrift, or any power, can work post mortem. Again, I think that it was a defense mechanism.

I am painfully aware that this theory is at the moment similar to Shunsui: it is full of holes. As such I would appreciate that you try and talk to me, and point out those mistakes, instead of going Super Sayan when you spot the first mistake. 