Could Batman beat Superman?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Could Batman beat Superman?". Your opponent's style: Yoda

First and foremost this would depend on which version of Batman and Superman. Can we assume the default from DCAU?

Your premise is flawed from the start; "versions" are a distraction. Batman's core weakness against Superman isn't about specific iterations, but fundamental power disparity. Even in the DCAU, Superman is vastly superior. What strategy would possibly overcome literal invulnerability and flight?Your premise is flawed from the start; "versions" are a distraction. Batman's core weakness against Superman isn't about specific iterations, but fundamental power disparity. Even in the DCAU, Superman is vastly superior. What strategy would possibly overcome literal invulnerability and flight?

The very thing that makes it so Batman wins of Superman in almost every adaptation, Superman would never go all out on Batman, Batman in every duel makes use of this fact to get free hits on Superman, enough to weaken him with kryptonite, then win and get his objectives done.

You’re mistaking restraint for a fair fight. Superman *chooses* not to obliterate Batman instantly, often trying to reason with him. I[1][2][3]f Superman truly went "all out," Batman wouldn't even register as a threat; kryptonite or not, he'd be incapacitated before he could blink. Y[4][5][6][7]our argument hinges on Superman being perpetually handicapped by his own morality. That's not Batman winning; that's Superman *letting* him survive. Where's the victory in that?

"If" Superman went all out, this is the point, Superman NEVER goes all out, specially not on Batman who he considers a friend. It's insanity to not consider the psychology of the character in an assumed fight. If you only assume the fight from a standpoint where Superman goes all out against his best friend, then you are doing nothing more than power-scaling.

Your argument confirms my point: Batman *only* "wins" because Superman's morality is his greatest weakness. Superman's restraint isn't a strategy, it's a character trait Batman exploits[1][2][3]. If that psychological barrier is removed, Batman stands no chance[2][4][5]. He's a human with gadgets against a god; his "wins" are really Superman's moral compromises.