In truth, Astolfo was not the kind of Heroic Spirit known for his combat prowess.
Compared to Iskandar the Great Emperor from the Fourth War, Medusa from the Fifth War, Rider Achilles on the opposing side, and Osymandias, whom Shirou admired, Astolfo's fighting ability was practically trash.
Other than his A+ Luck, none of his parameters exceeded B-rank.
But what he lacked in parameters, he made up for with equipment. Astolfo possessed more Noble Phantasms than most Servants could compare with. (Gilgamesh: Trash!) For example, the lance currently in Astolfo's hand.
Trap of Argalia. Legend said this was the lance once used by Argalia, the knight Astolfo had fought. It possessed the miraculous power to make anyone it touched fall over.
Argalia had relied on this lance to win every duel against knights of equal standing, until one day, someone who had fallen from his horse still refused to admit defeat. He drew his sword and intended to duel his opponent properly.
Would some cash-shop big shot used to cheats even know how to do that? Naturally, Argalia was defeated, and after losing, he fled in utter disgrace.
Later, the Imperial Contest descended into chaos for certain reasons, and Astolfo simply borrowed the lance through methods he had neglected to mention.
Shirou: That's clearly theft. Borrowed, my ass. Emiya Shirou hereby spits in contempt.
"Since you're so determined, I have no choice! Behold, my Trap of Argalia!" Astolfo declared. In reality, he merely dodged Spartacus's attack during their exchange and tapped him with the lance in his hand. There was no skill involved whatsoever.
But that was already enough. Trap of Argalia, just as its name implied, did nothing more than make whoever touched it fall down.
At first glance, it sounded like a pretty useless effect. In reality, it