DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 06/11/2020    Duedate: 07/08/2020

ARKERS ARENA

DM-8    TURN-452

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

POSITION IS EMPTY

Chartered Recognition LeaderUnchartered Recognition Leader

POSITION IS EMPTY              POSITION IS EMPTY

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

MISS COMMUNE KATE              MISS CONSTRUED
LADIES IN WAITING (115)        LADIES IN WAITING (115)
(8-4118) [19-14-0,99]          (8-4419) [11-17-0,83]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

Z GLADIATORZ (519)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. SMITHSONIAN (245)           38
2. LADIES IN WAITING (115)     10      UNLIKELY HEROES (635)
3. BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)       8      Unchartered Team
4. UNLIKELY HEROES (635)        2
5. ASSASSIN NATION (377)        1      DEVIATION (606)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 UNLIKELY HEROES (635)      9   1  1 90.0   1/ 4 Z GLADIATORZ (519)        7  2 0
 2/ 2 Z GLADIATORZ (519)       385 207 10 65.0   2/ 2 SMITHSONIAN (245)         7  4 0
 3/ 3 SMITHSONIAN (245)        899 535 21 62.7   3/ 1 BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)    7  8 1
 4/ 4 BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)   191 156 13 55.0   4/ 5 UNLIKELY HEROES (635)     3  0 0
 5/ 0 LADIES IN WAITING (115)  337 279 15 54.7   5/ 3 THE CHOSEN (613)          3 10 0
 6/ 5 THE CHOSEN (613)         352 334 25 51.3   6/ 0 LADIES IN WAITING (115)   2  3 0
 7/ 0 ASSASSIN NATION (377)     34  54  5 38.6   7/ 0 ASSASSIN NATION (377)     0  2 0

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

I am third-time Duelmaster, Gettysburg. I am sure many of you want to know what the 
real me looks like. I am willing to reveal such, since I am now a Lord Protector and 
am heading to The Isle for retirement and guard duty.

     19(+2)-9-10-17-9-12-11 BA
     poor endu, great damage
     ambi and -3 Init
     skill learn rate of 1.76
     master attack, adexes init and decise
     faves: LG, Hi/Mod, Bash Tactic, Learn init

So its hi ho, hi ho, its off to The Isle I go. I wish you all well Stay safe from the 
coronavirus.

                                        -- Gettysburg,  DMIII

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of ARKERS!  Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, 
Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Former top team BLOODY HAND CLAN was 
unseated this week as Z GLADIATORZ moved up from 4th ranking to take the top spot 
with a 3-1-0 record for the round.  Warriors--remember that glory waits always around 
the corner!  Witness how this week Z GLADIATORZ went 3-1-0 to move up 3 in the 
rankings.  My praise to SMITHSONIAN for their 3-1-0 week this time out.  Indeed, it 
was a skillfully fought round deserving of notice!  BUNKER HILL caught the eye of 
many in the gladiatorial commission as it skillfully bested MISS PLACED and was 
awarded 21 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, KUNG-FU 
MASTER put down ZEPHYR, causing her to lose 34 points of recognition in the process.  
Due to its absence and inability to defend the throne, GETTYSBURG has lost the title 
of Duelmaster.  Would you believe that over half of the old women in ARKERS seem to 
feel that they could fight better than you gladiators?   
     Many and various are the arts of battle.  In ARKERS "art" is a word that has 
long since passed from the language!  ARKERS, city of gladiators!  Mighty among the 
names of thy guilds is SMITHSONIAN, a guild shunned and avoided by many in the weekly 
duels.  If you didn't look down dark alleys you'd have been hard pressed to find any 
of BLOODY HAND CLAN last week.  Busy avoiding SMITHSONIAN?  Loose talk at the arena 
has reached my ears and it but confirms the knowledge that many fighters are after 
MAGNETIC WOMBAT.  Watch your back!  Give ALBUS BONERATTLER credit for his courage.  
Did you note how he challenged MAGNETIC WOMBAT despite the 29 point difference in 
their rankings?  4 points of newly earned recognition and a dose of my admiration is 
what ALBUS BONERATTLER must now weigh against the defeat which resulted.  A match 
that raised a few eyebrows at the games this week, it seems that PEARL HARBOR posted 
a TV challenge against the more highly recognized UGARG SNOTSNIK.  The results, you 
ask?  Well, the firebrand PEARL HARBOR lost to UGARG SNOTSNIK.  Remember warriors, 
this is the discipline of steel.   
     Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser?   Warriors, may this counselor stand 
ready at your right hand forever!  Look no more for HAL THE CRAZED in the arena or on 
the streets of ARKERS.  His fate was sealed in the Dark Arena.  Inevitable for one at 
7-9-3.  Fate is a fickle mistress.  She showers the miserable with fortune but sets 
enemies against the victorious.  Remember this!   
     A thought before I go.  Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise 
manager learn the secrets of them all?  Ahh, but I can hear the spires of a far off 
city calling to me.  I must away!  Till next we meet remember - the pen is mightier 
than the sword, but a maul is a different story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 UGARG SNOTSNIK 5815          29  11  0    99       BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)
 MISS COMMUNE KATE 4118       19  14  0    99       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 EIGER THE HARDY 5811         25   9  0    94       THE CHOSEN (613)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MAGNETIC WOMBAT 5584          9   1  1    88       UNLIKELY HEROES (635)
 RAL STORMBREAKER 5786        21  17  0    84       THE CHOSEN (613)
 MISS CONSTRUED 4419          11  17  0    83       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 PEARL HARBOR 5950             8   3  0    83       SMITHSONIAN (245)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ZEPHYR 5824                  16  11  0    75       Z GLADIATORZ (519)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ALBUS BONERATTLER 5874        9   8  2    61       THE CHOSEN (613)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MISS MATCHED 4709             8   7  0    52       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 RADTEEF WAZGRIM 5919          8   6  3    49       BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)
 BUNKER HILL 5907              6   6  1    46       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 NATRUZ MUDSLAG 5949           7   5  2    40       BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)
 APPALACIA 5959                6   2  0    37       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 MISS PLACED 4723              6   6  2    36       LADIES IN WAITING (115)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 HOSTILITY 4908                4   2  0    27       ASSASSIN NATION (377)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CAMPTOWN RACES 5999           3   0  0    23       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 MISS BEA HAVED 5897           2   2  0    23       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 ZEKE 5994                     2   0  0    21       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 ZODIAC 5993                   3   0  0    19       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 ZONE 5992                     1   0  0    16       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 ASPHYXIATE 4995               1   1  0    14       ASSASSIN NATION (377)
-ZORRO 5930                    1   0  0    11       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-MAIM 4993                     0   1  0     3       ASSASSIN NATION (377)
 GUIGRIM MORRUNT 6002          0   1  0     1       BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)
-DEVASTATE 4994                0   1  0     1       ASSASSIN NATION (377)
-MAR 4996                      0   1  0     1       ASSASSIN NATION (377)

'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
RUNTLING IV 6003        0  1 0 BLOODY HAND CLAN 626 SHEWISH GIANT         452  NONE
WHIPPOORWILL 5922       1  1 0 BOOK OF THOMAS 411   BUNKER HILL 5907      448  NONE
HAL THE CRAZED 5858     7 10 3 THE CHOSEN 613       SPYMASTER             452  NONE
REPETITIVE BS 6001      0  1 0 THE CHOSEN 613       BANDIT PRINCE         452  NONE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Congrats to our own Gettysburg again! Duelmaster and Lord protector. -- Curator

Polite Beggar, doo dah, doo dah! -- Camptown Races

Ugarg, it was MY day. -- Gettysburg

Health. Humility. Honor. -- Curator

Ze Zee'z ve gut. Yah. 2-1. -- The Z Man

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

HAL THE CRAZED was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
REPETITIVE BS was slaughtered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute Dark Arena battle.
RUNTLING IV was luckily killed by  SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
PEARL HARBOR slimly lost to UGARG SNOTSNIK in a 5 minute veteran's Challenge fight.
ALBUS BONERATTLER was bested by MAGNETIC WOMBAT in a popular 1 minute Challenge duel.
ZEPHYR was devastated by KUNG-FU MASTER in a 1 minute mismatched match.
EIGER THE HARDY outwaited MISS CONSTRUED in a action packed 9 minute expert's fight.
MISS COMMUNE KATE viciously subdued RAL STORMBREAKER in a 1 minute expert's duel.
NATRUZ MUDSLAG lost to MISS MATCHED in a popular 1 minute fight.
MISS PLACED was beaten by BUNKER HILL in a 2 minute melee.
RADTEEF WAZGRIM savagely defeated HOSTILITY in a exciting 2 minute brutal fight.
APPALACIA slimly won victory over MISS BEA HAVED in a 5 minute conflict.
ASPHYXIATE was outlasted by ZODIAC in a tiring 19 minute brawl.
ZEKE handily defeated STRAY CATMAN in a 1 minute one-sided conflict.
CAMPTOWN RACES vanquished GUIGRIM MORRUNT in a 3 minute mismatched bout.
ZONE vanquished POLITE BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided fray.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY                      6         AIMED BLOW         9 -   4 -  2      69  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         WALL OF STEEL     14 -   7 -  1      67  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         TOTAL PARRY       19 -  11 -  0      63  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  4         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         SLASHING ATTACK   12 -  13 -  1      48  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         STRIKING ATTACK   18 -  20 -  2      47  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         BASHING ATTACK    11 -  15 -  1      42  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         LUNGING ATTACK    15 -  21 -  0      42  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   2 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 452 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

WALL OF STEEL      3 -  1     SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  3         3  LUNGING ATTACK 
TOTAL PARRY        4 -  2     AIMED BLOW         0 -  0         2  TOTAL PARRY    
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  3     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  BASHING ATTACK 
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  1     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         1  WALL OF STEEL  
                              PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  0         1  SLASHING ATTACK
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  3         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                                                                1  STRIKING ATTACK

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      UGARG SNOTSNIK 5815        29  11  0   99 BLOODY HAND CLAN (626)
LUNGING ATTACK   MISS COMMUNE KATE 4118     19  14  0   99 LADIES IN WAITING (115)
WALL OF STEEL    MAGNETIC WOMBAT 5584        9   1  1   88 UNLIKELY HEROES (635)
SLASHING ATTACK  RAL STORMBREAKER 5786      21  17  0   84 THE CHOSEN (613)
STRIKING ATTACK  ZEPHYR 5824                16  11  0   75 Z GLADIATORZ (519)
BASHING ATTACK   ALBUS BONERATTLER 5874      9   8  2   61 THE CHOSEN (613)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is MISS COMMUNE KATE 4118.  The most popular warrior 
this turn was MISS CONSTRUED 4419.  The ten other most popular fighters were PEARL 
HARBOR 5950, MISS BEA HAVED 5897, RADTEEF WAZGRIM 5919, EIGER THE HARDY 5811, UGARG 
SNOTSNIK 5815, MISS PLACED 4723, APPALACIA 5959, GUIGRIM MORRUNT 6002, MISS COMMUNE 
KATE 4118, and ZONE 5992.

The least popular fighter this week was ZODIAC 5993.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were ASPHYXIATE 4995, CAMPTOWN RACES 5999, HOSTILITY 4908, REPETITIVE BS 
6001, ZEKE 5994, RAL STORMBREAKER 5786, ZEPHYR 5824, HAL THE CRAZED 5858, BUNKER HILL 
5907, and MISS MATCHED 4709.

The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:

GETTYSBURG (8-5854) SMITHSONIAN (245)

                                 RSI PANDEMIC UPDATE

We're doing okay out here in Arizona, staying mostly quiet and trying to stay healthy, 
and we hope you and your families are well.  Things are super weird right now.   
Here's a quick update on what's coming up: 

Summer 2020 Face-to-Face:  In case there is any lingering doubt, the 2020 summer face-
to-face is cancelled.  It just doesn't seem wise to hold it, and feedback is that most 
of you would not be able to attend.  Better to stay safe and stay at home, this time.  

Summer 2020 Mail-In:  So we'll hold a mail-in tournament this summer.  It will be held 
on the weekend of July 17-19, 2020.  We are still finalizing the format--look for the 
tournament announcement shortly after the freeze on June 6th. 

Halloween 2020 Mail-In:  Should be able to take place as normal.  We bandied about the 
idea of having a Fall FTF, but that doesn't look like a good idea.  

Winter 2021 Face-to-Face:  We have already secured a contract for the Winter FTF in 
Tempe for our usual Martin Luther King weekend, January 15-17, 2021 and are crossing 
our fingers that we will be able to hold that tournament in person, but there is still 
some chance that we will need to cancel it as well.  I expect we will know for certain 
in November or December.  Please mark it on your calendars and feel free to get hotel 
reservations, but don't buy non-refundable plane tickets!  (We are waiting for the 
group code for reservations and will post it when we get it.) 

Summer 2021 Face-to-Face:  Surely we'll be able to have this one! *crossed fingers*  
We're looking at the midwest cities for this one (Cincinnati or Minneapolis), so stay 
tuned.

                         * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                            THE BLOODGAMES HAVE RETURNED! 

For those of you who always wanted the chance to manage the last warrior standing 
alive upon the arena sands, your day has come.  At the end of the ten turns, even 
though several warriors, bruised and scarred, MAY yet live, only three will be crowned 
Bloodgames Champions and be invited to the Isle of the Eye!  And in this game mere 
survival counts for little.  A great general once said, "The object of battle is not 
to die for your cause, but to make your enemy die for his."  This general would have 
greatly enjoyed the Duelmasters Bloodgames!  

By popular demand, we will hold THREE Bloodgames arenas -- a regular and slow 
Bloodgames by mail, and a Bloodgames which will run with the mail-in tourney!  

    DM 95:  slow bloodgames (due every four weeks, due July 20)  
    DM 98:  regular speed bloodgames (due every two weeks, due July 20) 
    DM 99:  mail-in style bloodgames (processed with the tourney, due July 15)

Gameplay in the Bloodgames proceeds according to standard DM rules, except for a few 
notable exceptions: 

* STARTING A BLOODGAMES TEAM -- You don't need a special rollup to enter the 
bloodgames.  Your Bloodgames team is ten warriors, one of each fighting style, each 
warrior designed from scratch!  (All are 84 points, 3-21, as usual.)  Simply list your 
ten warriors and send them to us; we will send you back overviews of your warriors so 
you can submit strategies.  The first turn is due mid-July and subsequent turns will 
be due on Mondays.  

* DEATH -- As the name implies, the Bloodgames will leave the arena sands somewhat 
darker before they're over.  It's a dangerous sport intended only for the tough and 
spirited.  The Arenamaster will be less likely to intercede on behalf of a dying 
warrior.  Even at a 1 kill desire, kill attempts will occur.  There are no 
replacements -- once a warrior dies, that's it!  

* STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES -- New strategies may be issued for each turn for the 
regular and slow bloodgames, while the mail-in bloodgames will process all ten rounds 
with a single strategy.  The only type of challenge available is a bloodfeud.  

* MISSED TURNS -- All warriors fight each round.  Only the dead may rest.

* ERRORS -- If we make an input error, that warrior will be awarded a win and kill.  
Errors must be reported before the next turn processes.  

* NEWSLETTER -- Warriors are ranked according to their number of kills.  Bloodgames 
Champions may write a column for the newsletter at the end of the games. 

* AWARDS -- The Bloodgames last ten rounds.  The top three living warriors with the 
greatest number of kills, only one of each style, are deemed Bloodgames Champions.  
Win/loss records and, if necessary, recognition points will only be used to determine 
awards if there is a tie.  All three Bloodgames Champions fight for free for six 
months and can issue one Tournament Victor challenge each turn, allowing them to 
challenge with increased priority, also for six months. 

* FEES -- A Bloodgames rollup costs a $10 set-up fee.  Managers may roll up additional 
teams but may fight only one team in each arena.  The fee is $49 for all 10 rounds. 

* AFTERMATH -- Warriors from the Bloodgames may not transfer to any other arena.  Once 
the games are over, the arena and teams will be disbanded.  The fighters have won 
their freedom and will never more be seen in the gladiatorial games.  A special bonus 
will, however, be awarded to the Bloodgames Champions:  Lady Sheila Greywand, of the 
Isle of the Eye, has consented to allow the top three gladiators in each Bloodgames 
admission to the Advanced Duelmasters games.  Any special training required to qualify 
those three warriors for Advanced Duelmasters combat will be conducted before transfer 
into ADM.  Astute managers will note that this means that three warriors that are 
designed from scratch will survive the Bloodgames, win one of the top three places, 
and go on to immortal glory!  One of those warriors could be yours!

         The challenge is yours to take.  The final plans are yours to make.  
          When the dust settles, remember:  To the victor goes the spoils!

               NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS)

For those of you who keep track of such things, a few additional warriors graduated 
from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament. 

                      WICKED WASP (35-4784) SATAN'S SWARM  (418) 
                    TYRANNICAL TICK (35-4786) SATAN'S SWARM  (418) 
                       EMPTY (72-7269) BASH BROS WALLET  (873) 
                    NOBODY HOME (82-53135) ROOKIE PINK 59  (8963) 
                   CAN'T BEAT TUM (84-40978) THE GREAT TMM  (7146) 
                        LINT (84-49584) 4-LETTER DIRT  (8504) 
               JANUARY O. IRONTAIL (84-25625) EVIL EASTER BUNNY  (4553) 
                  SHOULD BE FUN (85-29872) FRANKENSTEIN HUNT  (5482) 

Congrats to the grads. -- Green Eyes