DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 06/12/2020    Duedate: 07/09/2020

XOCHITHLAN ARENA

DM-39    TURN-403

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

ALFOR BEACHWOOD
THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
(39-4110) [14-5-1,116]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ALFOR BEACHWOOD                LASIC SURGERY
THE MIDDLE WAY (385)           BIONIC MAN (490)
(39-4110) [14-5-1,116]         (39-4290) [2-0-0,33]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

APPLE BLOSSOM                  ZEB ARN
THE MIDDLE WAY (385)           THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
(39-4109) [10-9-0,82]          (39-4257) [9-9-0,57]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. THE MIDDLE WAY (385)        46
2. BIONIC MAN (490)            38      UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
3. UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)        16      Unchartered Team
4. DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)       14
5. BOOK OF THOMAS (479)         0      BIONIC MAN (490)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*BIONIC MAN (490)           6   3  2 66.7   1/ 4 UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)      8  2 0
 2/ 2 UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)      87  47  3 64.9   2/ 3 THE MIDDLE WAY (385)      8  7 0
 3/ 0 DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)    283 185 17 60.5   3/ 5*BIONIC MAN (490)          6  3 2
 4/ 3 BASH BROS BABY (461)     169 129  8 56.7   4/ 1 BASH BROS BABY (461)      4  8 0
 5- 4*SCUTUM (489)               9   7  0 56.3   5/ 0 DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)     3  1 2
 6- 5 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)     122 105 10 53.7   6- 2*SCUTUM (489)              3  4 0
 7- 6 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)      34  38  1 47.2   7- 6 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)      1  1 0
 8/ 7 THE MIDDLE WAY (385)     503 564 14 47.1   8- 7 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)      1  1 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.

You clean that up RIGHT NOW!, Mealtime Mess  I don't care how, you can lick it up if 
you want.  Or get the dog to lick it up.

                                          -- Alfor Beachwood

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly XOCHITHLAN games.  Former top team BASH BROS BABY was 
unseated this week as UNHOLY AVENGERS moved up from 4th ranking to take the top spot 
with a 3-2-0 record for the round.  There were bitter words at SCUTUM's guildhouse 
after a 0-0-0 showing this week which dropped the stable into 6th.  Dark Arena 
anyone?  Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner!  Witness how 
this week UNHOLY AVENGERS went 3-2-0 to move up 3 in the rankings.  My praise to THE 
MIDDLE WAY for their 4-1-0 week this time out.  Indeed, it was a skillfully fought 
round deserving of notice!  APPLE BLOSSOM caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial 
commission as she skillfully bested SICKNESS and was awarded 19 points in 
recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, LASIC SURGERY put down DUCK 
DUCK GOOSE, causing it to lose 15 points of recognition in the process.  Although 
FRED made a valiant effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious 
ALFOR BEACHWOOD.  Heed this!  A seer has warned that if exactly 6 die in duels this 
week, the whole city shall perish!  Just remember...5 or 7!   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city XOCHITHLAN.  XOCHITHLAN, city of gladiators!  Mighty among the names of 
thy guilds is SCUTUM, 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 BIONIC 
MAN last week.  Busy avoiding SCUTUM?  Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition 
from those below.  WARREN XANDER take warning!  You have more than a few enemies in 
XOCHITHLAN.   
     Vendettas.  Bloodied blades and broken spears.  Indeed the city has seen more 
than its fair share of red in recent times.  Dark alleys may hide both secrets and 
assassins.  In the arena there is only the brightness of steel.  Keep vigil always!   
     The girls are as pretty in XOCHITHLAN as ever I remembered them....and the 
fighters as ugly!  Don't let your reputation slip!  Sadly warriors, now longer can I 
keep thy company nor savor the ale of thy fine city.  Depart I must and soon!  Till 
next we meet remember:  a fool flies into a rage quickly and often.  The wise are 
angered by the same thing only once.  Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ALFOR BEACHWOOD 4110         14   5  1   116       THE MIDDLE WAY (385)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MANILA 3923                   7   3  0   113       WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
 BATTLENAX 282                16  12  0   105       UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
 FRED 280                     22   6  0   100       UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
-DUCK DYNASTY 4168            11   4  0    91       DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 APPLE BLOSSOM 4109           10   9  0    82       THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
-BRUNEI 3924                  10   8  0    82       WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
 DUCK OF DOOM 4223             7   1  0    72       DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)
 SICKNESS 4242                18   7  0    71       BASH BROS BABY (461)
 MEALTIME MESS 4272            7   2  0    70       BASH BROS BABY (461)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ZEB ARN 4257                  9   9  0    57       THE MIDDLE WAY (385)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DROOL BABY 4243              11  14  0    51       BASH BROS BABY (461)
 AGAMEMNON 2608                7   2  0    47       UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
-AUSPICE 4271                  5   2  0    46       BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
 SIBERIA 4149                  4   2  0    40       UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DEATHSTROKE 998               8   3  1    39       UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LASIC SURGERY 4290            2   0  0    33       BIONIC MAN (490)
-FORTIFIED 4274                3   0  0    31       BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
 MITRAL VALVE 4287             2   0  0    29       BIONIC MAN (490)
 DONALD DUCK 4225              4   2  1    28       DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)
 LIFE CHANGES 4273             6   7  1    26       BASH BROS BABY (461)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DELTA SCUTI 4265              3   1  0    20       SCUTUM (489)
 DUCK DUCK GOOSE 4244          3   1  0    18       DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)
 HEARING AID 4291              1   1  1    17       BIONIC MAN (490)
 DUCK TALES 4297               1   0  1    16       DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)
-EPSILON SCUTI 4263            4   0  0    14       SCUTUM (489)
 RIGHT HIP (3) 4289            1   1  1    13       BIONIC MAN (490)
 ZOE ALBETA 4296               1   1  0     6       THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
 IMPLANTS 4288                 0   1  0     1       BIONIC MAN (490)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
LONG-RANGE ARCHE        0  0 0                      DUCK TALES 4297       403  NONE
WARREN XANDER 4276      1  6 1 THE MIDDLE WAY 385   HEARING AID 4291      403   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Scutum? What's a scutum? Is it short for scoot 'em? Why? Is it redneck for scrotum? 
Huh? What is this scutum stuff? -- Smitty

I guess a 3-1-1 is a decent start for a bionic man. Sadly there was one loss where a 
Scutum hit one of my guys in the scutum. Rather unsportsmanlike, I would say. -- 
Smitty

Zoe Alberta, you should try it. I am much zippier and more bionic with the valve given 
to me by a pig. You should try it. -- Mitral Valve
P.S. Holes in the heart are hard on the mitral valve. Don't try that.

Epsilon, look, Buddy. I take the time to put in my ears before the fight, and before 
the bell rings, and before I know it, I am down on the ground from a kick in the 
scuti? I think that was daggone scuzzy of you. -- Hearing Aid

Not bad. Not bad. My bionics flashed out of the box with a neat 3-1-1. Nothing like 
being a six million dollar man. -- Smitty

We salute the tourney participants. -- the Middle Way

Sickness -- You've been closed in too much.  Get out in fresh air and, if you're 
lucky, sunshine. -- Apple Blossom

Life Changes -- I should hope so!  If it doesn't change, you're dead. -- Zeb ARn

Deslta Scuti -- You just go scutting along, don't you? -- Warren Xander
P.S.  Thanks for the skills!

Mitral Valve -- I hope you have a good gasket on that. -- Zoe Albeta

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

HEARING AID butchered WARREN XANDER in a 1 minute gruesome mismatched Challenge fight.
ALFOR BEACHWOOD outlasted FRED in a exciting 12 minute gory Title melee.
BATTLENAX vanquished MEALTIME MESS in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
SICKNESS was savagely defeated by APPLE BLOSSOM in a exciting 4 minute bloody fight.
DUCK OF DOOM devastated SIBERIA in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided duel.
DROOL BABY was savagely defeated by AGAMEMNON in a crowd pleasing 1 minute gory brawl.
ZEB ARN viciously subdued NATIVE LOOTER in a action packed 4 minute gruesome melee.
LIFE CHANGES lost to MITRAL VALVE in a 1 minute fight.
DEATHSTROKE vanquished RIGHT HIP (3) in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
DUCK DUCK GOOSE was overpowered by LASIC SURGERY in a 1 minute uneven match.
DONALD DUCK executed LONG-RANGE ARCHERS in a tiresome 4 minute one-sided fight.
ZOE ALBETA unbelievably bested IMPLANTS in a 2 minute brutal amateur's conflict.
DUCK TALES murdered LONG-RANGE ARCHERS in a 1 minute one-sided brawl.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  5         WALL OF STEEL     24 -  10 -  1      71  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    5         PARRY-STRIKE       2 -   1 -  1      67  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         AIMED BLOW        16 -   8 -  1      67  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         TOTAL PARRY       13 -   9 -  0      59  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         STRIKING ATTACK   12 -  13 -  2      48  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         LUNGING ATTACK     9 -  10 -  0      47  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         BASHING ATTACK    10 -  13 -  1      43  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         SLASHING ATTACK    4 -   8 -  1      33  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 403 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
WALL OF STEEL    ALFOR BEACHWOOD 4110       14   5  1  116 THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
TOTAL PARRY      FRED 280                   22   6  0  100 UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
STRIKING ATTACK  APPLE BLOSSOM 4109         10   9  0   82 THE MIDDLE WAY (385)
PARRY-STRIKE     DUCK OF DOOM 4223           7   1  0   72 DUCKS UNLIMITED (143)
AIMED BLOW       SIBERIA 4149                4   2  0   40 UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
LUNGING ATTACK   DEATHSTROKE 998             8   3  1   39 UNHOLY AVENGERS (51)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is APPLE BLOSSOM 4109.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was ZEB ARN 4257.  The ten other most popular fighters were APPLE BLOSSOM 4109, 
FRED 280, ALFOR BEACHWOOD 4110, IMPLANTS 4288, DUCK OF DOOM 4223, AGAMEMNON 2608, 
HEARING AID 4291, BATTLENAX 282, SICKNESS 4242, and MITRAL VALVE 4287.

The least popular fighter this week was DONALD DUCK 4225.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were DUCK DUCK GOOSE 4244, RIGHT HIP (3) 4289, LIFE CHANGES 4273, 
MEALTIME MESS 4272, WARREN XANDER 4276, DROOL BABY 4243, SIBERIA 4149, DUCK TALES 
4297, ZOE ALBETA 4296, and LASIC SURGERY 4290.

                                 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