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DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/03/2003 Duedate: 05/16/2003
NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA
DM-93 TURN-141
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
WEDNESDAY
THE DARK TIDES (1234)
(93-7156) [4-1-1,56]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
POSITION IS EMPTY WEDNESDAY
THE DARK TIDES (1234)
(93-7156) [4-1-1,56]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
WEDNESDAY POL OLVAN
THE DARK TIDES (1234) MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
(93-7156) [4-1-1,56] (93-7512) [1-2-0,12]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300) 45
2. THE DARK TIDES (1234) 39 THE RUSH (537)
3. DRUNKEN CLONES (1144) 9 Unchartered Team
4. TYCRON'S MERCS (1298) 0
5. CRAZY MAN (1237) 0 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1- 1*TYCRON'S MERCS (1298) 4 1 0 80.0 1/ 3*MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300) 10 5 0
2/ 3*MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300) 10 5 0 66.7 2/ 2*THE DARK TIDES (1234) 7 8 1
3- 2*CRAZY MAN (1237) 11 9 0 55.0 3- 4*TYCRON'S MERCS (1298) 4 1 0
4/ 4*THE DARK TIDES (1234) 10 15 2 40.0 4- 1*CRAZY MAN (1237) 4 6 0
5/ 0*DRUNKEN CLONES (1144) 7 11 1 38.9 5/ 0*DRUNKEN CLONES (1144) 1 4 1
6- 5*THE DEATH KNIGHTS (1235) 1 6 0 14.3 6- 5*THE DEATH KNIGHTS (1235) 0 1 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Little Horn
Brought forth from the bottomless pit by the blood of the fallen gladiator
Marcus of The Dark Tides. This once seraphim was sent to the bottomless pit for his
acts against the nameless one who sits on the Almighty throne. He has now managed to
make it to our surface. The time has come for bitter things as he trains his
strength in the arena. This mighty warrior is set on proving his wrath. The pain
will be great, the sorrow even greater. Followers lives may be spared for his moods
change like the height of the waves. Little Horn is now a member of the Dark Tides.
Watch for him to show up in an arena near you soon. So until next time, may we share
the blood that stains the sands in the heat of battle. But let yours be more than
ours.
Diaretic, mgr. The Dark Tides
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Striking Style ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
by Sir Boyd
Strikers are very effective in basic, but have little use in Advanced
Duelmasters. This is due to the nature of their primary strength: decise. Young
strikers win or lose in the opening few swings. In basic, few styles can match the
strikers' lightning opening or avoid his initial attack. However, in higher levels
of the game most fighters have sufficient defenses to avoid the striker's relatively
low attack rating, and the striker has little to fall back on.
A striker should be designed to maximize his initial decise (speed) or
alternately his ability to learn decise (wit). Strikers have little use for
constitution or will. Here are a few comments on which stats are good for strikers:
ST: 9-17, the higher the better. ST 9 is required for SC, but unless you have a big
fighter you shouldn't settle for less than 11.
CN: unnecessary.
SZ: up to 14 is great. A good striker will have at minimum 21 points between ST and
SZ (this is the average combination for being able to do good damage with a
blow.)
WT: the higher the better. 17 and 21 are great cutoffs. You want to learn on
average 2 to 3 skills per turn to maintain your decise advantage over other
styles.
WL: 9-13 is all that's required. Longer-term strikers (designed for relevance past
invite to Advanced) might benefit from a higher WL, but in my opinion such a
design would be better as a different style.
SP: 9+. The higher your WT, the less initial SP you'll need. But for a striker,
speed is life. Spend lavishly on your striker's speed.
DF: 11+. This is also a good stat for a striker to have. DF 11 allows the use of
most weapons without coordination penalty, and provides valuable attack skills.
Here's my idea of some great strikers:
13-4- 9-21-11- 9-17
11-4-11-17-11-15-15
As for strategy, use weapons that are fast and do decent damage (SC, LO, SS, BS,
QS, WH are some of the better ones,) and wear little or even no armor. Run hard,
with high offense and activity levels. The decise tactic is well suited to strikers,
and use it whenever the opponent doesn't know you're coming. Beware that the Decise
tactic can be countered by the use of a Responsive tactic. It's sort of a rock-
paper-scissors thing. Decise tactic has advantage over no tactic or any tactic other
than Response. Any tactic other than Decise has advantage over Response tactic.
Response tactic has advantage over Decise tactic.
Sir Boyd,
Elanti Hunters (102 and 107)
Below is a list of weapons "well-suited" to use by strikers, and the minimum stats
required for effective use. My thanks to Pagan and other number-crunchers who have
made this information available. -- Jorja
Striker Note that the strikers can use every weapon plus the small shield
effectively. This is the only style that has so broad a selection. Twenty-one
weapons.
Battleaxe ST 15 SZ 9 WT 9 DF 9 Mace ST 13 SZ - WT 3 DF 5
Broadsword ST 11 SZ - WT 9 DF 7 Maul ST 15 SZ 9 WT 5 DF 7
Dagger ST - SZ - WT 7 DF 7 Morningstar ST 13 SZ - WT 7 DF 13
Epee ST 7 SZ - WT 15 DF 15 Quarterstaff ST 11 SZ 9 WT 11 DF 11
Fist - presumably any Scimitar ST 9 SZ - WT 11 DF 11
Greataxe ST 13 SZ WT 9 DF 11 Shortspear ST 9 SZ - WT 7 DF 7
Greatsword ST 15 SZ 9 WT 9 DF 11 Shortsword ST 5 SZ - WT 11 DF 3
Halberd ST 17 SZ 9 WT 9 DF 9 Small shield ST 5 SZ - WT 5 DF 5
Hatchet ST 5 SZ - WT 3 DF 7 Warflail ST 11 SZ - WT 7 DF 5
Longspear ST 11 SZ 9 WT 5 DF 9 Warhammer ST 13 SZ - WT 5 DF 7
Longsword ST 11 SZ - WT 13 DF 11
+>]H[<+-----+>]H[+ Question of the Week #5 +]H[<+-----+>]H[<+
Question, turn 407:
All -- Is there a difference in between an Expert and (AE). It appears to me that
your (17, 18, 19th) skills don't seem to make a difference until you get that next
rating @ 20? -- Q.O.W.
Answers, turn 408:
This isn't in answer to the Question of the Week, but it looks like stuff you all
might find interesting, so here 'tis. -- Jorja
Hanibal -- Here's my advice: Prep your warriors for the Apprentices, Inits, Adepts,
then next for the Freshmen. Don't worry about the Champions class unless you have a
warrior that received their Invite to AD before the tourney. Also, run rookies
whenever you can. It is one of the purest competitions available. Learn about aimed
blows then run some as rookies. It is a lot of fun! If you want to get serious
about tourneys, think about what every warrior needs to do to be at the top of their
class. Take what the megas on the Duel List say with a grain of salt. Someone else
will always have a better warrior than you, but the best doesn't always win! Luck
plays a great role in determining tournament winners, meaning luck in matchups. --
Generalissimo Puerco
QoW -- Each skill makes just a little difference. So little, that the difference
might be hard to see in any given fight. I think that the ratings are just there to
give the manager an indication of their warrior's progression. -- Generalissimo
Puerco
If there were more answers in the newsletter in question, I missed them. Also, I
didn't see a new question in this one! And I seem to have mislaid the next
newsletter, so I will say again, that's all for now, but more next time. -- Jorja
It's a little untidier this week, with some delayed answers to earlier
questions, and some questions not yet answered. For those of you newly arrived on
Noblish Island, these questions and answers are taken from the Aruak City (DM 11)
newsletter, mostly asked by Hanibal, a graduate of Noblish Island, and answered by
any manager in that arena who has something to say on the topic.
Feel free to ask questions of your own. I'll answer, Pagan will answer, various
other managers, such as Rillion, who read the newsletter on line will answer, and
we'll put it up to the experienced managers of Aruak City as well. -- Jorja
From turn 410:
The first three continue an earlier discussion of learning rates.
Q.O.W. -- I have three warriors that I bumped from 17 to 19 [WT] and it didn't make
any difference so I am inclined to believe it is the intelligence rating. However, I
have talked to managers who have bumped wit to an even number and sometimes it helps.
-- Hanibal
Q.O.W -- I think learn rate for a particular warrior (and only the warrior, exclusive
of other factors) is centered around the intelligence comment. The mean learn rate
is placed there, but there is also a range higher and lower than that mean rate.
Kind of like a standard deviation distance in statistics. I feel, though its not
provable, that each warrior gets a random roll that places their own general learn
rate somewhere in this range. The range is big enough to overlap with the higher and
lower categories of intelligence, thus a 13 WT warrior with a lucky roll could learn
as well as a 17 WT warrior, for example. This is exclusive of other factors of
course that could greatly affect learning as noted in an earlier Q.O.W. -- Adie
QoW -- We are convinced that "average-skills-learned-per-fight" is dependent solely
upon the wit number. E.G. -- a 14 wit learns slightly better than a 13 who is
slightly better than a 12. But ON-THE-AVERAGE-is key. Each warrior is different. --
Kennelworth
P.S. Yes, we run even-wit warriors with no qualms. We prefer odd, hence optimizing
overall skills, but even works great. Sure thing.
All -- I have heard about having a favorite of a double tactic. If you had lunge and
dodge as favs would you use them separately or in the same minute? -- Q.O.W.
P.S. Do offensive tactics raise your initiative?
From turn 411:
Q.O.W. -- Yep, it's rare, but you can get double tactics. Though it's usually not
recommended to use two at once, I'd try it if it was your favs. It's hard to tell,
but I think some offensive tactics might raise init. I don't use them all that much,
so I can't really say what exactly I think each tactic influences. -- Adie
Q.O.W. -- What is the secret to keeping your warriors alive? Of course winning all
your fights is the best way, but let's be for real. I believe that wearing plate
armor could help the underskilled win fights, but does not appear to keep you alive
once you get a death statement. Would all agree Con keeps you alive much better than
will? I never had a warrior die on me who could take a lot of damage. Have any of
your teams? High skilled warriors with low con win a lot but do they seem to die a
lot when they do lose? Fighting in tournaments and in Andorian arenas is this the
best way to get fight experience without dying? What is the number of fights you
must have under your belt before it becomes unlikely you would be killed? -- AK47
Q.O.W. To start to hold your own in Advanced Duelmasters I believe now you must have
3 master ratings in skills. I am wondering if I am correct? -- AK47
All -- I have noticed that my great rollups seldom get blessed, but my average ones
almost always do. Is this just me? What say you all. -- Q.O.W.
Q.O.W. -- Double tactics are optimized separately; offensive tactics raise only that
which they are -- decisive to gain the attack, slash and bash to enhance the attack
via power and criticals. -- The Bulldogs
Q.O.W. -- If one gets an invite, goes to the tournament and is killed, that "dead"
warrior will appear alive in the selected ADM arena. (It just occurred to one of our
compatriots in this most recent mailer.) -- The Bulldogs
>)]H[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #59 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<
On the coast north of Zukal:
The half hour it took for Harlund to return with his rowboat seemed a lot
longer. Ghenis had finished his examination of the tracks and returned to the beach
to stare again at Veleks' body on the rock. He was reasonably sure that the running
footsteps belonged to his thief, Veleks. But the hoofmarks.... Long and narrow,
almost triangular in outline, and as deep as those made by a galloping horse carrying
a fully armored knight. He didn't like the possibilities those tracks hinted at. If
they didn't come from a native and natural beast, what then?
The rumor was that magic was in a state of major decline due to something or
other--not that he depended on magic for anything important. He would have expected
that to mean that interdimensional Gates couldn't be opened. But what if the reverse
was the case, and it meant that Gates couldn't be held shut? What if they could--
should--expect a growing flood of alien creatures, maybe even another Chaos war? He
didn't want to think it might be coming to that, but no intelligent, practical man
denied a possibility just because he didn't like it. And Ghenis hoped that he was
both intelligent and practical. He frowned at Harlund, who was rowing slowly closer
along the shore. He'd have to question the beach walker, and from what he'd seen,
Harlund would demand money just to listen, and maybe more to answer. Greedy wretch.
Ghenis climbed into the rowboat and sat where Harlund directed him. The water
was cold, he could feel the chill coming up through the bottom of the boat. And
clearer than he'd expected. Not that there was anything of interest to see on the
muddy bottom. A rock or two, algae furred sticks...a crisp, green curve with a line
of bright gold showing? He leaned over to look more closely.
"You trying to tip us over?" Harlund demanded.
"I thought I saw something down there." He twisted to look back as the beach
walker kept rowing.
Harlund glanced at the shore, straight back and to either side. "You probably
did," he said finally. "This must be near enough to where the _Light of Els_ went
down."
"Should we mark the place so you can salvage--?"
"I wouldn't touch anything out of that ship," the beach walker said flatly.
"Nor would anyone else on this coast. In the two hundred or more years since the
_Light_ sank, I don't think anyone's touched so much as a piece of driftwood from
it."
Ghenis raised his eyebrows but asked no more questions. He didn't think Harlund
would answer them, and better not to show too much interest. But when he got back to
Zukal, he would find out all he could about a ship named the _Light of Els_. He
returned his attention to the bottom sliding past under them. There might be
something he could use down there.
As they neared the rock, the bottom fell away into opaque depths. Ten feet,
Harlund had said, but for all he could see, it might as easily have been a hundred.
He looked at Veleks and saw that the thief was moving a little. Still alive?
Amazing. And gratifying. Veleks could answer some questions, then. He was looking
forward to that.
Ibizond, between Murska and Korga:
The news from the east was confused, more rumor than definite report, but to
Lord Protectors with time on their hands, rumor was enough. Aghtamar and Zilla, both
Korgans who had trained in Veastian, hatched the idea between them: that they should
go east toward Zuwayza and find out what really was going on. There might be action,
and action was something lacking in their lives since graduation. Fist of Kjarran, a
Zuwayzan visiting the team Korgan Crusade, decided that his duty was to go with them:
there would be a chance to serve the Glorious Empire and acquire merit in the eyes of
Kjarran and His Daughter Jayde.
The journey south from Veastian to Ibizond, a matter of some thirty miles, was
straightforward but tedious. Mile after mile of forest, with nothing but the
possibility of a wild Shew to break the monotony, was not exciting. And apparently
all the wild Shews were hanging out around Veastian and contributing to the troubles
there, rather than keeping travelers from falling asleep on the road to the south.
Ibizond itself, on the main traders' road from Zuwayza and Malcorn to Murska and
Zensu was bigger than Korga but much like it. The population was a mixture of
Karnhorn types and Harkeny, the houses were built of stone and logs, and the
government was treading a careful line between independence and Karnhorn domination.
They reached it just before sunset.
Fist of Kjarran looked at the wooden palisade critically. "That might stop the
Shews," he said, "but any day the Glorious Empire truly wants to take Ibizond, it
will fall. No two ways about that."
Zilla snorted. "Korga wasn't a pushover, what makes you think Ibizond would
be?"
"The Glorious Empire needs Ibizond," Fist said calmly. "Therefore, at the right
time it will take Ibizond." He shrugged. "But not today." He looked around the
main plaza curiously. "Let's find someplace to eat and then keep going. We could
make it to Korga tonight, I bet."
"Too far," Zilla said. "Close to thirty miles, and it's hilly."
"And you'd do well not to travel after dark," someone said behind them.
All three spun around, hands going to their swords but not drawing. The man
behind them was tall, with gray-streaked reddish brown hair and the indefinable but
unmistakable air of a gladiator.
"Me and Zilla grew up around Korga," Aghtamar said. "We know the area. And
we're all gladiators, Lord Protectors. Sure, there's more risk at night than by day,
but--"
"There are new problems on the road," the man said. "My name's Cadal, gladiator
from Murska, and I'd be glad to tell you about them. The food at the Red Cow is
good," he added, gesturing toward a modest inn. "I'll buy dinner. And then I have a
proposition for you."
* }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 464): TREMERE of DARK TOADS (TigToad, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 462): TONY THE TIGER of ARENA FELINES II (Garfield, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 458): DIRT KNAP of UNKNOWNS XX (Dark Spirit, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 458): HU MI of GEN KHAN (Technogeek, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 456): LAWN DART GOALIE of SPECIAL ED (PTFT, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 455): MERRY DEMENTE of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 227): MANUEL TRANSMISSION of OTTO'S MECHANICS (Crip, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 447): BLUEY of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 225): DROSS of SOLIPSISM II (Abdiel, acting mgr.)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 444): TROTLINE of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 442): EYE OF THE TIGER of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 435): JELIAH BIGABO of PHILANTHROPISTS 3 (Aragorn, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 398): FLYING MARMOSET of KORGAN CRUSADE (Jack Wolfspider)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 202): DEBBIE DAHMER of MORDRED'S MADMEN (Abraxis, mgr.)
DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 197): RING D'BELL of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 184): MR. HOOPER of OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 323): COLDHEART of REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 304): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Obscure Source, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 132): UU DOEWANAKNO of DRAKE'S LODGE (Drake, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 348): CHALICE of SUPERIOR FORCES from LAPUR (Manager, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 464): DARK TOADS (TigToad, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 462): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 458): GREENWARDENS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 458): WAY OF THE BLADE 1 (Vhagar, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 456): SPECIAL ED (PTFT, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 455): CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 227): BOXOROX (Berylstar, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 447): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 225): THE STORMBRINGERS (High Lord Bosk, mgr.)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 444): FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 33 ANASAZI (turn 442): JOYS OF BOOZE (Berylstar, mgr.)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 435): PHILANTHROPISTS 3 (Aragorn, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 398): KORGAN CRUSADE (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 202): SPRITE'S ROGUES (Warsprite, mgr.)
DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 197): SPOONERTIKS (Spawn, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 184): MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 323): REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 304): FAVORITE GUYS (Obscure Source, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 132): ALPHABET SOUP (Crip, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 348): WOLF PACK II, etc. (Ultraist, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 463): HOWLING LOON of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 455): PRIASA SON of LO' DOWN (Cayl Reed, mgr.)
BRAYL ICECAP of LO' DOWN (Cayl Reed, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 455): MERRY DEMENTE of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 227): WIMPY WIND of THE PENTARCHY (The Pentalque, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 225): DROSS of SOLIPSISM II (Abdiel, acting mgr.)
VE of LORDS OF VALHALLA (High Lord Bosk, mgr.)
(turn 224): SAMPSA of SOL INVICTUS (Bobby Bigfoot, mgr.)
BLADEFIST of THE STORM REAVERS (?, mgr.)
DM 33 ANASAZI (turn 442): EYE OF THE TIGER of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
NO CHASER of JOYS OF BOOZE (Berylstar, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 396): LA BELLE SORCIERE of KORGAN CRUSADE (Jack Wolfspider)
DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 197): INSOLENT IDIOT of MYSTIC ORC FEAST (Slugbait, mgr.)
ESPRESSO of COFFEE RULES! (Mr. Coffee, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 303): JESSIE of FAVORITE GUYS (Obscure Source, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 132): UU DOEWANAKNO of DRAKE'S LODGE (Drake, mgr.)
LACONIC LEMON of GARDEN GUMBIES (Firehawk, mgr.)
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Well Noblish Island, it is I, Wednesday of the Dark Tides. I have made it to
Duelmaster. It was a lot faster and easier that I wanted it to be. I was kind of
looking forward to fighting my way to the top or at least fighting more than one
team. I now realize just how pesky bloodfeuds can be. That is just the way things
go.
You may notice the rest of my team running off to the Dark Arena like some sort
of gold rush. Well, I have a LOT more information now than I did when I started and
I am weeding out my garden to get some better quality warriors. This team will be a
viable force. The Dark Tides will rise. So may we share the blood that stains the
sands. But let yours be more than mine.
Your Duelmaster,
Wednesday of The Dark Tides
SPY REPORT
Hail and well met warriors of NOBLISH ISLAND! Know me for who I am, Zontani
Sharp Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari. Former top team CRAZY MAN was
unseated this week as MIDDLE WAY 8 moved up from 3rd ranking to take the top spot
with a 5-0-0 record for the round. LITTLE HORN caught the eye of many in the
gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested XARION and was awarded 16 points in
recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, LITTLE HORN put down XARION,
causing him to lose 5 points of recognition in the process. Although VETERAN
MERCENARY made a valiant effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious
WEDNESDAY. Informants "close" to the city champion have told me that he never fights
without pantyhose on beneath his armor. Watch out!
I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently
transpired. Indeed there is much I would report. NOBLISH ISLAND, city of
gladiators! Mighty among the names of thy guilds is CRAZY MAN, 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 THE DARK TIDES last week. Busy avoiding CRAZY MAN?
Vendettas. Bloodied blades and broken spears. Indeed the city has seen more
than its fair share of red in recent times. Some say a warrior is judged by the way
he bears arms. One thing is sure, better a dagger in hand then a sword on the belt!
A thought before I go. Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise
manager learn the secrets of them all? More than a sharp eye must I keep, indeed a
stout pair of legs must I keep as well! The endless paths of Alastari await me!
Till next we meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a
different story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
WEDNESDAY 7156 4 1 1 56 THE DARK TIDES (1234)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
STRIDEN 6650 3 1 1 32 DRUNKEN CLONES (1144)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
RENDOR QUIL 7513 3 0 0 23 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
LENA KORIL 7510 3 0 0 19 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
-KATRINA THE RED 7504 1 0 0 19 TYCRON'S MERCS (1298)
-RAVAGER OF DOOM 7503 1 0 0 18 TYCRON'S MERCS (1298)
NEFAN MURH 7511 2 1 0 16 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
LITTLE HORN 7526 1 0 0 16 THE DARK TIDES (1234)
TEALIN SALI 7514 1 2 0 14 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
-DAVIAN 7171 3 1 0 13 CRAZY MAN (1237)
POL OLVAN 7512 1 2 0 12 MIDDLE WAY 8 (1300)
-CATHRYN 7489 2 1 0 11 CRAZY MAN (1237)
-KESSEL 7501 1 0 0 11 TYCRON'S MERCS (1298)
-KAELEB 7170 3 1 0 10 CRAZY MAN (1237)
-CRAZY MAN 7169 1 3 0 6 CRAZY MAN (1237)
CALDUIL 6651 1 3 0 6 DRUNKEN CLONES (1144)
-MELOFARLASKI 7500 1 0 0 6 TYCRON'S MERCS (1298)
CHAOS 6648 1 3 0 6 DRUNKEN CLONES (1144)
XARION 7108 1 1 0 4 DRUNKEN CLONES (1144)
-SIR CUTHBERT 7159 1 1 0 4 THE DEATH KNIGHTS II (1235)
-SIR JASON 7158 0 2 0 2 THE DEATH KNIGHTS II (1235)
ZEDDICUS 7525 0 1 0 1 DRUNKEN CLONES (1144)
-SIR JOE 7161 0 1 0 1 THE DEATH KNIGHTS II (1235)
-SIR MARK 7157 0 1 0 1 THE DEATH KNIGHTS II (1235)
-THE ROOKIE 7502 0 1 0 1 TYCRON'S MERCS (1298)
-SIR STEVEN 7160 0 1 0 1 THE DEATH KNIGHTS II (1235)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
MICHAEL 7172 0 1 0 CRAZY MAN 1237 WEDNESDAY 7156 137 NOT REVE
CALVIN 7173 2 2 0 CRAZY MAN 1237 KUD 7152 140
KUD 7152 1 4 1 THE DARK TIDES 1234 SPYMASTER 22 141 NONE
DIARETIC 7155 1 4 0 THE DARK TIDES 1234 BLACK ORC 20 141 NONE
DELCIEVA 7153 2 3 0 THE DARK TIDES 1234 STRIDEN 6650 141
PERSONAL ADS
Pol Olvan -- I greatly appreciate you not stating what weapon I used but still I'm
not sure if I will use it again. -- Delceiva
Cowboy -- Poor boy, do us both a favor and avoid me in the future. Your luck against
me is poor at best. -- Diaretic
P.S. If you haven't already, go and fetch yourself a copy of "Enchiridion" by Pagan.
I got a copy and what I learned is priceless. Thanks, Pagan. :)
All -- Just a note: your hands just don't cut like a blade. I guess I'll just have
to hold onto my weapon a little tighter next time. -- Wednesday
About Calvin -- I guess his head isn't as hard as I thought. I am truly sorry
though. Delceiva was wanting to prove she could beat you and I was planning those DA
KUD. Calvin was a good fighter and will be missed. -- Diaretic, mgr. The Dark Tides
Jorja -- What, no more Lighthouse? I enjoyed that so much. -- Diaretic
Davian -- I'm surprised you were still standing by the end of the first minute. All
that weight, you know. Exhausting. But you're good, so far. -- Pol Olvan
Dumb standby. -- Lena Koril
The Rookie -- Sir, I would recommend something a little heavier in the way of body
armor if you're going for a long fight. Not a LOT heavier, but maybe a little. Or
else try to end the fight faster. -- Rendor Quil
Ravager of Doom -- I try to stay away from guys with names like yours, and if I
can't, I end the fight fast. Just a safety precaution. -- Nefan Murh
Melofarlaski -- I think it's unfair for you to have a long, mysterious name, and I
just have short-and-ordinary. It gives you an edge, and you don't NEED an edge. --
Tealin Sali
P.S. No, actually, good fight.
Comments on the articles--
Strength and Weapon Damage by Pagan. I don't think Pagan's active anywhere right
now, but he may be keeping track of newsletters, so if you have questions, post 'em
as personals. I yield to none in my recognition of Pagan's ability to crunch the
numbers, but I have to say that this article puzzles me a little. If it looks like
extra damage and moves like extra damage and quacks like extra damage.... I've
tended to assume that those "extra damage" statements are indications that a lot of
damage was done, and not tried to figure whether they meant something esoteric and
tricky like a fluky increase in the damage to be expected from weapon, strength, and
blow, versus armor.
The Perfect Scout by Mr. Drake. This manager is inactive and is NOT the Drake of,
for instance, Drake's Bar-B-Cue. I have no doubt that the annoying warrior he has
described will do what he says it will, but unless you're in a large arena, it is
unnecessary. In most arenas, it doesn't take that long to figure out what style
every other warrior is, so why waste one team slot on this slug?
The Brainy, Low-Will Striker by Blind Man. This manager is currently inactive. The
type of warrior he describes would not have long-term possibilities, as he
recognizes. As to its short-term potential, why not try it? Strikers can get away
with the low will better than most styles, and if you have a roll-up that won't do
anything else but low will.... (shrug) Many managers I know would send those
suggested warriors to the Dark Arena straight off, because of that lack of long-range
playability, but it might be fun to run him for a while first. Why not try it?
And now for something completely different by Elder Snorri. This manager is
inactive, but his article is good basic stuff.
Warrior Handedness by Pagan. A masterly discussion of an interesting oddity, but not
useful, since there is nothing you can do to affect your warrior's handedness either
on the initial roll-up or later when it is a question of which hand and weapon he is
favoring at any moment.
A Beginner's Guide to Duelmasters by Fritz. This manager is inactive. Again, good
basic information, except for a couple of points. First, research since this article
was written has led to the wide acceptance as fact that it is better to have your
stats at odd numbers than at even ones, due to the way the computer rounds UP when
that is called for. And second, the examples of stats that he gives with each style
would mostly be good with ANY style.
Endurance by Tankesh/Adie. This manager is active in DM 11, as advertised. Good
stuff, worthy of study.
An Unbiased Look at the Slashing Attack by Tex. This manager is inactive, but knew
his slashers thoroughly.
Priority Skill Learning by Pagan. This covers the same ground as Jessie Jest's
article (which appears to have been dropped anyway), but with more meat in it. This
doesn't tell you anything you can DO to improve your warrior's performance, but it
does offer some insights which may lead to a better understanding.
Parry-Riposte by Blackhawk. This manager is inactive. His examples would be good of
nearly any style, but what I don't understand is why he runs them with a scummy
strategy. Guess it's just a personal foible, but I run mine fast. Well, relatively
fast.
Jessie's Guide to a Good Basher by Jessie Jest. Well, if I wanted advice on a
basher, I'd ask Assurnasirbanipal of Shepherds in DM 18, which is a good thing, since
he's active and Jessie isn't. But this will do to start with.
30 April 2003
All -- Remember to put your arena number on your strategy sheets. Strategies turned
in without an arena number run the risk of missing the turn. -- NAIEI
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
KUD was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DIARETIC was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
WEDNESDAY demolished VETERAN MERCENARY in a popular 1 minute one-sided Title melee.
STRIDEN butchered DELCIEVA in a 1 minute gory one-sided contest.
CHAOS was savagely defeated by POL OLVAN in a 4 minute amateur's competition.
CALDUIL was devastated by NEFAN MURH in a 1 minute mismatched match.
XARION was handily defeated by LITTLE HORN in a 1 minute uneven fight.
TEALIN SALI vanquished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven duel.
LENA KORIL won victory over ZEDDICUS in a 2 minute beginner's fight.
RENDOR QUIL vanquished PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 3 PARRY-LUNGE 4 - 1 - 0 80 |
|BASHING ATTACK 3 WALL OF STEEL 17 - 6 - 1 74 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 SLASHING ATTACK 8 - 3 - 1 73 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 BASHING ATTACK 18 - 11 - 3 62 |
|AIMED BLOW 2 LUNGING ATTACK 6 - 4 - 0 60 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 PARRY-STRIKE 7 - 7 - 1 50 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 1 STRIKING ATTACK 11 - 13 - 1 46 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 1 TOTAL PARRY 4 - 5 - 0 44 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 AIMED BLOW 4 - 5 - 0 44 |
|TOTAL PARRY 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 12 - 16 - 1 43 |
Turn 141 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 1 - 0 BASHING ATTACK 1 - 2 3 LUNGING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 2 2 WALL OF STEEL
STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 1 SLASHING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 1 TOTAL PARRY 0 - 0 1 PARRY-STRIKE
PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 1 1 BASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW
1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
1 STRIKING ATTACK
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
SLASHING ATTACK WEDNESDAY 7156 4 1 1 56 THE DARK TIDES (1234)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is WEDNESDAY 7156. The most popular warrior this turn
was POL OLVAN 7512. The ten other most popular fighters were WEDNESDAY 7156, NEFAN
MURH 7511, LENA KORIL 7510, ZEDDICUS 7525, STRIDEN 6650, LITTLE HORN 7526, RENDOR
QUIL 7513, CHAOS 6648, TEALIN SALI 7514, and KUD 7152.
The least popular fighter this week was XARION 7108. The other ten least popular
fighters were CALDUIL 6651, DELCIEVA 7153, DIARETIC 7155, KUD 7152, TEALIN SALI 7514,
CHAOS 6648, RENDOR QUIL 7513, LITTLE HORN 7526, STRIDEN 6650, and ZEDDICUS 7525.
</PRE>
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