DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER Date : 02/07/2004 Duedate: 02/20/2004 NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA DM-93 TURN-161 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS CHIP ENSER MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) (93-7871) [3-0-1,19] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader POSITION IS EMPTY CHIP ENSER MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) (93-7871) [3-0-1,19] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite ALTA CHESS ALTA CHESS MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) (93-7869) [1-2-0,9] (93-7869) [1-2-0,9] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. DOOM LEGION (1357) 26 2. THE WARRIOR ANGELS (1361) 24 ONLY HUMANS (147) 3. IMA #2 (1362) 21 Unchartered Team 4. THE LORDS OF WAR (1358) 19 5. MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) 6 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1- 1*WONDERLANDERS (1351) 13 3 1 81.3 1/ 3*MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) 8 7 1 2- 2*SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) 17 9 2 65.4 2- 1*SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) 4 1 0 3/ 3*MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) 8 7 1 53.3 3- 2*WONDERLANDERS (1351) 3 1 0 4- 4*MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) 5 6 0 45.5 4- 4*MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) 2 3 0 5/ 0*DOOM LEGION (1357) 2 3 0 40.0 5/ 0*DOOM LEGION (1357) 2 3 0 6- 5*NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) 2 3 0 40.0 6- 5*NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) 2 3 0 7/ 0*THE WARRIOR ANGEL (1361) 2 3 0 40.0 7/ 0*THE WARRIOR ANGEL (1361) 2 3 0 8/ 6*THE LORDS OF WAR (1358) 2 6 0 25.0 8/ 6*THE LORDS OF WAR (1358) 2 4 0 9/ 0*IMA #2 (1362) 1 4 0 20.0 9/ 0*IMA #2 (1362) 1 4 0 '*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn (###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank TEAM SPOTLIGHT +>]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 #76 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(< Various places in Zukal: "There are warriors coming. Several of them from Free Blades, in fact," Kitala the Bold, Lady Protector of Crysalis, reported. She picked with most comfortable chair in the Blue Moon guildhouse's common room with an unerring instinct and settled into it. "Maybe one or two from Crysalis, as well. Me, anyway. I'm getting bored on the Isle." "When?" Jorja asked. She didn't much like Kitala--they'd trained on the same team in Lin Tirian years ago--but she could work with the woman. Kitala had a deserved reputation for getting things done. Things no one else wanted to do, and by Mantor's Shining Sword, dealing with Sekahos was not something Jorja wanted to do. She hated politics. "The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be done with it." "Couple of weeks, probably," Kitala said after a moment's thought. "These things don't happen all at once. People have to cancel their dental appointments, sublet their apartments, find someone to walk their dogs, stuff like that. Some of 'em even consult their managers!" The Lubanese woman shook her head as at an inexplicable marvel. *** ***** *** ***** *** Ghenis crouched on a roof and looked down at soldiers marching through an alley. They were some of Sekahos's men, heading for a brothel, not that it mattered. Any soldiers would do for this test. When they were all in the alley and in his sight, Ghenis clutched his talisman and muttered, "Stop these men, make them helpless to prevent anything I would inflict on them in Your Name." Then he held his breath, waiting to see if the Dark God of the cult would answer his request. If the Demongod answered, then he would know that the cult was real, whatever fripperies Pelishtekan dressed it in. And if there was no answer.... The gladiator bared his teeth in a silent snarl. There was, somewhere, just such a Demongod. He knew it. And he would find that Demongod and unleash it on the Ferencian and the others who would propose a false cult, just for the money and power it gave them. Let all false prophets beware! *** ***** *** ***** *** In the principal hall of Zukal's grandest palace, the man who was now calling himself Prince Sekahos scowled at his advisors. "It's outrageous! Intolerable! It--" "It has happened, even so, Prince," Amar Yayoi said. He was the Prince's battlemage and chief adviser. "Some fool among the benighted heathen of this land has let loose a tribe of Old Ones, dregur as they are called here, against us. We must re-bind--" "Why can't we get them on our side?" the Prince demanded. "If these local yokels bound them before, then the dregur must hate them even more than they hate us. Why not form an alliance?" "A novel idea," the mage said slowly, "but I would recommend against it. The Old Ones are not noted for their willingness to accommodate to we who are the Younger Peoples." He watched closely as Sekahos considered this and felt a sinking in the pit of his stomach. His Prince was going to demand that the attempt be made. It could lead to the deepest disaster, and even if an alliance successfully forged, it could not be depended upon. The Old Ones were masters of that special treachery which was produced by following agreements to the exact letter. Whatever Sekahos might have said next was swept aside by the entry of Vilardet, the Prince's master of spies and assassins. The dark-faced intriguer (he was half Ferencian and half Kannar) sketched the formal sequences of bows and salutes and plunged quickly into his report. "The assassin sent against Kinnishan of Chimlevtal failed, Prince. Bad enough in itself, of course, but worse that it has alerted the cursed Chimlevtans against further attempts." What Vilardet did not say, but Yayoi knew quite well, was that the spymaster had argued against that precipitate action. But he was wise enough not to say "I told you so," not to THIS prince. "Kinnishan must die!" Sekahos shouted. "He's a reactionary! A cursed populist! He is blocking my path of expansion, refusing to pay tribute, providing a base for my enemies--" "All this is true," Yayoi said calmly, "but there are other ways to slay a tiger than by charging it with a spear." "Let us set a trap for your enemy, Prince," Vilardet agreed. "Let us lead him to destroy himself, and not only himself but those who would ally with him against you." "This would be a great coup," the mage urged, taking up the argument in his turn. "Not only would your immediate enemies be removed, but their purpose in opposing you would be so discredited that others will hesitate to rise against in the future." "And in the doing of it," Vilardet went on, "another danger might also be reduced...if Kinnishan is brought to attack the Light of Barikala, for instance?" Even Sekahos hesitated over that suggestion. Inzolas had dispatched men to take Barikala early in the invasion. They had succeeded, but soon afterward had ceased to communicate. Spies sent to that great island in the years since had never returned. Ships passing too close to it had vanished without a trace. No one knew what, precisely, was happening there. The only thing to be seen which might have a bearing on the disappearances was a pillar of light, vast, brilliant, and unaccountable, that rose from the center of the island. What that pillar meant, was, or did was unknown. "Would he be such a fool?" the Prince asked finally. The spymaster shrugged. "It doesn't matter. A situation can be contrived where he has no CHOICE but to approach the Light. That, or lose his throne and his allies, which would serve our purposes well enough." There were several minutes of silence while all considered the possibilities. "Do it," Sekahos said finally. In and around Kurukar: He who was now known as the Black Kaliv stood behind the altar, waiting. No moon shone on Kurukar, nor had it since the Kaliv had come into his full power. But there was something in the sky which gave a blood-colored light. The Kaliv said, "Come." A woman walked toward him through the icy night. She had been a gladiator once, before the closing of Kurukar's arena. She was not afraid of pain and death. But she was afraid now. Terrified, not for her life but for her soul. She would have run screaming into the dark forest had the spell not bound her limbs to the Kaliv's will. She would not have survived such a flight, for the men--the CREATURES--who served the Black Kaliv were behind her. But it would have been a cleaner death. She reached the altar and stopped, staring across it and awaiting the next command. "Disrobe." Fingers half numb with cold fumbled at the fibula holding the white cloth around her. Like a winding sheet, it was. She willed her fingers to seize the clasp, to drive the long fang of metal into her own flesh and end it all now. Her fingers dropped the fibula onto the cloth at her feet. She could sense the creatures close behind her. They were foul things, even the one who was human. But she wished one of them--any one of them--would reach out and take her life. Now. Before it was too late. "Lie on the altar," the Kaliv said. She did so. The four creatures came forward, and each of them seized one of her limbs, holding her in place though she wasn't struggling. The Kaliv raised a dagger over her; it burned red in the light of the not-moon in the sky. With a single word, he released the spell that bound her limbs to his will. She screamed and fought. Until the dagger came down. *** ***** *** ***** *** Kholzern, Commander of the East for the Black Kaliv, stepped aboard his flagship. He wore a form that was nearly human, but his sailors were not deceived. They had seen Kholzern in the heat of battle, when he wasted no energy on such disguises. But he always won those battles, so they accepted his alien origin, even when it made their blood run cold. Not that they had a choice. Those who had protested serving under Commander Kholzern had...vanished. "North," Kholzern said, "then east through the canal to Aljafir Bay. Aljafir and Stormcrowe must be subdued so that we may secure out outlet into the Storm Sea." *** ***** *** ***** *** Tashart, Commander of the West, was not at all human and made no effort to disguise that fact. He gestured with a tentacle to the helmsman of his flagship. "South," his piping voice ordered. "All shipping which does not bear the standard of Jhuizkhal is to be destroyed. Three ships to blockade the mouth of North Fork's river, the rest to invest Veastian. Not a ship shall move along this coast without my leave." * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * ---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 484): ALEX GRIFFIN of DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.) DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 482): TILLOUISA of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 478): BURGATORY of SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.) DM 16 WILLAF (turn 478): MUKAARTH of BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.) DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 477): GHENGIS KHAN of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.) DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 475): TRAGIC TUESDAY of QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 237): IDIOTIC INDIGO of IDIOTIC ICCERS (THawk, mgr.) DM 29 LAPUR (turn 467): BINDI of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 235): SIR PELLEAS of WILLBENDERS (Abraxis, mgr.) DM 32 ARVAT (turn 464): JOHNNY B GOODE of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): GRUDGEBRINGER of WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.) DM 35 MURSKA (turn 455): IRON-HIDE of FERROUS MEN (?, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): SWORDBREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 212): MING of DYNASTIC (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.) DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): BLACK JACK SHELACK of ROYAL FLUSH (Crip, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 194): NASSE of DARK SIDHE (Daehir, mgr.) DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 343): TENACULUM of GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 323): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 142): PRIZMATYK WAHL of MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.) ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 368): SETHRA LAVODE of CASTLE BLACK from KYR'TERR (Shadowgate, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 484): CLAN O' WHOOPAS (?, mgr.) DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 482): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 478): SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.) DM 16 WILLAF (turn 478): DARK WARRIORS (Arcane's Den, mgr.) DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 477): HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.) DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 475): QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 237): THE WARLORDS II (Fizban, mgr.) DM 29 LAPUR (turn 467): CRIMSON KINGS (The Yellow Jester, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 235): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.) DM 32 ARVAT (turn 464): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.) DM 35 MURSKA (turn 455): STRONGHOLD (Silver Stroke, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 212): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.) DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): MY DAY (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 194): TEAM VIRTUE (Boy Scout, mgr.) DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 343): GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 323): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 142): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.) ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 368): WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 483): BLUE GOOSE of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.) DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 481): OCTAPUSSY of ARENA FELINES II (Garfield, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 478): BURGATORY of SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.) NEIGH! of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.) DM 16 WILLAF (turn 477): ROWARDENN of SAILS OF CHARON (The Sentinel, mgr.) DM 29 LAPUR (turn 466): MONTY of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.) GAELIN BLACKTALON of THE NIGHTHAWKS (Firehawk, mgr.) DM 32 ARVAT (turn 464): JOHNNY B GOODE of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): SQUEEZE CHEESE of FOOD FIGHT (Ebenezer Frothingslosh, mgr.) (turn 461): OLD MAJOR of PIG BATTALION (Kellog, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): SWORDBREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 323): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.) SPY REPORT Oh, hi. Its just little 'ol Debby Tonte. Thought I'd check out NOBLISH ISLAND to see what's new. Too bad, SHADOW WARRIORS, but MIDDLE WAY 10 was just too good to be stopped. MVP award for ETERNITY BEING? IMA #2's proud of her after beating ALTA CHESS and getting 17 points. Talk about yer major upsets! ALTA CHESS' match with ETERNITY BEING cost her a loss of 14 points! What a putz! MAD HATTER fights so hard to be Duelmaster, then quits fighting and loses the title. No one said he was a genius... And I was just getting used to the ex-Duelmaster's habit of...(!) Oh well, welcome CHIP ENSER. Aren't MIDDLE WAY 10 proud. (Oh, my.) Is the Duelmaster really being a real snob to his teammates? Don't ask me! I gotta admit I haven't been in "deep con caves" with any spies. Really, I just wing this stuff. What does a fighter fight for? I mean, the crowds don't give a hoot if someone gets killed. Not after four more fights. Fight, fight, fight. Is that all you guys can do? I really didn't, you know, study when I was a kid. Who would've guessed I'd be a famous Spyreporter? I gotta leave. NOBLISH ISLAND is like such a dump, and you guys smell too much! Remember you guys, ease up sometimes! Chill out! Later, Debby Tonte DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME CHIP ENSER 7871 3 0 1 19 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -MAD HATTER 7826 4 0 0 52 WONDERLANDERS (1351) -SHADOW KING 7800 5 1 1 41 SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) -SHADOW MISTRESS 7798 4 2 0 39 SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) -WHITE RABBIT 7822 4 0 1 36 WONDERLANDERS (1351) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -CHESIRE CAT 7825 3 1 0 22 WONDERLANDERS (1351) -TOBIAS EARTHBREAKER 7862 2 0 0 19 SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) -SHADOW WALKER 7797 3 3 1 18 SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) DOC FELLE 7872 2 1 0 17 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) ETERNITY BEING 7886 1 0 0 17 IMA #2 (1362) -AMIOKAYATTHIS 7875 1 0 0 15 MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) -OOPSIAMSTILLDUMB 7874 1 0 0 15 MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) SHADOW STALKER 7861 2 1 0 14 THE LORDS OF WAR (1358) -BACH 7866 1 0 0 14 NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) -THE THING 7837 2 1 0 11 MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) -CARMI 7867 1 0 0 10 NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) ALTA CHESS 7869 1 2 0 9 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) -ALICE OF EARTH 7823 2 1 0 8 WONDERLANDERS (1351) BROPHY 7856 1 0 0 8 DOOM LEGION (1357) WHITE ANGEL 7882 1 0 0 8 THE WARRIOR ANGELS (1361) EB GOLLU 7873 1 2 0 6 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) BENSI DURN 7870 1 2 0 5 MIDDLE WAY 10 (1360) ANGEL WARLOCK 7880 1 0 0 5 THE WARRIOR ANGELS (1361) -NADIA SOULSTEALER 7877 1 0 0 5 SHADOW WARRIORS (1346) RAGNAROK 7853 1 0 0 5 DOOM LEGION (1357) -STORM 7840 1 1 0 4 MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) -NITH 7865 0 1 0 1 NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) -KURGAN 7863 0 1 0 1 NORWOOD LEAGUE (1359) BLACK ANGEL 7878 0 1 0 1 THE WARRIOR ANGELS (1361) HELL'S GATESMAN 7884 0 1 0 1 IMA #2 (1362) AEONO 7887 0 1 0 1 IMA #2 (1362) QUICKBLADE SHADE 7883 0 1 0 1 IMA #2 (1362) THE ONE 7885 0 1 0 1 IMA #2 (1362) -HOWISMYDRIVING 7876 0 1 0 1 MARVEL-OUS #1 (1354) POISON SUMAC 7855 0 1 0 1 DOOM LEGION (1357) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? PAF MASTER 7854 0 1 0 DOOM LEGION 1357 SPYMASTER 22 161 NONE GAR-DON 7852 0 1 0 DOOM LEGION 1357 SHEWISH GIANT 21 161 NONE DEVISTATION 7860 0 2 0 THE LORDS OF WAR 1358 BANDIT PRINCE 25 161 NONE THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? CONDOR 7859 0 1 0 THE LORDS OF WAR 1358 WURM KIN 27 161 NONE SLY FOX 7858 0 1 0 THE LORDS OF WAR 1358 STONE GOLEM 26 161 NONE SLASH 7857 0 1 0 THE LORDS OF WAR 1358 WURM KIN 27 161 NONE MR. MARVEL 7838 0 1 0 MARVEL-OUS #1 1354 WHITE RABBIT 7822 158 ANNON 7864 0 1 0 NORWOOD LEAGUE 1359 CHIP ENSER 7871 160 ANGEL OF DEATH 7879 0 1 0 THE WARRIOR ANGE 1361 BANDIT PRINCE 25 161 NONE DA #1 7881 0 1 0 THE WARRIOR ANGE 1361 DARK CHAMPION 24 161 NONE PERSONAL ADS Dagan Lifegiver -- Diplo received. I'm very honored for you to be considering my offer. Unfortunately, I've had some bad timing, and currently I'm inactive in Duelmasters. I'm quite sorry about this. However, I would still like to be a member of your alliance so that when the day comes for my return to the arena I can fight by your side. I've received good training about this game from a 10 year+ veteran, so feel free to e-mail me at tycron@yahoo.com and we can talk strategy. Good luck! -- Tycron Convicted Assassin? I'm not READY for a Convicted Assassin! Can't I think about this for a while? Maybe rematch in a year or so? -- Alta Chess Shadow Walker -- Well, no doubt about it, you can walk the walk. But have you considered getting a horse? You'd look good on a horse. -- Eb Gollu P.S. Of course, there aren't any horses here on Noblish Island, but when you hit the mainland, they'll be all over the place. And their by-products will be, too, of course. Amiokayatthis -- You just about won that one on the difficulty of pronouncing your name. Or spelling it, for that matter. Sneaky. -- Doc Felle Ghost of Annon -- Ma'am, I didn't mean to do that. Win, yes, but not that way. -- Chip Enser P.S. It's a mystery to me, must be my inexperience. KD of 5 and aiming for your right leg...which I don't seem to have hit once. So, hmm, maybe it's my clumsiness, instead.... Bach -- Why don't you just turn into a seagull and fly away? -- Bensi Durn the moderately annoyed and very weary Dagan LifeGiver -- 1) The stories under the Free Cities header are the product of the staff writer, and you may participate by a) volunteering a warrior to be written into the storyline (this has no effect whatsoever on arena fighting), or b) producing a storyline of your own that spins off the Free Cities line (it would not, then, be placed under the header, but so what?). To be IN the story, in other words, you send a few notes on how you want your character represented by diplo to the Scribe. To write your OWN story that links with a house-written storyline, either just start right out, or indicate in a personal or diplo which storyline you're interested in and which direction you might like to go with your own, and you should get a prompt and full reply as to where the main line is going, what factors might be active, etc. 2) I have to say that the best way to get other participants is to know them beforehand and use a little gentle extortion.... On a more positive note, I would suggest a sort of layered approach. First get an episode into the newsletter, then next turn (when the other managers have seen what you can do) solicit volunteers in the personals, and finally follow up any show of interest with diplos (or email if you have it). 3) The best arenas for role-playing are 11 (Aruak City, Andorian) and 31 (Chimlevtal, Free Blades). Both of them are talkative and inclined toward role-play, but neither is small. As a second string, small, talkative, friendly, but not strongly role-playing as such, hmm. DM 14, Tobir, Andorian. Dm 16, Willaf, Free Blades. DM 24, Zorpunt, Andorian. Maybe DM 29, Lapur, Free Blades. Maybe DM 42, Rodeki, Delarquan. The unfortunate thing about small arenas in this way is that they can easily change character if just one manager goes inactive. Large arenas are more stable. Stories go into the Team Spotlights. Dagan -- Drake is a mostly-Free Blades manager who sometimes answers a question or makes a suggestion in this newsletter. You could probably reach him by diplo to Drake's Bar-B-Q, ADM 101. -- Jorja P.S. As regards your attempts to challenge the Duelmaster, all I can say is that I was not avoiding, and they TELL me that the class immediately below the DM, regardless of what class it is, can challenge him. Or her, of course. Shadow Lord -- I have no idea! It was so brilliant, I was blinded. -- Naefan Ordh Comments on the articles-- Strength and Weapon Damage, by Pagan. So far as I know, Pagan is not active at the moment. I find this piece somewhat exasperating, especially the last bit about "extra damage." Seems to me that it's a matter of definition. What if most people define "extra damage" as "enough damage to bring on the extra damage statement"? If it quacks like a duck and swims like a duck.... The Perfect Scout by Mr. Drake. This manager is inactive, so far as I know. Yes, there is an active manager called Drake, but he's somebody else. The classification of a scum warrior as a "scout" is more a question of long-term team strategy than of warrior design. And it presupposes that you are going to challenge and avoid with your other warriors. (This is a hint.) The Brainy, Low-Will Striker by Blind Man. This manager is inactive. However, his point is a good one. Not every warrior is suited to long-term play, so why not make the most of your short-termers? And a low will warrior is definitely short term, but could be more fun than "straight to the Dark Arena." And now, for Something Completely Different by Elder Snorri. This manager is active in DM 73, I think his team is Black Rose. Anyway, a good basic article. Nothing fancy, but you don't always need fancy, especially when you're starting out. Warrior Handedness by Pagan. Interesting, but unfortunately not particularly useful, since there is not one single thing you can do about handedness either on the initial rollup or in preparing for a fight. Of course, you CAN target your opponent's right (or if you know he's a southpaw, his left) arm, to increase your chance of getting him to drop his weapon.... A Beginner's Guide to Duelmasters by Fritz. To the best of my knowledge, this manager is inactive. Good basic stuff, and I especially like his point at the end about the effect of weapon selection on the development of your warrior's stats. Just don't forget that weapon selection is dependent, to some extent, on style! Endurance by Adie. She's usually active in Aruak City, DM 11, team Tuft Tuggers. A good article. An Unbiased Look at the Slashing Attack by Tex. This warrior is inactive. A good article, as this manager was really into slashers. Priority Skill Learning by Pagan. Interesting, and it gives you something to judge your warrior against if you're trying to determine his "favorite learn," the skill he learns most readily. But again, there isn't anything you can DO about this. Parry-Riposte by Blackhawk. This manager is inactive, as far as I know. I don't agree with him entirely--I run some rippers a lot faster than he advises--but it's basically sound. As a matter of fact, I think the small size of most arenas at the moment has had a strong effect on what strategies and styles are going to be successful, especially with the trickier styles such as rippers. Jessie's Guide to a Good Basher by Jessie Jest. Jessie is inactive. He did a lot of work with bashers. I don't completely agree with him, but what else is new? Tobias Earthbreaker -- Thanks for the advice. All -- Wanting to get more into role-playing. Please diplo any advice. Thanks for the kind words. -- Dagan EB Gollu -- Can't slow down. It hurts when you get hit and is a good way to get killed. I'm just a beginner but try a mace instead of shield and kick up the OE=8, AL=9, KD=4. This should help a little. -- Warrior Lord, The Lords Of War (DM 93) Living Essences Alliance Members -- Let it be noted that, due to conflicts of interest between parties, the LEADS contest has been delayed, and could be ultimately cancelled. However, a replacement contest is in the works, and is waiting to be approved by the RSI counsel. I ask that your patience and understanding in this matter is great. Also, let is be known that two new teams are about to enter our alliance, and they will both be fighting in the Noblish Island Arena. Therefore, should you be forced to fight against or challenge one of the alliance members' team players, please do so, but do not make a targeted effort to kill them. Try to avoid alliance teams whenever possible. -- Dagan LifeGiver, Shadow Warriors P.S. A complete list of teams in our Alliance is available. If you are interested in receiving a copy of them, please diplo me the way that is common, or request it through the personal ads. P.P.S. If there is anyone reading this that is not a part of the Living Essences Alliance and would like to be, or would like additional information about us, please feel free to either diplo me or send me a personal ad. Jorja -- You know that your team got away this time, but the Shadow Warriors are destined for the throne. I'm not sure if they are going to allow my challenge to go through (they never did when I challenged Torans Ulrik) but if they do, you had better be prepared to step down from the throne. If you're not, be ready to be thrown from it! (Get it--THROWN from the THRONE!!!) -- Dagan LifeGiver I offer an official LIVING ESSENCES ALLIANCE welcome to our two new teams -- I.M.A. 2 and the ANGEL WARRIORS. Please feel free to ask any questions of the active warriors and managers. Also, I greatly encourage you to write personal ads. -- Dagan LifeGiver, co-manager of the LEA Nadaz Malkariss (the mgr. of the Angel Warriors) -- I still don't like you, and if I feel like I have the time to waste on your team, I might just come and try to KILL all of them. But like I said, that's if I have the time. -- The One (Marvel-ous 1, mgr.) 10 January 2004 ZalCon2 Updates (1/9/04) The contest will be starting on the turn due February 23rd, 2004 and run for 20 turns. Only one team will be allowed for each manager in the contest, regardless of whether additional teams are announced as contest entries. No exceptions for any reason. The Style Master points should read that there is +1 point for beating a member of your own style even if the warrior is not registered for the contest. Rolling points for consecutive turns as Style Master means that your warrior gets the extra point every turn after the first 3 that he continues to hold the title. The points for Quality Wins should be clarified to read the winning warrior is ranked below by the number of recognition points needed for each bonus point at the start of the fight. For example, Warrior A (3-2-0, 17) beats Warrior B (4-1-0, 35) and receives 2 bonus points under Quality Win for the 18 point difference in the ranking. I believe that is all the clarifications for the moment, please feel free to email, diplo, call or write me with any other questions or concerns about the contest. Robert Occhipinti aka Zalgor Prigg 10 January 2004 * * * Third Annual Turf War * * * Come one and all to DM 47 (North Fork) for the Third Annual Turf War! Rules of the contest will be posted in Turn #208's newsletter (due date Feb. 23). The contest will begin on Turn #209 (due date March 22). So, get a team there and register! To register, you must send me a donation of one (1) rollup CERTIFICATE. Then, declare your alliance and team in the North Fork personals. You may also declare a warrior as champion, and that warrior will earn (or lose!) double points in the contest! Roll-up certs will be *ALL* awarded as prizes, in addition to: *** Highest Scoring Alliance -- Gets to Rename DM 47 for 6 months! *** Most returns from DA (Alliance) -- Rename DA monsters for 6 months! *** Most listings as "Style Masters" (Alliance) -- Pick arena to host the April "05 Grand Tournament! *** Warrior with the most awards -- Arenamaster named after him for 6 months! *** Alliance with the most awards -- Pick the slow arena for TW 4! *** Team with most "Style Master" listings -- Discover favorites of one warrior on team! *** Warrior with most "Style Master" listings -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns! (I'll transfer $7.50 to the manager's account) *** Alliance with the most kills -- Rename the stand-ins for 6 months! *** Highest scoring Warrior -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns. (I'll transfer $7.50 to their manager's account.) The contest will run for 10 turns, with the winners announced on turn #220. See the Turn #208 North Fork newsletter for complete rules and scoring system! Direct "declarations" to: A.D. in the personals, and prize pot entry donations to: Jason Mazuch HSP H-2 P.O. Box 339 #924385 Sparta, GA 31087-0339 By snail mail or diplo through RSI. Bloody Sands! Asmo Dius, TCB 16 January 2004 CHAOTIC WINDS Once, long ago, the four Winds of Time descended upon Alastari like a TEMPEST of epic proportions, they slew everything within their all-encompassing reach. They left nothing. In their wake lay smoldering ruins. In their haste they sped towards the center of this great land like a colossal giant would step across an ocean. The four storms picked up momentum on their way towards each other. A collision was eminent. The first storm wind, the oldest and wisest of the four was named APEXALUS. The second, FLAGGSTAFF, was the quickest and loudest entity ever created. The third Wind of Time was MATRIATIN, neither old or young, quick or slow, but fierce and feisty all the same. The forth wind, ASSAMITHIUS, the youngest yet most creative in its means of destruction. When finally they merged at the center of ALASTARI, an incredible destructive explosion occurred. And when the smoke and debris cleared they were one. CHAOS was born. And Chaos spread across the diminished lands reeking havoc and doom with its passing, and destroying allover again that which already lay in ruin. F E A R C H A O S I N C. M A T R I X 28 January 2004 All -- I send out this invitation to all teams and managers. A new Alliance has been formed. The Living Essences Alliance is being formed to join forces in an effort to eliminate common foes and to help the joined warriors grow and learn to the best of their abilities by offering suggestions and advice. It doesn't matter what arena you're in, or if you're in another alliance already, as of today. This Alliance is open to one and all! If you are interested in joining, please DIPLO me, or send a personal ad to DM 93's newsletter. If you wish to join beyond March 2004, send a PA to DM 82. Come join the fun! -- Dagan LifeGiver, mgr. Shadow Warriors (DM 93) 28 January 2004 This notice is to formally introduce our young alliance, CHAOS INC. We consist of APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and now RUDE BUDDHA. If we aren't already there, we WILL be coming to an arena near you soon! Hope to see you all at the ZALCON II. 4 February 2004 Greeting from Jhans, DM 36 -- In 2 turns the kLk will host our first annual "St. Valentines Day Massacre" in Jhans, arena 36. (Kill Contest) The contest will begin on turn 450. It will run for 10 turns. On turn 461 the winners will be announced. There will be 3 separate categories, the team with the most kills, the alliance with the most kills, and the warrior with the most kills. For the manager of the team with the most kills a PRIZE of 10 ROLL-UPS will be rewarded (or $50 deposited into his account). No need to declare yourself in the personals. If you are in DM 36, you will be part of the contest whether you like it or not. We encourage as much trash talk as you'd like. All teams, managers, and alliances invited. Please contact Polarius (mgr. of Blitzkrieg) in DM 36 with questions. Or you can email me at jamieptmo@hotmail.com. Good luck and see you in the sands. -- Polarius LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS DEVISTATION was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena fight. ANGEL OF DEATH was slaughtered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 2 minute Dark Arena battle. CONDOR was easily killed by WURM KIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena match. SLY FOX was narrowly killed by STONE GOLEM in a 3 minute bloody Dark Arena duel. SLASH was butchered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute gory Dark Arena fight. PAF MASTER was murdered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena competition. DA #1 was slaughtered by DARK CHAMPION in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight. GAR-DON was executed by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena brawl. EB GOLLU defeated THE ONE in a 1 minute beginner's melee. DOC FELLE won victory over EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute beginner's duel. SHADOW STALKER defeated AEONO in a 1 minute beginner's duel. ALTA CHESS was defeated by ETERNITY BEING in a action packed 3 minute novice's fight. BENSI DURN was savagely defeated by WHITE ANGEL in a 2 minute brutal novice's fight. CHIP ENSER bested BLACK ANGEL in a exciting 1 minute amateur's Title conflict. BROPHY savagely defeated HELL'S GATESMAN in a crowd pleasing 3 minute novice's brawl. POISON SUMAC was narrowly defeated by ANGEL WARLOCK in a 5 minute novice's duel. RAGNAROK unbelievably bested QUICKBLADE SHADE in a 4 minute bloody novice's fray. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |BASHING ATTACK 4 LUNGING ATTACK 14 - 4 - 1 78 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 WALL OF STEEL 22 - 11 - 0 67 | |STRIKING ATTACK 4 TOTAL PARRY 11 - 6 - 0 65 | |WALL OF STEEL 3 AIMED BLOW 3 - 3 - 0 50 | |LUNGING ATTACK 2 PARRY-STRIKE 6 - 8 - 1 43 | |TOTAL PARRY 2 BASHING ATTACK 9 - 16 - 0 36 | |PARRY-STRIKE 2 STRIKING ATTACK 10 - 19 - 1 34 | |SLASHING ATTACK 2 PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 2 - 0 33 | |AIMED BLOW 1 SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 9 - 1 31 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 10 - 1 23 | Turn 161 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: AIMED BLOW 1 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 2 3 LUNGING ATTACK PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 4 3 WALL OF STEEL LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 0 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 2 2 STRIKING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 2 - 1 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 4 1 PARRY-STRIKE BASHING ATTACK 2 - 2 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE TOTAL PARRY 1 - 1 1 TOTAL PARRY TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is ALTA CHESS 7869. The most popular warrior this turn was ALTA CHESS 7869. The ten other most popular fighters were BROPHY 7856, SLY FOX 7858, WHITE ANGEL 7882, DEVISTATION 7860, ANGEL OF DEATH 7879, DOC FELLE 7872, SHADOW STALKER 7861, CHIP ENSER 7871, BLACK ANGEL 7878, and HELL'S GATESMAN 7884. The least popular fighter this week was POISON SUMAC 7855. The other ten least popular fighters were ETERNITY BEING 7886, THE ONE 7885, DA #1 7881, PAF MASTER 7854, SLASH 7857, CONDOR 7859, QUICKBLADE SHADE 7883, RAGNAROK 7853, BENSI DURN 7870, and AEONO 7887. The Effects of Coordination Coordination has long been ruled as having no effect on a warrior. I have noticed a few things that may be the cause of certain coordination levels. So I decided to write this article to give the general DM populace something to ponder. Below is the coordination table: Coordination = SP + DF 06 - 16 = Clumsy 17 - 20 = Slightly Uncoordinated 21 - 27 = Normal 28 - 31 = Highly Coordinated 32 - 39 = Very Highly Coordinated 40 - 42 = Marvel of Fighting Coordination Since I run a lot of bashers that have a clumsy rating most of the time, I noticed a few things that happen to them and not the high coordination warriors I have. Most people don't have clumsy warriors, save some bashers and TPs, so it may not be paid that much attention to. The first thing I have noticed is that a clumsy warrior seems to drop his weapon more often than a higher coordination warrior. So I think that maybe he has a higher chance to do this than normally coordinated warriors. Second, I noticed that clumsy warriors have harder time trying to quick draw their back-up weapon, causing them to fumble around trying to get it. Third is that the clumsy warrior also is slower to get up after he has been knocked down. It may also influence the roll on whether you get knocked down or not, along with other factors. These things aren't as noticeable the higher the coordination becomes. That's probably why a lot of people don't place any value on coordination. At the higher levels of the game there aren't any clumsy warriors, so coordination isn't noticed. You can still get knocked down, lose your weapon, and draw your back-up quickly, but the odds are more in your favor with a higher coordination in my opinion. Well, may joy and happiness be with you. If you would like to chat , I can be reached at 103260.3347@compuserve.com You may diplo me at LORDS OF THE ABYSS, in DM 11, or any of the JOKER'S WILDS scattered about. Ta-Ta, Sir Jessie Jest (He who always gets the last laugh......) Parry-Riposte: The Best of Both Worlds I've had the urge to write this for a long time but Seeker's all arena PA finally drove me to ink it out. I am not a Primus manager, I am a very experienced with PRs, though. With the introduction aside, let's get back to basics. ATTRIBUTES ST:(6-13) I have PRs with both. Strength depends a lot on your size. You definitely do not want to be cursed with "does little damage." CN:(10-13) It's always nice to be able to roll with a few punches. This will allow your warrior to miss a few parries and still take out his opponent (very important early in life). SZ:(3-14) Size is an attribute you cannot work with. I've had good set ups with all these sizes. Above 11 is somewhat large, but a larger size can be successful. WT:(17,21) You knew that, though. Rippers must have at least a 17 wit. They need all the skills and the intelligence level. Parry-riposte is an art form. SP:(5-13) Some say riposte is hindered with a low speed. I have a ripper with a 5 speed and it doesn't hold true with him. Most of my PRs do have lower speeds. DF:(15-21) Once again, parry-riposte is an art form. Your warrior must be very deft to master this art. Not to mention deftness is where you acquire most of your skills. WEAPONS: Primary use SH, EP (my favorite), LO, or SC, offhand use DA, HA, or SH. I personally use weapons instead of shields because rippers have a tendency to attack with their offhand. ARMOUR: This is your decision. I usually run mine with ARM and H. It depends on your opponent and your carrying ability. STRATEGY: What is parry-riposte? An art form. Like painters use different techniques, rippers use different strategies. I usually higher OE's and AL's early on in the career. Especially if they have higher speeds. Strategy also depends on your opponent. After your PR starts to mature, try a more methodical strategy. Somewhere in the range of 3-3-3 and 6-5-6. A 3-3-3 is pretty much a scum strategy, your PR will parry more than riposte. NOTES: Parry-rips take a lot of work and fine tuning. Parry-riposte is a wicked style once your warrior starts to develop. It's always fun to jump a lunger and put it on its face with a OR. It's even more fun to beat a scum at its own game. A parry rip can easily do both. Parry Riposte is the best of both worlds. This is my first article so please feel free to diplo me (Tempest-36 and 100) or e-mail me (CPetta8272@ad.com) with any questions or comments. May honour and righteousness bless your blades. May the horsemen of the night reign forever. Nobly, Lord Dauthstorm The Basic Ripper Why isn't one of basic's most entertaining styles, a style capable of beating all others, a common sight upon the sands? The myth that rippers are difficult to run and inherently prone to dying is widely accepted. True, the graveyard is full of rippers that began their careers running little numbers and the parry tactic. This is no mystery given that very few rippers start with great defenses and the parry tactic destroys a young ripper's offense. In their efforts to make better punching bags, many managers have turned to big constitutions and heavy armor. A dose of sanity is long overdue. If you would like to run some rippers who will survive and win, read on. DESIGN: My approach is somewhat unorthodox. I maintain an evolving list of physical requirements for each style, i.e., endurance, punishment, damage, and carry capacity. If you don't have the means to accurately forecast these ratings, ask around. If at all possible, I first max out a new rollup's WL at a value of 15, 17, or 21 and then compare the rollup's physical potential with each style's physical requirements. Generally, the style that matches up best and requires me to add the least number of points to ST and CN is the one I want. It isn't absolutely necessary for a fighter to be physically fit at the beginning of his career. Plan ahead. Will a few preselected attribute trains make him so? Must points be added to the rollup's ST or CN so that he can make the grade with no more than two trains per attribute? Which weapons will he use? With these questions answered, it's simply a matter of taking WT to the highest odd value possible (avoid 19) and then doing the same with DF. Godlings are not born as a results of how many points you can pump into WT, WL, and DF; that's luck's job. Young rippers need to be able to go fast for two minutes without tiring. If your ripper isn't physically fit, he will slow down. If he slows down, you are gambling with his life. The more frail the warrior, the greater the gamble. That said, if your ripper can quickly meet the following criteria and learn reasonably well, you will get your money's worth. Endurance: Something in the neighborhood of 350 (that's {ST+CN}WL) Punishment: Anywhere from the high end of very frail to midrange normal Damage: Normal Capacity: Cannot carry a lot (minimum ST/CN combos: 9/8, 10/7, 11/6, 12/5) ST: 9 + Midgets need an 11 or better. CN: See Endurance, punishment, and capacity requirements SZ: Small (3-8) to medium (9-14) WT: 15+ If your ripper doesn't learn, he's toast. WL: 15+ See endurance and punishment requirements. SP: Though frequently unimportant, it helps to have points here if you're stuck with a few 15's in WT, WL, and DF. DF: 15+ 13 will do if you're fortunate to have a big WT and/or WL. Strats: X 8 9 5 5 5 8 X 8 5 3 3 3 10 X 6 7 7 7 7 5 ARM ------------------------- > HE -------------------------- > N --------------------------- > N ------------------------ > R Why the missing numbers in the first minute? You'll want to find what works for your new ripper and possibly change his numbers as he develops. 8-8-6 is probably the best opening minute for a young ripper. If your youngster has a high speed, try 10- 10-6. 6-8-6 is a bit slow for my taste. Nevertheless, this might be the way to go even if your ripper doesn't need to build up his endurance. Something I call "the change" occurs when your ripper approaches his master in riposte, his AD Ex in parry, and Experts in attack, defense and initiative. This is a moment of decision. If your ripper takes normal punishment, this is when you can opt to slow him down. I don't do this, but I have seen 5-7-5 and 5-5-5 parry work rather well. It's probably wise for a slow-running ripper to run fast in desperation. If your ripper continues to run fast after "the change," a first minute strat of 8-10-4 often works well. WEAPONS: A scimitar or longsword belongs in your ripper's hand. After he starts critting, check to see if the epee is his favorite. I don't believe in heavy backups for youngsters; a dagger will do. Most youngsters will benefit from an offhand dagger (preferred), hatchet, or shortsword. After "the change," rippers who don't slow down can improve the quality of their attacks by getting rid of their off hand weapons. These guys will need a backup scimitar, longsword, or epee. Rippers who do slow down should keep their offhand weapons. ARMOR: Very frail rippers should debut in ASM/H. After ten fights or so, it's probably best to go with APL/H. Guys who cannot take a lot of punishment belong in ARM/H for their entire basic careers. Put them in ALE/H if you're feeling gutsy. Rippers who take normal punishment can debut in APL/H, ARM/H, or ASM/H. After ten fights or so, it's definitely time for APL/H. If you decide to slow one of these guys down, you'd better put him back in ARM/H or ASM/H. CHALLENGES: Scummers deserve numbers like 4-1-6; keep that big desperation, though. If you know that an opponent is out to kick you when you're down, go with 5- 8-5 or 5-5-5 while he's playing dead and 8-8-5 and 9-5-7 when he's active. Good aimed blows are a pain. Still, like every other style, they can be beaten with standard strats. Many people have contributed indirectly to the content of this article. Foremost in my mind are The Lunatic, Scrag, Voo-Doo, U-Star, Shark, Moriarty, and Wormtongue. Thanks. If you have a bone to pick or a story to tell, you know where to find me. Cadmus Wild Oats (479) Solven, DM 22 Stimpy's Thoughts on Total Parries part II Well, when we last spoke I gave you a rundown on I feel TPs should be designed. Now I will give you my ideas on how to run them. First, you need to consider what type of warrior you now have. A total parry is what its name suggests. Total defense. The idea around a TP is to concentrate on defense first and utmost. Only when the situation arises will the TP decide to attack. With this in mind NEVER run a TP with an offensive effort (OE) above 5. In doing so you have just told your TP to do what they weren't designed to do. Go offensive. If you want to run your TP above 5, you should have made an offensive styled warrior, NOT a TP. By using a high OE, you cause your TP to ignore defense and go offense. This results in numerous "flailing" and "wild" attacks. So don't do it. While running your TP, you may find that he tends to really turn on the offense often. That is typical, typical of a warrior who favors initiative skills. This does not mean that you should boost your OE. What is happening is that one of your warrior's favorite learns is initiative. So he/she will be naturally adept in initiative. And remember that initiative is the skill that allows you to continuously make attacks on your opponent. Since your TP decided to attack, your opponent should be relatively worn down. So it will be hard for your opponent to steal that initiative back from you. Hence the reason that your TP looks like an offensive killer. But that's good. It means that you have a very dangerous warrior on your hands. High endurance burning styles, look out! I know, I know!!! There are managers out there still that believe in the offensive TP and suggest using higher OE. That's all fine and dandy. Let those managers do just that. I personally guarantee that if you run your TP with a low OE like the style was designed to do, you'll win fights. Experiment with unorthodox strategies when you get a better hang of the game. Activity level (AL) is the variable in TP strategies. I would definitely begin running a TP with a moderate/low AL. Try a 3 at first. After a few fights you'll see if your TP likes to dodge more or parry more. It should be quite obvious; your TP will learn more skills in his "favorite" area. Chances are, though, if your TP has received the statement: "avoiding rather than trading blows," or "relying on his speed to stay out of danger," your TP would rather dodge than parry. And that's just fine. Boost your AL to about a 4 or 5. If you choose to use the dodge tactic in defense, use AL up to 7. Beyond that tends to hurt your warrior more than it helps. So why not go with an AL of 7 all the time if your TP likes to dodge more than parry, you might ask? That's simple; your TP may like to dodge more, BUT HE STILL PARRIES. So you'll need to be less active to allow your TP that choice. With an AL of 4-5, your warrior will dodge when it is more advantageous, parry when it isn't. Kill desire varies greatly from warrior to warrior. To be on the safe side, I always go low KD with my TPs, until they gain expert in attack. After that point, I may begin to experiment, seeing how my warrior reacts to various KDs. Generally, if your warrior learns attack skills relatively well, then a higher KD won't inhibit them at all. If this is the case, I believe that your warrior is not looking for landing several blows to win the match (favoring initiative skills), but is instead looking to land a few good blows (favoring attack skills). In the latter case, a moderate to high KD may help. Keep in mind though that your TP is still defensively oriented. An extremely high KD will cause any warrior to behave like a berserker, and may cause your TP to make lots of bad attacks. With this in mind, stay below 7. Now to place it all together... Minute 1 2 3 4 5 6on Desp OE 2 ------------------------ > varies AL 2 ------------------------ > " KD 2 ------------------------ > " or Minute 1 2 3 4 5 6on Desp OE 2 ------------------------ > varies AL 4 ------------------------ > " KD 2 ------------------------ > " These show my general strategies for parry and dodging oriented warriors, respectively. Seldom do I use any tactics, unless I am making a challenge and wish my warrior to behave differently to that challenge (i.e., using the dodge tactic against a lunger). At that point I would refer to the paragraphs in the beginning to customize that particular minute to fit the tactic. Attack and protect locations are totally up to you. I like to protect the head and body, while attacking the head, arms, and legs. This protects my vitals, yet can allow my warrior to land blows on parts of the body that can cause a warrior to lose a fight with the minimum number of hits. Desperation is my opposite area. If I was relying on a low AL in the regular minutes, I will boost it in desperation. While going vice versa if I had a high AL in regular minutes. Now the one tactic I haven't touched on is the riposte tactic. Occasionally your TP will favor this tactic. When he does, I like to raise my OE to 3, sometimes 4, and the AL to 4. If I use the riposte tactic, I will use 4-5 OE and a 3-5 AL. When these numbers are any lower, your TP may refrain from attacking in a riposte situation in favor of more defense. I have found that these strategies work well whether your warrior fights as a SCUM or skilled TP. If you remember from my last article, the difference between the schools of thought are the amount of damage the warrior is willing/able to take. Well, I hope that this has been informative for the newer players, and the older ones, too. Good luck and see you on the sands. Stimpy MORE ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS Many essays dwell on style specifics. This piece describes a playing philosophy. When you just want to WIN, create scum TPs and size 17 monsters with impunity. Don't worry about getting these warriors into ADM! YOU'RE concerned with winning those "Top Team" and "Team on the Move" awards. By comparison, managers with an excellent setup shouldn't be too concerned with the team win/loss record. Their character must develop, gain every skill possible, in order to blossom into a deadly duelist. THEIR goal is to advance this fighter into ADM, and eternal life. Here are some broad parameters for assessing a warrior's value, and a few representative samples: Primus Bound: - WT, WL and DF total 49+. - 4 or more wit statements. - Start with Expert rating or gain it in one or two skills. - [13-5-5-21-13-10-17, 6-6-9-17-21-9-17, 11-7-9-17-17-6-17, etc.] Basic/ADM Only: - WT, WL and DF total to 35+. - At least 3 wit statements. - Gain Expert rating in no more than five skills. - [17-9-10-17-9-9-13, 13-11-11-17-13-8-11, 9-13-10-15-21-5-11, etc.] Dark Arena: [Any two of these qualify the character as "expendable"] - WT less than 13. - Less than 3 wit statements. - Is clumsy. - Has very little endurance. - [15-15-16-11-13-5-9, 7-18-13-17-5-13-11, 13-15-13-13-17-6-7, etc.] The Primus Bound setups are rare; they are coddled, protected and sometimes sandbagged for a year or so in order to build up a few Ad Experts to help them survive in the arena. The Basic/ADM Only fighters have mediocre to decent stats, and are going to be very dependent on their overview for that elusive "luck factor." This class of warrior should be highly competitive. Most of the fighters seen in the arena are in this category. Finally, the Dark Arena fighters: conceived from pitiful setups with little chance of being competitive. However, these rollups might prove useful. Don't fight the system; learn to use it to your advantage! Many managers send fighters to the D.A. who might have provided them with a successful (if brief) career in Basic. Give BIG numskulls lots of ST and SP; these are your killer LUs and STs. More WL = LU; Higher DF = ST. (I don't advise making Bashers unless you have a 17+ wit and 15+ points in WL.) Give LITTLE morons a boost to WL, ST and CN; these are your TP scum. If they have absolutely no WT or WL, escort them to the Dark Arena. Of course, some fighters have good stats and decent overviews yet still lose most of their fights in the beginning of their career. The "old" method of dealing with this phenomenon was to bump all stats by two or more. Now, it's generally agreed that this increases performance at the cost of future skill learns. This takes away from a duelist's competitive abilities in the higher levels of play. Competitive fighters should be making as few stat raises as possible until they have "maxed out" in at least three of four skill areas. (Some managers advocate waiting until a character is completely "maxed out" before raising stats; this will take a long time for most warriors.) Some warriors (particularly the finesse styles: AB, PR, PL, PS) take a little longer to develop. If they DON'T have the stats or the overview to raise visions of a Primus inductee, take a HARD look at their potential. Will stat raises help? Well they come easily? Is the rest of the team strong? How much money are you willing to invest in this character? ANYONE can create an awe-inspiring fighter by adding a couple of points to key stats. It means the fighter may lose some of its long-term potential, but so what? Duelmaster, Most Popular Fighter, Best Win/Loss Record, etc. all equate into free fights and recognition. If you don't have that Godling in your stable, what other goal might you have but to excel in your arena?!! I urge new managers to run EVERY setup at least once in the arena. Look on rollups as a challenge; try to make the best killer or scum possible out of Dark Arena material. There's a tremendous amount of experience to be gained by this. See what effect a high ST or DF has on specific styles; compare overviews to find what works and what doesn't; gain new insights on character design. You will enjoy playing far more than you do now! You might even come up with a better way of designing a character for a specific style, and write an article to share your views. The point is, DON'T wait around for the "right" rollup, or waste time and money (or sentiment) on characters who aren't doing anything for you. Play the percentages. If a promising warrior is losing repeatedly, be patient. Once a few AdExperts are gained he will probably turn things around. If you Dark Arena Mutant loses a lot and his scumminess or killer-design aren't working, either bump a couple of stats or DA him. If your scum/killer goes out there and wins a few, start paying attention to challenges/avoids (which you SHOULD be doing anyway). Send that scum against a LU or ST; send that monster ST against a midget Parry-whatever. Style vs. style matchups are crucial in the early careers of EVERY fighter. Generally, even lousy STs, LUs, BAs and TPs do well starting out. Later the finesse styles--PL, PS, PR, AB--usually take over. Summary: Recognize the difference between playing "to win" and playing "longterm." Start noticing which teams have high win/loss percentages: what kind of warriors are they running? Start sending diplos; don't be bashful. You can bring that win/loss to a respectable level with careful play, short-term Mutant killers and scum, and the occasional stat-bump for those mediocre fighters whom you plan on retiring later. Try it and see. It gives the game more spice, you win more often, and you have more FUN! And just remember... I told you so! Diplo me with comments, questions, rebuke: -- The Arcane Kid, of Astral Kin in Osksi (DM-3) "Favorite Weapons" One of the best ways to improve a warrior's record in basic is to find his favorite weapon. The effect of using a favorite weapon is that a warrior's attack ability will improve. A warrior will throw more critical attacks, improve the odds to inflict critical damage, and make attacks that are more difficult to dodge and parry. There are two methods used to find a favorite weapon. The first is, "Don't worry about it. They tell you when you get to ADM anyway." While some managers have the patience to wait that long, I would rather have my favorite in hand in fight one! The second method is called, "Charting." The way I chart weapons is I break down, statistically, my warrior's attacks with a particular weapon. (No, it's not difficult to do!) I chart 4 categories, (1) Total number of attacks, (2) Total number of crit attacks, (3) Total number of crit damages, (4) Total number of knockdowns. (1) Total number of attacks (#ATT) -- Record the total number of attacks with the weapon in question, including hits, crits, misses, parried attacks, dodged attacks, and wild swings. (2) Total number of crit attacks (C ATT) -- Record the total number of critical attacks with the weapon in question. Do not get good attacks confused with critical attacks. A good attack is a statement that is more descriptive than, "strikes with dagger," but is not as spectacular as a critical. An example of a good attack is, "Bats outward with her quarterstaff," or, "Makes a lunging attack wielding a short spear." These are more descriptive but are not outstanding. A critical attack is exemplified by spectacular statements such as; "Catapults forward, longsword stabbing cruelly at his foe," "Punches with piston-like horsefelling power," or "Hatchet flashes with snake-like speed and accuracy." As you can see, crit attacks are very obvious. (3) Total number of crit damages (C DAM) -- A crit damage statement will signify a significant amount of additional damage and is typified by a statement such as; "Spectators cringe as the horrific power of the blow strikes home" or "It was a devastating attack." (4) Total number of knockdowns (# KD) -- Record every time an opponent is knocked off his feet with the weapon in question. The next step is to convert this data into a usable format. To do this I divide the last three categories by the first. This gives a "batting average" of sorts. EXAMPLE: Dark One fights his first three fights with a scimitar. In those three fights Dark One made 16 attacks, 2 crit attacks, 4 crit damage, and 1 knockdown. This breaks down as such: C ATT = .125 C DAM = .25 # KD = .06 Remember, the more fights with the weapon, the more accurate your chart will be. Looking at Dark One's performance with the scimitar we can conclude that it is not his favorite weapon. I determine this by looking at the three categories in order of precedence. First I look at C ATT: .00-.25 Doubtful .25-.35 Slight possibility .35-.50 Very possible .50 + BINGO! If your warrior is critting 50% of the time, stick with that weapon. Favorite or not, it is VERY effective. Next is crit damage. This is trickier to look at, as the primary chance to do critical damage is primarily based on strength. Does little 0% Normal 1-5% (style dependent) Good 10% Great 25% Tremendous 50% Awesome 75% Look for increases in the expected average crit rate. These numbers may be a little off as I don't have a large enough sample of warriors with high damage ratings. In the example, Dark One rated at 25%, and with his great damage rating it appears he is not doing any additional crits. Finally, knockdowns. I don't have a fast and easy rule for this, but anything over 15% or 20% if attacking the legs, could bear investigating. It's best to look at all three and infer a weapon's performance. Dark One switches to a short spear and after 4 fights has 15 attacks, 7 crit attacks, 6 crit damages and 2 knockdowns. C ATT = .466 C DAM = .40 # KD = .13 This weapon suits him much better. His crit percentage is up for all categories. This weapon has a very good chance to be his favorite weapon. In this example it wasn't, but his W/L record improved with 6 straight wins. (By the way, the names and weapons have been changed but the numbers are from one of my ADM warriors.) Okay, I've figured out that the weapon I'm using is not my favorite. What now? There are some indicators to help you. Look at how your warrior uses his current weapon. If he likes to slash a lot, stay with a slashing weapon. Also, look at good attacks. If a warrior makes quite a few good attacks with the weapon, try a weapon that is used in a similar fashion. I.E. epee is used in similar fashion to a long sword. Dark One loved to lunge with his scimitar at a 3:1 ratio. Try weapons that fit your stats at first but don't be afraid to try a weapon that is out of your stat parameters. Should you find your favorite and you don't have the strength, size and deftness to use it, who cares. The fact that it's your favorite will nullify or minimize all those penalties. I know that this is a question on the mind of new managers, as it was for me when I was new to the game. I hope someone can get some good use out of this article and expand upon the charting method in their own way. If you have any questions, comments, additions, or criticism please feel free to Diplo. -- Abe Ango (DM 64, 103) Imploding Ducks (DM 19, 103)