DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 07/04/2009 Duedate: 07/17/2009 NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA DM-93 TURN-278 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS BRAIN CELL 2 DOPE SHOW (1534) (93-8893) [7-1-1,100] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader POSITION IS EMPTY BRAIN CELL 2 DOPE SHOW (1534) (93-8893) [7-1-1,100] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite TY STICK ORRIE POLLAS DOPE SHOW (1534) MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) (93-8894) [7-1-0,48] (93-8917) [7-2-1,50] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM DOPE SHOW (1534) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) 41 2. DOPE SHOW (1534) 32 DARK TOADS II (725) 3. FORT REAPER (1547) 7 Unchartered Team 4. RAVENS SONG (1532) 0 5. MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) -3 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1*MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) 30 15 1 66.7 1/ 3*DOPE SHOW (1534) 10 5 1 2/ 2*DOPE SHOW (1534) 24 16 3 60.0 2- 1*RAVENS SONG (1532) 8 2 1 3/ 0*EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) 3 2 2 60.0 3/ 2*MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) 8 7 0 4- 3*RAVENS SONG (1532) 11 10 1 52.4 4/ 0*EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) 3 2 2 5/ 4*FORT REAPER (1547) 2 8 0 20.0 5/ 4*FORT REAPER (1547) 2 8 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[ The Lighthouse ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ + I thought I'd say few words today about styles and challenges. You have all seen--or will see before you leave Noblish Island (it runs on turns numbered ending in 3), this chart (and I thank Magic Man for making it available): KEY FOR ODDS OF WINNING: 1 - ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE 6 - BETTER THAN EVEN 2 - HARDLY LIKELY 7 - GOOD CHANCE 3 - NOT MUCH 8 - HIGHLY PROBABLE 4 - SLIGHT CHANCE 9 - MOST DEFINATELY 5 - 50/50 10 - ALMOST GUARANTEED Reminder: Left Row vs Top Column BA ST LU SL AB TP PS PL PR WS BA 5 2 6 6 8 9 7 6 5 6 ST 8 5 8 9 9 6 7 5 6 4 LU 4 4 5 6 10 5 7 7 9 6 SL 4 1 5 5 8 6 8 7 8 9 AB 2 2 2 4 5 10 6 6 6 7 TP 3 4 6 4 1 5 7 8 6 5 PS 3 3 3 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 PL 5 4 3 3 6 2 7 5 7 6 PR 7 5 2 2 4 5 6 3 5 4 WS 5 8 6 2 4 6 7 5 6 5 I consider this chart to be a fertile topic for debate, possibly even acrimonious debate. There is some truth in it, I don't dispute that. And it is to this chart, usually, that managers refer when they speak of some warrior having "the style advantage" over another. But I believe that other factors than style are at least as important, and perhaps MORE important, such as the relative skill of the two managers and two warriors involved. But, as I say, there is some truth in it, especially where the managers and warriors are on a level of experience. Therefore, information on the styles of other warriors in a given arena is important, so you can gauge your challenges and avoids to give you the best chances for winning. This is one of the things alliances do for their members--provide a forum for exchanging style information. It is also the reason why experienced managers generally regard it is bad form to reveal a warrior's style in the personals. [Exceptions to this--when the warrior in question has been a stylemaster, and when the warrior in question is graduating.] Style information is valuable; you, or somebody, fought to get it, so it shouldn't be given away. But there's more to "style knowledge" than simply being able to say, "X has the style advantage over Y." You have to use your information. Note that "offensive warriors" are bashers, lungers, strikers, and slashers. Defensive styles are those with "parry" in their names. Aimed Blows and Walls of Steel are ambiguous and may be considered--and run--either way. If you KNOW or even just suspect that you have an offensive warrior who will be facing a defensive warrior, you can adjust your strategy accordingly. You change your armor and the speed with which you're running the warrior to pace him for a long haul, perhaps. (And this is the adjustment that most often needs to be made.) Or if you've got an offensive warrior facing another offensive, you can do the same--slow your warrior's pace--and hope to take out your opponent in the second minute when he's gasping for breath. Of course, you have to survive the first minute somehow. More armor, perhaps, or defenisve tactics. But it's a fact that, especially in the lower levels of the game, many offensive warriors DO burn out by the end of the first minute or shortly thereafter. So if you're paced for that, you may be surprised at some of the wins you can get. Jorja The Middle Way +<]H[>+-----+<]H[+ Question of the Week #10 +]H[>+-----+<]H[>+ The Question, Aruak City (dm 11), turn 426: If a warrior is wearing plate and he is hit on the hand or ankle does he get the same amount of protection? It seems to me the most you could wear on your hand is Chainmail. -- Hanibal, Q.O.W. The Answers, turn 427: Q.O.W. -- I think if you wear armor of chainmail or lighter, the protection to your limbs is limited, certainly not to a degree equal to the armor you are wearing over the body. But I think with platemail or full plate, the armor protects your limbs well. Gauntlets, which I imagine being used with platemail and up, are steel plates, so they protect better than chain. I think this is played out well in our fighters' fights. I've seen chain wearing warriors who are tough go down with one shot to the leg, while the same warrior in platemail takes one or two more hits. You'd be surprised at how well medieval gauntlets' metal plates flexed for hand movement. -- Adie QoW -- When using heavy armor, the limbs seem to be less well protected than the chest and abdomen. I base this observation mainly on the number of ineffective ("bounced") hits seen against the torso compared to the limbs. The lighter armors don't seem to have this difference. -- Generalissimo Puerco Hannibal -- Questions! Great, I've missed them. Unfortunately, I can't offer much help on this. I do know that to rely on "it would logically seem that" is the way to get into trouble, unfortunately. After all, it would logically seem that a basher should be well-suited to using the fist, and this is not so. So I can't guess about the "armor for hands and feet" question. -- Leeta Hannibal -- Take a good look at a suit of full plate some time. Everything EXCEPT the head is protected, unless you're wearing a helmet of some sort as well. If you're going to have warriors wearing APA, you better put them in a Helm or a Full Helm as well, otherwise you may as well send them out in leather. A hit to an unarmored head and your APA is worthless. -- Talon, War-Priest of Mantor the Bright The Question, Aruak City (dm 11), turn 427: All -- I was looking at a fight a few turns ago with Predator (Broadsword fav). In min 1 he attacked 12 times w/ BS and only 1 crit. Min 2 six normal attacks, weapons breaks, pulls his epee and throws three crits in a row. He always threw more crits using an epee even though he is -6 in Deftness to use it. He used a BS in two other fights with no crits. This makes me wonder; are favorites generated after your warrior graduates? -- Hanibal Q.O.W. The Answers, turn 428: Q.O.W. -- From my understanding, favorite weapons are generated when your warrior is created, and the bonuses are applied in basic. However, I have experienced similiar situations to what you have seen with Predator. I have a lunger who never seemed to throw a crit with the short spear, but constantly threw crits with the longspear even though he wasn't quite suited to it in strength or deftness. I felt certain the longspear was his favorite weapon because of this, and was highly shocked when upon graduation the shortspear was listed as his weapon of choice. -- the Outsider Hanibal, Q.O.W. -- From what I have experienced and discussed with other managers, fighting rhythm, weapon, learns and tactics are determined upon creation. Did you change rhythms during any of these fights? Was your attack rating high or low at the time? If all is the same, and you throw more crits with an epee, maybe you should send your "favorite weapon" to hell and go with what works. After all, the whole point of finding your fave weapon is to increase your crit percentage. Although, it would be nice to have BS crits over the EP crits (except for the knockdowns!) -- Dr. Strange QoW -- Well, now you're understanding why I don't make too much of an effort to try to find a warrior's "favorite" weapon. Finding a weapon they win with is much more important, and Predator certainly had no problem winning. I think people have had enough cases where a suspected favorite weapon was confirmed to suggest that a warrior's favorites are determined before AD, but the exceptions such as Predator's are numerous. I'll bet Adie will have more to say on this matter, since it seems like it happens to her warriors a lot. -- Generalissimo Puerco Q.o.W. (Fav Weapons) -- I was the closest thing the KoV had to somebody who found their favorite weapon in basic. But since I got my advanced master in attack so soon it's hard to tell. We really haven't noticed our warriors having a favorite weapon in basic. I personally think there may be something to what you're saying. But I think most people believe that it's there all along. -- Maxwell Honorblade Hanibal's Question of the Week -- No, favorites are generated when the warrior is first created. Unless you get a favorites-prize and use it on a warrior, his favorites always and forever remain what they were at the time of generation. -- Leeta Q.O.W -- BS favorite and no crits sounds typical for a lot of warriors. Or GA...or BA...or even SC. Sometimes, favorite weapons just don't serve. I have a WS in Primus with GA favorite and Grandmaster Attack who throws more normals than crits with her favorite. To make matters worse, I have a LU in Primus with Archmaster Attack who still throws normals...with her favorite and with LO. Some warriors, in my experience, just don't throw crits like they should. Others will go crazy with their favorite weapon in basic, right from the start. I've discovered many favorite weapons that way over the years...then again, I've also THOUGHT I'd discovered favorite, only to have them be something else. I've always thought that somewhere, a bit is kept with each warrior for how experienced they are with any given weapon... and if you use a weapon enough, you get better with it (skills not withstanding). I can't prove it, but watching some of my LS and SS, SH and MS favorite warriors using SC and LO, you see improvement over time, even when they aren't getting more attack. -- Talon Warsmith, Epee favorite <grin> Hanibal, Q.O.W., favorites are born with the warrior. It's just that sometimes they seem hard to believe. -- Kennelworth Q.O.W. -- I've always understood that a warrior's favorite weapon is generated right at the beginning. I have however, had the similar experience of throwing more crits with a non-fav weapon. -- Anti * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * ---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 621): KEEL HAULER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 623): PROTAGORAS of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 617): VARPULIS RUKH of STARBASE 5 (Zeus, mgr.) DM 16 WILLAF (turn 619): MAREY D'NUIT of PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 618): SALARA LORMIN of MIDDLE WAY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 616): ARCHIPPUS of TROUBLED WATERS (Anti, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 308): CASH MEALS of EXPENSE ACCOUNT (Finance Manager, mgr.) DM 29 LAPUR (turn 609): NEEDS SALT of BOHICA (Scruffy, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 306): ULL HARDHAMMER of THE STORMBRINGERS (High Lord Bosk) DM 32 ARVAT (turn 605): AGONY of ANGELS OF PAIN (Dark One, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 603): TEMPEST of STORM BRINGERS (The Rake, mgr.) DM 35 MURSKA (turn 594): MURSKAN PATRIOT of URBAN JUNGLE (Jugger, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 557): PRINCESS EMILY of LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 283): JACOB MARLEY of PHANTOM REGIMENT (Nomad, mgr.) DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 277): JUSTICE FOR ALL of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 264): ON MY WAY of OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.) DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 484): AIRSLICER DAN of INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.) DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 471): SHMEGMA of HIT ME WITH... (?, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 451): ZOE ALDIN of MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 448): GRIZOLPOP of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 213): DEATH SUCKS of BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.) DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 412): NIGHTMARE STEED of GEMSTONE CREATIONS (?, mgr.) DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 404): CORINTHIAN of PARANOID ASSYLUM (Jekyll, mgr.) DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 394): GABRIELLE REESE of GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.) ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 510): DEFIANCE of ANGELS OF PAIN (The Dark One, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 621): HOT STUFF (Papa Bear, mgr.) DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 623): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 617): GREENWARDENS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 16 WILLAF (turn 619): PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 618): MIDDLE WAY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 616): TROUBLED WATERS (Anti, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 308): PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.) DM 29 LAPUR (turn 609): POSITION IS EMPTY DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 306): WAR (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 32 ARVAT (turn 605): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 603): STORM BRINGERS (The Rake, mgr.) DM 35 MURSKA (turn 594): URBAN JUNGLE (Jugger, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 557): LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 283): MIKES HEROES (Mike?, mgr.) DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 277): LAND OF OZ (Oz the All Successful, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 263): CRIMINAL MINDS (Black Guard, mgr.) DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 484): MIDDLE WAY 20 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 471): EX OBLIVIONE (Enigma, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 451): AUTUMN SAGA (?, mgr.) DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 448): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 213): MIDDLE WAY 18 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 412): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 404): GREATS OF TROY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.) DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 394): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.) ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 510): DO IT AGAIN et al (The Dark One, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 621): KEEL HAULER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 15 MALCORN (turn 617): VARPULIS RUKH of STARBASE 5 (Zeus, mgr.) (turn 616): STUMP of GREENWARDENS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 618): GERMANICUS of GLADIATORS (Caesar, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 308): YAU (DARKFACE) of ZULU NATION (Zulu, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 305): CHOLERA of PESTILENCE (?, mgr.) DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 603): TEMPEST of STORM BRINGERS (The Rake, mgr.) DM 35 MURSKA (turn 594): MURSKAN PATRIOT of URBAN JUNGLE (Jugger, mgr.) DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 557): PRINCESS EMILY of LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 283): JACOB MARLEY of PHANTOM REGIMENT (Nomad, mgr.) (turn 282): SHADOWCAT HAMMER of MUTANT HAMMERZ (Hammer, mgr.) DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 277): JUSTICE FOR ALL of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.) LAST CALL of INDIFFERENCE (Jekyll, mgr.) SISTER MARY SUEELLEN of OLD HABITS (Soultaker, mgr.) BOB'S COMIC COLLECTN of THINGS I DROOL IN (Nuln, mgr.) (turn 276): NIKKO of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 264): ON MY WAY of OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.) DOMJON of DRUID'S GROVE (Armalias Skyhawk, mgr.) DM 61 JURINE (turn 451): ZOE ALDIN of MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 447): OCTAVIA of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.) DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. From the Dark Arena sands to Duelmaster, I finally worked my way up through the ranks. I guess it goes to show: No matter how much abuse you put Brain Cells through, only the weak ones die. So smoke on, my friends, smoke on! SPY REPORT It's me, The Unknown Spymaster here with my bag to give you the news on last week's fights. Say good-bye to RAVENS SONG, as they are pushed from the coveted top team spot by the DOPE SHOW stable. Hey everybody, watch out for PRO ZACK, who flew up 23 points in the rankings after mashing MORIS NAHR like a melon. Keep your eye on this guy. And falling like a basher in the top ten was MORIS NAHR, who dropped 21 points after a disappointing (to say the least) bout with PRO ZACK. Our battling duelmaster BRAIN CELL 2 has managed to hold the title, fending off KARIN LO's none too subtle advances. Better luck next time, MIDDLE WAY 21. Can you believe they are paying me 10 gold to deliver this stuff? Here is other news that is of note. Being a spy is great--other people die and you spend the rest of the day drinking to their memory. Better tanked than dead! Ask not the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no. Silly buggers, eh? Well, there's the manager of the NOBLISH ISLAND giving me the 'cut' sign (or is that 'They're going to strangle you in the alley?). Well, there goes another Spy Report. Good luck in next week's fights. Its been fun, and I'm sure you enjoyed it (boos). Now that I've got you worked up for Snide Clemens, I'll be leaving-- The Unknown Spymaster DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME BRAIN CELL 2 8893 7 1 1 100 DOPE SHOW (1534) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME KARIN LO 8915 6 3 0 69 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME QUITA REMMING 8918 6 3 0 61 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME ORRIE POLLAS 8917 7 2 1 50 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) PRO ZACK 8971 2 3 0 50 DOPE SHOW (1534) TY STICK 8894 7 1 0 48 DOPE SHOW (1534) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TY LOX 8895 6 2 1 31 DOPE SHOW (1534) MORIS NAHR 8916 6 3 0 28 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) THOR ZINE 8993 2 0 1 26 DOPE SHOW (1534) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -DRAQUE VLOODE 8987 2 0 0 22 RAVENS SONG (1532) SAM TALL 8919 5 4 0 19 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) -ELAZU DANIN 8882 4 1 0 17 RAVENS SONG (1532) -GRUUSH 8885 2 3 0 15 RAVENS SONG (1532) MAGGY EVERBLOOD 8989 1 0 1 15 EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) -KREESE ALORE 8985 2 0 1 14 RAVENS SONG (1532) JENNY EVERBLOOD 8992 1 0 0 13 EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) TOMMY EVERBLOOD 8991 1 0 1 11 EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) ALEXANDRA 8981 1 1 0 10 FORT REAPER (1547) -DUGE MCGLORN 8986 1 1 0 4 RAVENS SONG (1532) AUSTIN EVERBLOOD 8990 0 1 0 1 EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) PAUL EVERBLOOD 8988 0 1 0 1 EVERBLOOD CLAN (1548) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? AUGUSTUS 8983 0 2 0 FORT REAPER 1547 MOUNTAIN TROLL 278 NONE KHALID 8982 1 1 0 FORT REAPER 1547 MAGGY EVERBLOOD 8989 278 KJERULF 8980 0 2 0 FORT REAPER 1547 DARK CHAMPION 278 NONE NIMASHEY 8979 0 2 0 FORT REAPER 1547 TOMMY EVERBLOOD 8991 278 PERSONAL ADS Pro Zack -- I call that just disgusting. Chemically assisted advantage. Bah. -- Sam Tall P.S. Actually, a style advantage in your favor, though if I'd been paying attention, that might not have been enough! P.P.S. Head shots (jaw and throat count as head shots) are likely to kill, and when you leave Noblish could bring down the wrath of experienced managers. Be warned. Brain Cell 2 -- Well done. -- Karin Lo Ty Lox -- Might be a good plan for you to try a different weapon, or else train up that stat. -- Quita Remming Ty Stick -- Yeah, I know you won, but you still should consider a different weapon, or training the stat in question. -- Orrie Pollas P.S. Jorja's big on "well-suited to the weapon." Oh, joy, a Captured Orc. Just what I always wanted. -- Moris Nahr It's an excellent Captured Orc, one of the best of the lot. -- Arenamaster Ganamir Elazu Danin -- You're not helping my depression at all. Not only do you annihilate me, but you make me the least favorite two week in a row. Trust me, I beat myself up enough without your help. -- Pro Zack Jorja -- I should've taken the advice in the article you wrote about giving every warrior a chance before sending them to the DA. Brain Cell 8 got lucky on his overview and almost won. I wish I would've kept him. Hopefully Thor Zine is as lucky, because his numbers aren't exactly up to par. -- Dr. Fil Jorja -- I decided to listen to your infinite wisdom and give the SC another shot. I wish I was able to go to Cleveland and experience your enlightenment face to face. Oh well, there's always next year.... -- Dr. Fil Jorja won't be there, either, so nothing to regret. Jorja -- I can't believe it, my warriors only encountered one standby. What's up with that? I've grown accustomed to three or four. -- Dr. Fil Karin Lo -- I was surprised by your choice of armor for your style. I look forward to a rematch. -- Brain Cell 2 Quita Remming -- I don't want to lose the skills by training stats. Gods know I need all I can get. I'll wait until I'm immortal then focus on stat trains. -- Ty Stick Moris Nahr -- If the ambitious guards are being punished, I have to question their ambitions. And what exactly are they guarding? -- Dr. Fil For Reaper -- Welcome to Noblish Island. It's great to see new faces here at this dreadfully dreary Isle. If I can be of any assistance at all, feel free to Diplo me and I will offer any help I can. I am currently incarcerated and any correspondence is appreciated. This game does wonders for passing time. -- Dr. Fil Goode, mgr Dope Show All -- I wrote personal ads last turn but I guess I didn't get them in on time and the Golem ate them. Orrie Pollas thinks orcs eat a lot, sheesh! -- Dr. Fil They seem to be here now. LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS AUGUSTUS was butchered by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight. KJERULF was butchered by DARK CHAMPION in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel. BRAIN CELL 2 demolished KARIN LO in a 1 minute one-sided Title melee. MORIS NAHR was overpowered by PRO ZACK in a 1 minute mismatched duel. ORRIE POLLAS bested THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 2 minute gory fight. QUITA REMMING subdued TY STICK in a 1 minute competition. TY LOX bested SAM TALL in a popular 1 minute duel. NIMASHEY was butchered by TOMMY EVERBLOOD in a unpopular 4 minute mismatched match. ALEXANDRA overpowered PAUL EVERBLOOD in a crowd boring 5 minute uneven melee. KHALID was viciously butchered by MAGGY EVERBLOOD in a 5 minute novice's duel. THOR ZINE vanquished AUSTIN EVERBLOOD in a 1 minute one-sided fight. JENNY EVERBLOOD overpowered CONVICTED THIEF in a 3 minute one-sided melee. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |STRIKING ATTACK 7 WALL OF STEEL 3 - 1 - 1 75 | |BASHING ATTACK 3 PARRY-LUNGE 5 - 2 - 1 71 | |PARRY-STRIKE 2 STRIKING ATTACK 24 - 12 - 1 67 | |LUNGING ATTACK 2 SLASHING ATTACK 6 - 4 - 0 60 | |TOTAL PARRY 2 LUNGING ATTACK 11 - 8 - 1 58 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 BASHING ATTACK 19 - 16 - 1 54 | |WALL OF STEEL 1 TOTAL PARRY 7 - 6 - 0 54 | |AIMED BLOW 1 PARRY-STRIKE 2 - 2 - 0 50 | |SLASHING ATTACK 1 AIMED BLOW 2 - 3 - 0 40 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 3 - 0 0 | Turn 278 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-LUNGE 1 - 0 STRIKING ATTACK 2 - 5 4 STRIKING ATTACK PARRY-STRIKE 2 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 1 3 BASHING ATTACK BASHING ATTACK 3 - 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 2 LUNGING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 1 - 0 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 SLASHING ATTACK LUNGING ATTACK 1 - 1 TOTAL PARRY 0 - 2 1 TOTAL PARRY TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME BASHING ATTACK BRAIN CELL 2 8893 7 1 1 100 DOPE SHOW (1534) STRIKING ATTACK KARIN LO 8915 6 3 0 69 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) LUNGING ATTACK ORRIE POLLAS 8917 7 2 1 50 MIDDLE WAY 21 (1538) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is TY STICK 8894. The most popular warrior this turn was ORRIE POLLAS 8917. The ten other most popular fighters were TY LOX 8895, MAGGY EVERBLOOD 8989, BRAIN CELL 2 8893, PRO ZACK 8971, QUITA REMMING 8918, THOR ZINE 8993, TY STICK 8894, SAM TALL 8919, JENNY EVERBLOOD 8992, and AUGUSTUS 8983. The least popular fighter this week was NIMASHEY 8979. The other ten least popular fighters were KHALID 8982, ALEXANDRA 8981, PAUL EVERBLOOD 8988, TOMMY EVERBLOOD 8991, AUSTIN EVERBLOOD 8990, MORIS NAHR 8916, KARIN LO 8915, KJERULF 8980, AUGUSTUS 8983, and JENNY EVERBLOOD 8992. The Defensive Lunger Perfect Minimums Actual Characters ST 13 11 11 13 CN 7 3 3 11 SZ 4 4 10 6 WT 21 17 17 17 WL 17 13 17 19 SP 5 5 9 5 DF 17 13 17 13 The lunger, in my opinion, makes a much better defensive fighter than offensive fighter. Fighting defensively will compensate for the speed at which lungers burn endurance. They will still attack whenever possible but their defensive ability will allow them to dodge most attacks. The most important part is their initiative. When they do dodge, they'll usually steal the initiative and attack. I haven't been fighting lungers defensively for long but my record is 14-5-0. Don't fight defensively against other lungers as they will usually win. The strategy I use is: Min 1 2 3 4 5 6 Desp Off 4 -------------------------> 9 Weapon: Any lunging Act 6 4 --------------------> 9 No armor if low con KD 4 -------------------------> 9 APL/H if average con O.T. ---------------------------> L D.T. --------------------------------> You can attack any location you wish but I suggest protecting the body. The third character listed started with experts in attack, defense and initiative. The last character had an expert in attack. The Wild Boar, manager of Things (5) and many inactive teams. WARRIOR ENDURANCE Greetings, joy and happiness to everyone! I hope you have had pleasant dueling. This article is about endurance and some things to think about when you're designing your warriors. Below is a chart showing the different endurance levels a warrior may have. This chart may be a little off of due to the fact it isn't possible to have all the variables as a manager, but it does give you idea of the amount of endurance a warrior should have. The formula for endurance is: E = (ST+CN)WL With the result of that number use the chart below. 000-180 = Very Poor 181-240 = Poor 235-390 = Normal 391-509 = Good 510-639 = Great 640-699 = Tremendous 770+ = Awesome Here are some examples of warriors with their Endurance ratings: 1) Slasher ST 5 CN 7 WL 15 (5+7)15 = 180 Poor 2) Striker ST 7 CN 13 WL 9 (7+13)9 = 180 Poor 3) Parry-Rip ST 7 CN 10 WL 11 (7+10)11 = 187 Poor 4) Basher ST 13 CN 9 WL 9 (13+9)9 = 198 Very Poor 5) Striker ST 13 CN 9 WL 9 (13+9)9 = 198 Poor 6) Aimed-Blow ST 9 CN 15 WL 9 (9+15)9 = 216 Normal 7) Striker ST 10 CN 5 WL 15 (10+5)15 = 225 Normal 8) Slasher ST 13 CN 10 WL 10 (13+10)10 = 230 Normal 9) Wall/Steel ST 13 CN 12 WL 17 (13+12)17 = 425 Great There are several factors such as warrior style, RSI random factor, and there is some evidence that SIZE has some effect on a warrior's endurance. In any case the RSI LUCK factor can be around 7 to 8% in your favor or 2-3% worse than average. These are just estimates, but are still factors nevertheless. Some styles that are HIGH BURN endurance, like lungers, slashers and walls of steel, are more likely to be UNLUCKY with the endurance rating. Every action your warrior does consumes endurance. Attacking seems to use more endurance than any other action. Once a warrior's endurance is used up, he will make an endurance check against his WILL. If he fails the roll, he will either stop to rest or collapse to the sand, depending on how badly he failed the roll. When a warrior stops to rest, he gets back some endurance. When he gets enough endurance back, he will start attacking again. This is just a theory that I have developed from observations. It maybe completely off, but it gives one something to ponder. That's it for now lords and ladies, I must go entertain elsewhere. If you would like to chat about DM or other things, you can EMAIL me at 103260.3347@compuserve.com or visit my DM website at http://ourworld.compuserve.com./homepages/jessisjest/homepage.htm You can also diplo me at DM 11 "The Lords Of the Abyss (319)" or any of the Joker's Wilds scattered about. Cheerio, Sir Jessie Jest Member of the Ivory League Presenting, by Popular Demand (from 1989)... THE NUMEROLOGY OF DUELMASTERS by The Ghost of Eldrid Character Generation Hello, I am the Ghost of Eldrid, and I have an important message that directly effects how well your team may do in the future. Some managers will not take this important article seriously (some people don't believe in ghosts, either), and their records will suffer for it. I have played Duelmasters for four years and searched through all of my old turns and painstakingly researched every important fact in this article, and I have discussed my conclusions with about ten different managers (named managers such as Phido, Doctor LeGrand, Silk, Russ, and Biff Frothingslosh) who all agree on the validity of my arguments. The results of my research are both startling and magnificent. THERE IS NUMEROLOGY IN DUELMASTERS!!! Whether it was programmed in or it exists on a higher plane, it matters not. IT EXISTS!!! And I plan to share some of its amazing secrets with you, starting with character creation. Remember in the realm of character generation the powers favor odd number stats. NEVER, EVER have an even number on stats, except, of course, for size, which, obviously should be even since everyone can tell what size your character is by his description in the fight. Do you want people thinking your warrior is odd? I should hope not!! But in case you decide to keep your odd warrior, DO NOT MAKE ANY OTHER STATS EVEN!! Write a letter to the commission stating that you forgo the rights to the last point and you want it to be sacrificed to the benefit of Alastari. Always start adding points to wit and will first. Either make them 13, 17, or 21. Why? Under 12 wit is worthless, as any good manager will tell you. A 13 understandably gives your opponent bad luck, a 17 has the ever-lucky "7" in it, and 21 is BLACKJACK, and you get twice the number of winnings you would normally get. Why not 15 or 19? Is it not obvious to everyone that 15 is unlucky? The only President of the United States not married was the 15th, James Buchanan (who?). Lincoln was shot on April 15th, and the clincher... my brother was born on the 15th of May. If these "coincidences" don't prove to you that 15 is unlucky, I don't know what will. 19 is an evil number. It tries to deceive you into thinking it is better than 17, but actually, it is an "11" with a small zero placed on the second pole, and we all know that a zero is nothing. So what do we get for our extra eight points? In effect, something smaller than nothing. Next, make every other stat odd. Add the other points to make the style you want. Deftness is the key to character generation. Deftness (min) 5 to make a basher (ST 13+) 7 for a lunger 9 for a striker 11 for a wall of steel (ST 11+, WL 17+) 13 for a parry lunge (ST 11+), slasher (SP 11+), parry-strike, and total parries (these styles depend on the opponent's bad luck. 17 for a parry-riposte (WT 17+) 21 for an aimed blow (this style needs the double winnings) The last thing to remember is that luck is a big factor in this game and I don't know if you noticed, but when warriors have even ID numbers they are luckier than odd ID characters. Look at the best warriors in Primus: Wallbanger, Donatello, Epitaph, Chaos Knight, Villiage Idiot, Silverflash, Khorga Khan, Jake the Snake, Sly, Max, Stormbringer, Teetotaler, Raphael, Selleque, Kiri, Constance, Hangover, Eve, and Sam Spade. All have even-numbered IDs. Now you say, "But Yoda and Necron-99 both have odd IDs, and they are the best aimed blows of the game!" Yes, but they are AIMED BLOWS and they are members of an odd style, so of course they do better with odd numbers. So remember if you want your warriors to be best in all Alastari someday, Dark Arena all your odd-numbered characters, unless of course they are aimed blows. Good luck, and may the numbers fall your way. -- The Ghost of Eldrid, retired PARRY-STRIKE, ANOTHER FUN STYLE There have been several articles about fighting styles, some say theirs is the best, or ultimate, one said theirs is the most fun style. Well, I feel that parry- strikers are just as much fun to play as any other style. First, let's start with the run down of what they say in the "RED BOOK". The book says that parry-strikers are defensive, using small quick movements in their actions (sounds like you could say that about some other styles as well.) The book says that some managers swear that a high wit is critical to the style (only those who have no brains would disagree with that.) Let's get to business. First and foremost this style is deceptively aggressive, making them a very good offensive type of fighter, or deadly type of defensive fighter. Offensively they tend to get the jump on their opponent. I had a parry- striker that was only jumped 3 out of 11 fights, before he died. To prepare and run a parry-striker can be quite confusing, so I will try to help make it as simple as possible. Here are my feelings on roll-ups for the parry-strike style: ST: 11-15, I'll explain later. CN: who cares. SZ: 10-14, don't go over 14. WT: 13-17, 17 is the best. WL: 13-17, to get good endurance. SP: not important. DF: 11-15, I'll explain later. Here are some good roll-ups for a parry-striker: 11,7,10,17,17,7,15; 15,7,11,17,16,7,11; 11,7,14,17,13,7,15; 15,7,14,17,13,7,11. Now, if you have a decent wit, the way you run this fighting style will depend on strength and deftness. For example: if your fighter has a high DF and a low ST it would be to his/her advantage to be defensive, since the speed would benefit the ability to move in reaction to their opponent. If the ST is high, and DF low, it would be better to fight offensively like a striker, trying to get the first, and only blow in. If they don't have a decent wit, you're on your own. I can't help you on that. Remember this style of fighting is the same as a striker except for added knowledge of parrying, as well as bein a little more aggressive. I would not suggest a low ST and DF, it will take away from your WT & WL, and you don't want to do that, but if you do, good luck. You don't need much CN if you have a good WL, which gives you your endurance. SZ; you don't want it to be above 14, it would hurt your fighting style more than your attributes. WT; it is the same as it is with strikers, the higher the WT the faster and deadlier they become. Raise WT to 17 if you don't have it at the start, then don't worry about it again until ADM. WL; this is where you get your endurance. 13 is fine to start out, but I would suggest 15, then bump it up to 17 in basic. SP; it is what you need to riposte, but PSers have this "one strike one kill" attitude. Meaning that there isn't much time to riposte with a killing attitude, so do whatever. DF; what is there to say, it helps, but is not crucial to be a great PSer. Now to running a PSer. If he is an offensive fighter 10-10-10 Dec. all the way through the fight, even in desperation. If Defensive, 1st 10-10-10 Resp., 2nd 10-7-10 Dec., 3rd 10-10-10, 4th 10-10-10 Dec., 5th 10-10-10 Dec., 6th 10-10-10, Desp. 10-10-10 Resp. Remember, first you want to assure your defense, and to do that, you should go defensive the first minute. By the second minute you will be secure enough to go on the offensive, but experiment. 6th minute on, leave blank, for by that time he/she will know what to do (if their WT is high that is.) The best thing you could do for your fighter is watch the fights, if you are getting more defensive skills than offensive, run the def., or change weapons. That is the best advice I can give you about PSers. About armor, I like to use ringmail or nothing, but experiment. I know that there is someone that will disagree with me, but I feel that I have given you some ideas about this fighting style that can be used, even though I am a new manager, playing for just over a year. No matter who writes a style article, it is just advice, not the bible. Just use the articles as a point of reference, not as sworn law. This is a very fun fighting style, try it out. I have written this in answer to Foreign Legion Arena 31, and The Spartans Arena 8. I challenge any Primus Manager to correct my writing of PSers. It is not my favorite style, but it is as fun as any other that I have used, including my favorite one (Which is a STRIKER!!) If there are any comments, please Diplo The Priest, the manager of The Heroes of XIAN DM-10, or The Crucifiers DM-46. THE ARMOR PIERCING PARRY-LUNGE When you think "attack" what style comes to mind? Bashing? Definitely lunging? Of course. Parry-Lunging? Excuse me? Yes, the parry-lunger! Few people realize the fact that parry-lungers are attack gods waiting to be born. All it takes is the right warrior and lots of guts. This warrior is not for the weak of heart. We'll begin with stats. Range Perfect ST 9-11 11 CN 5-9 5 SZ 6-11 8 WT 17or21 21 WL 17or21 17 SP 5-8 5 DF 15-17 17 Why? ST(11): This is your optimum PL strength. It puts your warrior in the normal to good damage range. Also, you have the best PL weapon at your disposal--the LO! CN(5): Yes, his life expectancy is low. What'd I tell you? Guts, right? He gets his endurance from WL. If you want to make trains, make them here. SZ(8): Our most flexible stat. A high SZ (i.e.11) allows you to skimp a bit on Str (9). WT(21): If it's not a 21 you're not going to get the attack this fellow counts on. His learns will be awesome and a 21 WT will make him a better warrior out of the chocks. WL(17): End/Att are dependent on this one being high. Keeps you on your feet when you should drop from exhaustion. SP(5): Not a big requirement. Init and Parry will come from elsewhere (WT/DF). This is not a lunger mimic. DF(17): Combine this DF with a 21 WT and you will have a massive attack. Pinpoint accuracy is the byword. Parry, init, def and riposte will all benefit immeasurably. At 15 you have access to the EP, a fine lunging weapon this style can put to devastating use. Strategy (General, but effective in most cases) 2 9 9 7 6 5 10 6 9 9 7 6 5 10 2 7 7 7 5 5 10 HE ----------------------------> HE BD -----------------------> - - - - - - - P - - - - - - Minute 1: This fellow won't get the jump on offensives, so we'll just go defensive and render their "mad minute" fruitless. This PL's counterattack will be amazing at even 2-6-2 P due to the high AL. Keep the parry tactic until Adv Expert parry is gained. Minutes 2 and 3: These two will end most of his fights. When he starts landing precision blows in his opponent's face it will usually be over quickly. Keep the kill desire relatively low as to avoid sloppy attacking. Minutes 4 through 6: If you haven't won by now you've got to depend on your WL to carry you until you finish the job. He'll probably top out at the five min. mark. But we want to keep the attacks coming so we do so at his endurance's expense. Desp: If your opponent is an offensive he's probably blasted through your min. 1 defense. Your best bet is to go spastic and hope to take him out in one shot or so. If he's some super-defensive (scum) this PL is probably exhausted and you're hoping the super-offense will put him over the edge. After all, it's better to burn out than fade away. Always aim for the head to maximize the impact of your blows. If it tickles your fancy, aim for your opponent's weapon arm and beat him senseless when he's unarmed. Protecting the head in min. 1 is strictly odds playing on my part. My offensives aim head so I assume everyone else's do too. After min. 1, we forget defense. Weapons and armor are simple. APL/H or ARM/H (if you're challenging a real heavy-hitter). I prefer swords for armament. My combos are usually LO/SM, LO/SH, SC/DA etc. Against heavy armor go with LO/SH. Always aim for the head. Philosophy: This guy clings to life by luck, early on, and will never be free of the spectre of death. In his first few fights stay away from lungers and bashers. Both have high attacks and usually do substantial damage. Prey on strikers, PS, PR and slashers. As he progresses, his attack, parry and defense will equip him with the tools to handle most everybody but always remain cautious of those bashers and lungers. A PL of this calibre should begin with around a 90 att, 70 par/init and 60-70 def. Decise and riposte will be slightly lower. Riposte 50 and decise anywhere from 35-50 depending on how lucky you get. Train skills exclusively from fight one and on. Use tourneys if you must raise anything at all (including con). Don't be discouraged if he's around .500 early on. By ten fights he'll be sporting three Adv Experts at least (att, par and init) and will begin to dismantle those scum/finesse styles that managed to beat him. Feel free to write or diplo me with comments/criticisms/or questions. Fight the Good Fight, or: Agath CPL Michael Dockus Lunatic Fringe (23) H Co BLT 2/8 Circle of Five (51) 24 MEU (Det F) Slaves of Power (52) FPO NY NY 09502-8531