DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/27/2016 Duedate: 06/09/2016
NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA
DM-93 TURN-453
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
MINSTREL
FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
(93-9877) [7-3-0,59]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
MINSTREL REPETITIVE
FIGHTING IRISH (1693) BB TALK RADIO (1700)
(93-9877) [7-3-0,59] (93-9916) [2-0-1,18]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
FELDSPAR DUMB TOPICS
FIGHTING IRISH (1693) BB TALK RADIO (1700)
(93-9873) [6-4-0,45] (93-9918) [2-0-0,13]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
BB TALK RADIO (1700)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. BB TALK RADIO (1700) 37
2. COYOTES (1701) 29 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
3. FIGHTING IRISH (1693) 28 Unchartered Team
4. RIVER RATS (1699) 18
5. OZ (1702) 6 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1*BB TALK RADIO (1700) 7 3 1 70.0 1/ 2*BB TALK RADIO (1700) 7 3 1
2/ 0*COYOTES (1701) 3 2 1 60.0 2/ 1 FIGHTING IRISH (1693) 5 5 1
3/ 3*RIVER RATS (1699) 5 5 0 50.0 3/ 3*RIVER RATS (1699) 5 5 0
4/ 2 FIGHTING IRISH (1693) 23 25 1 47.9 4/ 0*COYOTES (1701) 3 2 1
5/ 0*OZ (1702) 0 5 0 0.0 5/ 0*OZ (1702) 0 5 0
6- 4*BATTLE CHASERS (304) 0 2 0 0.0 6- 4*BATTLE CHASERS (304) 0 1 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
FINDING FAVORITE WEAPONS -- THE CONSORTIUM WAY
Does your battle axe "slice across with tree-felling power"? Or your long sword
unleash a "piercingly accurate thrust"? Or your quarterstaff attack with "berserker
fury"? No? Read on.
A common discussion in D2 is about finding a favorite weapon. Why would anyone
want to find the warrior's favorite weapon? Why? Simply because a warrior usually
fights much better with his favorite in his hand.
Upon graduation to The Isle (Lord Protectorship) each warrior is informed of his
birthright favorites (called "faves" by most of us). That includes the favorite
weapon, the favorite rhythm, and with luck, some favorite tactics and/or tactic
learns. Warriors also usually fight better when they are on their "faves."
This article is only about the weapon part of a warrior's faves.
If one could fine a warrior's faves early, one would presumably be giving their
warrior a nice advantage in fights. So how does one find a favorite weapon?
Actually, you cannot "find" it, but you can surmise it from the data you collect.
Consortium managers tend to find their warrior's fave weapon appx. 30-50% of the time
before graduation. (Some of the time, the fave is just not discernable; some of the
time, the estimate is just plain incorrect.)
The Consortium method is as follows:
Chart/record these numbers from each fight:
Weapon used
Swings
Crits
Extra value hits
Then record the data by weapon as follows: Crits - Swings - EHV. For example, a
striker may have tried three weapons with these results:
BS 0-21-1
SS 3-13-2
SC 1-19-0
The more crits per swing, the more likely you have found a favorite weapon.
(Bear in mind that a favorite weapon is not the ONLY reason one crits more. Factors
like experience, attack skill quantity, strategy levels, etc., also come in to play.)
Even if it is not the fave, it is certainly a better performing weapon, and ought to
be considered for a lot of use. It is thought that if a weapon is performing well,
the favorite weapon is probably that weapon, or one of a similar type. For example,
the SS above looks most favorable, so there is some possibility that the fave is that
SS or another lunging type weapon, such as a LO or LS.
One of the more common questions is, "Just what is a crit?" We Consortiumites
define it as a swing which reads with extra ferociousness! For example, using the SS
above "lunges with the SS" is a normal swing while "shortspear moves like angry
lightning" is a critical swing.
To alleviate any questions of what is a critical swing, below is the best active
list of criticals per weapon.
---------- The Weapons Criticals List ----------
Broadsword (BS)
Brings his BROADSWORD down in a horrible cleaving motion!
BROADSWORD arcs from overhead with maximum momentum and force!
BROADSWORD whips horizontally across with a deadly timed power!
Charges forward, BROADSWORD whistling through the air!
Hacks at her (BROADSWORD at her) foe with untamed berserker energy!
Makes a ferocious backhanded assault with her BROADSWORD!
Sweeps his BROADSWORD in a sudden, vicious assault!
Unleashes a horrifying attack (with her BROADSWORD), straining every muscle for power!
Battle Axe (BA)
Brings his BATLE AXE hurtling down with devastating force!
Brings his BATTLE AXE slicing across with tree-felling power!
BATTLE AXE arcs forward with a terrible destructive energy!
Makes an all-out cleaving attack with his BATTLE AXE!
Slices up wickedly with the gleaming blade of his BATTLE AXE!
Sweeps his BATTLE AXE in a deadly assault on his opponent!
Unleashes an incredible full-bladed chop with her BATTLE AXE!
Whirls his BATTLE AXE from overhead, attacking with demonic fury!
Dagger (DA)
Attacks, his DAGGER wielded with an unnerving precision!
DAGGER flashes as he takes a sudden vicious slash at his foe!
DAGGER strikes instantly as his opponent leaves an opening!
Drives his DAGGER in a forward slash!
Ducks low and takes a wicked upward slice with his DAGGER!
Leaps forward, DAGGER thrusting with malevolence and surety!
Makes a cruel and cunning underhanded attack with his DAGGER!
Strikes overhead, DAGGER ripping with incredible swiftness!
Whirls and strikes backhandedly with his DAGGER!
Epee (EP)
Attacks from low guard, EPEE slicing wickedly upwards at her foe!
Blurs forward, EPEE stabbing suddenly with blinding speed!
Dives forward, EPEE stabbing repeatedly with his charge!
EPEE leaps forward suddenly from a high guard overhead!
EPEE strikes forward in a clash of cold steel!
Lunges forward, EPEE thrusting with incredible speed and accuracy!
Makes an incredible flesh-splitting slash with her EPEE!
Whips his EPEE blade back and forth as if to slash his foe to ribbons!
Fist (FI)
Attacks, FISTS punching with piston-like horse felling power!
Attacks his foe with a pinpoint accurate ELBOW!
Dives forward, FISTS driving at his opponent with menacing fury!
Explodes into a deadly double OPEN HAND strike!
HANDS flash forward, jabbing fiercely at her surprised foe!
Hammers down a ferocious FOREARM smash!
Hauls back and spins into a near-lethal ELBOW smash!
PUNCHES from the waist with an unbelievable quickness!
Spins around and hammers a tremendous ELBOW smash towards his foe!
Throws a rock-fisted PUNCH of incredible felling power.
Kick (FI)
LEG smashes outward, kicking with tremendous force!
Throws a piston like SIDE KICK at his opponent!
Leaps into the air taking a vicious flying KICK at his opponent!
Unleashes a bone-crushing KICK of incredible power!
Focuses all of his skill and power into a devastating KICK!
Howls as he snaps a full force KICK at his foe!
Spins, throwing a devastating WHEEL KICK at his foe!
Attacks, LEGS flying in an unbelievable double footed kick!
Great Axe (GA)
Attacks, bringing his GREAT AXE down with bone-splitting force!
Brings his GREAT AXE ferociously slashing downward from his head!
Cuts powerfully forward, his full weight behind his GREAT AXE!
GREAT AXE slices at his opponent with concentrated hatred!
Makes a malevolent attack with his gleaming GREAT AXE!
Muscles ripple as his GREAT AXE cuts through the air!
Throws his entire weight behind his GREAT AXE in a mighty assault!
Greatsword (GS)
Attacks, bringing his GREATSWORD down with bone-splitting force!
Attacks, swinging his GREATSWORD with untamed savagery!
Brings his GREATSWORD hurtling downward from above his head!
Brings his GREATSWORD smashing outward in a vicious attack!
Hacks mercilessly at his foe with his GREATSWORD!
GREATSWORD arcs forward in an attempt to cut his foe in two!
Muscles ripple as he makes a powerful swing with his GREATSWORD!
Whirls his GREATSWORD overhead, attempting a bashing attack!
Halberd (HL)
Attacks, HALBARD sweeping with devastating momentum!
Batters mercilessly at his foe with his HALBARD!
Flashes outward, attacking with horrifying power!
Grimly unleashes an incredible attack with his HALBARD!
Hurls his body behind a full length sweep with his HALBARD!
Jerks her HALBARD brutally upward in a wicked thrusting arc!
Lashes out with the full length of her HALBARD!
Powers her HALBARD to smash at her foe with untamed fury!
Smashes her HALBARD down executioner-style from overhead!
Hatchet (HA)
Backhands mightily, revealing the flash of her HATCHET spike!
Chops savagely downward with her trusty HATCHET!
Hacks viciously downward with the blade of his HATCHET!
HATCHET flashes with snake-like speed and accuracy!
Lashes out brilliantly with his HATCHET!
Makes a HATCHET swing that takes the crowd's breath away!
Twists his HATCHET aiming a malevolent chop at the defense!
Unleashes a HATCHET attack that absolutely stuns the fans!
Large Shield (LG)
Barrels forward, LARGE SHIELD smashing before him as the crowd roars!
Cruelly attempts to pulverize his foe with his LARGE SHIELD!
Cruelly attempts to batter her foe with her LARGE SHIELD!
(rest same as other shields)
Longspear (LS)
Catapults forward, LONGSPEAR flashing in a deadly assault!
Charges forward, LONG SPEAR thrusting with murderous power!
Is making a deliberate attempt to impale her enemy with her LONG SPEAR!
LONG SPEAR strikes forward with incredible swiftness and power!
Lunges into an attack, his LONGSPEAR flying with incredible force!
Makes a devastating thrust, LONG SPEAR blurring in the attack!
Makes a lighting thrust with his LONGSPEAR! (*)
Unleashes a murderous thrust that brings the crowd to their feet!
Longsword (LO)
Catapults forward, LONGSWORD stabbing cruelly at his foe!
Feints, then springs viciously forward with his LONGSWORD!
Lashes out with her longsword in a murderous thrust!
Leaps into an incredible flesh-splitting lunge with his LONGSWORD!
LONGSWORD lunges forward with a flash of cold, cruel steel!
Strikes forward with his LONGSWORD, all his weight behind his blow!
Thrusts her LONGSWORD, brilliantly timing her opponent's motion!
Thrusts his LONGSWORD, cleverly timing his opponent's motion!
Thrusts his LONGSWORD forward with an unbelievably deadly force!
Unleashes her LONGSWORD in a piercingly accurate thrust!
Maul (ML)
Bats murderously at his foe with his MAUL!
Bludgeons his MAUL with terrible savagery!
Makes a devastatingly powerful sweep with his MAUL!
Smashes furiously downward with his MAUL!
Sweeps his MAUL in a tremendous bone-crushing arc!
Throws his weight behind is MAUL in an all-out assault!
Medium Shield (ME)
Barrels forward, MEDIUM SHIELD smashing before him as the crowd roars!
Cruelly attempts to batter his foe with his MEDIUM SHIELD!
Cruelly attempts to flatten his foe with his MEDIUM SHIELD!
Smashes his MEDIUM SHIELD wickedly forward toward his foe!
Sweeps his MEDIUM SHIELD in a sudden, unexpected assault!
Runs forward, seeking to pummel his opponent with his MEDIUM SHIELD!
Morning Star (MS)
Attacks, whirling the MORNING STAR with tremendous Force!
Attempts to smash at his opponent with his MORNING STAR!
Cleverly tries to break her foes defense with her MORNING STAR!
MORNING STAR whines with unstoppable velocity!
Snaps the MORNING STAR forward in a deadly assault!
Swings his MORNING STAR with deadly intent at his target
Whips his MORNING STAR downward in a remorseless arc!
Whips his MORNING STAR downward in a vicious power smash!
Quarterstaff (QS)
Bats murderously at his foe with his QUARTERSTAFF!
Brings his QUARTERSTAFF smashing ferociously downward!
Impresses everyone with a masterful thrust of her QUARTERSTAFF!
Jabs murderously at her foe with the tip of her QUARTERSTAFF!
Lashes out with her QUARTERSTAFF in a lightning quick assault!
Surprises everyone with a masterful swing of his QUARTERSTAFF!
Sweeps her QUARTERSTAFF in a tremendous bone-crushing arc!
Whirls her QUARTERSTAFF, attacking with berserker fury!
Scimitar (SC)
Attacks, her SCIMITAR wielded with malevolence!
Ducks low, her SCIMITAR slicing suddenly upwards!
Leaps forward, swinging her SCIMITAR into a veritable wall of blades!
Leaps into the air, bringing his SCIMITAR down in a powerful slash!
Leaps into the air in a furious slash!
Leaps into the air taking a furious slash with his SCIMITAR!
makes a brilliant twisting thrust with his SCIMITAR!
times a devilish cunning attack, SCIMITAR leaping with deadly force!
twists into a tremendous cutting attack with his SCIMITAR!
Turns into a furious whirlwind of blades as her SCIMITAR leaps forward!
SCIMITAR lunges with awesome cutting power!
Small Shield (SM)
Attempts to swat at his foe with his SMALL SHIELD! (NOT a crit)
Barrels forward, SMALL SHIELD smashing before him as the crowd roars!
Charges forward, trying to run down his opponent with his SMALL SHIELD!
Cruelly attempts to batter his foe with his SMALL SHIELD!
Cruelly attempts to bruise his foe with his SMALL SHIELD!
Runs forward, seeking to pummel his opponent with his SMALL SHIELD!
Sweeps his SMALL SHIELD in a clever backhanded assault!
Sweeps his SMALL SHIELD in a sudden, unexpected assault!
Smashes his SMALL SHIELD wickedly forward towards his foe!
Short Spear (SS)
Dives into a powerful lunge with its SHORT SPEAR!
Lunges past its foe and brings its SHORT SPEAR into a brilliant backhand stab!
Makes a menacing underthrust with her SHORT SPEAR!
Rushes her foe, her SHORT SPEAR underthrusting malevolently!
SHORT SPEAR leaps forward with incredible swiftness and power!
SHORT SPEAR moves like angry lightning!
SHORT SPEAR strikes with blinding quickness!
Springs with full extension with her SHORT SPEAR!
Shortsword (SH)
Focuses his energy in a powerful upward stab with his SHORTSWORD!
Hacks viciously downward with her SHORTSWORD!
Lashes his SHORTSWORD cruelly at a break in the defense!
Makes a clever stab with his SHORTSWORD that stuns the fans!
Stabs powerfully upward with his SHORTSWORD!
Thrusts his SHORTSWORD forward with his full force behind it!
Thrusts his SHORTSWORD in a lightning move at the defense!
SHORTSWORD leaps forward in a bloodthirsty assault on his foe!
Sweeps his SHORTSWORD in a tight, powerful slash!
War Flail (WF) "Whiffle"
Attacks, his WAR FLAIL whistling with a frightful acceleration!
Cracks his cruelly barbed WAR FLAIL with tremendous force!
Hauls back and power smashes with his WAR FLAIL!
Lashes out, WAR FLAIL chains curling with a hideous power!
Takes a tremendous swipe at his foe with his WAR FLAIL!
Sweeps his WAR FLAIL in a vicious flailing arc!
Unleashes a murderous full force attack with his WAR FLAIL!
WAR FLAIL screams in the rush of this assault!
War Hammer (WH)
Attacks, his WARHAMMER wielded with pile-driving precision!
Backhands, swinging his HAMMER-SPIKE savagely at his target!
Brings his WAR HAMMER crashing downward with horrific power!
Is attempting to smash through the defense with his WAR HAMMER!
Launches a brilliant attack with his WAR HAMMER!
Makes a lightning-quick backhand smash with her WAR HAMMER!
Sweeps his WAR HAMMER downward in a crudely brutal smash!
Sweeps his WAR HAMMER downward in a vicious power slash!
Takes a tremendous swipe at his foe with his WAR HAMMER!
Remember, "Crits" are the key. Good luck in your weapon selection decision
making as it just may make the difference between a win or a loss.
-- Commodore Perry of River Rats
(Consortium affiliated)
***---------*---------*---------*---------**---------*---------*---------*---------***
Bash Bros Talk Radio
Every ten cycles, both the Consortium representative and myself try and share our
thoughts on how to design warriors that can win. Our methods are not very far apart,
concentrating our efforts on maximizing strengths and give each warrior a way to win.
But for me, the most important part of design is giving each and every warrior a name
that fits! This time, we are talking about the ills of Talk Radio!
And the BB Talk Radio crew is formed.
The first recruit came in as 11-10-10-5-9-14-11. He's fast, but has very low wit and
will! I normally recommend 25 or greater (preferably greater) total wit and will.
He'd be better as an 11-15 wit/will warrior long term, but I'm going to break that
guideline to give him more physicals. Also, because he is a 'weaker' design, I'll
choose one of the three basic power styles (Lunger, Striker, Total Parry). I love
will, so 15 will it is. I'll bring wit to the 7 breakpoint and add the rest to
strength and constitution. In the end, I have a 15-12-10-7-15-14-11 Lunger. Clearly
he has no intelligence at all, like so many callers to talk radio shows. They (and
he) are IDIOTS.
One of my greatest complaints with Talk Radio is how REPETITIVE it can be. After a
few minutes, you've usually heard all you're going to hear. A good host can often add
more to it, but from listeners, you don't have to listen long. REPETITIVE came in
with stats of 9-5-19-12-7-9-9. Clearly an offensive warrior, with low con, high size,
high wit. With the low will, Striker (the best offensive) is usually the best choice.
Raising wit to 17, will to 9 and deftness to 11 (the breakpoints) leaves me 5 points.
1 speed to make it even (offensives 'prefer' even values of speed) and split the rest
of the points between deftness and strength. Lots of ways to have allocated those 4
points and I won't argue with anyone who allocates them differently. A huge, high
damage 11-5-19-17-9-10-11 Striker.
It is also annoying when the program chooses DUMB TOPICS. I usually quickly change
the station, but when it is a program I like to listen to, it annoys me. DUMB TOPICS
look before adding points like 7-8-15-13-10-13-4. The deftness defines the warrior
here. Unless I burn, you're looking at sub-11 deftness. Most commonly, Lungers,
Slashers, and Bashers work well with lower deftness. I've run several Total Parries
and Wall of Steels with sub-11 deftness, but it is 'harder'. Given the size, will,
and speed, this may be one of the few setups that is 'better' as a basher than
anything else. Given the style choice, the warrior designs itself. 6 to Strength and
3 to Deftness for War Hammer suitability. 4 to Wit for the breakpoint. And the last
point on speed to make it even. 13-8-15-17-10-14-7 Basher
In some ways, the idiots are far worse than a BORING HOST. You pretty much will stop
listening to a bad host. But the idiots frequent every show that is broadcast and you
cannot avoid them. BORING HOST came in as 11-10-15-13-8-5-8. I'm seeing a pattern on
this team. The size, wit, will, and deftness suggest offensive. But he's really a
striker setup as an offensive, and I'd prefer something else. So how about a hybrid?
I already have a lunger and the endurance isn't high enough for a lunger. The size
really suggests Total Parry or Wall of Steel. I'll go with Wall of Steel. In this
case, I'm going to go non-traditional (because this is a design prototype I have had
success with in the past). 4 to wit, 6 to strength, 3 to deftness and the final point
on constitution. That brings him to 17-11-15-17-8-5-11. Serious endurance problems,
but otherwise he looks beautiful.
Finally, we get to a 'small' annoyance. I can live with COMMERCIALS, only because I
know they are paying for my broadcast, but they are still annoying at times.
Commercials came in as 3-13-10-8-10-13-13. Once again, the lowest stat dictates my
choices. Also, another very low wit/will total guy. If I add a bunch of points to
strength, I limit my wit/will. If I don't, I only have one style to choose from.
Fortunately, I know the answer. The infamous Dagger wielding warrior. Typically
strikers or aimed blows. Since I can get to 17 deftness, Aimed Blow is the obvious
choice. Nicely, the rest of the stats line up nicely. 3 to wit (to the huge 11 wit
breakpoint), 5 to will (highly recommend one of wit/will high), 4 to deftness (A's
really want 17 or 21 deftness), and the balance to con. And I get a very interesting
3-15-10-11-15-13-17 Aimed Blow. He can't wear armor, but he should win fights.
-- Assur
SPY REPORT
I can't believe the violence in NOBLISH ISLAND! I still haven't told Mom I'm
writing Spyreports. She'd have a cow! Well, here we go... Like, FIGHTING IRISH had
to be so embarrassed when they got kicked off #1 spot by BB TALK RADIO! Way to go BB
TALK RADIO! MVP award for FELDSPAR? FIGHTING IRISH's proud of him after beating
AMBITIOUS GUARD and getting 16 points. Talk about yer big time losers! TELL CITY
got smashed by BORING HOST, and lost 2 points! And I was just getting used to the
ex-Duelmaster's habit of...(!) Oh well, welcome MINSTREL. Aren't FIGHTING IRISH
proud. (Oh, my.) I hear the top team insists all their warriors get nine hours
sleep. They want photogenic fighters for PR photos.
So just why would someone becomes a warrior anyway? It can't be for these
really neat Spyreports can it? The warriors of RIVER RATS must be getting lonely.
They were the most avoided team. Do you guys know something that I don't? Is there
some deep dark secret why BB TALK RADIO's been avoiding RIVER RATS so much? Or is it
just that they're too scared? Can RIVER RATS' TROY be more popular than me? It was
challenged the most, but is that really the same?
What does a fighter fight for? I mean, the crowds don't give a hoot if someone
gets killed. Not after four more fights. Hey you guys, don't you think your
families would like to hear from you? Write! (Or have someone write for you.)
Remember, blood on a purple robe may stain. Soak it in cold water, and hand
wash. I'm getting tired of writing this stuff, so I'm calling it quits. Remember
you guys, ease up sometimes! Chill out! Later, Debby Tonte
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
MINSTREL 9877 7 3 0 59 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
FELDSPAR 9873 6 4 0 45 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DEIDRE 9904 4 1 0 25 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DONN 9905 3 0 1 19 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
REPETITIVE 9916 2 0 1 18 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
BORING HOST 9919 2 0 0 16 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
IDIOTS 9917 1 1 0 16 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
DUMB TOPICS 9918 2 0 0 13 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
-AUTUMNBE 9643 3 2 0 12 CAVEAT EMPTOR (1657)
TROY 9911 2 0 0 12 RIVER RATS (1699)
ALEMBIC 9874 1 9 0 12 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
CRESHENDO 9922 1 0 1 11 COYOTES (1701)
TOBINSPORT 9914 1 1 0 11 RIVER RATS (1699)
DOGMEAT 9924 1 0 0 10 COYOTES (1701)
-DRAXXUS 9644 1 4 0 7 CAVEAT EMPTOR (1657)
RAZURE 9923 1 0 0 6 COYOTES (1701)
ROME 9912 1 1 0 6 RIVER RATS (1699)
TELL CITY 9915 1 1 0 4 RIVER RATS (1699)
-SEARRUS 9645 0 4 0 4 CAVEAT EMPTOR (1657)
-PERSEPHONE 9642 0 4 0 4 CAVEAT EMPTOR (1657)
-AGRISEL 9646 0 4 0 4 CAVEAT EMPTOR (1657)
CANNELTON 9913 0 2 0 2 RIVER RATS (1699)
COMMERCIALS 9920 0 2 0 2 BB TALK RADIO (1700)
-RED MONIKA 1689 0 2 0 2 BATTLE CHASERS (304)
TINMAN 9927 0 1 0 2 OZ (1702)
SCARECROW 9929 0 1 0 1 OZ (1702)
MONKEY 9926 0 1 0 1 OZ (1702)
WIZZARD 9928 0 1 0 1 OZ (1702)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
KITIARA 9925 0 1 0 COYOTES 1701 DONN 9905 453
LOLLY POPPER 9921 0 1 0 COYOTES 1701 REPETITIVE 9916 453
DOROTHY 9930 0 1 0 OZ 1702 CRESHENDO 9922 453
PERSONAL ADS
Assur, you rat! You made my River Rats look like blind mice. You are such a devious
fellow. -- Commodore Perry
All, we need a little competition here! Come on out and belittle the offerings of
Assur and myself. (Especially Assur!) Ask some questions. Get lively! -- The Commodore
Doh!! Sorry for the missed turn, I was off on vacation when 451 arrived. I just got
back this week and sent in new strats as soon as I was able, I hope they make it in
time! Many many thanks to both Assur and High Hopes for making my stint in Noblish
Island both informative and enjoyable. Your extra effort and encouragement has been
greatly appreciated :)
Gengelbach, you're welcome, hehe and yeah Donner's hoping I'm a late bloomer. --
Alembic
Hard to Run, Awwww come on, I'm sure you'll miss me a little bit. :) -- Minstrel
Woeful Bases, lesson learned! -- Feldspar
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
BORING HOST bested TELL CITY in a 2 minute gruesome amateur's Challenge fight.
DUMB TOPICS narrowly defeated CANNELTON in a 2 minute novice's Challenge melee.
MINSTREL devastated FRATSFA SLAVE in a 1 minute one-sided Title contest.
FELDSPAR overpowered AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute mismatched match.
ALEMBIC was devastated by IDIOTS in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
DEIDRE viciously subdued TINMAN in a 1 minute bloody amateur's match.
DONN slew KITIARA in a 2 minute beginner's melee.
TROY won victory over SCARECROW in a popular 1 minute beginner's duel.
ROME won victory over COMMERCIALS in a 1 minute novice's duel.
TOBINSPORT overpowered WIZZARD in a 1 minute uneven match.
REPETITIVE executed LOLLY POPPER in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
CRESHENDO murdered DOROTHY in a 1 minute bloody mismatched competition.
RAZURE savagely defeated MONKEY in a 2 minute gory amateur's match.
DOGMEAT slimly won victory over PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a 2 minute novice's conflict.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK 6 WALL OF STEEL 7 - 2 - 1 78 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 4 TOTAL PARRY 14 - 5 - 0 74 |
|AIMED BLOW 4 BASHING ATTACK 22 - 8 - 1 73 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 3 STRIKING ATTACK 6 - 3 - 2 67 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 1 - 0 67 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 19 - 20 - 1 49 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 2 LUNGING ATTACK 12 - 16 - 0 43 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 AIMED BLOW 9 - 20 - 0 31 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 PARRY-STRIKE 1 - 9 - 0 10 |
|TOTAL PARRY 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 3 - 0 0 |
Turn 453 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:
STRIKING ATTACK 3 - 0 AIMED BLOW 1 - 3 3 WALL OF STEEL
WALL OF STEEL 2 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 2 LUNGING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK 5 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 2 2 BASHING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 2 2 STRIKING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 TOTAL PARRY 0 - 0 1 AIMED BLOW
1 PARRY-STRIKE
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
AIMED BLOW MINSTREL 9877 7 3 0 59 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
LUNGING ATTACK FELDSPAR 9873 6 4 0 45 FIGHTING IRISH (1693)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is FELDSPAR 9873. The most popular warrior this turn
was DUMB TOPICS 9918. The ten other most popular fighters were TROY 9911, TELL CITY
9915, CANNELTON 9913, RAZURE 9923, BORING HOST 9919, DEIDRE 9904, DONN 9905, MINSTREL
9877, FELDSPAR 9873, and ROME 9912.
The least popular fighter this week was MONKEY 9926. The other ten least popular
fighters were DOROTHY 9930, LOLLY POPPER 9921, WIZZARD 9928, KITIARA 9925, TINMAN
9927, ALEMBIC 9874, DOGMEAT 9924, REPETITIVE 9916, TOBINSPORT 9914, and COMMERCIALS
9920.
Article for Newbies
This here is an article aimed mostly at you new managers to the game out there.
This chart is a consensus of managers on the internet about how they felt each style
fairs against all other styles at the beginning levels of the game. Of course, once
you get ten or so fights under your belt the whole scenario changes and you can throw
this right out the window. But in the meantime, use this chart to help you get a
feel for the game, how the different styles interact with each other and to hopefully
dispel those 5-25 starts that can make you drop the game. Hope this helps you some.
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
There you have it folks. I would personally like to thank all the managers on the
internet who made a contribution to this effort. You know who you are. Also a big
nod of appreciation goes out to the mighty PUG (Ben Hitz) who organizes and runs the
roundtable and without whose effort little projects like this would prove quite
difficult.
David Gottwald - Magic Man
The Crew - Monuntial (34)
Rocky's Heroes - North Fork (47)
Tragedy Strikes - Andor (57) (inactive)
Natural Born - Illis (59)
Slow & Easy - Aradi (60)
Omega Squadron - Dragonhead (72)
MAKING YOUR CHALLENGES GO THROUGH
First, you need to be sure you are making your challenges correctly.
1. Are you writing down the warrior I.D. number of the warrior you want to
challenge?
2. Is your handwriting clear?
3. Is the warrior you are challenging within range of your warrior? Warriors
can challenge within their own class and the next higher class, plus the "Challenger"
classes can also challenge the next lower class. So, an Adept can challenge Adepts
and Challenger Adepts. A Challenger Adept can challenge Adepts, Challenger Adepts,
and Champions. (Try not to challenge down, though. Besides being unsportsmanlike and
making everyone mad, it isn't advantageous to your warriors. They need to fight more
experienced warriors so they will learn.)
4. Are your warriors eligible to make challenges? If they didn't fight within
the last two turns, then they can't challenge.
5. Are the warriors they want to fight eligible to receive challenges? If they
didn't fight within the last two turns, then they can't be challenged.
Next, adjust your choices for the maximum likelihood of getting your challenges.
There are several things that will help:
1. Have each of your warriors challenge two different opponents from two
different teams. That way, if the first opponent's team doesn't fight that turn, you
still might get your second challenge.
2. Use your avoids. Have each warrior avoid the teams of whoever you think
might be likely to challenge him. If you can get out of being challenged, that
increases your chance of getting your own challenge through.
3. Don't challenge warriors who didn't fight last turn. The odds are higher
that they won't be fighting this turn.
4. Don't challenge warriors who might be involved in a bloodfeud (either as the
killers, or the avengers). A bloodfeud challenge has priority over all other
challenges.
5. Don't challenge Tournament Victors. A TV challenge has priority over all
other challenges except bloodfeuds. You'll need to do a little research in back
issues of the newsletter to find out who the TVs are.
6. Don't challenge warriors who you know are going to challenge someone else, or
are going to get challenged by someone else. Your challenge has a better chance of
getting through if it is the only challenge to that particular warrior.
7. Don't challenge the "easy pickings." That is, warriors above you who have
way too few fights or very bad records for where they are ranked. They will tend to
get challenged a lot.
8. Don't challenge warriors who are likely to be avoiding your team. This
includes any warrior your team fought within the last two turns.
Well, it sounds like I've eliminated just about everybody, doesn't it? Of course
you can challenge opponents who fit into one or more of those categories; just try to
find ones who don't. Your idea candidate for a challenge is: A warrior ranked
somewhat above your warrior in the same class, or in the next higher class, with a few
more fights than your warrior, and a winning record, who isn't a TV and isn't
currently at war with anyone.
I hope this will be of some help to you.
The Rogue She-Puppy
MAXIMIZING THE DUELMASTERS EXPERIENCE: WHAT THE RULES DIDN'T SAY
When you get your turn results in the mail it is very important that you squeeze
as much enjoyment as possible out of that envelope! I recommend (and also use!) the
following procedures.
First, open the envelope lengthwise with a letter opener. Remove the blue-sheet
BUT DON'T LOOK AT IT! It may tell you that you are broke and owe RSI a lot of money.
Flip it over instead! The blue-sheet will be used as a "hider" when you read the
fight results line by line, so you don't see the end of the fight by mistake and ruin
the excitement.
Remove the rest of the sheets in one smooth maneuver and place the flipped-over
blue-sheet on top of the pile, without looking at anything. You don't want to
accidentally uncover an unexpected replacement rollup. This is a traumatic experience
that should be avoided at all costs, as it indicates that one of your battles didn't
go exactly as planned.
Now you must prepare your room, or whever you are, for the battles. If you are
suicidal, or a lousy manager, or a suicidally lousy manager, remove all sharp objects
from the area. If you happen to manage an entire team of scummy warriors it is okay
to leave a loaded musket nearby.
The next step is to put on music. It definitely adds to the experience to have
your favorite tunes playing in the background, preferably AS LOUD AS YOU CAN GET AWAY
WITH! I christen each new warrior with a song that is his and his alone, and play
that song whenever it is his turn upon the sands. It is a personal choice but I
recommend Judas Priest, Manowar or Metallica. Avoid Abba and Barry Manilow (like I
had to say it). It is also important to match the song length with the expected
length of the fight. Don't choose "The Immigrant Song" for your 21-con Ultra-Scum.
Likewise, don't choose "Stairway to Heaven" for your quick lunger. Finally, sometimes
it is nice to choose an exceptionally violent alternate selection for those
Bloodfeuds.
Now you are almost ready! The final preparatory step (optional) is to prepare a
pot of coffee. Beer also works well, especially on Fridays, but I understand that
some managers are not Well-Suited to that particular beverage. I've heard the Duke
Malibu in Solven drinks goat blood, but mind you this is only a rumor. For the final
touch, try putting on any handy armor you have. Or a loin-cloth. I put on most of my
hockey gear.
The fights are on! The music is loud! The coffee is good! Read the fights
slowly, line by line using your blue-sheet as a guide. Don't go too fast, now. Yell,
"Yeah!" if your warrior scores an especially gruesome hit. Cringe if your warrior
feels the joys of a great axe connecting with his face (that means you, Marilith).
Raise your fist in the air when that total parry realizes that his last shield has
broken! And cry when your favorite gladiator is gravely injured and then takes ten
consecutive war hammer shots to the head...
When the end of the fight comes you will be emotionally drained, so yell out,
"Huzzah!!!" or "Damnnn!!!" or whatever, to take the edge off. When the fighting is
ended take a breather before preparing for the next cycle's fights. Reflect on what
has transpired and make a few notes. You'll be a better person (and manager) for it!
Isn't Duelmasters great?
Brought to you by ICE (the deranged): DM-49 (Vithicar) Rotting Livers (205)
DM-10 (Kolact) Beermacht
DM-22 (Solven) Steel Warriors
DM-24 (Zorpunt) No Escape
Winning With the Average Warrior
Hi! The Master of Anime here... Yeah, yeah, I know, you're all doing a
collective, "Who the Hell is this character?" Well, my claim to fame, if you can call
it that, is that I run Eve, one of the more popular, if not completely unspectacular,
warriors to fight in Alastari. I am a micro-manager (you've heard of mega-managers?
Well, think in reverse) who has been mainly running only one team during my 8+ years
of Duelmasters. This little write-up is aimed towards the less experienced managers,
the ones that can be brainwashed from some of the "How to build the perfect
warrior..." spotlights that tend to appear from time to time.
Many of the "How to build..." spotlights tend to deal with roll-ups that are
quite ideal, but in reality, rarely come out of RSI's number crunching machine,
commonly referred to as "the Roll-Up Gods". There have been a few good articles on
how to design skillful warriors from 'average' roll-ups. Those articles, in my
opinion, are the most helpful to new managers for the simple fact that you will almost
always get an 'average' roll-up. Occasionally, that 'average' roll-up might turn out
to be something special, and that is what I would like to key in on.
I know a lot of managers who will continually DA their warriors until they get
something that is as close to perfect as possible. You know, the warrior with three
or four 17s or the warrior with a couple of 21s or that size 3 or 4 warrior, etc...
If you are a relatively new manager and you are also doing this, I think you are
missing out on one of the more intriguing aspects of this game and that is warrior
development.
Being a micro-manager, I do not have an army of warriors like the mega-managers
do, but I'd like to think that I can hold my own against them (hey, if you're gonna
dream, dream big). Anyway, back to the point. One of my 'average' warriors seems to
have achieved a form of notoriety in Advanced Duelmasters to the extent that even the
ever quiet Mirage (manager of Donatello) has had something to say (it was at the last
Tempe FTF and my warrior, at the end of the 6th or 7th round, was listed as the top
Primus warrior on the tourney list.) Mirage pointed at my warrior on the list and
said, "That, is embarrassing..." I took it as a compliment. In case you're
wondering, my warrior is Akira (the reason I'm writing this article is that I've been
approached many times of late by managers who wanted to see Akira's numbers, thinking
he had some sort of godlike roll-up. I set them straight).
I'm not going to print Akira's numbers in this article for the main reason that I
don't have them with me at this time (it'll probably tick-off a lot of managers whose
warriors Akira has beaten anyway), but I do know this... he has about 30 attribute
increases and only one attribute is in the 20's, that one being WL (he even got gypped
by not getting some skills that you normally think he'd get by raising WL up the
20's). He won't be getting another attribute above 20 for a long, long time. (I
think his next highest attribute is 17... note that this is after the 30 or so
increases...) You should have a pretty good idea how generic this roll-up is... a
roll-up that would probably be DA'd by most managers looking for a good roll-up... a
roll-up that I even said, "I'll run him for kicks, but will probably retire him once
he gets to AD."... a roll-up that entered AD with a less-than-stellar 14-10 record...
a roll-up currently on a 20 fight win streak... a roll-up with three consecutive
Primus TVs.
So, before you give up on that average warrior, think again about giving him a
chance to flourish... he might suprise you as Akira has surprised me. Good luck in
the arena!
M.A., a proud member of GAPPDA
P.S. If you want to know Akira's original roll-up, diplo Anime Legends (Arena 102,
104).
P.P.S. Swift -- We GAPPDA members are NOT slugs!!! At least, I don't think we are...
TWELVE TIPS
A rookie manager asked me a question recently which prompted my "teaching juices"
to flow. I quote: "Just give me a dozen hints, and I'll leave you alone!" Obviously,
his challenge prompted me to organize my thought creating my Twelve Tips.
"Now wait a minute!" I hear you asking. "Why should I read on?" Simply put:
-- If you're an experience manager, you'll want to "clue me in" on other valuable tips
I missed.
-- If you're a "newbie," these tips will enhance your W-L record and compound your
fun.
"But, are they GOOD tips?" you ask. Believe me, fellow opponents, after 5000+
fights, dozens of "tutored pupils," many A.D. warriors, and a rather lofty W-L record,
they're GOOD tips. So here we go, in no particular order.
(I) ASK FOR HELP--Ask RSI about the Sponsor Program. Diplo "good" managers in your
arena. Proclaim your willingness to learn in a personal ad. You'll get some
conversation.
(II) OFFENSIVES FIRST--This is not an easy game, and the basher, lunger, striker can
be readily designed and more easily "mastered." (Whatever that means.) Avoid the most
difficult finessives, such as aimers (AB), rippers (PR), and probably wastes (WS).
Get some confidence first! Most of us old-timers yet struggle with a good aimed-blow.
(III) SKILLS, SKILLS, SKILLS--One of the most prevalent rookie errors is training too
many stats. Skills win fights, and in the long run, you will regret certain stat
raises.
(IV) COLLECT DATA--The more you know about your own warrior (And even with the same
stats, warriors differ) and the more you know about your opponents, the more likely
you can cause something "good" to happen. In the military/political world, we call
this "intelligence." (Clue: ask about a D.M. handbook filled with info.)
(V) PERSONAL ADS--Don't be a jerk! But write some every time. Let me assure you that
an unliked rookie cannot succeed in an arena against the local "Powers-in-control."
You want to create friendly opponents. (When you know what you're doing--then you can
try the jerk routine!)
(VI) TURN SHEET--Accuracy counts. Fill it out perfectly (and legibly) pal! Know what
each section is for. (Reread the instructions.) Many have been the surprised and
frustrated manager who caused his or her own problem! (Even us "megas" blow it now and
then!)
(VII) NO CON--Don't ever (well maybe 1% of the time) add points to constitution on an
offensive rollup. Other attributes may add skills; con won't. (Just wait until you
hear someone shout never add to con--ever. I didn't say that.)
(VIII) ONE WEAPON--For offensives. When you get to finesse styles, you'll understand
why you may want one in your off-hand also. But, almost always carry a backup. (Hands
can be hurt both striking and defending.)
(IX) CHALLENGE/AVOID--Always! A manager's prime purpose is to optimize his warrior's
chances. Challenge those you'll have a good shot at beating and avoid teams who can
cause you the most difficulties. (Challenge warriors--avoid teams.)
(X) ENTER TOURNAMENTS--What a way to acquire skills and experience without impacting
your arena W-L record. Actually, you will create a positive impact in that those
"tournament earnings" are "hidden" from other arena warriors. Plus, tournaments are a
real "rush!"
(XI) FIND A FRIEND--In every arena find at least one "friendly" foe. Share opponent
info. With two, or more, of you sharing, look how much more "intelligence" you'll
have.
(XII) STAY COOL--Don't let any problem (loss, death, personal ad, error, etc.) anger
you. (This is fun, right?) The cool head wins more matches than the emotional one.
So good luck, rookie! We were all in your shoes once. (And for some of us that
was a long, long time ago.)
THE CONSORTIUM
DM 8 Smithsonian (Curator)
DM 11 Bulldogs (Kennelworth)
DM 20 Animal Farm (Mino)
DM 46 Fandils (Fandil the Wise)
(and many, many more)