DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 08/02/2019    Duedate: 08/15/2019

NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA

DM 93    TURN 536

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

PLUMBER
OCCUPATIONS (1755)
(93-10265) [5-0-0,44]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

POSITION IS EMPTY              PLUMBER
                               OCCUPATIONS (1755)
                               (93-10265) [5-0-0,44]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

FAST CARS                      FAST CARS
BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)        BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
(93-10258) [3-2-0,26]          (93-10258) [3-2-0,26]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

OCCUPATIONS (1755)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. OCCUPATIONS (1755)            17 
2. BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)       7     THE MUPPETS (132)
                                       Unchartered Team

                                       OCCUPATIONS (1755)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*OCCUPATIONS (1755)        15  10  0 60.0   1/ 1*OCCUPATIONS (1755)        9  6 0
 2- 2*THE FAMILY (1756)         14  10  1 58.3   2/ 3*BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   7  8 0
 3/ 3*BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   12  13  0 48.0   3- 2*THE FAMILY (1756)         5  4 0
 4- 4*LOST LEGION (1757)         9  11  4 45.0   4- 4*LOST LEGION (1757)        4  6 2

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                        Winning Warrior Types -- Introduction

Assurnasirbanipal generally refers to warriors as one of three types (Offensive, 
Defensive, and Hybrid). These three types do not exactly map to styles. There is no 
reason a warrior can't utilize more than one of these modes in his career. But 
understanding them helps greatly when designing a warrior and creating a strategy 
which will allow him to win. Over the next few weeks I will go into detail of each 
type as well as which styles have natural advantages fighting as which type.

Offensives win (as you might expect) by taking down their opponent through damage and 
sustained attack. They really should do AT LEAST good damage with a blow (which 
typically requires around 20 or more points on strength and size). Wit is the most 
important stat, since they need to learn skills fast and wit gives all three of the 
skills they care most about (initiative, decisiveness, and attack). Do not undervalue 
will, as it is the primary contributor to endurance. Deftness of 11 is perfect, 7 
acceptable. Speed is preferred to be even. Traditional styles are Strikers, Bashers, 
and Slashers. Lungers, Parry Strikers, and Aimed Blows are also often run as 
offensives.

Defensives win by letting their opponent get tired. They usually want to wear heavy 
armor, take damage, and have decent defensive skills. The most important stats are 
strength, constitution, and will. Speed is virtually useless. Size is much preferred 
to be very small. Deftness of 11 is again perfect. The traditional style is Total 
Parry, but any of the parry learning styles (Parry-Strike, Parry-Riposte, Parry-Lunge, 
Wall of Steel) or lungers work well. However, almost any style can win fights with 
lots of hit points, high will, and the best armor in the game (APA/F). You'll notice I 
don't mention wit. That is because defensives can come very stupid (3 wit) or Geniuses 
(21 wit). Wit is always good, but defensives can win without it. There is another type 
of Defensive warrior, the dodge specialist. These are usually Lungers and Fist Aimed 
Blows. They are a specialized type of defensive that I will discuss in depth 
separately, since they do not follow the same pattern as other Defensives.

Hybrids are the hardest type of warrior to learn and win with. There are many 
different ways to make them. They win by combining some combination of offense and 
defense to win fights. They normally have at least a moderate amount of constitution. 
Assur prefers to have 11 strength on hybrids in order to carry decent weight, but many 
managers are fine with 9 strength. It is difficult to win with 'big' hybrids because 
they (usually) need the points elsewhere. Wit is always desired. Will depends more on 
style and design than being required. Speed is completely unnecessary and you'd rather 
have points elsewhere. Deftness should be at least 11 for most hybrids. The 
traditional best hybrid styles are Lunger, Total Parry, Wall of Steel, and Parry 
Riposte, but once again, there are many ways to make hybrids and any style can fight 
like one.

Design principles common to all types of warriors:

- Both Consortium and Assur recommend not going below 7 strength. Aimed Blows are the 
  only style that can 'excel' with very low strength, but even they use strength the 
  same as other styles.

- 11 Deftness is magical. It gives you most weapons well suited and lots and lots of 
  important skills. Pretty soon you'll understand that Aimed Blows do everything 
  differently and there is a very good reason why they are the exception with deftness 
  as well. Most Aimed Blows prefer 17 or 21 deftness.

- Will is also a stat that you normally never want below 7. And 7 is really low (only 
  really recommended for endurance conserving styles: Parry Strikers, Aimed Blows, 
  Total Parries, Parry Ripostes, and maybe Strikers).

- Every style wants wit. 11 is bare minimum for offensives. Wit is considered the most 
  important stat by many managers (Assur considers it the 3rd most important (after 
  Will and Strength). However even Assur realizes that 21 wit can cover for a lot of 
  weaknesses.

- Size is probably most important to Hybrids, simply because with too many points on 
  size, you don't have enough points to be good. Note that for size, smaller is 
  usually considered better, as long as you don't do little damage with a blow. So 
  smaller is better in general, with the note that damage doing is very important for 
  most warriors (pure Defensives and Aimed Blows are the only warriors I normally 
  consider with little damage).

- Constitution is not needed at all for offensives, while desired on the other two 
  types. For Defensives, it is a primary stat.

- Speed is the least important stat for hybrids and defensives (you almost never want 
  to add to speed on these types of warriors). For Offensives, add to an even value, 
  but even on offensives, speed is not the most important stat, especially if you can 
  get high wit and will.

- Design to your warrior's strengths (Consortium writes a great article highlighting 
  this topic. 21's are very nice, especially Wit and Will, but Deftness for Aimed 
  Blows and 21 Strength also have good use.

- Most warriors want at least one of Wit or Will to be high with 25+ a good starting 
  point for the minimum you 'want' on these two stats combined. Very few managers have 
  graduated warriors with lower than 20 total (and go much lower and you can almost 
  ensure your warrior an unsuccessful career).

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     Behold there came a pale horse and the man that rode upon him was... Me!  I, 
Ramial, once prince of the 9 hells, stand tall at the top of this heap with you all at 
my feet.  As it should be.  This is my rightful place, ruler of the masses.  Even as 
you will smile and plot my demise.  Ha!  Yes, this is home or as close as I'll get in 
this mortal shell.  
     Come!  Fight and see if you can pull me down.  Only the strong can lead and only 
fools think to stand forever.  Let us paint these sands with the blood of champions 
and see if from there a godling can grow.  
     Thanks always to those that trained me.  (Assur and Agent.)  Without your iron 
and fire skills to work against, I would never have found the steel spine to hold 
against you.  
     Ha! Ha!  Health, humility, and honor.

                                          -- Ramial of Lost Legion

                                      SPY REPORT

     Busy, busy, busy, lots of things happening in NOBLISH ISLAND this turn, and 
let's start with a look at some of the teams.  And let's see, PROCTOLOGIST fought 
FAST CARS and gained 12 points and contributed to OCCUPATIONS' 3-2-0.  MODEL has lost 
to ARROGANT, falling 9 points, while helping make OCCUPATIONS a 3-2-0 turn.  Due to 
his absence and inability to defend the throne, RAMIAL has lost the title of 
Duelmaster.  And not without some honor, PLUMBER now claims the title and throne of 
Duelmaster of NOBLISH ISLAND.  Tell me, is nothing sacred?  I have heard from 
unimpeachable sources that The Swinging Aardvark uses trolls in their stew.  Talk 
about gristle!   
     Oriental wise man once say, 'Hiding behind shields prevents proper sun tanning.' 
Inscrutable, but true.  OCCUPATIONS has cause to stand tall, as they were NOBLISH 
ISLAND's most avoided team.  A smart manager knows this is a team to beat.  And guess 
who avoided OCCUPATIONS stable the most?  Believe it or not, it was BASH BROS YUPPIE. 
Anyone surprised?  Well, sports fans, take notice that FAST CARS from BASH BROS 
YUPPIE was NOBLISH ISLAND's most challenged warrior this turn.   
     The Dark Arena is for those who cannot win, not who cannot lose with grace.  
Dignity in life or death is the warrior's creed.  A brave warrior does not carry a 
red shield, he has nothing to cover or hide when the fight is over.  Consider well.   
     Thought for the day, a new sword shines bright, but the notched sword sings the 
sweetest.  It's been nice chatting with you, until we meet again, keep your swords 
sharp and your hammers heavy.  Until you see my quill in NOBLISH ISLAND again, 
farewell-- Alarond the Scribe  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PLUMBER 10265                 5   0  0  44         OCCUPATIONS (1755)        

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-RAMIAL 10276                  3   1  1  56         LOST LEGION (1757)        

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PROCTOLOGIST 10266            5   0  0  33         OCCUPATIONS (1755)        
-SPINX 10273                   3   1  3  33         LOST LEGION (1757)        
 FAST CARS 10258               3   2  0  26         BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ITALIN JOE 10278              3   1  0  23         THE FAMILY (1756)         
 SUPERFICIAL 10259             3   2  0  18         BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   
-SAMMY THE BULL 10268          2   3  0  18         THE FAMILY (1756)         
 ARROGANT 10262                2   3  0  18         BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   
-TONY TATAGLIONI 10272         3   2  0  17         THE FAMILY (1756)         
-FRANK DA FIXER 10271          3   2  0  13         THE FAMILY (1756)         
 ENGINEER 10267                2   3  0  12         OCCUPATIONS (1755)        
-ATTICUS 10277                 2   2  0  12         LOST LEGION (1757)        
 MODEL 10263                   2   3  0   9         OCCUPATIONS (1755)        
 NO FAMILY 10281               1   1  0   8         BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   
 SELFISH 10260                 1   4  0   7         BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)   
 REFEREE 10279                 1   3  0   6         OCCUPATIONS (1755)        
-DIEGO 10282                   0   1  0   1         LOST LEGION (1757)        

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
WASTEFUL 10261          2  1 0 BASH BROS YUPPI 1754 SPINX 10273           534   
ROHO 10274              0  1 0 LOST LEGION 1757     PAPA JOE 10269        532  REVENGED
GAME SHOW HOST 10264    0  1 0 OCCUPATIONS 1755     SPINX 10273           532  REVENGED
PAPA JOE 10269          3  1 1 THE FAMILY 1756      SPINX 10273           535   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Ramial, a salute to you. -- Agent for the Occupations

Uh, (cough, cough) was that 2-0 for the Occupations, Assur? My bookie says that ups it 
to 6-3. i'm feeling it! -- Agent

No Family, me neither, but I've got a win! -- Engineer

Arrogant, I will say nothing. Yep, nothing at all about my win over you. That's 
because I am so honorable and upstanding and sportsmanlike that I don't mention 
anything to embarrass losers. Nothing at all. -- Model

Frank Da Fixer, I fixed you, eh? -- Proctologist

Tony Tataglioni, you showed me who's boss. All calls will go your way henceforth. -- 
Referee

The Occupations just got back from the Tampa Face-To-Face where they were observers. 
One of our tablemates observed an old friend basher fighting for the Assur crew. We 
wished him well, and then just enjoyed the ambience of a Face. -- Agent

Health. Humility. Honor. -- Occupations, Consortium affiliated

Kage, a diplo is on its way back to you. It does take a little while for the messages 
get back and forth. Mine is mailed to RSI 7/29. -- Agent of Occupations

Papa Joe -- You ask for an alliance then don't avoid my team.  ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR 
MIND?!  This means war, you fool! -- SPINX (Lost Legion)

Fast Cars -- How fast are you?  Greatness is only found through the bodies of 
Champions.  Let's play. haha. -- Atticus, Lost Legion

Agent -- How do you take an offensive style and work it to defensive, or is this 
unwise?  Also, is there a way to add your own words to the battles?  One last thing, 
do I need a set # in SP/DF to fight with two weapons? -- Rage, Lost Legion

Fast Cars -- Sorry Atticus took one to the head.  He's not all there right now. -- 
Kaye of Lost Legion

Agent --  That's right!  Pick on the 11-10-10-11 Bashers!  Shows your true  prowess. 
--  Assur

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

PROCTOLOGIST unbelievably bested FAST CARS in a 7 minute amateur's Challenge fight.
PLUMBER handily defeated SUPERFICIAL in a 1 minute one-sided Title match.
SELFISH lost to ENGINEER in a 2 minute amateur's brawl.
ARROGANT defeated MODEL in a crowd pleasing 1 minute novice's fight.
NO FAMILY bested REFEREE in a 3 minute bloody novice's duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-STRIKE       3 -   1 -  0      75  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         AIMED BLOW         7 -   4 -  0      64  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  2         TOTAL PARRY        9 -   6 -  0      60  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         STRIKING ATTACK   16 -  11 -  1      59  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK    24 -  21 -  6      53  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         LUNGING ATTACK    10 -  10 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         WALL OF STEEL      8 -  10 -  0      44  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      3 -   4 -  0      43  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    0         SLASHING ATTACK    0 -   2 -  0       0  |

Turn 536 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-RIPOSTE      2 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     1 -  3         4  BASHING ATTACK 
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  0         3  STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  1     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                              PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  0         1  TOTAL PARRY    
                              LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                              SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  0         1  WALL OF STEEL  
                              WALL OF STEEL      0 -  0     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  PLUMBER 10265               5   0  0   44 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is FAST CARS 10258.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was FAST CARS 10258.  The ten other most popular fighters were ARROGANT 10262, 
REFEREE 10279, SELFISH 10260, ENGINEER 10267, MODEL 10263, PROCTOLOGIST 10266, 
PLUMBER 10265, NO FAMILY 10281, SUPERFICIAL 10259, and  0.

The least popular fighter this week was SUPERFICIAL 10259.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were NO FAMILY 10281, PLUMBER 10265, PROCTOLOGIST 10266, MODEL 
10263, ENGINEER 10267, SELFISH 10260, REFEREE 10279, ARROGANT 10262, FAST CARS 10258, 
and  0.

                 FACE-TO-FACE TOURNEY LXIII