DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 09/13/2019 Duedate: 09/26/2019
NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA
DM 93 TURN 539
This Week's Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
PLUMBER
OCCUPATIONS (1755)
(93-10265) [7-1-1,66]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
POSITION IS EMPTY PLUMBER
OCCUPATIONS (1755)
(93-10265) [7-1-1,66]
Popularity Leader This Week's Favorite
FAST CARS RAMIAL
BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754) LOST LEGION (1757)
(93-10258) [5-3-0,23] (93-10276) [5-1-1,62]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754) 32
2. OCCUPATIONS (1755) 18 BANE'S CHILDREN (235)
3. LOST LEGION (1757) 10 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) 23 17 1 57.5 1/ 2*BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754) 10 5 0
2- 2*THE FAMILY (1756) 16 13 1 55.2 2/ 1*OCCUPATIONS (1755) 8 7 1
3/ 3*BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754) 22 18 0 55.0 3/ 3*LOST LEGION (1757) 4 6 1
4/ 4*LOST LEGION (1757) 13 17 5 43.3 4- 4*THE FAMILY (1756) 2 3 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Assur's Guide to Riposting Hybrids
The following describes Assur's vision of a hybrid warrior that relies on riposte to
win. Hybrids are the hardest warriors to master, but great hybrids are tough to beat.
From here on out, when I say hybrids, I am specifically talking about Hybrids designed
to win with riposte.
Riposte messages in the fight are the message you often see right after a warrior
parries or dodges that reads something like:
Hybrid steps back, and then rushes forward in a counterstrike!
There are a number of such messages that all mean you are using your riposte
Riposte Skills are given (when creating warriors) at:
WIT: 5,7,15,17,21(x2)
SPD: 5,7,9,13(x3),15,17,19,21
DFT: 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20
1) Design
Hybrids need a balance of physicals and skills. More is always better, but your
hybrid cannot start with 21's in all stats, so...
Encumbrance is one of the most important attributes. You do not want to over-encumber
your hybrid for most all fights. Your armor will be chosen according to your ability
to carry weight. A guideline:
APL -- 9 Str/Con.
ASM -- 11 Str/Con.
APA -- 14 Str/Con
Realize that with those minimum str/con values, you need to be careful with helms and
weapons or you will be over-encumbered. Sometimes it is fine to carry too much, but
if you aren't sure who you are fighting, stay under your limit!
Hit Points are wonderful. Hybrids love hit points. The more the better because there
are nasty pure offensives that will try to take you down and they are good at it.
Damage and Endurance are not as important, but you want some. Little damage is tough
to work with. Endurance depends on your style (Suggested Minimums: Poor for PR/AB,
Good for L.)
The most important skills are your parry/defense and attack skills. You'll want some
riposte skills and initiative skills don't hurt. Decise is almost useless for
Hybrids.
I would recommend at least one of your encumbrance, hit points, or defensive skills to
be on the high side, preferably two of them.
With all that in mind, here is what your stats should look like:
Str: 9+ Con: medium+ Siz: any Wit: 11+ Will: 7-21 Spd: 3-9 Dft: 11+
*** 13 speed is a big breakpoint for riposte skills. 10-12 is a bad starting place
*** While an 11 wit PR can learn enough skills to compete as a hybrid, that same 11
wit total parry or lunger might have more difficulty as they learn too many of their
primary skills and not enough of their secondary skills.
2) Style Choice
Only two styles naturally learn riposte. However, because initiative is underpowered,
you can live with a non-riposte learning style.
Parry Ripostes are the king of this type of hybrid. The naturally learn att/par/rip,
though they often learn too much riposte and not enough of the other two. They learn
init and decise last.
Aimed Blows learn attack and riposte naturally, but do not learn their defensive
skills as fast. Still, they can make excellent hybrids, but when you put 21 points on
deftness, it is difficult to find a balance with the rest of your stats.
Lungers are the king of all the hybrids (as you'll see in my follow ups the next
couple of turns). They have high attack and defense bases. They have the highest
total skills of all styles (tied with WOS's). They learn defense and init skills
first, but attack and riposte are their secondary skills, so they will learn some
riposte. They burn endurance fast, so it is recommended to start with high will.
Total Parries can be run very similar to Parry Ripostes. They have better natural
defenses, but worse attack and riposte. As mentioned before, they learn defense and
parry first, but attack and riposte are their secondary learns, so they can still make
good hybrids, especially with high wit.
Walls of Steel and Parry Lungers do not learn riposte much at all. It can be their
favorite learn, but usually it is not. That said, because of their
attack/init/defenses, these styles can be run as a riposting hybrid. Riposte is one
of the easiest skills to 'fake.' Again, these are high skill/high endurance burn
styles, so make sure they have more endurance than I suggest as minimum.
3) Weapon Selection
I am not a fan of shields on Riposting Hybrids. You are trying to attack and nothing
is worse than attacking with a shield (which tends to do no damage). It is
recommended to use the best weapons in the game that you qualify for. I tend to use
off-hand daggers for PR's and PL's and a single weapon with the other styles.
For main hand, I usually pick (style dependent) in order of preference: BA, SC (poor
against scale), BS, LO (poor against plate)
Feel free to experiment with other weapons. selection will not be the deciding factor
in the fight. Different weapons have different strengths and weaknesses. Until you
start to learn those strengths, the safe choice are the top overall weapons in the
game.
4) Strategy and tactics
This is where things get difficult. You really need to experiment to find where your
hybrid wants to fight. Different warriors like different rhythms and typically your
favorite rhythms are a good place to start for most of these hybrids. For AB's, I
tend to ignore their favorite activity level and run 7-10 in early minutes. What
works on one hybrid may not work on another. When your hybrid starts to act like a
monster at a certain set of numbers, you may be hitting his favorites. For reference,
the 'most common' set of favorites for the styles mentioned in this article:
PR: 5-6 AL/3-4 OE TP: 3-4 AL/1-2 OE
AB: 3-4 AL/3-4 OE PL: 5-6 AL/5-6 OE
L: 7-8 AL/7-8 OE WOS: 3-4 AL/5-6 OE
Once again, this is only a place to start. These numbers may work well or not at all
for your warrior. But, it is not a bad place to start. And if you're going to err,
I'd recommend erring on the higher side. But one of my favorite hybrids was a Total
Parry that went crazy running 2 OE. He always wanted to attack.
If you refuse to attack after a riposte messages, consider lowering armor or raising
your activity level and offensive effort AND drop any tactics you are using.
As I mentioned, riposte is easy to fake. The Riposte tactic is a wonderful tool for
warriors that need help in the riposte department. Very rarely will AB's or PR's need
to use this tactic (and I almost never use it for those two styles). The hardest
styles to riposte are typically Slashers and Lungers (and sometimes Wall of Steels and
Parry Lungers, depending how they are running). These two styles tend to be running
fast and have lots of initiative and though it is underpowered, if you have enough, it
is tough to riposte you.
Parry and Dodge are also useful when you need to augment your defenses.
5) Armor
I talked a lot about armor in the design section. Wear some, but watch your weight.
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
One responsibility of a Duelmaster is to write a DM Column. I accept the DM
honor, and that responsibility.
So, I shall send out a salute to Arrogant, the Yuppie I just whacked. Sorry,
Arrogant. But I have to admit I am no arrogant west-Coast Yuppie fan. Nossir.
It was really Arrogant's fault he died. I kept trying to bash his arm, and he
kept trying to parry with his head! (No helmet, either.) Rookie Lesson: If you are
going to parry, use a weapon, not a body part. See?
I wonder if Assur will bloodfeud? He has four opportunities, you know? I'll bet
he won't -- either because he is scared of me, or because he is too nice. (or lazy)
Anyway, I am here. Duelmaster. Try to beat me. Try to kill me. I am just a Temp
anyway.
-- Plumber, Occupations DM
SPY REPORT
Greetings warriors! It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the
clash and bustle of the weekly NOBLISH ISLAND games. Former top team OCCUPATIONS was
unseated this week as BASH BROS YUPPIE moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot
with a 4-1-0 record for the round. SELF GROOMING caught the eye of many in the
gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested PERSISTANT BEGGAR and was awarded 15
points in recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, SUPERFICIAL put down
ENGINEER, causing her to lose 7 points of recognition in the process. Although M.
CHARDINEE made a valiant effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious
PLUMBER. No confirmation, but my sources claim that the top team has gained their
position using magical aids. Charmed weapons perhaps?
I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently
transpired. Indeed there is much I would report. NOBLISH ISLAND, city of
gladiators! Mighty among the names of thy guilds is BASH BROS YUPPIE, a guild
shunned and avoided by many in the weekly duels. Apparently the stalwarts of
OCCUPATIONS are catching the bulk of jests down at the challenging board for their
large share of the avoids. Loose talk at the arena has reached my ears and it but
confirms the knowledge that many fighters are after SUPERFICIAL. Watch your back!
What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his
foe's mortality? Some say a warrior is judged by the way he bears arms. One thing
is sure, better a dagger in hand then a sword on the belt!
If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times
already in NOBLISH ISLAND. Nice atmosphere you have here! Sadly warriors, now
longer can I keep thy company nor savor the ale of thy fine city. Depart I must and
soon! Till we meet again, remember: a turtle walks slow, hides head in a shell, and
harms no one; a lion runs to slay its prey.-- Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
PLUMBER 10265 7 1 1 66 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
RAMIAL 10276 5 1 1 62 LOST LEGION (1757)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SUPERFICIAL 10259 6 2 0 42 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SPINX 10273 4 2 4 40 LOST LEGION (1757)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-TONY TATAGLIONI 10272 4 2 0 33 THE FAMILY (1756)
SELFISH 10260 3 5 0 27 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
-SAMMY THE BULL 10268 3 3 0 26 THE FAMILY (1756)
PROCTOLOGIST 10266 7 1 0 25 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
FAST CARS 10258 5 3 0 23 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
ENGINEER 10267 3 5 0 21 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
REFEREE 10279 3 4 0 18 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
ATTICUS 10277 3 3 0 18 LOST LEGION (1757)
SELF GROOMING 10295 1 0 0 15 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
MODEL 10263 3 5 0 14 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
-FRANK DA FIXER 10271 3 3 0 12 THE FAMILY (1756)
NO FAMILY 10281 2 3 0 9 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
DIEGO 10282 0 3 0 3 LOST LEGION (1757)
TAVIN 10294 0 2 0 2 LOST LEGION (1757)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
ARROGANT 10262 3 4 0 BASH BROS YUPPI 1754 PLUMBER 10265 538
ITALIN JOE 10278 3 2 0 THE FAMILY 1756 SPINX 10273 537
PAPA JOE 10269 3 1 1 THE FAMILY 1756 SPINX 10273 535 NOT REVENGED
PERSONAL ADS
Plumber! A great job AND a Duelmaster! Yes! -- Agent
Arrogant, Assur, and Bash Bros Yuppies, sorry about that. -- Plumber (Thinking to
himself: "Dang, I shoulda shut that water off before I drowned ole Arrogant. Oh, well;
I have insurance.")
Fast Cars are not necessarily good card. Bwahaha. -- Engineer
No Family, if you can't jog a few miles, get a family! -- Proctologist
Superficial and Selfish, not only are you both twits, but you probably cheated! --
Referee (calling a foul) and Model (declaring abuse)
Where, oh where, have the good folks gone............... -- Agent
Agent, I may need to hire you for another 'job.' You took care of one of the 11-10-10-
11 BA's, I've got one left. Should I get the plumber to do the job again, or do you
have another in mind for this one? The advantage of the plumber is that we can make
it look like a bloodfeud. The disadvantage is that you have to give up the throne for
the bloodfeud to work. -- Assur
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
ENGINEER was devastated by SUPERFICIAL in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
MODEL lost to SELFISH in a 2 minute Challenge battle.
DIEGO was handily defeated by REFEREE in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge match.
PLUMBER vanquished M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute mismatched Title brawl.
RAMIAL defeated DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 2 minute fight.
SPINX was savagely defeated by THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 3 minute bloody competition.
FAST CARS vanquished TAVIN in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
ATTICUS overpowered MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
PROCTOLOGIST outlasted NO FAMILY in a dull 13 minute melee.
SELF GROOMING vanquished PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a 1 minute uneven duel.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK 4 TOTAL PARRY 8 - 4 - 0 67 |
|BASHING ATTACK 4 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 2 - 0 60 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 2 STRIKING ATTACK 20 - 14 - 1 59 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 BASHING ATTACK 30 - 22 - 7 58 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 LUNGING ATTACK 10 - 9 - 1 53 |
|TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 5 - 8 - 0 38 |
|AIMED BLOW 0 WALL OF STEEL 7 - 12 - 0 37 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 AIMED BLOW 1 - 3 - 0 25 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 - 0 0 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 0 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 1 - 0 0 |
Turn 539 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:
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 0 5 BASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 3 - 1 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 3 STRIKING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK 3 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 1 LUNGING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 1 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 2 1 TOTAL PARRY
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 0 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
STRIKING ATTACK PLUMBER 10265 7 1 1 66 OCCUPATIONS (1755)
LUNGING ATTACK RAMIAL 10276 5 1 1 62 LOST LEGION (1757)
BASHING ATTACK SUPERFICIAL 10259 6 2 0 42 BASH BROS YUPPIE (1754)
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 RAMIAL 10276. The ten other most popular fighters were SUPERFICIAL 10259, MODEL
10263, SELFISH 10260, FAST CARS 10258, REFEREE 10279, PLUMBER 10265, SPINX 10273,
ATTICUS 10277, SELF GROOMING 10295, and ENGINEER 10267.
The least popular fighter this week was PROCTOLOGIST 10266. The other ten least
popular fighters were NO FAMILY 10281, TAVIN 10294, DIEGO 10282, ENGINEER 10267, SELF
GROOMING 10295, ATTICUS 10277, SPINX 10273, PLUMBER 10265, REFEREE 10279, and FAST
CARS 10258.