DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 01/31/2020    Duedate: 02/13/2020

NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA

DM 93    TURN 549

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

VERMONT
STATELY (1761)
(93-10303) [5-3-0,64]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

POSITION IS EMPTY              VERMONT
                               STATELY (1761)
                               (93-10303) [5-3-0,64]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

CHAT ROOM                      CHAT ROOM
BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762)      BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762)
(93-10307) [5-3-0,33]          (93-10307) [5-3-0,33]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

STATELY (1761)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762)     39 
2. STATELY (1761)                -12   SUBJUGATORS (617)
                                       Unchartered Team

                                       STATELY (1761)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*STATELY (1761)            29  11  0 72.5   1/ 1*STATELY (1761)           11  4 0
 2- 2*REAPER CLAN (1758)         7   3  1 70.0   2/ 2*BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 8  6 0
 3/ 3*BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 18  21  1 46.2   3- 3*REAPER CLAN (1758)        3  2 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                                Tripwire's Parry-Lunge

Ahh, the Parry Lunge. Strikes fear in the.. wait a minute, it doesn't strike fear into 
anyone now does it? I hope to change that, my friends. The Parry Lunge is probably one 
of the most diverse styles in the game and that can be a good and a bad thing. Good 
because you can do lots of things with them but also bad because they can be tough to 
figure out their favorites. The PL has the games best weapon in the SC, the games best 
defensive tactic in Dodge and arguably the best offensive tactic in Lunge (and 
Decise!). It can be used offensively and defensively with great efficiency.

STATS: I am going to be going with my all around PL instead of the Tank version or the 
LU version. I may throw in a few of those later but most people already know what a 
tank version (high CN) and a LU version (Low CN) looks like.

     ST: 7+
     CN: 9+
     SZ: as small as possible
     WT: 15+
     WL: 15+
     SP: any
     DF: 11+

ST: 9+ is where I try to keep it for SC use. 7 is ok to start with but try to get 9 as 
quickly as possible. You want Normal+ Damage

CN: Like I said at the start if you go very low you will have to go offensive with 
your PL which is ok, but for the purpose of this PL (the all around PL) I want to keep 
it at least "takes normal damage".

SZ: Small as possible for defensive points (3-6) and for points being better elsewhere

WT: 15+ I know a lot of people make PL's with lower 11/13 etc.. But for this version I 
want to have as good a WT and learning as possible. For Tanks its ok to go lower and 
bump the CN/WL but I want to make a versitile PL with this one.

WL: 15+ I never go below Normal Endurance, and prefer Good+. Plus 15 WL and 17WL give 
you Att/Par/Def so the higher the better!

SP: Isn't needed. We aren't going to be trying to jump anyone.

DF: 11+ Again Att/Par/Def of 2 each starting at 11DF get as much as possible without 
hurting your other stats.

Ever had one of those trip 17 WT/WL/DF? But just didn't want another LU? A PL is 
perfect for those!

So lets take a look at a few of my favorite PL's that I have graduated and ones that I 
have had the most success with:

     10-10-9-17-17-4-17 (VL/HI, SC)
     11-12-7-21-15-5-13 (HI/HI, LS) 2 Time TV
     11-9-8-17-15-9-15 (HI/HI, SC, Parry) 1 Time TV
     9-13-10-21-15-5-11, (VL/HI, SH, Dodge) 1 time TV
     7-11-13-17-21-4-11, (MO/HI, SS, Parry) 1 time TV
     9-13-10-15-15-7-15, (LO/VH, LO)
     10-12-5-17-21-8-11, (LO/MO, SC)

STRATEGY: Ok now we get down to it. Strategy. The bread and butter. The PL's can have 
favorite Offensive Efforts of VL to HI and favorite Activity Levels of LO to VH, so no 
VH OE and no VL AL as favorites. They can be blessed (and hosed) in everything. A 
majority of favorites according to terrabloods is MO/MO which seems to fit the mold. 
However, I will have to say that I have graduated 12 PL's over my entire career and 
only 1 has ever gotten MO/MO. A majority have gotten VL/HI (4) or HI/HI (3), the rest 
are scattered around MO/MO.

Ok I am going to use the second PL above for my strategy as I think that is a fairly 
easy set of numbers to come by. 11-12-7-21-15-5-13. Lets take a look at the starting 
skills: 9/8/13/5/8/6. First thing that comes to mind? Man is he slow! And wow not much 
parry! Thats all good though. #1 we aren't looking to jump anyone. #2 the dodge makes 
up for it! Here is a little secret. Parry stinks! Dodge is king! I am not saying I 
don't use it. I do, but remember that secret when your PL starts moving up into the 
Init/Adept ranks. Parry is good early, not so good middle+.

ARMOR/WEAPONS: I NEVER go over encumbrance unless I specifically am challenging say a 
ST and know the fight will be over quickly. For the most part I will stick with 
Encumbrance or below, in this case 16. So ASM/H (11), vs Light: SC/DA (4), vs Medium: 
LO/DA(4), vs Heavy: SC(3), backup DA(1). I always want an offhand weapon in my PL's 
grip be it a dagger or shortsword. I am hopefull going to be dodging more than 
parrying. A shield would be good if you were just going to parry, but I always say 
heck if I am going to hopefully be dodging why have a shield? Put a weapon there and 
if you have to parry you still have something in your offhand as well.

Ok now the tricky part. How the heck do I run this guy? His best numbers are (attack 
13 and dodge Cool with a nice mix of init (9) and rip (Cool. So we want to what? 
Attack and dodge and hopefully be able to keep the init and rip when we do it. Great. 
So why not just run 10-10-x and be a lunger? Because then your missing out on Dodge, 
natural want to parry and his rip. Why miss out on that stuff when its there? With 
this brand new PL I want to use that nice attack but also be ready to move around if 
need be. This particular guy has greater defense skills than he does parry skills. 
However, PL's like to parry as well. As much as I have been talking about dodge, don't 
forget they will parry a lot as well.

Here is how I would run him in his general strat to start:

     Min 1: MO/HI Dodge (probably: 5-8-x Dodge).
     Min 2: MO/MO (probably: 6-5-x)
     Min 3: MO/LO (probably: 5-3-x)
     Min 4+: LO/VL (probably: 4-1-x)
     Desp: LO/HI Dodge (probably 3-8-x Dodge)

Now the strategy will indeed change depending on the setup of your PL and you need to 
really watch how your PL responds to the strategy. I have had many PL's that will 
swing like CRAZY going VL/HI or VL/MO. And some that never swing at all running HI/HI. 
PL's take a lot of work and a lot of care. It is not one of those styles that you 
simply put on autopilot with 1 strat and let go. If you want that go pick a ST or TP 
or something. This takes work and is why you will end up loving your PL's more than 
other styles IMHO.

If you know you are going against an offensive style use the strat above and even 
armor up a bit more if you want (although when I am dodging I don't like to go above 
encumbrance). If you are going against a Scum (you probably want to stay away from 
them if possible) but if you have to go with very low armor ALE/L, SC backup SC. A 
normal endurance PL can go a LONG time if running right. Something like: Min1: 5-3-x, 
Min 2+ 4-1-x.

As your PL's begin to get older and gain more skills, drop the tactics! I normally 
drop the tactics after Expert in that area. So if he has 16 Parry and 12 Defense. Use 
Dodge but not parry. If he has 16 Parry and 16 Defense. Don't force it to use 
something it doesn't want (unless in specific situations) let it go at MO/MO or MO/HI 
no tactic. Most of my PL's before they graduate never use tactics at all except in 
special circumstances. One of my favorite PL's ever was a decise favorite. And the PL 
CAN get the Decise tactic as favorite. You would be shocked at how much decise they 
get and quickly. Heck if they learn it early on fast, USE the decise tactic and 
suprise some Lungers and Slashers out there.

Last note: This is the Tripwire PL. I definately don't mean to step on anyone's toes 
or say this doesn't work or that doesn't work. I am not a fan of Tank PL's with low 
WT, but many people can tell you they work. I am not a fan of the low CN version that 
runs like LU's. It works for some, but I haven't had great success. Next time you are 
struggling with a rollup that "should" be a good something. Think about PL. It can 
open up a world of new posibilities.

                                        * * * 

Assur's Addendum

Tripwire's guide is without equal on the Parry Lunge style.  That said, I have 
following comments (having been focusing on this style for the about 3 years).  First, 
this is a difficult style to win with.  Even armed with this guide, you will not find 
winning trivial (especially in tourneys). 

Next, a couple items I'd like to highlight from his article:

For best results, you will need to pay close attention to your PL.

"This takes work and is why you will end up loving your PL's more than other styles 
IMHO." -- I haven't put in the work, so I can't comment directly on this statement, 
but after my 12 grads, I have not fallen in love with my parry lungers more than my 
other styles.  I only hope that one or more of them does turn into a successful 
warrior in ADM or Eligibles (where they seem to have the most success).

I have had more success with more STR & CON that he recommends as minimums than with 
closer to the minimums.  I have modeled my PL's after his, but the ones on the higher 
side of STR/CON have done better for me.  I've also not had many of the better kind of 
setups he's described here (they are more rare than common).  Almost all my PL's 
started 11 deftness, so I haven't followed his model perfectly in this regards.

Interestingly at the time of this writing, my lone TV with a Parry Lunger is:
21-12-7-17-9-7-11 PL, who doesn't fit the model well at all.  You'll also notice that 
with one exception, the TV PL's that Tripwire mentions are also not at the minimum CON 
level.

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of NOBLISH ISLAND!  Know me for who I am, Zontani 
Sharp Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  TIME ZONE caught the eye of 
many in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested MISSOURI and was awarded 
19 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, TIME ZONE put 
down MISSOURI, causing it to lose 14 points of recognition in the process.  Our 
Duelmaster has lost, folks, lost to KHALHUMS DWARF, BUT VERMONT is still the 
Duelmaster because it has the most recognition points!  Would you believe that over 
half of the old women in NOBLISH ISLAND seem to feel that they could fight better 
than you gladiators?   
     I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently 
transpired.  Indeed there is much I would report.  My inside sources tell me that the 
team to beat in NOBLISH ISLAND these days is STATELY.  At least, most blades in town 
are looking to avoid them.  Apparently the stalwarts of BASH BROS SPOILERS are 
catching the bulk of jests down at the challenging board for their large share of the 
avoids.  Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below.  NEVADA take 
warning!  You have more than a few enemies in NOBLISH ISLAND.   
     Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser?   Warriors, may this counselor stand 
ready at your right hand forever!  Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins.  
In the arena there is only the brightness of steel.  Keep vigil always!   
     A thought before I go.  Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise 
manager learn the secrets of them all?  More than a sharp eye must I keep, indeed a 
stout pair of legs must I keep as well!  The endless paths of Alastari await me!  
Till next we meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a 
different story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 VERMONT 10303                 5   3  0  64         STATELY (1761)            

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ALASKA 10305                  7   1  0  58         STATELY (1761)            

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 OHIO 10302                    7   1  0  47         STATELY (1761)            
 AFTERASKINGFORNONE 10310      4   4  0  34         BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CHAT ROOM 10307               5   3  0  33         BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 
 NEWS 10308                    3   5  1  30         BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 
 TIME ZONE 10306               3   4  0  29         BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 
-CAR MA 10285                  2   0  0  26         REAPER CLAN (1758)        

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DEZ TINY 10284                2   0  0  23         REAPER CLAN (1758)        
 SERMON 10309                  3   5  0  22         BASH BROS SPOILERS (1762) 
 NEVADA 10304                  5   3  0  20         STATELY (1761)            
 MISSOURI 10301                5   3  0  18         STATELY (1761)            
-PHATE 10286                   1   1  0  13         REAPER CLAN (1758)        
-RAY G 10287                   1   1  1   5         REAPER CLAN (1758)        

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Statesman -- Someone needs to be blamed!!!

     61 skill lunger?  sub .500
     21 wit striker?  1 fight over .500
     21 will physical wall of steel?  sub .500
     arena caliber N/G, N/R bashers?  sub .500

I'd prefer to blame the entire Consortium over all time, but if the referees are 
available...

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

CHAT ROOM viciously subdued NEVADA in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Challenge fight.
VERMONT was subdued by KHALHUMS DWARF in a 2 minute Title melee.
ALASKA subdued NEWS in a 2 minute fight.
OHIO vanquished SERMON in a 3 minute mismatched brawl.
MISSOURI was savagely defeated by TIME ZONE in a 2 minute brutal fight.
AFTERASKINGFORNONE devastated OSKSI NOBLE in a 2 minute uneven brawl.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         PARRY-RIPOSTE      3 -   1 -  0      75  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   3         TOTAL PARRY       13 -   5 -  0      72  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         STRIKING ATTACK   23 -   9 -  0      72  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         WALL OF STEEL      6 -   6 -  0      50  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK    17 -  19 -  2      47  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         LUNGING ATTACK     5 -   7 -  1      42  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         SLASHING ATTACK    1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         AIMED BLOW         0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 549 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  VERMONT 10303               5   3  0   64 STATELY (1761)
TOTAL PARRY      OHIO 10302                  7   1  0   47 STATELY (1761)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is CHAT ROOM 10307.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was CHAT ROOM 10307.  The ten other most popular fighters were ALASKA 10305, SERMON 
10309, VERMONT 10303, TIME ZONE 10306, AFTERASKINGFORNONE 10310, NEWS 10308, NEVADA 
10304, OHIO 10302, MISSOURI 10301, and  0.

The least popular fighter this week was MISSOURI 10301.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were OHIO 10302, NEVADA 10304, NEWS 10308, AFTERASKINGFORNONE 10310, TIME 
ZONE 10306, VERMONT 10303, SERMON 10309, ALASKA 10305, CHAT ROOM 10307, and  0.