DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 05/22/2020    Duedate: 06/04/2020

NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA

DM 93    TURN 557

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

CLEANING
BASH BROS DISHES (1764)
(93-10316) [5-1-1,47]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

POSITION IS EMPTY              CLEANING
                               BASH BROS DISHES (1764)
                               (93-10316) [5-1-1,47]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

CLEANING                       KUMIKO
BASH BROS DISHES (1764)        FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)
(93-10316) [5-1-1,47]          (93-10348) [4-0-0,34]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. BASH BROS DISHES (1764)       30 
2. MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)         25    COLD IRON BLOWS (794)
3. FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)         24    Unchartered Team
4. MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)      22 
5. MERCENARIES (1766)            16    FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 2*FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     15   5  2 75.0   1/ 1*FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)    11  4 1
 2/ 3*BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   17  13  1 56.7   2/ 3*FAMOUS PETS (1765)       10  5 0
 3/ 4*FAMOUS PETS (1765)        16  14  0 53.3   3/ 2*BASH BROS DISHES (1764)  10  5 0
 4/ 6*MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)   9   9  0 50.0   4/ 5*FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     7  8 1
 5/ 5*FINAL FRONTIER (1784)      7   8  1 46.7   5/ 4*MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  6  7 0
 6/ 7*MERCENARIES (1766)         4   5  0 44.4   6/ 6*THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    4  5 0
 7/ 1*THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)     4   5  0 44.4   7/ 7*MERCENARIES (1766)        4  5 0
 8/ 0*MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)      2   3  0 40.0   8/ 0*MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     2  3 0
 9/ 8*LOLPERLOL (1787)           2   8  0 20.0   9/ 8*LOLPERLOL (1787)          2  8 0
10- 9*SMOL FLAME (1786)          0   1  0  0.0  10- 9*SMOL FLAME (1786)         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

Three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, a momma tomato, and a 
little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes 
over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, Catch up.

Get it?  Ketchup?

                                          -- Fox Force Five

***---------*---------*---------*---------**---------*---------*---------*---------***

Training in Basic D2: Skills or Stats?

D2ers often hear a statement similar to this: "Train skills; do not train stats." The 
implication or sometimes direct statement is that you will be sorry if you train 
stats, especially certain stats.  The Consortium opinion is that, in the majority of 
circumstances, it is perfectly all right and normal to train stats, and in some cases 
it is better to train stats. (This process of training stats is often called 
"burning") The purpose of this presentation is to explore stat and skill training and 
to give the D2 Manager some ideas as to if, or when, stat training is either aok or 
best. The article will also explore when it is considered best not to train stats.

First, to set the stage, there are several principles, givens, and ideas that the 
reader must understand.

1. Skill training is mostly dependent on WT. (e.g. The higher the wit, the more skills 
   per fight the warrior is likely to learn. It also seems one can learn more skills 
   fighting a very experience/skilled warrior. (Whom apparently teaches well?) There 
   is always a luck roll involved.

2. Stat training is rather highly dependent upon two things:

   a. WL; a warrior's stat learn probability is 5% times the will. (E.g. a warrior 
      with 10 WL has a (5%x10=50%) 50/50 chance to learn the stat, while a warrior 
      with 15 WL has a 75% (3 to 1 odds) chance of learning the stat.

   b. The number of stats of that type already trained. A warrior's learning rate for 
      a specific stat is halved each time he earns one of those stats. For example, a 
      warrior with 10 will has a 50% (5%x10) of earning a first stat of a type, but 
      only a 25% (5%x10 halved) of earning the second stat of that type. (and on to 
      12.5% for the third) Realize, however, that it is really 50% for the 1st, 27.5% 
      for the 2nd (since he earned the 1st and is now at 11 WL) and 15% for the 3rd. 
      (Since he had previously bumped the WL to 12). Note: There is always a 
      luck/unlucky roll involved.

2. Training most stats also earns the warrior certain skills. (Check your C.I.C. 
   packet  ot the Terrablood or Assur database for this.)

3. There are limits to the number of stats and skills a warrior can have.

   a. In basic, a warrior can have no higher that 21 of any stat type.

   b. A warrior is limited to earning 20 skills (beyond the initial skills the warrior 
      is "born" with) of each type in his career. Those 20 skills may come from 
      learning skills or from training a stat which gives the warrior one or more of 
      those skills. He is deemed "maxed" in that attribute when he learns the 20th.

   c. A warrior can, however, learn more than 20 skills of a type if he first learns 
      his 20 allowed skills, and then trains stats which give the warrior one of those 
      specific skills.  (This factor is why one often hears "Do not train stats or you 
      will be sorry".)

4. Certain stats improve the "physicals" of your warrior. (e.g. there is a reasonable 
   possibility that training ST can improve how much damage your warrior does when he 
   hits). 

With those principles in mind, one can postulate certain scenarios which might provide 
a basis for decision-making as to "what to train". These represent, first, the 
knowledge necessary, then, The Consortium scenarios for training decision: STATs or 
SKILLs?

KNOWLEDGE

1. Be aware of the probable skill learn rate. (This is a highly variable number, based 
   on many, many factors of the game, including luck rolls.) (However WT is the 
   primary factor.)
2. Be aware of the stat training probability for that stat. (Mostly determined by WL.)
3. Be aware that virtually everything in D2 has a probable roll or luck factor
4. Be aware of the potential "physical" improvement to your warrior for stat training.
5. Know which stat trains do not provide any skills. (E.g. Raising to 12ST improves 
   the stat, but cannot provide any skills or "burning", while raising to 15ST 
   improves that stat and provides two "burned" skills: attack and parry.) Note: 
   Physicals might improve in either case.
6. Determine if that specific warrior will be enhanced by a possibility of earning 
   more than 20 skills of a type. (Example, a warrior that is meant for the long-term, 
   or is deemed to be a near-godling is extremely likely to benefit from the extra 
   skills at high-ADM classes where every warrior is maxed or near maxed in stats and 
   skills and every single skill can make a difference in a fight. A warrior who is 
   expected to be around for a shorter period, or is to be "retired" upon graduation 
   to Lord Protectorship, will not be around long enough to earn and benefit from the 
   few extra skills available.
7. Know which is likely to benefit your warrior most when you decide to train skills 
   of a certain stat. (e.g. How many skills am I likely to learn if I train skills 
   verses the probability of learning that specific stat train and the subsequent 
   physical and skill gain earned.)

CONSORTIUM DECISION MODEL

1. Upon rollup, evaluate each warrior and classify:  long-term/godling (GOD),  
   possible long term (UNS), standard warrior, run to graduation (NRM).
2. Do not train stats on GOD, unless they are non-burning stats.
3. Limit training stats on UNS, unless they are non-burning stats, until it is decided 
   that this warrior is definitely not a GOD.
4. If a NRM, train whatever the manager believes will most enhance the warrior winning 
   fights.
5. When deciding between stat or skill training, compare the probability quantity of 
   skill earning vs. the probable of learning the chosen stat and its potential 
   physical and skill contribution.

Perhaps a couple of Consortium examples are in order. Let's consider these two 
warriors: a 14-7-12-15-20-14-11 striker and an 4-10-11-17-17-4-21 aimed-blow.

Although a solid warrior, the striker would be considered NRM, especially since 
strikers are not considered likely Primus-level styles. The warrior probably rolled 
good damage and good endurance.  The odds of getting a first stat raise are near 100% 
(5%x20, but everything has a "luck" roll). The warrior at 15WT should expect to earn 
nearly two skills per turn (Consortium rates 15WT skill learn rate at 1.75ish) 
Consortium Managers would plan two immediate "bumps," WL to 21 and ST to 15. Moving to 
21 WL gains seven fine skills (2 each Att, Par, Def and 1 Decise) and enhances 
physicals a tiny bit. (Adds 0.4 it points and improves endurance a small amount) 
Training skills would have yielded a probability of two skills, and three if lucky. 
The choice to train WL is a no-brainer. The 2nd plan train to 15ST is also a good one. 
At 15 ST, two skills are earned, attack and parry. The 15ST also enhances weapon 
selection, making the striker now strong enough to carry certain "larger weapons" with 
no penalty. (The battle axe is an often favored weapon of Consortiumites -- and 
probably should be a favorite of yours.) The 15ST also has the possibility of raising 
the warrior's damage rating from good to great. Consortium places this damage bump 
odds at 4-1, appx 20% likely.) Compared to the probability of learning 2 skills (or an 
unlucky 1 or a lucky 3) the 15ST raise seems like a good one. There are no more 
planned raises for this warrior, but that does not preclude that a Consortium manager 
might not later attempt an additional ST raise to 16 (if great damage was not 
attained) and a raise to 8 CN, especially if the warrior has a "frail" rating.

Warrior #2, the aimer is rated a GOD. There would be no planned stat raises to the 
warrior, training skill all the way until maxed. However, there would be no reason not 
to consider CN raises, as no CN raise burns skills and every aimer can use additional 
hit points. This choice would need to be balanced against the probability of earning 
2.25 skills per turn (Consortium rating). One additional consideration should be 
given. If this warrior rolled "little damage", (normal damage is more likely) the bump 
to 5ST could be what is needed to get normal damage. The raising of that stat "burns" 
a parry and an attack skill, however. For a long-term warrior, especially an aimer 
which can use little-damage somewhat effectively, this bump would not be recommended.

In conclusion, there is no absolute when it comes to training skills or stats. 
Training stats is certainly not a no-no. Burning skills can be inconsequential. 
Physical and skill gains from stats can greatly enhance the warrior and the W/L 
record. But, like most other decisions in D2, there is a trade-off. Burning stats on a 
long-term, ADM+ warrior could prove damaging to the warrior's long-term health. Choose 
wisely rather than automatically.

Perhaps this quote from another player's article will enhance your understanding? 
"Raising stats:  Care must be taken in doing this. All fighters start out with the 
ability to learn 20 skills each in the categories of Defense, Parry, Riposte, Attack, 
Decisiveness, and Initiative.  When you learn all 120 skills, you've maxed out.  You 
can get skills through normal learns, or by raising stats; however, if you raise stats 
BEFORE you max out (except for Con which has no skills), anything gained will count as 
one of the 20.  This is called "burning" skills.  If, on the other hand, you wait 
until you've maxed out, then raising stats will add those imbedded skills to the ones 
you've learned, enabling you to exceed your limits.  But raising stats will give an 
immediate boost to your abilities.  It's a question of short term vs. long term gain."

                                   -- Whisperer of Famous Pets (Consortium affiliated)

***---------*---------*---------*---------**---------*---------*---------*---------***

Basics of Strategy, part 1

Lots of articles focus on how to make the best warrior of a certain style, but fewer 
articles describe the magic boxes in your strategy sheet and what numbers to put in 
them to win win win.  I attempt to give managers some guidance.  

Abbreviations: OE=Offensive Effort, AL=Activity Level, KD = Kill Desire.

Most of this series of articles will focus on OE and AL and not as much on tactics, 
but I will give counters to each strategy.  A future article (or articles) will talk 
about weapon selection.

Caveat: This article is largely how Assur thinks of strategy and not everything in it 
is proven or scientific fact.

The first thing to consider is how you want your warrior to win. There are three main 
warrior types.  Pure Offensive, Pure Defensive, and Hybrid.  Once you know that 
answer, you have a better idea on how you want to fight.

OE = How much effort your warrior wants to put into attacking. For many warriors, 
finding your 'favorite' is a goal.  The advantages of using your favorite OE is pretty 
high.  But sometimes, depending on how you fight, you'd rather simply fix the OE to 
certain numbers.  More on OE on the warrior types.

AL = How much movement you put into the fight.  Things Assur believes: Higher 
AL: More Initiative/Decisiveness, More Dodging. Lower AL: More Parry.  The advantages 
of using your favorite AL are not nearly as clear as using your favorite OE.  For many 
warriors, simply using 10AL is often better than your favorites. Unless you are a 
parry style, 1 AL tends to not be very effective (Unless you're fighting a pure 
defensive)

Higher #'s on both OE and AL use endurance faster.

KD = A note to the arena master on your warrior's willingness to keep the fight going.  
Higher=Greater chance for a death in the fight. Lower=Lesser chance for a death in the 
fight.  Recommended for most warriors to keep it between 3 and 8 inclusive.  9-10 
makes warrior fight somewhat strangely and while you will kill more, it affects your 
abilities in detrimental ways.  Lots of theories on what KD actually does.  Assur has 
no real clue, so he simply recommends 3-8.

Favorites.  Every warrior has a 'favorite' rhythm.  You find out your approximate 
favorite rhythm when you graduate.  Many people try to 'figure' it out before they 
graduate their warriors to ADM. You can't be sure you've got the right rhythm, but 
sometimes you'll find that sweet spot.  There are other articles that talk about 
possible ranges per style.

Pure Offensive: These are by far the easiest types of warriors to master and create a 
strategy for.  The tried and true strategy is 10 OE, 10 AL. Go out fast and hard!  
Feel free to modify with Lunge, Decise, Bash, or Slash Tactics.  This strategy is very 
fast, very effective, and very taxing.  But most fights are over quick, so endurance 
isn't typically a factor.

10-10-x Decise Tactic is the fastest strategy you can use.

If endurance is a factor for your warrior or because your expected opponent is going 
to try for a longer fight to wear you out, start lowering those numbers.  Assur 
usually lowers AL first, then OE. After minute 1, Assur lowers AL very fast in the 
fight.

Assur rarely runs pure offensives lower than 7 OE, but runs virtually all AL's in 
different situations / with different warriors.

Question: Would it be better to try and find my warrior's favorites than to run with 
the tried and true strategy?
Answer: Some warriors do fight better at somewhat lower numbers. But for a pure 
offensive, 10-10 is tough to beat.  Assur has not had success with pure offensives 
without at least one of OE or AL on the high side (8+).  The other is typically 
moderate or higher (5+).

Armor: Usually light or none.  There are exceptions (tank offensives) but because of 
the endurance issues, Assur typically goes ALE or none for armor and no higher than S 
for helm (maybe a H on a warrior he really loves and doesn't want to die).

Countering the tried and true strategy.

Option 1: If you can't beat them, join them.  It is always an option to try and 
counter with the same strategy.  A huge factor in attacking first is 'luck,' so 
countering with the tried and true strategy gives at least a chance to 'luck' into a 
win.

Option 2: Counter Tactic.  If your opponent is using the Lunge tactic or Decise 
tactic, you can attempt to counter using the 'counter' tactic.  Response is the 
counter tactic to Decise. Dodge is the counter tactic to lunge.  Counter tactics are 
not automatic wins, but they do work.  Assur's best results with the response tactic 
is to use standard pure offensive numbers (5-10 OE/5-10 AL), wear armor, and use the 
response tactic in both minute 1 and desperation.  When I say 'best results,' I mean 
exactly that.  Response is a fickle mistress.  I've seen huge upsets using response as 
well as fights where my opponent ignored my 'counter strategy.' For the Dodge counter 
tactic, high AL, max of moderate armor and dodge.

Option 3: Wait for an opportunity.  Wear some armor and either fight on favorites or 
use the standard pure offensive numbers (5-10/5-10). This works best if you have some 
con and your opponent isn't just going to thrash you up.

Option 4: The fancy riposte tactic.  The riposte tactic is tricky, because you have to 
successfully parry or dodge and then you have the chance to riposte.  Assur uses the 
riposte tactic warriors who have good defenses but don't have good riposte.

Option 5: Avoid!  You will most likely encounter at some point a warrior that comes 
out really fast and either starts a string of crit attacks and/or hits hard enough to 
simple thrash you up fast. As much as you may want to stroke your ego by beating the 
best, some times it is better to concede that your opposing manager has found a 
special warrior that you just shouldn't mess around with.  Most commonly, these 
warriors are Strikers or Aimed Blows, but you may encounter Slashers or Bashers (or 
even another style) that you don't want to mess with.  Duel2 has evolved and there are 
a lot of managers that are looking for and trying to create monster offensives. 
Sometimes, these warriors will have lots of tournament experience and learning that 
doesn't show on their record (See that 5-0 record that is the Duelmaster?  He could 
easily have 20 or more fights from tournaments, and typically 21 wit to go with those 
fights).

                                      SPY REPORT

     Ready for some action-packed adventure, some thrills, chills and spills?  Well 
fergit it, cause this is the Spyreport for NOBLISH ISLAND.  One team deserves special 
mention 'cause they moved up 0 after going 3-1-0.  Keep it up, MERCENARIES!  MVP 
award for FLASH DANCER 1?  MAGIC THE DUEL's proud of her after beating PERSISTANT 
BEGGAR and getting 15 points.  Talk about yer big time losers!  ANT MAN got smashed 
by RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI, and lost 6 points!  Our last turn's Duelmaster has lost, folks, 
lost to M. CHARDINEE, and FERAL has made the way for a new Duelmaster!  CLEANING of 
BASH BROS DISHES takes FERAL's place.  (But seriously, who could ever take the place 
of FERAL?  Oh, all right.) 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 FAMOUS PETS must be getting lonely.  
They were the most avoided team.  Do you guys know something that I don't?  I don't 
know what BASH BROS DISHES' been doing.  They certainly haven't been accepting many 
fights from FAMOUS PETS, that's fer sher.  Like, is CRACKED popular, or what?  He was 
challenged the most in all of NOBLISH ISLAND!  He's got a 4-2-0, is that good?  
People were asking me did JUPITER REALLY challenge KITSUNE?  (all right, maybe they 
didn't, but it sounded good!) It wasn't a spectacular fight, or anything, but KITSUNE 
wants me to write about it since she bested JUPITER.  Satisfied?   
     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.)  
     I really didn't, you know, study when I was a kid.  Who would've guessed I'd be 
a famous Spyreporter?  I know how much you like reading this stuff, but I really 
should stop.  Remember you guys, ease up sometimes!  Chill out!  Later, Debby Tonte  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CLEANING 10316                5   1  1  47         BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FERAL 10350                   3   1  1  46         FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     
 CRACKED 10317                 4   2  0  37         BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 KITSUNE 10347                 4   0  1  35         FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     
 THE RAVEN 10452               4   0  0  35         MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  
 KUMIKO 10348                  4   0  0  34         FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SHAMU 10321                   5   1  0  32         FAMOUS PETS (1765)        
 VIXEN 10346                   2   2  0  27         FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     
 FENNEC 10351                  2   2  0  26         FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)     
 VENUS 10426                   2   1  0  24         FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PLUTO 10427                   2   1  0  22         FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     
 YONDARR 10444                 2   0  0  20         LOLPERLOL (1787)          
 PUNXSATAWNY PHIL 10323        4   2  0  19         FAMOUS PETS (1765)        
 MR. ED 10325                  3   3  0  19         FAMOUS PETS (1765)        
 LASSIE 10324                  2   4  0  17         FAMOUS PETS (1765)        
 RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI 10447        1   3  0  17         FAMOUS PETS (1765)        
 THEBE 10429                   2   1  0  15         FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     
 FLASH DANCER 1 10463          1   0  0  15         MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     
 RED DAWN 10328                2   0  0  14         MERCENARIES (1766)        
 UNMATCHED 10319               1   5  0  14         BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   
 FISHY 10457                   1   0  0  11         THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    
 SATURN 10428                  0   3  0  11         FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     
 DISCONTINUED 10320            2   4  0  10         BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   
 GRIM REAVER 10448             2   2  0  10         MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  
 B BETTY 10453                 1   1  0   9         THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    
 BRUTUS 10326                  1   1  0   7         MERCENARIES (1766)        
 GENGHIS KANE 2 10459          1   0  0   7         MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     
 JUPITER 10458                 1   2  1   6         FINAL FRONTIER (1784)     
 DR JEKYL 10476                1   0  0   6         MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  
 SWEENEY TODD 10449            1   3  0   6         MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  
 RICHARDS 10327                1   1  0   6         MERCENARIES (1766)        
 MR HYDE 10451                 1   3  0   6         MACABRE MARAUDERS (1788)  
 DOLLY 10454                   1   1  0   5         THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    
 DIRTY 10464                   1   0  0   5         BASH BROS DISHES (1764)   
 ANT MAN 10456                 1   1  0   4         THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    
-MILLY JONES 10437             0   1  0   3         SMOL FLAME (1786)         
 SHE RA 10455                  0   2  0   2         THE HAIRY BUNCH (1789)    
 SAD SIRI 10443                0   2  0   2         LOLPERLOL (1787)          
 SAREPH 10445                  0   2  0   2         LOLPERLOL (1787)          
 SAREN 10446                   0   2  0   2         LOLPERLOL (1787)          
 PERCY 10330                   0   2  0   2         MERCENARIES (1766)        
 JARETT 10442                  0   2  0   2         LOLPERLOL (1787)          
 GENGHIS KANE 10462            0   1  0   1         MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     
 BLACK LUNG 1 10460            0   1  0   1         MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     
 BIG BERTHA 1 10461            0   1  0   1         MAGIC THE DUEL (1790)     

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
BROKEN 10318            4  1 0 BASH BROS DISHE 1764 FERAL 10350           556   
THOMASINA 10322         1  1 0 FAMOUS PETS 1765     CLEANING 10316        553  NOT REVENGED
DR JEKYLL 10450         0  1 0 MACABRE MARAUDE 1788 KITSUNE 10347         554   
BLADES 10329            0  1 0 MERCENARIES 1766     JUPITER 10458         555   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Mr Ed -- Next time I'll pack a can opener. -- Vixen

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas! There seem to be a lot of Mordant deserters in 
need of justice in these parts. -- Paradox, mgr Fox Force Five

Welcome to the Island, warriors of Mercenaries and Final Frontier. Next round's on m-
... errr *checks for his coin purse*... Whisperer.  Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was 
Whisperer's saying something about rounds. -- Paradox

Assur -- They say it's lonely at the top. I'm more than happy to help try to ease that 
burden for you. -- Paradox

Enter Dr. Jekyl. -- Macabre Marauders

Hail Noblishers! It is mighty fine seeing so many of you here. Yes, indeed. It is good 
to see some pretty fine warriors in the bunch, too. Not everyone is a run-of-the-mill 
first-time roll-up sheet fighter. Nosireebob! This Isle has some class! Welcome. 
Welcome. -- Whisperer, Mgr of Famous Pets

Assur, my friend, only one round , and I am declaring that as round 5, of our battles 
means anything. And what did round five mean. Pets smash Dishes. Yes! -- Whisperer

Kumiko, you are one fine fighter and I salute you. Three tries are enough. I have 
learned my lesson. -- Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Sad Siri, that was a good fight. I suspect I just had a little too much experience for 
you. Good luck moving forward. -- Shamu

She Ra, does one really have to be hairy to join the Hairy Bunch? I know I treated you 
rather hairy, but I will hold up my request-to-join for a little while. I kinda like 
being a famous pet. -- Mr. Ed

Dishes! Dishes! We love, love, love you. -- Punxsatawny Phil and Lassie

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi -- You know what they say:  if at first you don't succeed, please 
keep doing whatever it is you're doing! -- Kumiko

Lassie -- Sorry Gal, no scraps for you. -- Kitsune

Assur -- Sorry I broke Broken. -- Feral

Whisperer -- I'd like to euthanize your pets.  No, scratch that, forget the humane 
part! -- Assur

All -- Welcomes, all around! -- Assur

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

KUMIKO viciously subdued MR. ED in a crowd pleasing 2 minute gruesome Challenge fight.
THEBE was demolished by THE RAVEN in a 1 minute gory one-sided Challenge melee.
JUPITER was vanquished by KITSUNE in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
SHE RA was overpowered by UNMATCHED in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
DOLLY slimly lost to LASSIE in a 2 minute Challenge brawl.
YONDARR vanquished MR HYDE in a 4 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
B BETTY was beaten by VIXEN in a 1 minute amateur vs. veteran Challenge brawl.
ANT MAN lost to RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI in a action packed 1 minute gruesome Challenge duel.
FERAL was defeated by M. CHARDINEE in a 2 minute duel.
CLEANING vanquished PUNXSATAWNY PHIL in a 1 minute one-sided Title fight.
SHAMU overpowered DISCONTINUED in a 1 minute one-sided melee.
CRACKED overpowered SATURN in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided match.
FENNEC overcame SWEENEY TODD in a crowd pleasing 1 minute veteran vs. novice contest.
VENUS beat OSKSI NOBLE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute conflict.
PLUTO overpowered CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
JARETT was bested by GENGHIS KANE 2 in a 2 minute beginner's duel.
SAD SIRI was luckily beaten by RICHARDS in a crowd pleasing 1 minute amateur's brawl.
PERCY was overpowered by FISHY in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
SAREPH was beaten by BRUTUS in a 2 minute novice's bout.
SAREN was defeated by RED DAWN in a 2 minute bloody amateur's conflict.
GRIM REAVER savagely defeated GENGHIS KANE in a exciting 1 minute beginner's fight.
BLACK LUNG 1 was overcome by DIRTY in a 1 minute beginner's duel.
BIG BERTHA 1 was bested by DR JEKYL in a 1 minute gory novice's bout.
FLASH DANCER 1 overpowered PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                 10         WALL OF STEEL      8 -   3 -  0      73  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  7         AIMED BLOW        16 -   7 -  0      70  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   7         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -   7 -  1      61  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         LUNGING ATTACK    14 -  10 -  1      58  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         TOTAL PARRY       10 -   9 -  0      53  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         STRIKING ATTACK   26 -  26 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         BASHING ATTACK    16 -  22 -  1      42  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   4 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 557 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:

AIMED BLOW         4 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    3 -  4         4  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     2 -  5         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  1     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  SLASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    7 -  3     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  2         2  AIMED BLOW     
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  3     TOTAL PARRY        0 -  3         1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  CLEANING 10316              5   1  1   47 BASH BROS DISHES (1764)
BASHING ATTACK   FERAL 10350                 3   1  1   46 FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)
LUNGING ATTACK   CRACKED 10317               4   2  0   37 BASH BROS DISHES (1764)
SLASHING ATTACK  KITSUNE 10347               4   0  1   35 FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)
AIMED BLOW       KUMIKO 10348                4   0  0   34 FOX FORCE FIVE (1770)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is CLEANING 10316.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was KUMIKO 10348.  The ten other most popular fighters were LASSIE 10324, VIXEN 
10346, RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI 10447, FENNEC 10351, GENGHIS KANE 2 10459, BRUTUS 10326, 
KITSUNE 10347, FERAL 10350, CLEANING 10316, and CRACKED 10317.

The least popular fighter this week was MR HYDE 10451.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were BIG BERTHA 1 10461, BLACK LUNG 1 10460, SAREN 10446, PERCY 10330, 
JARETT 10442, SWEENEY TODD 10449, DISCONTINUED 10320, PUNXSATAWNY PHIL 10323, ANT MAN 
10456, and SHE RA 10455.