DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 04/08/2022    Duedate: 04/21/2022

NOBLISH ISLAND ARENA

DM 93    TURN 606

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

BRADDOCK GRIMMS
FALLEN WORLDS (1831)
(93-10722) [8-2-0,46]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

BRADDOCK GRIMMS                DUKE O FLATBUSH
FALLEN WORLDS (1831)           DEM BUMS (1845)
(93-10722) [8-2-0,46]          (93-10804) [3-2-2,44]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

BIRD DOG                       BIRD DOG
EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)
(93-10818) [4-0-0,28]          (93-10818) [4-0-0,28]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)        39 
2. DEM BUMS (1845)               38    FALLEN WORLDS (1831)
3. CLOWDER OF KATZ (1840)        26    Unchartered Team
4. BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)      25 
5. G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)        12    EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*KNIGHTS ORDER (311)        1   0  0 100.   1/ 2*EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)   13  2 0
 2/ 3*EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    15   5  0 75.0   2/ 3*BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  9  6 0
 3/ 4*BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  17   8  0 68.0   3/ 1*CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    8  6 1
 4- 5*ZOO KEEPERS (1843)         9   6  1 60.0   4/ 6*DEM BUMS (1845)           8  7 2
 5/ 2*CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    11   8  1 57.9   5/ 8*ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  5  5 0
 6/ 7 FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      19  19  1 50.0   6/ 5*DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 5 10 0
 7/ 6*ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)   5   5  0 50.0   7/ 9 FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      4  9 0
 8/ 8*DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 16  18  0 47.1   8/ 7*CLOWDER OF KATZ (1840)    4 11 0
 9/10*DEM BUMS (1845)            9  16  2 36.0   9- 4*ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        2  3 0
10/ 9*G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)     4   8  0 33.3  10/11*G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    2  8 0
11/11*CLOWDER OF KATZ (1840)     8  22  0 26.7  11-10*KNIGHTS ORDER (311)       1  0 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                        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 or 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" 14-7-12-15-20-14-11 striker and 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."

                              -- Agent Smith, Everly Brothers  (Consortium affiliated)

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Duelmasters for Dummies

There are handbooks around that will guide you in becoming the hottest player 
Duelmasters has ever seen... if you're prepared to work at it.  But what if you don't 
want to be hot, but only pleasantly warm, have a good time, and not fret and stew over 
maximizing the potential of every roll-up you receive?  What if spending months in the 
Dark Arena searching for the perfect roll-up sounds boring?  What if the "Perfect 
Warrior" is not for you, and you have no intention of dominating Gateway? What if such 
handbooks as the Enchiridion represent "more than you ever wanted to know" about the 
inner workings and minute tunings of the game? 

This article is for you....

You have a new roll-up sheet in front of you; it doesn't matter whether it's a new 
team or only one replacement.  How do you design the warrior(s) for best present 
enjoyment?  First, don't send anyone straight to the Dark Arena.  Okay, do if you like 
to read Dark Arena fights, but not otherwise.  Give every roll-up, regardless of 
"Perfect Warrior" potential or lack thereof, your best design efforts and a chance to 
show his stuff.  Some supposed duds will surprise you.

A few simple rules for basic warrior design and strategy:

1)  Aim at achieving an odd number in your key stats, 15 is good, 17 is better, except 
    in unusual cases (DF for aimed blows), 21 is too much of a good thing.

2)  Wit and Will are the key stats for any warrior except a freak experiment. Deftness 
    and Strength are second, Speed and Constitution are third.

3)  Offensive styles (Basher, Lunger, Slasher, Striker) and Total Parries are easier 
    to run and easier to win with than the finesse styles (Aimed Blows, Parry- 
    anythings, Walls of Steel).  Yes, the finesse styles can be fun and devastating, 
    but don't START there.  Start with the easier styles and work up to finesse. Watch 
    out for stereotypes.  Big, dumb, clumsy bashers do not generally do well. Fast, 
    brainy lungers with low CN and WL burn out early in the first minute and also tend 
    to die easily.  A medium good roll-up will do well at any of the offensive styles.

4)  Pick your arena with some care, as different arenas favor and reward different 
    styles of play and different tones in the personals. Generally speaking, arenas of 
    the Andorian and Lirith Kai regions will frown on down-challenges and deliberate 
    killing, and hostile "trash-talking" personals will not be appreciated.  On the 
    whole, these Andorian and Adantri arenas are the more sociable arenas and will 
    tend to have more personals and more role-playing.  (There are, of course, 
    exceptions.)  Players in the Andorian and Lirith Kai arenas will tend to be 
    helpful to a newcomer. Arenas of the Delarquan region will accept more aggressive 
    styles in play and in personals, more down-challenging, and more killing... BUT 
    you can expect to draw a quick and hard response in kind.  Generally these arenas 
    are not as friendly as the Andorians, and they are much less likely to help out a 
    newcomer. The arenas of the Free Blades region vary more among themselves than 
    those of the other regions but generally tend to fall in between the Andorian and 
    Delarquan extremes.

5)  When arming your warrior, check the Weapon/Style/Stat Suitability chart below, 
    probably THE most useful chart for a beginner.  It sorts the weapons by style, 
    listing only those that are favored by each style, and gives the minimum stats (in 
    ST, SZ, WT, and DF) to use any particular weapon.  Note which weapons your warrior 
    is physically able to use.  Arm him with something he can use and that is favored 
    by his style, and GIVE HIM A BACK-UP WEAPON, even if it's only a dagger.  Do not 
    be misled by real-world logic, by the way: bashers are not well-suited to using 
    the fists as weapons!  (If you are going to use the same weapon against all armor 
    weights, it isn't necessary to make three categories on your strategy sheet, and 
    it annoys the inputter.)
         In fact, you might want to consult the chart below before picking a style for 
    your new warrior.  It is not a good idea to make a warrior into, say, a basher, if 
    he is unable to use well any of the basher's weapons of choice.  (I've done this 
    by not paying attention, and I have ALWAYS regretted it afterward.)  For example, 
    I just got a replacement who is 8-10-20-9-12-4-7.  If I make it 9-10-20-15-17-4-9, 
    then I should NOT make it a Basher, because the poor goop couldn't use any bashing 
    weapon well.  If I go with this set of numbers, he should probably be a Lunger 
    using a short spear, or a Striker using a hatchet.  But if I drop WT to 13 and 
    raise ST to 11, he could use a broadsword and might make a Slasher; equally, if I 
    drop WT to 13 and raise DF to 11, instead, he could use a scimitar and make a 
    Slasher....  Choices, choices....

6)  Put armor on the warrior before sending him out to fight. Armor saves lives.  
    Total Parries can take the heaviest armors, as they generally don't move around a 
    lot.  Offensives can run faster with no armor or leather armor, but that doesn't 
    give them much protection.  If you're worried about their survival, put them in 
    mid-weight armor; I favor ringmail for this, but scalemail and chainmail are also 
    options.  Always put something on their heads!  A blow to the head can be 
    especially deadly, so give them protection there--at least a steel cap, a helm for 
    choice, a full helm if the warrior is a Total Parry.

7)  Train skills, unless/until you're sure this is going to be a throw-away, short-
    term warrior.

8)  Challenge warriors above your warrior, and/or those with more fights, for the best 
    chance to learn skills.  Challenge warriors below your warrior to improve your 
    chances of winning and to provoke maximum hostility from other managers. Repeated 
    challenges to the same warrior, when there are other targets available, will also 
    provoke hostility.

9)  Avoid teams with high kill percentages and teams that regularly down- challenge or 
    repeat-challenge.

10)  Don't run a warrior 10-10-10 unless you like to see him go berserk and then 
    collapse half way through the first minute.  Yes, the pure offensives should run 
    fast, but drop either Activity Level or Kill Desire or both by a few points if 
    your warrior doesn't have a good or better endurance.  If endurance is not 
    mentioned on the warrior's overview, then it is "normal" or "average," and 10-10-
    10 will probably burn him out early in the fight.  If endurance is poor, don't 
    even think of it. (Yes, I can hear all you number crunchers out there rising up to 
    point out that there are exceptions.  I admit the exceptions, but these are 
    general guidelines for the average beginner.  Exceptions belong in a different 
    article.}  Generally speaking, Total Parries should run slowly.

11)  Be wary of using tactics.  Sometimes they help, sometimes they hinder, and 
    they're tricky.  Even when a tactic gives some clear benefit, remember that it 
    comes with a built-in danger in that it commits the warrior to that attitude 
    during the minute it is used.  A defensive tactic will tend to hinder offense, 
    offensive tactics will reduce the warrior's defense.  Do not use both an offensive 
    and a defensive tactic in the same minute.

12)  Fill out your strategy sheet clearly and completely to avoid antagonizing the 
    inputter!  Don't make her guess what you want your warrior to do.

13)  Write personal ads to take part in the player-player interaction.  This is a 
    significant part of the fun of the game.  If you want other managers to help you 
    learn, write =friendly= personals!  Surprising how some people miss this obvious 
    point, but the obnoxious managers are likely to have a hard time getting help.

14)  Fill out the front part of the Warrior Census Form.  Picking a warrior's race can 
    make him a more clearly realized character and one that it is more fun to write 
    personals for.  Filling out the warrior sayings can make reading the fights more 
    amusing.  Fill out the back of the form only if you feel like it, as NOTHING on 
    the back, not even the character stats, has any effect on the fights. The back of 
    the form is all role-playing information and, at this time, will only be used 
    if/when your warrior appears in a spotlight written by a staff writer.  When/if 
    the extension of the Duelmasters system for which the back of the form was 
    originally intended is completed, you will have another chance to fill out this 
    stuff.

Weapons, Styles, Minimum Stats required for use

The weapons best-suited to each style are listed under that style.  If a weapon is not 
listed under that style, then it is not well-suited to use by that style. Regardless 
of style, however, the stats required to use a weapon are the same. This chart was 
composed with information found in the Enchiridion, and I thank Pagan for making it 
readily available. 

      Aimed Blow  nine weapons                   Slasher  eight weapons
Dagger         ST  -  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7  Battleaxe      ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9
Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15  Broadsword     ST 11  SZ  -  WT  9  DF  7
Fist  -        presumably any              Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15
Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9  Greataxe       ST 13  SZ  5  WT  9  DF 11
Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11  Hatchet        ST  5  SZ  -  WT  3  DF  7
Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11  Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11
Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11  Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11
Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7  Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3
Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3
                                                 Striker  Note that the strikers can
      Basher  eleven weapons               use every weapon plus the small shield
Greataxe       ST 13  SZ  5  WT  9  DF 11  effectively.  This is the only style that
Greatsword     ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF 11  has so broad a selection. Twenty-one 
Halberd        ST 17  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9  weapons.
Large shield   ST 11  SZ  7  WT  5  DF  5  Battleaxe      ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9
Mace           ST 13  SZ  -  WT  3  DF  5  Broadsword     ST 11  SZ  -  WT  9  DF  7
Maul           ST 15  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  7  Dagger         ST  -  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7
Medium shield  ST  9  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  5  Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15
Morningstar    ST 13  SZ  -  WT  7  DF 13  Fist  -        presumably any
Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11  Greataxe       ST 13  SZ  5  WT  9  DF 11
Warflail       ST 11  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  5  Greatsword     ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF 11
Warhammer      ST 13  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  7  Halberd        ST 17  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9
                                           Hatchet        ST  5  SZ  -  WT  3  DF  7
      Lunger  five weapons                 Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9
Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15  Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11
Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9  Mace           ST 13  SZ  -  WT  3  DF  5
Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11  Maul           ST 15  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  7
Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7  Morningstar    ST 13  SZ  -  WT  7  DF 13
Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3  Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11
                                           Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11
      Parry-Lunger  six weapons            Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7
Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15  Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3
Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9  Small shield   ST  5  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  5
Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11  Warflail       ST 11  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  5
Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11  Warhammer      ST 13  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  7
Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7
Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3       Total Parry  twelve weapons
                                           Battleaxe      ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9
      Parry-Riposte  six weapons           Broadsword     ST 11  SZ  -  WT  9  DF  7
Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15  Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15
Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9  Greatsword     ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF 11
Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11  Large shield   ST 11  SZ  7  WT  5  DF  5
Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11  Longspear      ST 11  SZ  9  WT  5  DF  9
Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7  Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11
Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3  Medium shield  ST  9  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  5
                                           Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11
      Parry-Striker  eleven weapons        Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11
Battleaxe      ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9  Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3
Broadsword     ST 11  SZ  -  WT  9  DF  7  Small shield   ST  5  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  5
Epee           ST  7  SZ  -  WT 15  DF 15
Greatsword     ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF 11       Wall of Steel  eight weapons
Longsword      ST 11  SZ  -  WT 13  DF 11  Battleaxe      ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF  9
Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11  Broadsword     ST 11  SZ  -  WT  9  DF  7
Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11  Greataxe       ST 13  SZ  5  WT  9  DF 11
Shortspear     ST  9  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  7  Greatsword     ST 15  SZ  9  WT  9  DF 11
Shortsword     ST  5  SZ  -  WT 11  DF  3  Morningstar    ST 13  SZ  -  WT  7  DF 13
Small shield   ST  5  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  5  Quarterstaff   ST 11  SZ  9  WT 11  DF 11
Warhammer      ST 13  SZ  -  WT  5  DF  7  Scimitar       ST  9  SZ  -  WT 11  DF 11
                                           Warflail       ST 11  SZ  -  WT  7  DF  5

                                          -- Jorja
                                             The Middle Way
                                             DM 93 and elsewhere

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LETTER FROM LAPUR T-938

I am so glad to be out of that tin can!

Wearing that APA/F combination for protection really impacts my endurance when 
fighting!

I spent my first 17 fights encumbered in that tin can!

Hammer finally liberated me by outfitting me with ASM/H and arming me with a Scimitar 
and another one as a backup!

Simply exhilarating!

I managed to last two minutes and sent my opponent to the Infirmary!

Only made one Crit with my Scimitar, but it was in minute two that made my opponent 
Desperate and ultimately sent him to the Infirmary!

Hammer has a gut feeling that it may not be my favorite weapon, but he has not changed 
my weapon!

Jack Of Diamonds matched up against Captured Orc and Diamond Jack was not be outdone!

Captured Orc ended up in the Infirmary!

Queen Of Clubs also managed a victory!

Club Queen now has the highest ranking in our stable with a record of 10-8-0, 59 in 
the Challenger Adepts!

However, she will probably not graduate from the DM 29 Lapur Arena before Hammer sends 
his Anew Flower Power stable here after their ten turns of training!

Queen Of Hearts had the lone loss for our stable this past cycle!

Heart Queen lost to her Up-Challenger!

In other news, the DM 29 Throne is still occupied by Fright Ride, as Assur managed to 
manage a victory!

The Spy Reporter apologized for rushing through his reporting of the DM 29 fights!

There were 11 active stables!

Assur saw to it that Fright Ride wrote a DM Column and in the Personal Ads, The Bloke 
was his usual cheerful self as the Consortium manager of Avoid Me!

Time to go celebrate my rare win!

There is still room in the DM 29 Lapur Arena for more active stables and enthusiastic 
managers!

"May You New Players Fare Better Than I Do!"

                  -- Wild Card Joker of 5 Card Draw in DM 29 and former loser in DM 93

                                      SPY REPORT

     It's me, The Unknown Spymaster, back to give you this week's Spy Report.  Sit 
back in your seats and we'll have more fun than a barrel of Zontanis.  Say good-bye 
to CRIMSON SCOURGE, as they are pushed from the coveted top team spot by the EVERLY 
BROTHERS stable.  It was a tough week for ZOO KEEPERS, to drop 5 places in the 
rankings.  Coming up with a solid 2-3-0 outing, ANEW FLOWER POWER has advanced 3 
places in the rankings.  Advancing in the rankings was EVERLY BROTHERS who went from 
last turn's 10-5-0, to this week's record of 15-5-0.  Hey everybody, watch out for 
FORTY-TWO, who flew up 19 points in the rankings after mashing MYSTIC RAIN like a 
melon.  Keep your eye on this guy.  Ya know, some days it doesn't pay to walk out on 
the sands.  MYSTIC RAIN was bested by FORTY-TWO and drops 12 points.  Our last turn's 
Duelmaster has lost, folks, lost to KUNG-FU MASTER, and CELERIS SSVALEN has made the 
way for a new Duelmaster!  With CELERIS SSVALEN clearing the throne, FALLEN WORLDS of 
BRADDOCK GRIMMS takes a proud seat as NOBLISH ISLAND's new Duelmaster, by virtue of 
recognition points.  Advice to bashers--never force anything, just get a bigger 
halberd!   
     Let's dig a little deeper into what's happening in the NOBLISH ISLAND arena.  
Here's a song for you:  Who's afraid of the big, bad EVERLY  BROTHERS?  Big bad 
EVERLY BROTHERS.  Big bad EVERLY BROTHERS.  NOBLISH ISLAND's afraid of the big bad 
EVERLY BROTHERS.  Tra la la la la!  For those of you who like math, try this one:  
EVERLY BROTHERS + Weapons That go Boom = BB BACHELOR AGAIN + Avoid City.  And who is 
this SQUIRE you ask, with 27 points and a 2-0-0 record.  Ooh, the tales I could tell! 
     Remember that an arena is not always a safe place to be, but it is one of the 
most interesting, though!  Well, just when you thought it was safe to put a new 
warrior in the arena.  No no!  DRAKE, a mere boy, was slain by DUKE O FLATBUSH this 
turn.  Remember:  alliances are great, but try and take your ally in the arena with 
you and see what happens.   
     Well, there's the manager of the NOBLISH ISLAND giving me the 'cut' sign (or is 
that 'They're going to strangle you in the alley?).  C'mon, Leadfoot, let's make some 
tracks.  Hasta la bye-bye.  (Loud choruses of 'Beat it, ya bum!')-- The Unknown 
Spymaster  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BRADDOCK GRIMMS 10722         8   2  0  46         FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DUKE O FLATBUSH 10804         3   2  2  44         DEM BUMS (1845)           
 CELERIS SSVALEN 10721         5   5  1  42         FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      
 LAUNDRY 10806                 4   1  0  36         BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CATHERINE KATZ 10777          3   3  0  30         CLOWDER OF KATZ (1840)    
 PROBLEMS 10826                3   0  0  29         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    
 BIRD DOG 10818                4   0  0  28         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    
 SQUIRE 10763                  2   0  0  27         G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    
 BOWLING GREEN 10820           3   1  0  25         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    
 ROLLO 10760                   4   3  0  24         DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 
 MELON SMASHER 10798           4   0  0  24         CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 AIRPORT TAXI 10808            4   1  0  23         BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  
 FORTY-TWO 10805               1   4  0  23         DEM BUMS (1845)           
 COOKING 10809                 4   1  0  21         BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  
 GRASSHOPPER 10800             3   1  1  21         CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    
 POPPY POPULARITY 10831        2   0  0  19         ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  
 EBONY EYES 10816              2   2  0  17         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    
 LADY SNUSNA 10725             3   7  0  16         FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      
 ROY CAMPANELLA 10802          3   2  0  16         DEM BUMS (1845)           
-KAELYNN 1724                  1   0  0  16         KNIGHTS ORDER (311)       
 CLEANING 10810                3   2  0  15         BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  
-JASON V 10793                 2   1  1  15         ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        
 VIOLET VISIONARY 10830        1   1  0  14         ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  
 ROSEBUD BLOOMING 10827        1   1  0  14         ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  
 DAKAVIAS 10779                3   4  0  13         DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 
-FREDDY K. 10795               2   1  0  13         ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        
 CALLIE 10842                  1   0  0  12         DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 
 MORGANA 10759                 2   5  0  11         DARKATHIAS' DEMONS (1837) 
 MYSTIC RAIN 10796             3   1  0  10         CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    
 PEE WEE 10803                 2   3  0   9         DEM BUMS (1845)           
 LONELY 10807                  2   3  0   9         BB BACHELOR AGAIN (1846)  
-FOREST BANDIT 10723           2   2  0   8         FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      
 KATE KATZ 10774               1   5  0   8         CLOWDER OF KATZ (1840)    
-GOTHCA 10792                  2   1  0   7         ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DON JUAN 10791                2   1  0   7         ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        
 BYE BYE LOVE 10843            1   0  0   6         EVERLY BROTHERS (1848)    
 RAINSTORM 10797               1   3  0   6         CRIMSON SCOURGE (1844)    
 GROGHERD THUG 10724           1   3  0   6         FALLEN WORLDS (1831)      
-MICHAEL M. 10794              1   2  0   5         ZOO KEEPERS (1843)        
 TWEEDLE DUM 10766             1   2  0   5         G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    
 TWEEDLE DEE 10765             1   2  0   5         G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    
 SANFORD BRAUN 10801           0   5  0   5         DEM BUMS (1845)           
 DANDELION DENIAL 10829        1   1  0   4         ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  
 POPPY POPOVINSKI 10828        0   2  0   2         ANEW FLOWER POWER (1850)  
 HENCHMAN 11 10767             0   2  0   2         G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    
 THUG 11 10764                 0   2  0   2         G'S SOCIAL CLUB (1838)    

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
CATT KATZ 10776         1  5 0 CLOWDER OF KATZ 1840 BLACK ORC             606  NONE
KATHMANDA KATZ 10775    3  3 0 CLOWDER OF KATZ 1840 WURM KIN              606  NONE
KATYN KATZ 10778        0  6 0 CLOWDER OF KATZ 1840 SPYMASTER             606  NONE
DRAKE 10761             4  3 0 DARKATHIAS' DEM 1837 DUKE O FLATBUSH 10804 606   
TREVANA 10758           2  3 0 DARKATHIAS' DEM 1837 DUKE O FLATBUSH 10804 605   
CATHY'S CLOWN 10819     2  1 0 EVERLY BROTHERS 1848 GRASSHOPPER 10800     605   
LET IT BE ME 10817      0  1 0 EVERLY BROTHERS 1848 JASON V 10793         603   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

A salute to Celeris Ssvalen, repeat Duelmaster. Kudos! -- Agent Smith and The Everly 
Brothers

Hammer, great, great spotlight. Well done, Young Man. -- Agent Smith

Grasshopper, I guess you don't like the great Everly Brothers songs? Had you ever 
heard of The Everly Brothers? But, did you have to kill Cathy's Clown? She was so cute 
and the song was so haunting and now poor me (Agent Smith) is left needing a new tune. 
Harsh! R.I.P. Cathy's Clown 13-9-9-17-9-14-13 Striker. -- Agent Smith (dressed in a 
black suit for the funeral)

Forest Bandit, I guess that means that you, too, have problems. -- Problems

Katyn K, haven't I met you before down in Kentucky somewhere? I always remember the 
lookers. -- Bowling Green

Kate Katz, what a surprise that I lasted through that! I commend both your skill and 
my luck. -- Bird Dog

Roseblood Blooming, yikes! -- Ebony Eyes (sleeping off the pain and glad to be alive)

Please welcome the newest Everly Brothers hit -- Bye Bye Love. -- Agent Smith (Rather 
happy that they had so many hit tunes the way things are going.)

Crimson Scourge, no need to worry about Everly Brother bloodfeuds as The Consortium 
teams do not BF on Noblish Island DM93. That is not at all the case elsewhere in the 
other arenas. -- Agent Smith
P.S. Good luck to you.

This world is not kind, and I am of this world.  Catt Katz, Kathmanda Katz, and Katyn 
Katz do prove yourselves. -- Tom Katx, mgr Clowder of Katz

As you all may know we lost Trevana during the last matches, she will be replaced my 
Callie.  Please welcome her to the sands.  Thank you. -- Karkathias

Duke -- Did you have to kill her? -- Drake

Airport Taxi -- Look like it was my turn to win. -- Drake

Cooking -- Sorry for the holes in your platemail. -- Rollo

Lady Snusna -- Good fight.  It was close. -- Morgana

Hammer -- Flying Dragons is back!  Currently fighting in DM 82, Dwes Eg. -- Darkathias

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, the good folks in Lapur want me to tell you 
about the fine bloodshed that can be had on our Lapurian sands. Come and join our 
circled square where you can fight warriors like The Great Gama, Queen of Clubs, Woo 
Woo Woo, Zoloft and more. Tune in when Noblish is over. You're gonna be sorry if you 
don't. -- Ed Whalen, Channels 2&7

All -- We are THE team within a team. We are three sweaty, beefy, bad men, and when 
you make your way to Lapur you better steer clear of Karachi Vice!

Darkathias -- "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, 
but love your neighbor as yourself." Leviticus 19:18. Pass that on to your demons. -- 
Mr. Rickey

Does this make me a slugger? -- Duke O Flatbush

Laundry -- Fighting you was like being a mosquito in a nudist colony: I didn't even 
know where to begin. -- Pee Wee

The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal 
dignity. -- Forty-Two

Agent Smith -- Glad you are enjoying the Letters From Lapur! Managed to get another 
one written and verified by HAL earlier this due date evening! -- Hammer

Mr Rickey -- MLB Opening Day today! -- Hammer

Roy Campenella -- For some reason my stable in Lin Tirian was not active!  Have not 
had the priority time to investigate! -- Hammer

Ebony Eyes -- My luck of the draw! Salute! -- Rosebud Blooming

Lonely -- Glad you survived the Infirmary! Salute! -- Poppy Popularity

Melon Smasher -- Glad you did not smash my melon! Salute! -- Violet Visionary

Catherine Katz -- Glad I survived the Infirmary! Woke up dazed and confused days 
later! Could have sworn Led Zeppelin was playing in the background when I woke up! 
Salute! -- Poppy Popovinski

Catt Katz -- Thanks for being my partner during my victory dance! Salute! -- Dandelion 
Denial

All -- My new Anew Flower Power stable debuts with 3 wins and 2 losses! Should be a 
fun stable as they train to transfer to the DM 29 Lapur Arena! -- Hammer / Minister of 
War, Duel 2 Sponsor, mgr of Anew Flower Power

New Players -- DM 29 Lapur Arena is a Great Choice! Transfer to Lapur! -- Hammer / 
Minister of War, Duel 2 Sponsor, mgr of Anew Flower Power

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

KATYN KATZ was butchered by SPYMASTER in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
KATHMANDA KATZ was slaughtered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute gruesome Dark Arena battle.
CATT KATZ was murdered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DRAKE was slaughtered by DUKE O FLATBUSH in a 1 minute mismatched Bloodfeud brawl.
CATHERINE KATZ defeated GRASSHOPPER in a exciting 2 minute Challenge fight.
KATE KATZ was viciously subdued by BIRD DOG in a 5 minute Challenge brawl.
LADY SNUSNA was devastated by PROBLEMS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge match.
BOWLING GREEN defeated ROSEBUD BLOOMING in a 1 minute beginner's Challenge melee.
EBONY EYES won victory over DANDELION DENIAL in a 3 minute beginner's Challenge duel.
GROGHERD THUG was outwaited by ROY CAMPANELLA in a 9 minute novice's Challenge duel.
CELERIS SSVALEN was overpowered by KUNG-FU MASTER in a 1 minute one-sided melee.
BRADDOCK GRIMMS overpowered ROLLO in a 1 minute bloody one-sided Title match.
LAUNDRY handily defeated CULT MEMBER in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
DAKAVIAS subdued POPPY POPOVINSKI in a 2 minute brawl.
MORGANA was narrowly defeated by CLEANING in a 3 minute bloody conflict.
HENCHMAN 11 was defeated by BYE BYE LOVE in a 1 minute novice's duel.
TWEEDLE DUM was devastated by VIOLET VISIONARY in a 1 minute uneven duel.
TWEEDLE DEE was overpowered by CALLIE in a 2 minute bloody mismatched brawl.
MYSTIC RAIN was savagely defeated by FORTY-TWO in a exciting 6 minute novice's bout.
RAINSTORM was outlasted by COOKING in a unpopular 9 minute amateur's fight.
MELON SMASHER bested LONELY in a action packed 1 minute brutal novice's bout.
THUG 11 was overpowered by POPPY POPULARITY in a 2 minute uneven fray.
SANFORD BRAUN was handily defeated by AIRPORT TAXI in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
PEE WEE was demolished by SQUIRE in a action packed 1 minute brutal one-sided fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   8         TOTAL PARRY       29 -  22 -  0      57  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    7         BASHING ATTACK    43 -  38 -  5      53  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    6         PARRY-LUNGE        5 -   5 -  0      50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  5         WALL OF STEEL     18 -  18 -  0      50  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   5         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -  10 -  0      47  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      4         PARRY-STRIKE       8 -   9 -  1      47  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         LUNGING ATTACK    16 -  18 -  0      47  |
|AIMED BLOW                       3         STRIKING ATTACK   23 -  26 -  0      47  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         AIMED BLOW        17 -  20 -  0      46  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE     27 -  34 -  0      44  |

Turn 606 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-LUNGE        1 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      3 -  4         4  BASHING ATTACK 
BASHING ATTACK     6 -  2     STRIKING ATTACK    2 -  3         3  WALL OF STEEL  
SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  1     AIMED BLOW         1 -  2         2  SLASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  3     TOTAL PARRY        1 -  3         1  STRIKING ATTACK
                              LUNGING ATTACK     1 -  4         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
WALL OF STEEL    BRADDOCK GRIMMS 10722       8   2  0   46 FALLEN WORLDS (1831)
BASHING ATTACK   DUKE O FLATBUSH 10804       3   2  2   44 DEM BUMS (1845)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BIRD DOG 10818.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was BIRD DOG 10818.  The ten other most popular fighters were FORTY-TWO 10805, EBONY 
EYES 10816, GRASSHOPPER 10800, PROBLEMS 10826, CLEANING 10810, MORGANA 10759, SQUIRE 
10763, BOWLING GREEN 10820, VIOLET VISIONARY 10830, and MELON SMASHER 10798.

The least popular fighter this week was GROGHERD THUG 10724.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were ROY CAMPANELLA 10802, RAINSTORM 10797, COOKING 10809, SANFORD 
BRAUN 10801, THUG 11 10764, TWEEDLE DEE 10765, TWEEDLE DUM 10766, HENCHMAN 11 10767, 
ROLLO 10760, and CELERIS SSVALEN 10721.