Info and data for fans of the play-by-mail games Duel II, Forgotten Realms, and Hyborian War from Reality Simulations, Inc

PARRY-STRIKE – ANOTHER FUN STYLE

1,367 views
     There have been several articles about fighting styles, some say theirs is the 
best, or ultimate, one said theirs is the most fun style.  Well, I feel that parry-
strikers are just as much fun to play as any other style.
     First, let's start with the run down of what they say in the "RED BOOK".  The 
book says that parry-strikers are defensive, using small quick movements in their 
actions (sounds like you could say that about some other styles as well.)  The book 
says that some managers swear that a high wit is critical to the style (only those who 
have no brains would disagree with that.)
     Let's get to business.  First and foremost this style is deceptively aggressive, 
making them a very good offensive type of fighter, or deadly type of defensive 
fighter.  Offensively they tend to get the jump on their opponent.  I had a parry-
striker that was only jumped 3 out of 11 fights, before he died.  To prepare and run a 
parry-striker can be quite confusing, so I will try to help make it as simple as 
possible.  Here are my feelings on roll-ups for the parry-strike style:

     ST:  11-15, I'll explain later.
     CN:  who cares.
     SZ:  10-14, don't go over 14.
     WT:  13-17, 17 is the best.
     WL:  13-17, to get good endurance.
     SP:  not important.
     DF:  11-15, I'll explain later.

     Here are some good roll-ups for a parry-striker:  11,7,10,17,17,7,15; 
15,7,11,17,16,7,11; 11,7,14,17,13,7,15; 15,7,14,17,13,7,11.  Now, if you have a decent 
wit, the way you run this fighting style will depend on strength and deftness.  For 
example: if your fighter has a high DF and a low ST it would be to his/her advantage 
to be defensive, since the speed would benefit the ability to move in reaction to 
their opponent.  If the ST is high, and DF low, it would be better to fight 
offensively like a striker, trying to get the first, and only blow in.  If they don't 
have a decent wit, you're on your own.  I can't help you on that.  Remember this style 
of fighting is the same as a striker except for added knowledge of parrying, as well 
as bein a little more aggressive.  I would not suggest a low ST and DF, it will take 
away from your WT & WL, and you don't want to do that, but if you do, good luck.  You 
don't need much CN if you have a good WL, which gives you your endurance.  SZ; you 
don't want it to be above 14, it would hurt your fighting style more than your 
attributes.  WT; it is the same as it is with strikers, the higher the WT the faster 
and deadlier they become.  Raise WT to 17 if you don't have it at the start, then 
don't worry about it again until ADM.  WL; this is where you get your endurance.  13 
is fine to start out, but I would suggest 15, then bump it up to 17 in basic.  SP; it 
is what you need to riposte, but PSers have this "one strike one kill" attitude.  
Meaning that there isn't much time to riposte with a killing attitude, so do whatever.  
DF; what is there to say, it helps, but is not crucial to be a great PSer.  Now to 
running a PSer.  If he is an offensive fighter 10-10-10 Dec. all the way through the 
fight, even in desperation.  If Defensive, 1st 10-10-10 Resp., 2nd 10-7-10 Dec., 3rd 
10-10-10, 4th 10-10-10 Dec., 5th 10-10-10 Dec., 6th 10-10-10, Desp. 10-10-10 Resp.  
Remember, first you want to assure your defense, and to do that, you should go 
defensive the first minute.  By the second minute you will be secure enough to go on 
the offensive, but experiment.  6th minute on, leave blank, for by that time he/she 
will know what to do (if their WT is high that is.)  The best thing you could do for 
your fighter is watch the fights, if you are getting more defensive skills than 
offensive, run the def., or change weapons.  That is the best advice I can give you 
about PSers.  About armor, I like to use ringmail or nothing, but experiment.  I know 
that there is someone that will disagree with me, but I feel that I have given you 
some ideas about this fighting style that can be used, even though I am a new manager, 
playing for just over a year.  No matter who writes a style article, it is just 
advice, not the bible.  Just use the articles as a point of reference, not as sworn 
law.
     This is a very fun fighting style, try it out.  I have written this in answer to 
Foreign Legion Arena 31, and The Spartans Arena 8.  I challenge any Primus Manager to 
correct my writing of PSers.  It is not my favorite style, but it is as fun as any 
other that I have used, including my favorite one (Which is a STRIKER!!)  If there are 
any comments, please Diplo The Priest, the manager of The Heroes of XIAN DM-10, or The 
Crucifiers DM-46.

Basic Parry-Strike

371 views

ST: 11+ (11)
CN: 10+
SZ: Any (9)
WT: 15+ (21)
WL: 9+ (15)
SP: 9+
DF: 7+ (13)

Parry-Strikes (pikers) get a lot of bad press as the worst style in Duelmasters,
but they can be a dominating force in Basic if used correctly. Any rollup that has
wit, con, and speed (in that order of priority) will make a good Parry-Strike.
Advantages of the Parry-Strike style: Huge weapon selection, low endurance burn
(not as low as Parry-Riposte), perform better than their bases indicate, versatility.
Disadvantages: Low skill bases, goofy skill learns (they learn parry and
decise–two skills that have nothing to do with each other).

Design:
1) Wit should be 15, 17, or 21. Only.
2) Strength must be at least 11, more is okay, but don’t add any.
3) Deftness 7, unless you can reach 11. No more than this.
4) Will 9, unless you can reach 15.
5) Everything else on con and speed (yes, I’m serious), especially con.

A beginning Parry-Strike should run just like a Striker: 10-10-X. The Decise
tactic can be used if you think you’re pretty fast already. As far as weapons go,
just use the Broadsword. Finding a piker’s favorite is an exercise in futility since
they can use so many. The Broadsword is a very good weapon and they will use it to
good effect.

After a few fights, you will see what kind of skills your piker is learning. If
they’re offensive type (Decise, Attack, Init), then keep running the fast strategy.
If they’re defensive type (Parry, Defense, Riposte), then switch to a defensive
strategy. This is where the 11 deftness comes in, because you can give your piker an
off-hand weapon or shield to go with his Broadsword.

Some defensive minute one strategies: 5-1-3 Parry tactic. 5-5-5 Riposte (only
if you have a decent Riposte rating). 5-10-5 Responsiveness. The last one is a
pretty good piker tactic in general. Pikers can use Response much more safely than
any other style.

Keep in mind that pikers are extremely versatile. If you know who you’re
fighting, you can adjust your numbers and tactics to beat any other style.

Captain K., manager of Men of the Sea in DM 12 and assorted others