Re: AG: dodging

From: twoods@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu (T. Woods)

Date: Mon, 14 Nov 1994 19:55:44 +0000

bwampner@gate.net (Brett Wampner) writes:

>: experienced with Boran Stoneshaper.  Boran has a high level with the
>: large shield (level 6).  He also has a level 3 int. parry, level 5

>Why don't you use it?  Granted I have only adventured with you twice, but
>your 0 for 2.

I don't use it ANYMORE.  Used to use it, but frankly it sucked. The
problem with something that big was that Boran didn't have enough
strength to use the large shield, battle axe, and good armor and helm.
For one on one fights it wasn't so bad, but on adventures you frequently
have things attacking from the side, and if you don't sense it the shield
is worthless. Armor is always there (though they could have armor
bypassing attack, the chance of getting attacked from side and they get
an armor bypassing attack isn't too high).

What's Brytta's cunning?  I'm trying to find out how much cunning
seems affect the number of d/r at which you stop gaining them free
(except for magical phenomena).  So far Boran with 20 cunning top out at
28.  Mirn with 17 cunning topped out at 27 and Morin with a 26 topped out
at 29 (though not sure he's topped out yet, did gain one last turn).
There definately seems to be a pattern there.

>My Opinion- Your defense should be decided at the time you create your
>character.  If you want to make a big, heavy character, you better think
>about lots of armor and parrying, possibably a shield.  If you want a somone
>smaller, dodging is great.  I have had 2 36" characters so far, they are
>incredible dodgers.

This is definately a good idea. :)

>My Advice- Don't just dodge or parry, do both.
>Brytta has a buckler(almost lvl5, yeah!) for her off hand.  I try to parry
>with it out on adventures near 100%.  Intelligent Parry will switch me to
>dodge if I can not, but lately I have parrying everything under Swordmaster.
>Should I fail to parry, I still have blink.  Same for dodge.
>In the guild you can almost completely forget any shield under lvl5, most
>characters will just go right thru it.

But the question I have is, if your character dodges better, why
parry?  If you fail to dodge you still have Blink.  With dodging you
don't have to worry about the creature going thru your parry (something
you can't then Blink from) and you don't have to worry about being
knocked down.  And beleive me, even with a level 6 large shield and
level 3 int. parry the majority of characters could get through the
large shield and the leather armor Boran was using.  This was a real
problem.  Also for alot of characters using a shield (any type of shield)
reduces the amount of armor they can carry. I can see using a shield to block
Blasts, kicks, bites, ect, and parrying with a shield does give the weapon
skill points necessary to be good at blocking these attack forms, but after
you've got it to a decent level why parry for a short character?

>Brett

Later,
            Todd

Boran - "If you're short, dodge.  Stubby Rockhead was using the medium
shield and  was pitiful last tournament.  Told him to reduce his weight
and dodge and look at last turn's battle fights!"

Morin - "Well Boran, I'm not as short as you.  I did dodge 95% last
turn, but I think if I got a good level with this longsword I could parry
just as well.  I'll try it out someday and tell you about it."

Mirn - "I tried parrying with the large shield too. Got 27 skill
points with it!  But it just wasn't as good as dodging, even with a lower
dodge retreat bonus then wsp's. So I dodged for the tournament. Enough
said about that. :)"

References

AG: dodging
twoods@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu (T. Woods)
Sun, 13 Nov 1994 20:01:01 +0000
Re: AG: dodging
bwampner@gate.net (Brett Wampner)
Sun, 13 Nov 1994 21:34:32 +0000