AB Article in rec.games.pbm From: dfcleary@UCDAVIS.EDU (Riff-Raff) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 18:38:15 +0000 Folks, I don't have direct access to USENET, but this was sent to me for comments and it looks like a lot of fun, so here goes: (I have no idea how to "properly" reply other than to just comment as I go) >Hi everyone. This time, instead of lecturing, I'm asking. I have a few >ideas on how Aimed Blows should be designed and run, but I don't really know >if I'm on the right track or not. So, I decided to post my thoughts on the >subject, and see what all you on the net think. >First, stats: >ST: 5-13 5 is kind of risky. I'd say 7 is the minimum I'd > recommend, since it gets you EP, the minimum I'd > recommend for scum hunting. 11 is really nice if > you can get it. ---> I agree with the five minimum, but I would not put any maximum ---> on the strength. Obviously, there is no need to add to someone starting ---> with a high strength, but there's no need to exclude the AB style either. ---> Two of the better AB's I've seen started with 21 and 19 ST. The biggest ---> thing to keep in mind is this is the third most important stat for an ---> AB, behind deftness and wit. >CN: ? Really, this depends on how survivable you think > these guys are. Theoretically, lower is better, but > this style has the highest death rate in the game, > probably. I personally like 7-13, depending on SZ. ---> As with any offensive style, take what you are given and _don't_ add ---> to it. >SZ: ? Again, this is open ended. I actually have a semi- > practical SZ 17 AB design that is due to debut in a > couple weeks. In general, though, I think SZ 12 is > a max. ---> I disagree. The only thing a high size does is detract from the ---> amount of points you have to spend on the "real" stats. If the high ---> SZ is balanced by a low con and speed, (leaving the prime stats in a ---> reasonable range), then it makes no difference. An AB of mine, size ---> 14, died at 14-6, and another is now at 11-8-2, having lost the last ---> to superior (quicker) opponents. As long as the high size isn't the ---> result of lost WT, DF, ST, or WL there is nothing lost. >WT:15+ I use this rule for all styles pretty much these > guys, but ABs need the skill learns more than anyone > else to be viable. Generally, you lose you run a > good risk of dying. ---> Absolutely nothing less than 15. I would say you need a 17+ DF to ---> offset a 15 wit, or 17+ wit to offset a 15 DF, but I had one 15 WT/DF ---> AB go 8-1 before dying, so I guess it is possible if you are desperate ---> (as I usually am:) >WL:13+ I actually go lower than this in practice, but I > don't hold out much hope for survival due to poor WL > checks. It's also nice to have the Att, Def, and > Par that this gives you. ---> NOT. Will can safely be anywhere between 7-13 with no need to go ---> above 13 unless you started with it. I don't suggest a 7 if you can ---> at all help it, but I think you can enjoy success with as low as a 7 ---> will. The 8-1 guy (above) had a 7 will. Anything over 13 is completely ---> wasted. The points will net you more skills on wit or DF, and the AB ---> conserves endurance better than anyone else. Training is the biggest ---> concern, but if you start with a 9+, I don't consider it too much of ---> a handicap. Obviously, if you can safely get to 13 without hurting WT, ---> DF, or ST, go for it. >SP: 5-13 5 is the min, but I'd rarely go much higher than 9. > After SZ, I'd say that this is the lowest priority > stat. I does sort of affect your defensive strategy > of choice, though (high SP = dodge, low = parry). ---> I agree here. Higher than 13 means you are passing up a great PR ---> for an AB who didn't need the speed. I dunno about the parry tactic, ---> unless your particular AB likes the QS. I'd say dodge in any other case. >DF: 15+ This is the trademark of the AB. Helps everything an > AB needs for success: Att, Def, and Par. Also > probably help hitting your target area. ---> I agree. 15 minimum, with a 17 preferred *especially* if you have ---> a 15 wit. Always get 17 when at _all_ possible. >Vs. Offensive, SP <= 9 Vs. Offensive, SP > 9 >2 10 8 5 5 5 1 1 10 8 5 5 5 2 >6 6 6 2 2 2 10 10 6 6 2 2 2 6 >2 6 6 5 5 5 1 1 6 6 5 5 5 2 >RL--------------------> RL--------------------> >BD--------------------> BD--------------------> >x ? ? x-----------> x ? ? x----------> >P x-----------> D D x-----------> P >Vs. Defensive >10 8 5 5 5 5 2 > 6 6 2 2 2 2 4 > 6 6 5 5 5 5 2 >RL or HE--------------> >BD--------------------> > ? ? x--------------> > x--------------> P >?= B, L, S, or x Here is my preferred strategy. This is a matchup strategy, which you would customize for sure challenges depending on the opponent's offensive or defensive nature. (6) (D) 10 8 6 ----> 3 2 10 2 2 ----> 3 9 6 8 6 ----> 3 1 HE ------------------------> AM -----------------------BD L (x) x ------------------> x ------------------------D Against defensives, you would make the first 2 minutes 8-2-8, or just the first, and go with 6-2-6. Use the regular matchup strategy against offensives. You will get the jump on a number of offensives. Trust me. Even if you don't, your AB will often dodge quite well in the 1st minute, despite going 10-10-6. You dodge in desperation (unless using the QS). If you don't get the jump and end up going desperate, you will stand a better chance making it to swing again, then if you started out dodging in the first minute. When you come out of desperation, you will be running 10-10-6 and will probably start pounding the offensive since he has worn himself out getting you desperate. The one problem with this approach is getting knocked out by the same swing that got you desperate. You have less chance of that, however, than of being taken out by blows while your trying to dodge the entire first minute. Well, that's my $.02 worth. Hope it helps. Vlad, who doesn't have a damn "header" to put at the end of his files, but runs House Jhereg (35, 103) Almost Exactly (29, 103) and occasionally: Take The Fifth (13, 103) Lyric Legends (30) The Long Run (57) Doli Capax (27) AB Article in rec.games.pbm Referenced By Up