Re: Duelmasters - Slasher questions

From: ccs012@ursula.ucdavis.edu (Riff-Raff)

Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1992 23:37:56 +0000

(Philip "The Black" Adler) writes:
>Well, I don't claim to be a slasher guru, and after my performance
>at the FTF you might have some reservations about my advice, but
>here goes:

What is everybody's thing with qualifying their thoughts?  My [gurgle]
[mumfle] just say it!  If you're dead wrong, apologizing for it isn't
going to make the flames just go away.  If you're dead right, it makes
it sound like you're guessing.

I think everyone on the net needs to take a DM Ego Conditioning course... :)

>1) Slashing IS somewhat slower than other offensive styles, and the
>slash TACTIC slows a warrior down, so don't use it in minute one
>(except in certain circumstances). Slashers tend to have great Init,
>however, so they keep attacking once they start.

Excuse me...Slashing is THE slowest tactic, bar none.  Parry might be
slower, I don't know (haven't hated a slasher enough to send him in with
that particular tactic yet), but if you send a slasher in with that
tactic and he faces anybody but another slasher or (possibly) a tp,
he's going to get hit...a lot.

I agree that you can use it in minutes 3 or later (possibly 2).  It does
a *LOT* of damage.

>2) You can go for speed by slashing with a HAtchet or SCimitar and
>going no tactic or Decis. Use high numbers across the board, attack
>an arm, protect Arms (slashing is the only style where I would
>really recommend this defence.) If you know your opponents on hand,
>hit it.

Depends on the warrior.  I like 10-10-10-RA-AM-Decis personally, especially
with N/N and (0,7) SC (8,14) LO (15,+) GA.  Hatchets are okay, but like
daggers they don't do enough damage.  Unless you're SZ 18 and already do
tremendous or awesome, don't use the hatchet except as a last resort
(take this from a guy who saw a great damage slasher hit a lunger 8 times
with a hatchet, and still get taken out).

>3) Where light or no armor against slow opponents or when speed
>slashing against unknown opponents and midrange armor when
>powerslashing (using Great Axe or Battle Axe.)

I haven't done "powerslashing" in a long time.  Does it work?  And why
put your slasher in anything more than ALE/L?  Plan on getting hit?  or is
it just getting boring when you're slasher gets the drop on everybody?

>4) Make good use of the Slash tactic in later minutes when speed is
>less important than a sure hit, or in early minutes against
>defensives (even minute one against TP's).

Sounds good.  How about in desperation?  The fight's either a) almost over
because your slasher is trying his pincushion routine, or b) almost over
because you're slasher's on his last legs.

When in desperation, *KILL*!!!!!!!!!!!

>With a good will, slashers can go quite a long time, constantly
>attacking. Their Attack and Initiative are very good, but the have
>some of the same defensive problems as bashers (they take a lot of
>blows.)

Actually, it's been my experience that _nobody_ has the defensive problems
that bashers have.  Slashers get defense and riposte, while bashers get, um,
...I don't know... 8vP

Anyway, if a slasher has to start using his defense, you better hope it's
a quick riposte because dodge doesn't work well for very long.

One good thing that the bashing style can do is to still be quick off the
line, even in heavy armor.  Slashers require a lot of movement, and therefore
lighter armor, and hence less damage taking.  I've had several successful
APA/F Bashers who've been as quick as they need to be, as well as able to
take a boatload of damage.

Bashers...think about it... 8)

>Powerslashing can destroy defensives because you will hit
>fairly well, but when you hit you'll do alot of damage (According to
>the good folks at the FTF, slash crits do a whopping 4x damage.)

Are you sure?  I've seen some awfully good defensives (even designed a
couple), and slashers tire out quickly.  I'd stay away from defensives
altogether, especially since most (not all) slashers suffer almost as much
as strikers when it comes to attack ability.

>I happen to like the "Jump and Die" school of slashing, going all
>out minute one and hoping, but then all of my best slashers have
>been Very Frail and died about their tenth fight.

I happen to like fighting "Jump and Die" slashers with my parry-ripostes.
Maybe we can set something up.  Coming to Murska anytime soon?

Trump

+--------------------------------------------------+-------------------------+
! Donald Trump, CEO Trump Gladiatorial Enterprises ! dfcleary@ucdavis.edu    !
!	Too Much Posse - Murska (35)               ! Fezzik's Rule: Bashers  !
!    	Stragety, Dammit! - Andor (57)	           !  should never use their !
!       Riff-Raff Crew - Free Blades (103)         !  sex as a weapon!       !
+--------------------------------------------------+-------------------------+

References

Re: Duelmasters - Slasher questions
padler@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Philip Adler)
Tue, 28 Jan 1992 18:30:03 +0000
Duelmasters - Slasher questions
kanga.caltech.edu!johnjohn (John White)
Sat, 25 Jan 1992 12:17:01 +0000