Arena Combat

From: catcher@EMUNIX.EMICH.EDU (doug bailey)

Date: Thu, 20 Dec 1990 19:35:40 +0000

One PBM game in particular I'd like to mention is run by a Company named
Reality Simulations Inc.  The game is DUELMASTERS, a computer-moderated
game of gladiatorial arena combat.  First you design your fighters in a
fashion similar to AD&D, then you fill out his strategy sheet for each fight.
Turns are every two weeks, with up to 5 fighters per team, and as many teams
as you want (or can afford).  Your fighters learn, train and grow with each
contest, if they aren't slain by your opponents.  But that only happens once
in a great while.  With each turn's fight results you get a Newsletter for
the Arena your team fought in.  It lists all the fights for that turn, the
individual fighter rankings and records, and includes a Personals column
where you can taunt and insult your enemies or compliment your friends.

Reality Simulations Inc.  (RSI)
P.O. Box 22400
Tempe, AZ  85285

The play is
 divided into minutes, with the strategy consisting of Offense, Activity and
 Kill Desire levels, with Attack and Protect locations and special fighting
 tactics too.  All these can be changed from minute to minute (after min. 6
 it doesn't change though).  The fights are sort of like a computer program:
 once they begin the fight you can't change anything (strategy, etc.) until
 it ends, one way or another.  But that's not a probablem.  Rule of thumb and
 trial & error will get you through.

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HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A FIGHT:

DOOM GIVER                                        G.I. JOE
 of RED BLADES            challenges               of THE G.I. JOES
 (33-893) (17-11-0)                                (29-723) (15-17-1)

DOOM GIVER is 5'10
 DOOM GIVER is right handed
 DOOM GIVER is wearing a suit of fine LEATHER armor
    and will wear a LEATHER CAP.
 DOOM GIVER has taken a LONGSWORD to fight with
  and a MEDIUM SHIELD
 DOOM GIVER fights with the PARRY-LUNGE style
 DOOM GIVER is well suited to the weapons selected.

G.I. JOE is 5'10
 G.I. JOE is right handed
 G.I. JOE has put on his own PLATEMAIL armor
    and wears a FULL HELM
 G.I. JOE walks out, swinging a MORNING STAR.
  and a MEDIUM SHIELD
 G.I. JOE is a WALL OF STEEL fighter
 G.I. JOE is well suited to the weapons seldected
 G.I. JOE has a back-up MORNING STAR at his side

Those in the stands shift their attention to the warriors.

DOOM GIVER carefully steps to his left.
 G.I. JOE says 'Hey twinkle-toes let's get on with it!'
 DOOM GIVER strikes using his LONGSWORD!
 G.I. Joe is hit on the LEFT HIP!
  From the stands a voice yells 'G.I. JOE you stupid idiot!'
 G.I. JOE yells, 'You'll regret that you swine!'
  the armor is near proof against the blow.
 DOOM GIVER lunges forward with his LONGSWORD!
 G.I. Joe parrys the attack using his MEDIUM SHIELD.
 G.I. JOE disengages his foe's weapon arm and tries to steal the initiative!
 G.I. JOE lashes out with his MORNING STAR!
 DOOM GIVER deflects the blow with his LONGSWORD.
 DOOM GIVER steps back, and then rushes forward in a counterstrike!
  G.I. JOE's fans fall silent.
 DOOM GIVER strikes using his LONGSWORD!
 G.I. JOE parrys the attack using his MEDIUM SHIELD.
 DOOM GIVER makes a slashing attack weilding a LONGSWORD!
 G,I. JOE parrys the attack with his MEDIUM SHIELD.
 G.I. JOE feints an attack, freezing his opponents initiative!
 G.I. JOE attacks, whirling his MORNING STAR with tremendous force!
 DOOM GIVER parrys the attack using his MEDIUM SHIELD.
 G.I. JOE smashes through the parry with his MORNING STAR!
 DOOM GIVER is hit on the LEFT ANKLE!
  what a massive blow!
 DOOM GIVER's eyes flame with desparation!
 DOOM GIVER is badly hurt and breathes heavilly!
 DOOM GIVER loses his footing and falls!
 G.I. JOE strikes using his MORNING STAR!
 DOOM GIVER is wounded in the BREAST!
  it was an awesome blow.
 DOOM GIVER is dangerously stunned!
 DOOM GIVER motions that he is unable to continue!
 G.I. JOE has defeated his foe!
  Excitement spreads among the stands!

DOOM GIVER's popularity has marginalluy increased.
 G.I. JOE's popularity has marginally increased.

DOOM GIVER learned a DEFENSIVE action.
 DOOM GIVER learned a DEFENSIVE action.

during the last training period
 G.I. JOE conditioned and increased his CONSTITUTION.
 G.I. JOE's training has noticeably improved his ability to take damage.

All that took place inside of the first minute, and I've seen fights last as
 long as 20 minutes!  A lot can happen...  There are 10 fighting stlyles ,
 with the aforementioned PARRY-LUNGE and WALL OF STEEL being two of them.
 If you need more info just send me E-mail or Snail Mail.
 Or you can write the company at the address in the top of the item.

The game is moderated by the aforementioned company, RSI, and can only
 be played by mail, through them.  Hence the name of this item, Play By
 Mail!!  Cost is about $3.25 base fee, with each warrior run $1.50 per
 turn.  Thus it costs from $4.75 for for one fighter, to $10.75
 for 5 fighters.  But initial team start-ups are free!!  This makes it
 almost stupid not to at least give the game a  try.  Turns are run
 every two weeks, but there are SLOW arenas that run once per moth month.
 If you like 'hack N' slash' you'll love this game...

rec.games.pbm

Arena Combat

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