Dueling Psychology...

[[PMV] Joker]

While anybody can pick a random set of force powers, jump into a duel and get lucky with a swing from the heavy stance, the true art of dueling is more refined.

 

We here at PMV (That's Post-Mortem Violation, for those of you not in the know) have discovered that the mental aspect of dueling is key to winning matches and staying on top of a server. We've decided to share some of this great tactics in the interests of making dueling gameplay better throughout the community. So...

 

The main thing to keep in mind when you are dueling is that you want to look as cool as possible. You want to look imposing and dangerous and infinitely confident. The first step in doing this is to pick a good skin. Don't pick the sissy little bartender (even though he is the same race as Grand Admiral Thrawn) or Mon Mothma because then you'll look like a wuss. Also, change your team color to red instead of the default, so you'll look like you're drenched in blood (or a KKK Grand Dragon...either way it's scary looking).

 

You'll also want to bind the taunt key to a button so you can talk smack with just the push of a button. If you don't know how, it's the same as with all quake engine stuff, just go to the console and type in:

 

bind x +taunt

 

where x can be any key you want. Just make sure you're character has a decent taunt phrase, or else you'll sound stupid. The chilling laughter of the Reborn is my personal favorite.

 

But probably the most intimidating thing you can do to an opponent is to turn off your saber. I know it sounds suicidal, but this really screws with people's minds. If you remember the movies, Vader was always doing this and the effect was really cool. He'd just hang back with the saber off, wait for Luke to rush in and then whip it back out at the last second. It really doesn't cost you all that much in the game, since you can turn it back on pretty quick and it's easy to roll away from any attack out there. And it works as basically the ultimate insult to the other guy's playing skill. Not to mention how cool it looks when you stand there motionless while somebody charges you, only to push them to the ground and spear them while they lay helpless.

 

Also, important is to use the run/walk button to allow yourself to pace around looking dangerous. This makes you look a lot more menacing than the running animation, and when combined with the taunt at the same time, it's guaranteed to freak out your opponent.

 

Lastly, there is a cool advanced taunt tactic you can pull off. If you've got your saber out, hold down the taunt button and look downward to your left or right and wheel your view back to the other side. If you play around with it, you can trace out a little arc of fire right in front of you, since the taunt animation holds the saber pretty low.

 

So, go forth and use these techniques to mess with your opponent's heads and at the very least make the game look a lot more cinematic!

[Dark_One]

I agree. But i've encountered people who throw their saber. So it's dangerous to holster the saber.

 

Another thing the throw attack does a lot of damage and it's sometimes hard to block it. How can i evadethis stupid non-dueling attack?

[Tree]

This is a joke right?

 

That is the noobiest thing I have ever read.

[Dark_One]

It depends on how you play the game

[ScribeJC]

Heh... we've all seen the bowing bit, right? Saber off, crouch, look down and then up -- all in tandem with your opponent.

 

I don't trust anyone with my saber off. And I don't want to waste a close key on walk/run when it could be used for force.

 

I have to admit, though, all the posturing that goes on in multiplayer duelling is pretty fun. It almost adds an RPG element to the game.

 

But can we please, please not do all the walking around in the Raven Office map? Jeez... it can take forever before anyone finds each other as they slooooooly stroll around with their sabers off. And then there's the hide and seek freaks....

 

-JC

[TangledThorns]

Oooo, tell us more oh might Jedi wannabe. What a load of crap. The best way to intimidate another player is to whoop his/her ass!

[[PMV] Joker]

This was not a joke, and if you think it is, you haven't been playing enough. Just think about those duel servers with 8 or 9 people on them. You need to intimidate not only your opponent but those who are next in line. How do you think people go 10-0 on servers? It's not just because they're good at the actual saber combat, which is if anything at least a little random (I mean, come on, 2 guys flailing away with heavy style is kind of funny to watch). There definitely is a skill element involved, but alot of it's mental and about setting up traps for your opponent to fall into.

 

And on the saber throwing bit, yeah I know taking a level 3 saber throw to the gut hurts, but it really doesn't take off that much and I've found that people using the saber throw (particularly in just Jedi Knight power level) are going to be worse off for it, since it can't do enough damage to justify it's use. Also, I usually don't have too hard a time dodging a thrown saber with the rolls.

 

As far as keys go, for walk and saber it doesn't have to be close to the arrows or wads keys, since you'll default to run and as soon as you attack your saber automatically snaps back on (which is great for turning it off and switching to heavy stance to do the jumping slash).

 

And there was one more intimadition bit that I should post, since it seems to be quite popular whenever we use it on servers, no matter how juvenile it may sound.

 

That is of course, the PMV, the Post-Mortem Violation, in which you stand over your opponent's lifeless body and repeatedly press the crouch button to make it look like you're humping his corpse. Yeah, it's childish, but man is it ever funny to get a whole server going with the idea of "raping their kills". Just try it...you'll like it...you sick pervert.

 

- [PMV] Joker

[power_ed]

Originally posted by [PMV] Joker

While anybody can pick a random set of force powers, jump into a duel and get lucky with a swing from the heavy stance, the true art of dueling is more refined.

 

We here at PMV (That's Post-Mortem Violation, for those of you not in the know) have discovered that the mental aspect of dueling is key to winning matches and staying on top of a server. We've decided to share some of this great tactics in the interests of making dueling gameplay better throughout the community. So...

 

The main thing to keep in mind when you are dueling is that you want to look as cool as possible. You want to look imposing and dangerous and infinitely confident. The first step in doing this is to pick a good skin. Don't pick the sissy little bartender (even though he is the same race as Grand Admiral Thrawn) or Mon Mothma because then you'll look like a wuss. Also, change your team color to red instead of the default, so you'll look like you're drenched in blood (or a KKK Grand Dragon...either way it's scary looking).

 

You'll also want to bind the taunt key to a button so you can talk smack with just the push of a button. If you don't know how, it's the same as with all quake engine stuff, just go to the console and type in:

 

bind x +taunt

 

where x can be any key you want. Just make sure you're character has a decent taunt phrase, or else you'll sound stupid. The chilling laughter of the Reborn is my personal favorite.

 

But probably the most intimidating thing you can do to an opponent is to turn off your saber. I know it sounds suicidal, but this really screws with people's minds. If you remember the movies, Vader was always doing this and the effect was really cool. He'd just hang back with the saber off, wait for Luke to rush in and then whip it back out at the last second. It really doesn't cost you all that much in the game, since you can turn it back on pretty quick and it's easy to roll away from any attack out there. And it works as basically the ultimate insult to the other guy's playing skill. Not to mention how cool it looks when you stand there motionless while somebody charges you, only to push them to the ground and spear them while they lay helpless.

 

Also, important is to use the run/walk button to allow yourself to pace around looking dangerous. This makes you look a lot more menacing than the running animation, and when combined with the taunt at the same time, it's guaranteed to freak out your opponent.

 

Lastly, there is a cool advanced taunt tactic you can pull off. If you've got your saber out, hold down the taunt button and look downward to your left or right and wheel your view back to the other side. If you play around with it, you can trace out a little arc of fire right in front of you, since the taunt animation holds the saber pretty low.

 

So, go forth and use these techniques to mess with your opponent's heads and at the very least make the game look a lot more cinematic!

 

 

lol..

 

u took the words right out of my mouth.. seriously

[ScribeJC]

There is one good tactical reason to have your saber off: your opponent can't read your stance until you fire it up -- maybe giving you a few critical seconds of advantage.

 

Hmmm... this just made me wonder: can you start a strong stance jump with saber off and light it up in mid-air? I'll check it out tonight...

 

-JC

[Deetox187]

I like it when guys get cocky and turn their saber off, alot of the time i can quickly move in and get a strike before they turn the saber back on, makes em look pretty stupid.

[seanconnery]

I sometimes turn mine off during a duel when some idiot is shooting rockets at us, or crouching in the middle of the duel area doing god-knows-what so I can tell him to get lost. A lot of ppl mistake this for arrogance and rush in at me in heavy style, promptly sending me off to the other world...

 

Sad.

[Darth J'ank]

I totally agree...a great taunt.

 

Part of the game is about fitting into the Star Wars Universe...this is something a true Sith/Jedi would do.

 

 

I usually turn off the saber and crouch in duels...enemy approaches.....power on......getting closer...Lunge attack, 1 kill to me

 

 

J'ank

[Shartak.NL]

Dont you just love psychological warfare Oh and by the way, nice meeting you guys!

[[SM-Master]Yun]

I aggree with the JMV...I play on a FFA server, and am engaged in duels all the time...I will turn off my saber, I just sorta walking slowly around him(not to close). Then I would stop and do my taunt(The Force, is my Allie). Then I would start WALKING towards him, then Lunge

[ArtifeX]

I think i'd be more afraid of some lunatic running around in a mon mothma skin who's repeatedly typing, "Happy, happy, happy! Joy, joy, joy!" and whipping everyone's ass. Or saying stuff like, "I like flowers. Do you like flowers?" when they've just disemboweled you. That'd just be really unhinged.

Way too many people are using the reborn skin anyway. it's becoming really n00bish.

People are going to respect you for your score and how little you use the Drain/Grip combo.

[Desslock]

Kinda funny... these tactics I mean.. because usually you dont see me in a duel

 

We here at PMV (That's Post-Mortem Violation, for those of you not in the know) have discovered that the mental aspect of dueling is key to winning matches and staying on top of a server. We've decided to share some of this great tactics in the interests of making dueling gameplay better throughout the community. So... [/Quote]

 

I'm interested in the OTHER tactics you have now

[DannyDiplo]

LOL, I should send this post to http://www.somethingawful.com/ If it wasn't meant ironically then it's one of the funniest things I've read for a long time

[joey_kool]

I do turn my saber off quite a lot. Not just a mental thing, but because on darker maps (especially Nar Shadda streets as it is large) people try to find opponents by tracking their saber... it really gives them away. So I turn mine off while not in use, much better to sneak up on people too (since there is no humming as well)!

 

I'll have to try the taunt thing later!

[flippet]

In reference to the first post: what a total twat.

 

You might have a point though, not about the psychology, but I'd be too busy laughing my head off at the dickhead prancing around thinking he's some kind of intimidating real life jedi to bother with fighting. I hate to coing that phrase again, but get a frickin life!

[Soul-Burn]

I HATE U GUYS...

U GOT ME LAUGHING SO HARD I ALMOST CHOKED #%@#^#$&^

 

 

well... if u'r playing "cool" and get u'r ass kicked, it won't help...

first get good in combat, then be cool. dying = not cool. killing = cool. killing while being cool = uber.

 

I was in the Pit map, standing on one of the higher ledges, saber off, looking on my enemy below and and taunting every now and then. Then I saw him trying to get up, failing and I heavied on his head.

 

Flawless Victory...

[SyKoTiCWretched]

hmm the only way any of these tactics will help you win is if your enemy is laughing so hard at what your doing that he/she cant play

[Synky]

seriously I tend to only walk in a duel, holster my saber loads, and push my oppenent to the ground as (s)he charges in, then stand back and LAUGH TAUNT

 

not only does it make you look tough and like an annoying cocky ****, but it wins you 90% of your duels, (provided you get the attitude right ie. dragging your saber along the floor etc)

[GreyJedi]

I agree with some of the criticisms here, but for different reasons. It's not really psychology - perhaps the mose intimitating thing an opponent can do is rack up a high score, and not talk or taunt at all.

 

However, doing the things suggested does add a more dramatic/cinematic flare to the game, and spices things up.

[Demolisher]

I think it's cool. Last night I was on a duel server and the guy was standing on top of the mountain in that one level and laughing as a shadowtrooper. Then he would walk down. The rest of us started doing the same and I thought it was so cool and fun . Then the game froze on me after I started playing well

[[PMV] Joker]

Heh...I had a feeling this would generate a lot of replies.

 

Anyway, it should be obvious that you do need to be good before you start doing this stuff. If you start taunting and then get destroyed you'll just look stupid. But if you can back it up it can make you seem a lot more dangerous than you actually are.

 

Duel games like this are a lot more mentally based than you might think. Here's a quick experiment you can do if you don't believe me. Before you play online, set up your own duel server against a bot on Jedi Master level (which isn't too hard). You should be able to beat him 5-0 or whatever you're playing to. Then go online and play and see if you do any better. You will do better, I guarantee it. Your own confidence is highly important in these battles. It's easy to see that this is the case, since most people who end up winning on duel servers go undefeated or very near it.

 

- [PMV] Joker