My two cents were said, which honestly... my PCs don't have very much, if any combat skill. :P I'm happy to go with a number skill as long as we all are in agreement story>numbers. If it has a story reason for say Aulus to beat Claus, used due to their differences in that area, then allow it and the numbers be ignored.
That's how I run my RP - there are numbers and levels, because they're necessary, but story trumps stats every single time. It has worked fairly well and has been very organic. I've no doubt that can be the case here too :)
Could Claus defeat The Snake in close combat? Would he be able to outlast Lana in a drinking contest? Who knows?
Lana would most likely hit the ground far before Claus in a drinking contest... She isn't a lightweight but she's not built for or practiced in heavy drinking either lol. Of course, this would be after she inevitably slaps him for hitting on her xD
And yeah, as far as tiers go, it can be interesting to have those lists but I wouldn't worry about it. For example, despite being several tiers lower than Aurelia, Lana was still able to help her simply by seeing a problem from a different perspective.
And another - compared to Drevala, Lana is the superior mage in many ways, but she still ranks beneath Drevala... Because, y'know, Dragon...
Its really more for fun than an actual comparison of worth.
It can be useful to get a good overview in personal meetings as well. For example, when Claus got into a fight with Andrew. You might have heard of it, the battle of Telmarion. (:P)
It was good to compare stats, get a good feel of how the two were going to try and win it and all that.
But as @Kho said in such infinite wisdom. "but story trumps stats every single time." and that's how the system my friend designed works as well. For example, it's a stat system which doesn't use points or dice to determine a character's stats and skills. Everything is chosen so it makes sense for that character.
But i think it's very important to compare values and skill and then pointing it out, repeatedly, it's the only adult way to get to know how much better you are than everyone else! :D *Kisses biceps* [/sarcasm]
Tier 1 (The Peak of Perfection. 'No rival under heaven'):
Giles Blackwell - Known as the best swordsman in Formaroth and the tales of his skill are no exaggeration. Bearnard Sutharlan - Famed throughout the southern kingdoms for his skill. Possibly the only person who could match Giles in terms of skill. Claus Rotstein - Though his skill is relatively unknown, those who face him soon realize that his swordsmanship is among the best Formaroth has to offer. Erock Greensworth - The pride and joy of the Greenworth family, Erock may only have one skill in life but it is one he excels at. Alice Rallar - One is not put on the High council without good reason.
Tier 2 (Approaching the peak of human talent, few are their equals): Beatrice Blackwell - Though not as skilled as her father, Beatrice is still renowned throughout Alenius for her swordsmanship. Alun DeGrande - Easily the best fighter in all of Uzgob. Cormag Sutharlan - Just like Beatrice, Cormag learnt from the best. Evennis - The champion of the Colosseum games, Patrick chose his bodyguard well.
Tier 3 (Are masters among experts):
Anna Sutharlan - Her arrow rarely miss, and are almost always fatal Aureus Wulfrick - Prided as being the best swordsman in his house, and for good reason Ulf - Many will run before fighting this gigantic brute. Mylla Staghain - Mylla is always the first into combat, much to the dismay of her opponents on the front line. Commander Elduin - House Neptuna chose their elven commander well.
Tier 4 (A true professional, far more talented than most):
Maror Lanistark - Just as likely to beat you to death with his hands as he is to kill you with his axe Serala Lanistark - Identical to her brother Alex Nacsel - Head of the Cawanor military, as proficient with his sword as he is with his mind Helen Bludvist - Though being in charge of the Cawanor Navy, it would be foolish to underestimate her Eclipse Kornova - Though his skill in close combat is lacking compared to the others in this tier, his skill with a bow is something all his enemies should fear.
Tier 5 (Experts who thrive in the heart of combat):
Ramfrey Hansard - Alicja is lucky to have such a skilled fighter to protect her Godwyn Mazeltof - Was known thoughout Ralda for his swordsmanship, the fact he was able to hold out against Erock while injured is a testament of his skill Daeron Humber - Though at his best on a horse, his skill is not to be denied Lady Grim - Though she relies on her magic, she is still able to hold her own using mundane weaponry Andrew Manshrew - Though behind his friend and mentor Alun, Andrew is a man you would not wish to cross blades with Tokugawa Ieyasu - Specially chosen by Lady Grim Lycaon Issorat - A skilled knight who knows how to swing a sword. Though out of practice his past experiences still serve him well. Daeleth Brucas - Made commander by Lycaon for good reason
Tier 6 (More skilled than the average soldier, but hardly an expert):
Patrick De Reimer - Though he has learnt how to use a sword well, Patrick lacks experience given he chooses to remain away from the battle so as to better command his troops. Drevala Blackwell - Though she is no stranger to martial combat, it is her skill in magic that makes her a dangerous opponent. Vivian Blackwell - Though a skilled assassin she lacks experience fighting in real combat. She is more likely to stab you in the back than face you in combat. Eli Blackwell - Though not as good as the rest of his family, Eli is still more skilled than the majority Alenius - Though skilled with a mace, Alenius has been out of practice for a while.
Tier 7 (The same level as a normal soldier):
Thanatos Thale - His desire to drive our the witch of thale manor has motivated Thanatos to hone his skills George LeWest - Though a skilled fighter at sea, his poor 'land legs' cripple his performance on the battlefield. Elizabeth Manshrew - Despite her young age, Elizabeth Manshrew can match soldiers nearly twice her age
Tier 8 (Knows a bit about combat, but couldn't hold their own against professionals):
Anabla Sutharlan - Though she is skilled at comanding fleets, her skill in combat is Adequate at best Aulus - Though he trained under Daeron, most of his lessons went in one ear and out the other
Tier 9 (Knows only the basics and still has a lot to learn):
Dominus Thale - Though once skilled at combat, age and lack of practice has caused Dominus to loose any expertise he might have had Duncan De Reimer - He knows how to hold a sword correctly, but has no idea how to use it. Urd Raudhfell - Knows only the basics of combat Naomi Blackwell - Has picked up details from her family, but but has no experience herself
Tier 10 (no knowledge of combat):
Isabel De Reimer - Never saw the point of fending for herself, given she is always followed around by Ulf Lanaya Dionisa - Prefers to keep away from mundane weaponary Alex - Throws up at the first sight of blood
For convenience of browsing, we tweaked formatting of your list from above, @TheDuncanMorgan...
Combat Skill Tier list
Giles Blackwell - Known as the best swordsman in Formaroth and the tales of his skill are no exaggeration. Bearnard Sutharlan - Famed throughout the southern kingdoms for his skill. Possibly the only person who could match Giles in terms of skill. Claus Rotstein - Though his skill is relatively unknown, those who face him soon realize that his swordsmanship is among the best Formaroth has to offer. Erock Greensworth - The pride and joy of the Greenworth family, Erock may only have one skill in life but it is one he excels at. Alice Rallar - One is not put on the High council without good reason.
Beatrice Blackwell - Though not as skilled as her father, Beatrice is still renowned throughout Alenius for her swordsmanship. Alun DeGrande - Easily the best fighter in all of Uzgob. Cormag Sutharlan - Just like Beatrice, Cormag learnt from the best. Evennis - The champion of the Colosseum games, Patrick chose his bodyguard well.
Anna Sutharlan - Her arrow rarely miss, and are almost always fatal. Aureus Wulfrick - Prided as being the best swordsman in his house, and for good reason. Ulf - Many will run before fighting this gigantic brute. Mylla Staghain - Mylla is always the first into combat, much to the dismay of her opponents on the front line. Commander Elduin - House Neptuna chose their elven commander well.
Maror Lanistark - Just as likely to beat you to death with his hands as he is to kill you with his axe. Serala Lanistark - Identical to her brother. Alex Nacsel - Head of the Cawanor military, as proficient with his sword as he is with his mind. Helen Bludvist - Though being in charge of the Cawanor Navy, it would be foolish to underestimate her. Eclipse Kornova - Though his skill in close combat is lacking compared to the others in this tier, his skill with a bow is something all his enemies should fear.
Ramfrey Hansard - Alicja is lucky to have such a skilled fighter to protect her. Godwyn Mazeltof - Was known thoughout Ralda for his swordsmanship, the fact he was able to hold out against Erock while injured is a testament of his skill. Daeron Humber - Though at his best on a horse, his skill is not to be denied. Lady Grim - Though she relies on her magic, she is still able to hold her own using mundane weaponry. Andrew Manshrew - Though behind his friend and mentor Alun, Andrew is a man you would not wish to cross blades with. Tokugawa Ieyasu - Specially chosen by Lady Grim. Lycaon Issorat - A skilled knight who knows how to swing a sword. Though out of practice his past experiences still serve him well. Daeleth Brucas - Made commander by Lycaon for good reason.
Patrick De Reimer - Though he has learnt how to use a sword well, Patrick lacks experience given he chooses to remain away from the battle so as to better command his troops. Drevala Blackwell - Though she is no stranger to martial combat, it is her skill in magic that makes her a dangerous opponent. Vivian Blackwell - Though a skilled assassin she lacks experience fighting in real combat. She is more likely to stab you in the back than face you in combat. Eli Blackwell - Though not as good as the rest of his family, Eli is still more skilled than the majority. Alenius - Though skilled with a mace, Alenius has been out of practice for a while.
Thanatos Thale - His desire to drive our the witch of thale manor has motivated Thanatos to hone his skills. George LeWest - Though a skilled fighter at sea, his poor 'land legs' cripple his performance on the battlefield. Elizabeth Manshrew - Despite her young age, Elizabeth Manshrew can match soldiers nearly twice her age.
Anabla Sutharlan - Though she is skilled at comanding fleets, her skill in combat is Adequate at best. Aulus - Though he trained under Daeron, most of his lessons went in one ear and out the other.
Dominus Thale - Though once skilled at combat, age and lack of practice has caused Dominus to loose any expertise he might have had. Duncan De Reimer - He knows how to hold a sword correctly, but has no idea how to use it. Urd Raudhfell - Knows only the basics of combat. Naomi Blackwell - Has picked up details from her family, but but has no experience herself.
Isabel De Reimer - Never saw the point of fending for herself, given she is always followed around by Ulf. Lanaya Dionisa - Prefers to keep away from mundane weaponary. Alex - Throws up at the first sight of blood.
magic skill tier thing would probably have to be a good bit more complex.
After all, it needs to cover both those who focus on one (or two) schools and those who dabble in everything. is someone average in three-four schools ranked higher than someone excellent in one and useless in all others?
I edited Eclipse's CS. He's different tiers in different modes of combat. I felt this gave him weaknesses that could be taken advantage of. Overall, if you want to rank him at his *best,* I'd say put him in T3. He was trained by both Bearnard Sutharlan and Mylla Staghain after all.
“The human louse somewhat resembles a tiny lobster, and he lives chiefly in your trousers. Short of burning all your clothes there is no known way of getting rid of him. Down the seams of your trousers he lays his glittering white eggs, like tiny grains of rice, which hatch out and breed families of their own at horrible speed. I think pacifists might find it helpful to illustrate their pamphlets with enlarged photographs of lice. Glory of war indeed! In war all soldiers are lousy, at the least when it is warm enough. The men that fought at Verdun, at Waterloo, at Flodden, at Senlac, at Thermopylae - every one of them had lice crawling over his testicles.” ― George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia
@Ellri OK thanks for the heads up. Will their be a IC post before you leave? If not how long after your break do you think it will take before you get your next post up?
1x Thank
