Well, I was wondering when that article would cycle back around. Greetings all, I'm Drake the author of that "Beginner's Guide to Duelmasters Rebuttal" article in last turn's newsletter (no relation to Mr. Drake; who apparently was a manager that was around during the hiatus I took several years back). Just to let everyone know, that article was written back in '92 and quite a bit has changed in regards to what is known and what my own theories on warrior building and management are. I wouldn't say there's anything dead wrong with what I wrote, but there are some subtle differences in what I do now. Since I'm here, what the heck:
Luck Factor and Even/Odd stats: Before the skill chart was completed and style bonuses had been figured out, people talked a lot about a "Luck Factor". Basically, it really boils down to what your warrior's starting skills (and to a lesser extent physicals) will be. Put simply, most skill breakpoints fall on odd numbers (but not on 19). Speed is the main exception as most of its skills fall on even stats, but a few fall on odd.
Important Stats: Mainly, the order has changed in my opinion. Wit and Will are still the premium stats (and about equal overall), Strength and Deftness coming in second, with Speed and Con falling last (you can't do anything about Size). These days, my main concern with Deftness is weapon selection and getting to 11 if possible (it's a major skill breakpoint for DF).
Bashers: Obviously, I wasn't talking about tank bashers (high Con + Will Bashers that run around in heavy armor). Personally, I don't like tanks, always lose when running them and can regularly beat them with most of my warriors, but that's just me. I'd also probably put a higher Speed on my bashers these days (especially if Con is very low). As for weapons, forget about the MS and learn to love the ML.
Lunger: The only real difference in my design & running strategy these days might be a little more Speed (like the basher) and a 10-10-4 Dodge in desperation.
Slashers: Give the various axes a try. They can work well. However, the SC is still the best weapon.
Striker: Can use any weapon they have the stats for (avoid the WF like the plague) and they can go lower on Will (though I personally won't go below a 9 because even a ST will suffer with Little Endurance).
Aimed Blow: I've now run several successes with this style, and the biggest mistake you can make is to run it like a defensive warrior. They can be nearly as fast as a Striker out of the gate, but they suck at stealing the initiative. Also, they're considered a power-style and probably the top style in Primus. Ideally with this style, you want the highest Wit (for learning) and Deftness possible (ABs get a bonus to their starting Attack skill based on DF).
Total Parry: No real difference, though I'm far less likely to do the 15 Will (prefer 17+) on a TP now and will go as low as a 11 (or even 9) on DF (assuming a high Wit or Con to make up for it in learns or damage soaking).
Parry-Strikes: Horrible base skills. However, they can be a good way to surprise an opponent that likes to use the Decisiveness tactic. Plus, with their endurance conservation, they can go with a low will (again, my minimum is 9) and can peel a scum TP with the right strategy.
Parry-Lunge: Now considered to be the 3rd or 4th best style in the game (depending on if you rank them before or after Wastes).
Parry-Riposte: Lots of bonus to Riposte skills and not much else. Many managers stay away from this style now because of it's low long-term viability (you won't see Rippers dominating ADM or Primus).
Wall of Steel: Considered by a few managers to be the 4th best style in the game. This is mainly because they start with as many base skills as a Lunger, but they emphasize different areas (more parry and less defense) and they can't be as bonused (Lungers can be bonused anywhere, but Wastes only in Attack and Parry).
Starting Stat Totals: These days I go for a Wit + Will of 30+ and enough Strength and Deftness to have a good weapon selection. Other stats are largely an after-thought.
That basically sums it up. If you really want to get hold of me, you can diplo me at Drake's Comics in arena 47 (my old teams are largely retired).
-- Drake (no Mr.)