Postby Philip Sibbering » Mon May 16, 2011 5:27 am
Thanks all for the feedback.
To clarify: a do not want a flow chart of combat, I want a flow chart of moves and counter moves.
My first plan to tackle this is to break this down in component parts, starting with basic 'full commitment' strikes and counters. For example a hewing strike from the roof countered by a a straight thrust to the face from the plough. The advantage, if done right, is with the straight trust to the face. To me this suggests the beginning of a flow chart, even if very short at two moves.
Later, once all the direct attacks are covered, I plan to delve into feints, deception, and timing - building upon the basics I would have already written up.
Using the previous example, I know that a straight thrust to the face from the plough, against a man is the roof stance, is not going to work as they can step back and attack the incoming sword. That would be covered in the basics. A person can use this knowledge to threaten a man in the plough stance with a strike from the roof but not follow through, and instead step back when the man in the plough takes the bait.
It may, I hope, make it easier to explain the complex combat by first showing a map of all possible options, and how a skilled fighter plays with those options.
With each level of depth I hope to show that defense is the hard bit, but it gives you the edge at higher skill levels. Low skill is all about aggression and getting stuck in, because the chance of a skilled counter is low. At high skill it's all about managing your opponent, because the chance of a skilled counter is high. A highly skilled combatant wants to be the one to force a commitment they can manage, and pull of the counter.
Well, that's how I'm understanding it all at the moment, and it seems there is a lot of information to juggle. I greatly appreciate your help and insights.
Philip
