Duelers Mod Features

Duels: Three Different Types

Duelers mod supports three different types of duels. You will have to bind keys to new commands using the console to enable the additional duel types. (At some point I will add these to the UI, but they are not included there yet).  The key press for Saber Challenge (standard duel) can be set with the UI or by binding a key to the command engage_duel (eg. bind k engage_duel). The key press for Saber/Throw Challenge is set by binding a key to the command throw_duel (e.g. bind l throw_duel). Finally, the key press for a Full Force Challenge is set by binding a key to the command force_duel (e.g. bind ";" force_duel).

 When another player challenges you to a duel a message will appear telling you about the challenge and the type of duel requested. You must respond with the same duel type in order for the duel to be started.

The Saber Challenge is the standard free-for-all duel – saber only, no throw, no force, no kick damage. This type of duel is easy to fight even for a novice – in fact, a simple spin and attack with lots of movement is pretty hard to defeat!

The Saber/Throw Challenge is the same as the standard duel except saber throwing is allowed. Staff users can also kick during a throw duel (since they still can't throw a staff saber). When saber throw is added to the duel, players must learn to attack only when the advantage is clearly theirs. To do otherwise -- like using continuous hacks in strong stance, or a simple tornado attack in light stance -- will get you dead by saber throw. It also opens up much more complex fighting opportunities and is just much better all round.

The Full Force Duel is for the ultimate duel challenge. Everything is allowed. Essentially, this duel type is a full wide open free for all between two consenting adults. Your blows and force blasts will not effect other players. This is the most complex and most difficult contest, equivalent to full force duel matches, but with the added interest of the free-for-all game when not duelling.

More Dueling Features

See the cvariables section for details about the m_duels cvar. This cvar allows complete control over the many dueling features in Duelers/JA mod. The dueling features available are:

  • allow multiple concurrent duels -- you don't have to wait to duel a free player
  • log results (health and shield of the winner) to the duel combatants (this is the default)
  • log results to all players on the server (optional)
  • health, shield and force power are restored to maximum at the beginning of a duel.
  • sabers do not auto-ignite at the start of a duel.
  • enable/disable extra duel types (throw and full force)
  • enable/disable duel severing -- duels are to the finish normally and cannot be severed by running away. Also, if you fall into an abyss, you lose the duel!
  • enable/disable duel overtime. Normally a map will not end if there is a duel in progress. New duels can't be started in overtime and once all duels are completed, the map level will end.
  • enable/disable duels in team games -- you can normally have duels in team FFA too!
  • enable/disable duel non-interference. Normally, duelers will isolate the two combatants completely from other players. Have your duels in tiny dueling maps if you like -- you wont see or hear other players and they cannot interfere with your duel. They can also stand right in the middle of your match and watch the action for the best audience appreciation!
  • enable/disable duel glow. With duel non-interference a glow around the dueling players is just a needless distraction!
  • enable/disable saber style changes during a duel

(Un)Nerfs:

As noted in my Introduction, many folks have found JA overly nerfed. Well, Duelers/JA takes the gameplay back to the way it was in JO (and maybe a little farther), but while retaining all of the good new stuff provided in JA. Here is a description of the (Un)Nerfs. See the description of the cvariable m_nerf in the cvariable section -- you can control all of the un-nerfs! If you prefer the standard JA gameplay in a particular area, just disable the Duelers (Un)Nerf!

  • Rolls in JA slow up too quickly and are very un-natural. In addition you can't roll unless you are running at full speed! Duelers/JA restores a natural roll (as it was in JO) and allows you to roll from a standing position (just like real life).
  • The Lunge (or blue special) is nerfed so it can only be used on the ground. Duelers allows it's use in the air or after a flip.
  • The Flip Attack (or yellow special) is heavily nerfed. You can't turn it and it is darn near completely useless! Duelers makes this attack much more powerful and you can turn it -- that is, you can keep it pointed at your target as the target moves!
  • The Jump Attack (or red special) is nerfed so that it cannot be executed in sequence with other moves. Duelers removes this restriction.
  • The saber staff special attack is nerfed so you cannot turn it except when you are touching the ground. Duelers allows you to turn this attack when you are close to the ground (but not when you are way up in the air). This allows you to control your aim a little better during this attack.
  • Back attacks are nerfed so they cannot be turned. Duelers removes this restriction.
  • Crouch/Spin attacks with the dual and staff sabers are nerfed so they cannot be moved or turned. Duelers removes this restriction -- however, you cannot move as fast as normal.
  • The saber staff backflip attack is way too high in JA. Duelers lowers the height of the attack and makes it easier to execute. Now it is effective!
  • Kicking while using the saber staff is nearly useless as the range is far to short! Duelers extends the range of the kick so it becomes a useful part of your arsenal!
  • On demand saber configuration changes -- you don't have to leave and rejoin the game to change your saber from single to dual or staff.
  • No restriction on use of saber throws in close combat.

I have left the kata moves (includes the dual barrier) and the dual blade special as they
are in base JA.

Emotes

See the cvariables section for more information on m_emotes for controlling the use of emotes in Duelers/JA.

Normally Duelers/JA will allow the standard game emotes in FFA and not just in duel gametypes. You can also use TAUNT, BOW, MEDITATE, FLOURISH, GLOAT while you are moving for some more fun during duels.

As many of the old Duelers/JO emotes that still have appropriate character animations have been added to Duelers/JA. In addition, some of the new animations that looked like they would make good emotes have also been added. See the Emotes section of this document for more information.

Server Administration

Duelers/JA provides the same set of admin commands as Duelers/JO. These commands are selected and implement to be non-abusive to players. Furthermore, all admin commands that act on other players are logged. The server administrator can review the actions of all client admins.

Duelers/JA also provides support for a 16 line Message of the Day. This message is show to all players when they join the server. It is typically used to describe server rules or special messages to all players. An administrator can also re-show the MOTD to any player at any time if the player needs a reminder.

See the Administration section of this document for full information. The Cvariables section also describes the cvars that allow server admin to configure and control who has administration rights and what commands they are allowed to use.

Clan Chat in FFA

Duelers/JA provides support for private clan chatting in the FFA gametype. If a clan password is set up on the server and all clan members set the corresponding client cvariables so that they are recognised as clan members, the server overlays the normal team chat with a private clan chat channel. Using the normal team chat key in an FFA game will allow clan members to privately chat without being overheard by all players on the server. This is particularly useful for administration or for recruiting.

Macro Scanning

Duelers/JA has a full macro scanning and elimination package. If you hate macros then Duelers/JA will simply remove them (non-destructively) from any connecting player's active client configuration. Every player will have to play according to their own physical skills and training rather than their ability to program fancy key bindings. For more details on this capability and how it works, see the Administration section.