Class Log - The How and Why of Targeting with the One Power

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Ruby
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Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:46 pm

Class Log - The How and Why of Targeting with the One Power

Post by Ruby » Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:50 pm

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
Tolza the Elder Sister is standing here.
A young girl in a plain white dress stands here.
Mariah the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Cera Merimon, Tower Accepted is standing here.
Everesta the Elder Sister is standing here.
A woman with an ageless face stands here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.

Tolza greets Everesta with a light kiss on her cheek.

Everesta says 'Well met, Sister.'

Mariah unwraps the package and places its contents across the desk. Paper. Pens. Ink. And an
assortment of notebooks.

Ruby gathers her notes.

Ruby grabs a fine quill pen.

Ruby says 'Welcome everyone, Aes Sedai and Accepted to my class today. We will be covering the how and
why of targeting with the One Power.'

Everesta opens the door.

Jenda has arrived from the west.

Everesta closes the door.

Jenda smiles happily.

Everesta beams a smile at Jenda.

Ruby curtseys before Jenda.

Tolza gives you a toothy grin.

Jenda nods at Ruby.

Jenda winks at Tolza.

Cera curtseys before Tolza.

Cera curtseys before Jenda.

Ruby says 'Choosing the correct target is one of the more difficult aspects of fighting. As channelers
of the One Power, we have the unique ability to coordinate our weaves in order to quickly eliminate
a target.'

Ruby says 'As the White Ajah would say, prima facia, this is an easy task. '

Ruby smirks.

Tolza chuckles politely.

Ruby says 'Simply call out a target and have everyone weave on it. While this can be effective in
killing a single target, it will often cause the enemy to break and flee. Often times, they will
retreat completely rather than face a quick, yet painful death.'

Someone knocks on the door from the other side.

Everesta opens the door.

An Aes Sedai leaves west.

Gemenia has arrived from the west.

Everesta closes the door.

Gemenia nods in agreement.

Ruby smiles at Gemenia.

Jenda beams a smile at Gemenia.

Gemenia bows deeply

Ruby says 'Upon deeper inspection, this is often a poor way to engage in combat. It is a victory for
the Light if one shadowspawn dies, but it is a far greater victory if their entire group perishes.'

Gemenia sips from the skin.

Everesta's hand moves softly from the doorknob as she returns to her place amongst the Aes Sedai.

Ruby says 'Does anyone have any suggestions on a different tactic?'

Ruby glances around the room.

Tolza says 'No I wish there where a better one.'

Gemenia looks around nervously...

Mariah shakes her head.

Ruby nods at Tolza.

Jenda beams a smile at Everesta.

Gemenia gets a quill from her backpack.

Ruby says 'Let's say we decide to target the group leader, or fade.'

Ruby says 'This one is a bit more tricky. Let's say a fade is leading a group of four bashers and one
stabber. If you focus weaves on the fade, they will flee quickly, leaving their group without a
leader. '

Ruby says 'The group will likely flee and fall back to the fade. When re-engaged, if you focus on the
fade again, they will probably just take the group back north, either to the stedding or leave
entirely.'

Ruby says 'Instead, spread damage around to the group, so you can slowly wear them down. Then a single
target can be called and focused down quickly. But be careful not to spread the damage too thin or
you won't be able to pivot.'

Gemenia raises her hand politely.

Ruby says 'Yes?'

Gemenia looks at Ruby.

Gemenia says 'How much of it is going to be assumed relative strength... like reputation in pk?'

Ruby nods in agreement.

Ruby says 'Often times those more well-known in fights can be classified as leaders in this case.'

The door is opened from the other side.

Isolet has arrived from the west.

Gemenia says 'I have seen on the battlefield in sight of some Sisters, all flee even when they have
advantage'

Isolet closes the door.

Isolet scurries to a seat, curtseying to those in attendance.

Ruby says 'Unless they're rogues, of course. Then their tendencies can be mostly ignored for the sake
of predicting how the group will react.'

Gemenia nods respectfully.

Ruby smiles at Isolet.

Gemenia writes a quick note and looks back at you.

Ruby nods in agreement.

Ruby says 'All of the that said, I always target whoever is wielding Malfeasor. If it is absent, then
a basher. It can also be fun to force a trolloc rogue out of the fight as well if you feel your
group can handle their own.'

Ruby says 'The reasoning behind these choices are as follows:'

Ruby says 'You target the person who can bash you in order to get them off you, and of course to kill
them. '

Ruby says 'You target the rogue to get them to run away, since as we all know, it can be quite
frustrating having one lurking around.'

Ruby says 'You target fades or the trolloc leading the group if you want to break the group and
atter them, in order to pick off those with low health as they scramble to regroup.'

Isolet ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Isolet raises a hand.

Ruby says 'To reiterate, do not allow someone with Malfeasor to stay in the fight. Even if you have
warded yourself against damage, the damage is too much to handle.'

Ruby smirks.

Ruby says 'Yes, Isolet?'

Isolet says 'What about a Dreadlord?'

Cera nods at Ruby.

Cera says 'Malfeasor is a dread weapon indeed. '

Gemenia takes a note on Malfeasor.

Ruby nods in agreement.

Ruby says 'say Enemy channelers are a different matter entirely. It is our job to directly counter
dreadlords and damane in group fights. If they are given free reign, they will quickly dominate a
fight. '

Isolet nods vigorously.

Mariah makes a few lines of notes in her notebook, under-lining a few words and generally gleefully
making lists.

Isolet says 'Oh yes, I agree!'

Ruby says 'As a general rule, you want to use short weaves against them, be it flame strike,
hailstorm, or hammer of air. If you see them bashed, then a long weave can be used.'

Ruby says 'They will often flee the room, walk in and weave. You need to determine if you are their
target or if they're targeting a wounded member of your group. You can then decide if you will leave
the room or try to match or beat their weave.'

Ruby says 'The intricacies of fighting a channeler is outside the scope of this class, but I'm happy
to discuss them at a later time.'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Gemenia smiles happily.

Ruby says 'That was an excellent question.'

Ruby smiles at Isolet.

Isolet smiles happily.

The door is opened from the other side.

Adey has arrived from the west.

Adey closes the door.

Ruby smiles at Adey.

Adey blushes.

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
Adey Genhald the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Tolza the Elder Sister is standing here.
Jenda Sharaad is standing here.
Isolet the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Gemenia the Tower Accepted, Apprentice to the Yellow Ajah is standing here.
A young girl in a plain white dress stands here.
Mariah the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Cera Merimon, Tower Accepted is standing here.
Everesta the Elder Sister is standing here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.

Adey says 'Aplologies all'

Cera says 'I would add one additional point to that. A parallel duel between channelers often result
in them losing health'

Everesta whispers something to Adey.

Adey curtseys gracefully.

Cera says 'Which also sets them up to be targeted by the broader group'

Ruby nods at Cera.

Cera says 'There was a recent fight between the darkfriend Teveyl and myself'

Cera says 'I escaped barely'

Cera says 'He did not'

Cera says 'After several bouts of exchanging weaves of Fire'

Ruby says 'Indeed. That leads quite nicely into my next section.'

Everesta says 'Hm.. Accepted Ruby, how would someone who is unfamiliar recognize Malfeasor without
thinking too much on it?'

Gemenia perks up at the potential explanation.

Gemenia whispers something to Everesta.

Ruby says 'It is usually the case someone within your group will mention it is in play. But it is
always good to look at your enemies to gauge their threat.'

Isolet says 'It also scythes I believe.'

Ruby says 'Or failing that, getting hit really, really hard by someone.'

Everesta chuckles politely.

Ruby is just too cute.

Everesta says 'I'll look for the Ouch!'

Gemenia says 'is there a quick way to look at all dark?'

Tolza glances up.

Tolza says 'What is Malfeasor?'

Ruby says 'Malfeasor is a twin bladed scythe that shadowspawn can retrieve.'

Tolza nods in agreement.

Ruby says 'It is particularly effective against those of us in the White Tower.'

Ruby says 'Now, if everyone would bear with me: I have a small request.'

Gemenia nods respectfully.

Ruby places a fluffy rug at the foot of everyones chair.

Jenda blinks her eyes innocently.

Ruby says 'Please everyone, take off your shoes.'

Ruby leans over and unlances her boots.

Gemenia stops using a black pair of silver-tooled boots.

Everesta stops using a pair of thick metal boots.

Ruby stops using a black pair of silver-tooled boots.

Gemenia puts a black pair of silver-tooled boots in a backpack.

Adey removes her well-worn slippers.

Cera slips her feet out of her slippers with a sigh of relief.

Mariah stops using a black pair of silver-tooled boots.

Jenda grins and slides out of her slippers.

Isolet tugs furiously at her boots.

Adey stops using a set of soft velvet slippers.

Ruby sniffs Cera.

Ruby senses Everesta connecting to the True Source.

Isolet stops using a pair of animal-fur boots.

Mariah's manual counting ability has doubled.

Adey puts a set of soft velvet slippers in an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.

Everesta weaves a couple of strands of Air and Water and the air in the room starts moving out the
ducts.

Ruby says 'Now, place your feet upon the rug in front of you.'

Ruby giggles.

Mariah places her feet on the rug in front of her.

Gemenia steps onto the rug.

Adey thanks Everesta heartily.

Isolet eyes the rug suspiciously, before stepping gingerly onto it.

Jenda wriggles her toes into the rug.

Ruby says 'As you place your feet on the rug, I would like you to feel the texture between your toes.'

Gemenia giggles.

Adey wiggles her toes around on the fluffy rug.

Isolet wriggles her toes back and forth, enjoying the texture.

Ruby says 'Move your toes and shift your weight and feel how the sensation changes.'

Mariah attempts to grab some of the threads with her toes.

Gemenia balances on one foot

Mariah stifles a tickled giggle.

Ruby says 'An awareness of these small changes is how you must approach fighting in general.'

Ruby says 'You want to encourage a back and forth feel to a fight. No one wants to fight if their side
gets quickly dominated.'

Ruby says 'That just mean pk is over, so take it slow.'

Isolet says 'What if you can only go fast?'

Isolet moves her toes very fast.

Ruby chuckles politely.

Gemenia says 'what is pacing is your last concern over survival?'

Ruby nods in agreement.

Cera thinks hard.

Ruby says 'Your survival is, of course, of the utmost importance.'

Ruby says 'Even in one on one combat, you don't want to just spam a few fireballs and have them run
away. If you're healthy and they're battered from eating three long weaves and missing all of their
bashes, then they won't stick around to fight. It's the chance to kill you that they're there for.'

Ruby says 'You may want to stop weaving entirely once they're wounded to conserve your strength, or
just weave a few flame strikes here and there to grind them down a bit more before you go for the
kill.'

Gemenia says 'so we are constantly trying to trap them with their own success'

Ruby says 'Indeed. You want to let them to reach for victory without being able to grasp it.'

Ruby says 'When you are fighting another channeler, if you are trading into each other and wearing
each other down, it can be quite beneficial. With an appropriate call, your group can then pivot and
attack the channeler down.'

Cera nods in agreement.

Ruby nods at Cera.

Mariah raises her hand politely.

Ruby says 'Of course, all of these are generalities and the reality of the situation might demand
other courses of action.'

Ruby says 'Yes, Mariah?'

Mariah says 'I am curious what your practice is. Do you target by names, or generically by dark?'

Ruby thinks really hard.

Ruby peers around the room suspiciously.

Jenda blinks her eyes innocently.

Ruby says 'I swear, have you all peeked at my notes prior to class?'

Mariah says 'I will defer to the class agenda, of course.'

Ruby says 'A great question, Mariah.'

Cera hastily hides some handwritten notes into her bag.

Ruby smiles at her.

Everesta chuckles politely.

Cera coughs loudly.

Mariah nudges Gemenia suggestively with her elbow.

Ruby says 'You should have both a general target (h.dark) and a specific target (h.Zatuchly). For
those familiar with Adael's work on targeting, their work can be piggybacked on for our purposes.
(Specifically using the tgt and tgts targeting aliases)'

Ruby says 'For example, I use (1) for a short weave against my first target and (11) for my short
weave against my second target. then (2) for my long weave against my first target and (22) for my
long weave against my second target. So on and so forth with other targeted weaves. (I also
duplicate the above as key presses as well since they're faster than aliases, but we can go over
that another time.)'

Ruby says 'You want to be able to swap between general and specific targets based on how the fight is
going.'

Everesta says 'Key press is akin to a quick-cast? No enter involved?'

Ruby says 'Exactly, Everesta Sedai.'

Everesta nods and considers this thoughtfully.

Ruby says 'It can make timing your weaves much easier.'

Gemenia raises her hand.

Ruby takes a piece of paper out of her purse.

Ruby says 'Yes, Gemenia?'

Cera says 'I argue that having a tertiary target established is extremely flexible.'

Cera says 'Sorry for the interruption.'

Cera says 'Mariah, please.'

Mariah nods graciously and writes a few notes with her pen.

Gemenia says 'so if I may summarize a bit, you look at each opponent, target them generally, with
priority on leaders and malfesor, then stabbers, then you spread damage out to make it more likely
to keep the fight going and only call audibles if you see a quick kill or advantage. Use target to
kill both specific names and general dark... '

Ruby says 'It can be, yes. There can be many targets to juggle.'

Gemenia says 'but what do you do if a darkfriend comes into fight? or you loose a team mate?'

Ruby says 'Oh my.'

Ruby says 'There's a lot to unpack in that summary.'

Gemenia nods respectfully.

Gemenia says 'I am probably showing my inexperience.'

Gemenia wiggles her toes a bit uncomfortably.

Ruby says 'As you become more familiar with specific enemies, you don't need to look at them. You can
always assume Ghast is wielding a short blade, for example.'

Ruby says 'And certain ones are more likely than others to have Malfeasor. Masaj and Shzrei, for
example.'

Ruby says 'There will usually be some coordination of targets to begin with so that you have a general
idea, but with a large group fight you don't want to try to burn someone down at the very beginning.
But give some attention to the person that's on you.'

Ruby says 'When a darkfriend comes, you treat them the same as you would a dreadlord or damane.
Provided the darkfriend is a channeler.'

Cera raises her hand.

Ruby says 'Yes, Cera?'

Cera says 'I would say that the role of calling targets should be made clear even before the battle
is joined.'

Cera says 'As channelers, we have much to be focused about during the fight itself.'

Everesta chuckles politely.

Cera says 'The role of calling targets should be one of the leaders of the Light.'

Cera says 'Certainly, that may differ for the vastly experienced Aes Sedai, including some of those
in attendance.'

Cera smiles happily.

Ruby says 'Indeed, as soon as the enemies have been identified I find it to be good form to ask the
group leader which target they want focused.'

Ruby begins to write on a piece of paper.

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
Isolet the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Adey Genhald the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Tolza the Elder Sister is standing here.
Jenda Sharaad is standing here.
Gemenia the Tower Accepted, Apprentice to the Yellow Ajah is standing here.
A young girl in a plain white dress stands here.
Mariah the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Cera Merimon, Tower Accepted is standing here.
Everesta the Elder Sister is standing here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.

Ruby says 'Now, my last example is how we can piggyback on Adael's targeting work.'

Ruby says 'There are many ways under the sun to do this, but this is how I alias a weave.'

l paper
There is something written upon it:

Name: Fast Weave
Pattern: ^1$
--fast weave
targeting=targeting or {}
local target=targeting.first
if target then
send("channel 'flame strike' "..target)

cecho("<red>Target not set!\n")

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Everesta.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Jenda.

Isolet looks expectantly at the door, vaguely hoping for pigs to burst into the classroom.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Tolza.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Cera.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Mariah.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Gemenia.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Adey.

Ruby shows a sheet of paper to Isolet.

Ruby says 'I then change the pattern to "11" and targeting.second'

Ruby says 'Then I create one for long weaves (which you want to change depending on the weather) and
then for status weaves as well.'

Everesta nods at Ruby.

Gemenia says 'is there a way to automate the long weave and short weave when you check weather?'

Ruby nods in agreement.

Gemenia says 'like the status bar at the bottom?'

Ruby says 'That is slightly more complicated, but you can tie it to the output from checking the
weather.'

Gemenia says 'I've done it for narrating shadowspawn warnings'

Ruby smiles happily.

Ruby nods in agreement.

Cera says 'Flame Strike is independent of weather'

Cera says 'So unless you have Hailstorm practised, your shortest weave will almost always be Flame
Strike'

Gemenia says 'I was thinking if I use ice spike when it is appropriate, or flame striek when it is
not, I could just use an aliase "short weave" and use either depending on weather check'

Gemenia says 'I was unaware of hailstorm'

Ruby says 'In that case, Gemenia, you would want to have a separate one for flame strike and one for
ice spike.'

Ruby says 'Since one is a fast weave and the other is slow, or short and long if you prefer.'

Gemenia nods respectfully.

Ruby says 'And you would check the weather to swap between ice spikes and fireball, as it has a
significant impact.'

Cera nods at Ruby.

Gemenia says 'I dont think I even have fireball pracd'

Gemenia says 'so this is moot till I reprac'

Ruby says 'It is quite important if you spend a lot of time in the Blight or the Spine.'

Gemenia nods respectfully.

Ruby says 'Not so much otherwise, though.'

Ruby says 'Thank you all for attending, Aes Seda and Accepted.'

Ruby says 'If there are no other questions, this concludes my class.'

Isolet smiles happily.

Isolet says 'Thank you for teaching it!'

Adey smiles at Ruby.

Gemenia curtseys gracefully.

Gemenia says 'thanks Ruby!'

Isolet says 'It is always interesting to think about how we can fight better.'

Adey finishes up a doodle of Adey+Zugg 4eva in her journal next to a sketch of Adael with stink
-lines wafting off him.

Mariah says 'Thank you very much, Ruby!'

Everesta says 'Thanks Accepted, I'm wondering what your thoughts are on what will change about
targeting if spells begin to produce diminishing returns?'

Isolet wears a pair of animal-fur boots on her feet.

Ruby giggles.

Adey gets a set of soft velvet slippers from an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.

Adey wears a set of soft velvet slippers on her feet.

Gemenia gets a black pair of silver-tooled boots from a backpack.

Gemenia wears a black pair of silver-tooled boots on her feet.

Ruby says 'Oh yes, don't forget your shoes.'