Memories of Pugilism

I was introduced to Champions my freshman year in college.  One player in that group loved to challenge other players in single combat: Danger Room scenarios, training missions, sparring, whatever.  That player’s character was named Ronin.  He was a stereotypical fast martial artist: 30 DEX, 8 (or 9?) SPD, HTH Skill Levels, extra Running, low defenses, damage topped out at about 9-10 dice.  He loved to quote Mr. Miyagi: “Best defense, no be there.”

The character he ended up fighting most of the time, for whatever reason, was Monolith.  He was a prototype slow brick: 18 DEX, 4 SPD, 65-ish STR, high PD, high ED, high STUN, high REC.

The results were predictable: Ronin would use half his Phases to strike and the other half to Dodge.  He’d hit Monolith four or five times a Turn and inflict a little STUN each time, all of which Monolith would get back after Phase 12.  Then, five or six Turns in, Monolith would roll really, really well on his attack roll and hit Ronin, and the damage from the punch plus the damage from the Knockback would put Ronin at GM’s option.

All in all, it would go something like this:

“Aha! We meet again!” *whack* *whack*

“Not interested. Leave me alone.” *whoosh*

“Ah, you’ll have to be quicker than that, my friend.” *whack* *whack*

“Tell me again why we’re doing this.” *whoosh*

“Because you clearly need the practice!” *whack* *whack*

“This is boring.  Go away.” *whoosh*

“Come on, have a little fun!” *whack* *whack*

“Ow! I actually felt that! Knock it off, ya little *$^#!”

“Well well, now the battle is well and truly joined! Have at thee!” *whack* *whack*

“Stop it! You’re really starting to tick me off!” *whoosh*

“Oooh, close, but not close enough!”  *whack* *whack*

*SMACK!*

*CRASH!*

“Finally!”

“Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”

Great times.