Post by Hugo Coldwater on Jun 8, 2015 13:29:43 GMT
Hi All
This is an article I wrote recently for "Onward!" the Trailblazer magazine, about a technique that's useful in one-on-one magical duelling or stand-up fights:
Counter Punch
In a magical duel, or an all out magical fight, everyone knows that speed is of the essence. It takes time to cast each spell, and the casting time leaves one open to attack.
What this means in practise is that a novice duellist spends a lot of their time casting defensive spells to deflect incoming attacks - and if the attacker is more experienced they can keep up an onslaught of attacks that leave the defender casting shield spell after shield spell with never a chance to counter attack. Then all it takes is a single slip and the attacker wins the fight.
But you need to cast shield spells right? After all, Defense against the Dark arts recommends a powerful Protego as the right tactic for every situation, right?
Wrong.
Like so much else in DADA curriculums in the Ministry approved schools these days this advice may sound good in the classroom, but it produces weekend warlocks who couldn't win a fight against an undernourished goblin.
Attack is always the best form of defense, and I'll illustrate this with an example from the Muggle world - the sport of boxing. In boxing there is a technique called a counter punch which involves the defender throwing a punch of their own the moment he sees the attacker begin their punch, exploiting weaknesses in the attacker's stance or positioning. Delivered with speed this can land and incapacitate the attacker before their punch lands, or angled correctly the defender's counter-punching arm can help to block the attacker's punch while simultaneously landing its own devastating blow.
Everyone knows Muggles like to throw their fists around, but how does that help in a wand duel? Apply the same principle of course! If you start casting shield spells the minute your opponent twitches his wand, then you're giving him the initiative every time. Work on your speed and accuracy, and when you see him start to cast an attacking hex or curse THEN launch yours - you can bet he won't get his own shields up in time (and if he does, then he's abandoned his attack and you have the advantage!).
Deliver your attack with enough power and his spell will be disrupted. Failing that, learn a variety of powerful blasting spells and as his hex comes at you aim right at the hex itself - at the very least you'll shatter their spell... at best yours will carry on going and hit your opponent when he least expects it.
That's the Counter Punch technique as applied to wandwork. These are the rules you should start applying to your duelling drills:
1. Don't rely on the predictable attack/block/attack/block pattern
2. Work on your speed - a quick fire spell can save the day
3. Learn a couple of "big blast" spells that you can use to shoot down hexes
4. Watch your opponent! Launch your attack -NOT DEFENSE- as he starts his
Practise these techniques daily with your Trailblazer comrades and I guarantee your duelling and combat skills will increase dramatically.
ONWARD!
This is an article I wrote recently for "Onward!" the Trailblazer magazine, about a technique that's useful in one-on-one magical duelling or stand-up fights:
Counter Punch
In a magical duel, or an all out magical fight, everyone knows that speed is of the essence. It takes time to cast each spell, and the casting time leaves one open to attack.
What this means in practise is that a novice duellist spends a lot of their time casting defensive spells to deflect incoming attacks - and if the attacker is more experienced they can keep up an onslaught of attacks that leave the defender casting shield spell after shield spell with never a chance to counter attack. Then all it takes is a single slip and the attacker wins the fight.
But you need to cast shield spells right? After all, Defense against the Dark arts recommends a powerful Protego as the right tactic for every situation, right?
Wrong.
Like so much else in DADA curriculums in the Ministry approved schools these days this advice may sound good in the classroom, but it produces weekend warlocks who couldn't win a fight against an undernourished goblin.
Attack is always the best form of defense, and I'll illustrate this with an example from the Muggle world - the sport of boxing. In boxing there is a technique called a counter punch which involves the defender throwing a punch of their own the moment he sees the attacker begin their punch, exploiting weaknesses in the attacker's stance or positioning. Delivered with speed this can land and incapacitate the attacker before their punch lands, or angled correctly the defender's counter-punching arm can help to block the attacker's punch while simultaneously landing its own devastating blow.
Everyone knows Muggles like to throw their fists around, but how does that help in a wand duel? Apply the same principle of course! If you start casting shield spells the minute your opponent twitches his wand, then you're giving him the initiative every time. Work on your speed and accuracy, and when you see him start to cast an attacking hex or curse THEN launch yours - you can bet he won't get his own shields up in time (and if he does, then he's abandoned his attack and you have the advantage!).
Deliver your attack with enough power and his spell will be disrupted. Failing that, learn a variety of powerful blasting spells and as his hex comes at you aim right at the hex itself - at the very least you'll shatter their spell... at best yours will carry on going and hit your opponent when he least expects it.
That's the Counter Punch technique as applied to wandwork. These are the rules you should start applying to your duelling drills:
1. Don't rely on the predictable attack/block/attack/block pattern
2. Work on your speed - a quick fire spell can save the day
3. Learn a couple of "big blast" spells that you can use to shoot down hexes
4. Watch your opponent! Launch your attack -NOT DEFENSE- as he starts his
Practise these techniques daily with your Trailblazer comrades and I guarantee your duelling and combat skills will increase dramatically.
ONWARD!