Hey guys, I'm kinda wondering about those 'swirlies' you can see over one person or the other's heads during certain times in a sword duel. Can someone clue me in as to exactly what those are supposed to signify?

Also, I've noticed that several of my opponents have a special skill (lightning thrust, for example) that they can use in duels. Is there any way for me as the player to pick those up?

--Oz

This was obviously a good question, as nobody could answer it so far. :)

Hahaha! I guess so. :)

I've also posted the question over on Cutlass Isle, with not much success there either. The only thing I've seen on it so far is that it might signify that you're confused, so your abilities are reduced.

Hey guys, I'm kinda wondering about those 'swirlies' you can see over one person or the other's heads during certain times in a sword duel. Can someone clue me in as to exactly what those are supposed to signify?

Also, I've noticed that several of my opponents have a special skill (lightning thrust, for example) that they can use in duels. Is there any way for me as the player to pick those up?

--Oz

My interpretation of the swirlies is that they signify dizziness, and thus slower response time. When the oppnent has them they seem to attack less often, and react more slowly.

i find that i have head swirlies when the enemy have a lot more soldiers than me.

I'm pretty sure it's when you get disoriented from getting hit upside the head or being spun around. Like the advantage bar and the special swords, it effects your attack/parry speed.

I'll ask Barry tomorrow to find out for certain.

To expand on this a bit, I seem to get the swirlies even when I'm doing very well in a fight! So you can see my confusion, I'm not sure if they're a good thing or a bad thing...

I get them when i make a low slash e.g. and the enemy jumps up and i turn around, as if I would be feeling dizzy.

BTW, taunting the enemy worked not one time for me so far, they usually hit me before I could finish taunting. :)

To expand on this a bit, I seem to get the swirlies even when I'm doing very well in a fight! So you can see my confusion, I'm not sure if they're a good thing or a bad thing...

Me too, you even get them without being hit once.

I always thought it was a sign that what you are doing is bad for you health.

Fencing hurts the head.

They are a sign that the duelist is "dazed" (i.e. temporarily slower). It's caused by having the opponent block or dodge numerous attacks or by having crew losses (in a nutshell).

The definitive answer.

Here we go, thanks for asking, warpstorm! :goodjob:

The definitive answer.

But sometimes I already start with swirlies without even crossing blades once. :confused:

I get them when i make a low slash e.g. and the enemy jumps up and i turn around, as if I would be feeling dizzy.

BTW, taunting the enemy worked not one time for me so far, they usually hit me before I could finish taunting. :)

Maybe try taunting after you jump or duck one of their blows?

Maybe try taunting after you jump or duck one of their blows?

After that I'd hit him. Taunting doesn't push him back.

I am really starting to think that part of the game is broken. It seems that the only way to avoid having them, and to have the advantage bar in your favor, is to duck, jump and dodge. I fight on the offensive, and I end up with the swirlies after making a successful thrust. Most of my duels last about 30 seconds, and I almost never get hit, but I have the swirlies the whole time, and the advantage bar is sometimes completely in my opponent's favor, even though I am constantly hitting him and pushing him back. I'm not just talking about when I may be dueling aboard a ship and my crew may be outnumbered, this also happens when fighting the guard captains and jealous suitors. Also, I have never seen swirlies above my opponent's head.

I have seen head swirlies above my opponents head. It was during an easier difficulty level tho.

Maybe try taunting after you jump or duck one of their blows?

After that I'd hit him. Taunting doesn't push him back.

Thanks, i was referring to how to taunt before the enemy hit you. :D

The advantage bar has nothing to do with you fighting, thats the fight between your men and the oppositions men (note the numbers on the right and left). As the bar slides you'll see men on either side die. If your down to lets say 3 men against 50 the bar will be way over signifying an extreme advantage of the enemy. Once all your men are killed but you and its down to 1, you automaticaly surrender.