|
Post by petch on Jul 28, 2021 15:40:10 GMT
A back and forth battle between Laskar and Jaxartes ended with the pair being tied at 3 votes apiece so my casting vote comes into play for the first time. I'm going to go with Laskar, on the basis that he felt that much more satisfying to defeat due to his betrayal, and also because I liked the quite clever way the clue to beating him was referenced in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it passage in the Background section of the book.
Meanwhile, Voivod pulls off a convincing 6-1 victory, while the Titanium Cyborg wins a somewhat tighter bout by 5 votes to 3.
Those three go through to the next round, while Jaxartes, Blaster Babbet & Shanzikuul join Ishtra on the scrapheap.
Winners: Laskar, Voivod & The Titanium Cyborg
The next set of combats include the nefarious powers of an undead lord and a shadow demon being pitted against each other, a sorceress taking on a fell knight, and a clash of magical might as an ancient sorcerer goes head to head with a netherworld demon.
Lord Mortis vs Agglax
Morgana vs Belgaroth
Razaak vs The Archmage
Voting deadline is 4pm Fri 30th.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 28, 2021 17:28:14 GMT
Agglax as you have to endure Ian wittering on about sailing to defeat him
Morgana as she would manipulate Belgaroth into playing his own book and he would then die due to not failing the required Skill roll, or due to having no Luck or Honour, or by being so frustrated by its reader hating properties that he will not resist when she beats him to death with a copy of it
Razaak as the Archmage can be beaten by a Jib Jib
|
|
|
Post by philsadler on Jul 28, 2021 17:36:13 GMT
Well I quite liked Mortis and I don't really remember Agglax. So Mortis.
Don't know the next pair.
As for the third, I despise Razaak because he's the worst FF boss in history game-wise. I also just happen to love the Arch Mage.
|
|
|
Post by Charles X. on Jul 28, 2021 19:03:11 GMT
If you've read my posts on Golden Dragon and Keep Of The Lich-Lord you will know I have 'mixed feelings' about Dave Morris so I'm tempted to abstain from that one. I have similar feelings about Armies Of Death - I would have said yes because I like the book in general, but I don't like the 50 50 thing. So I'm gonna abstein from that one.
Morgana is more sinister than Belgaroth so perhaps I should vote for her, but I love everything about Knights Of Doom, so I'm voting for Belgaroth.
Razzak could possibly overpower The Archmage but the Archmage is more intelligent and he isn't an a-hole like Razaak so The Archamge gets my vote.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Jul 28, 2021 21:50:30 GMT
Lord Mortis (which I initially mistyped as Lord Morris!) has a cool back story and I like that there are a variety of ways to beat him. The sheer amount of illustrations of him makes him a pervading presence throughout the book. Agglax is pretty disposable by comparison.
I've never really got far enough in Knights of Doom to get much of a sense of Belgaroth so I'll abstain there.
The Archmage beats Razaak due to being much more of a sneaky bugger.
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Jul 28, 2021 22:03:15 GMT
Mortis - for being a family man. Belgaroth - demonic, anti-paladin villain was unique in the series and thus a lot more interesting. Razaak - he's a git but I do kind of like that. Never found the Archmage interesting at all.
|
|
|
Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jul 29, 2021 18:43:03 GMT
Agglax. A demon on a palanquin carried by zombies and in charge of an army.
Prefer Belgaroth to Morgana. Chaos warrior back from the dead corrupting the land.
And prefer the Archmage to Razaak, though both are good as villains.
|
|
|
Post by peasantscribbler on Jul 29, 2021 23:34:23 GMT
I'll pick Razaak in this one. I want someone to eventually beat Razaak; I just don't think it could or should be the Archmage.
|
|
|
Post by tyrion on Jul 30, 2021 9:08:52 GMT
Agglax, because Mortis just lets you wander around the island (or possibly just heading straight for him), and then basically kills himself, saving you the bother.
Morgana, very sneaky. Belgaroth would be lucky to even find her.
The Archmage, because I can't believe a withered old sorcerer has skill 12 stamina 20, that's obviously some sort of misprint.
|
|
|
Post by petch on Jul 30, 2021 15:42:37 GMT
Three tightly fought contests this time around!
Mortis & Agglax ended up tying 3-3. My casting vote goes to Mortis, because when you fight your way across the battlefield to finally confront Agglax, he jumps off of his palanquin and runs away on his spindly ossified legs like a big skully wuss.
Belgaroth narrowly overcomes Morgana 3-2, while the Archmage of Mampang presumably managed to avoid losing two consecutive Attack Rounds to Razaak and defeats him by 5 votes to 3.
Winners: Lord Mortis, Belgaroth & The Archmage
Featured attraction in the next set of combats is a Girl Power battle for dominance between the feminine wiles of the Snow Witch and Ulrakaah-ka-ka.
The Ancient vs Nazek
Orghuz vs Sharcle
Ulrakaah vs Shareella
Votes to be submitted by 4pm Sun 1st.
|
|
|
Post by Charles X. on Jul 30, 2021 15:57:12 GMT
Dragons are awesome even though I like the world of Spellbreaker, I vote The Ancient.
Sharcle is an anticlimactic wimp who in the full-length EOTD doesn't even give you proper poison. I hate him and I want him to lose. However, I hate one-strike combats THAT MUCH, I'm going to abstein.
I don't much remember Ulrakaah, but I remember Shareella being a tough girl. So Shareella gets my vote.
|
|
|
Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jul 30, 2021 17:03:33 GMT
The Ancient. Great battle at the end of an epic adventure.
Orghuz over Sharcle, more through Sharcle not being up to much as a villain.
Prefer Shareella, the spiteful witch who can't keep her temper.
I'm missing Tyutchev, Cassandra and Thaum, by the way. They didn't make it to the list and nor did the Talisman of Death Red Dragon. Tyutchev made an appearance across three gamebook series - FF, WotT and Virtual Reality.
Ah well.
|
|
|
Post by philsadler on Jul 30, 2021 17:08:08 GMT
The only one I know is Shareella, so I guess I'll vote for her.
|
|
|
Post by petch on Jul 30, 2021 18:23:38 GMT
I'm missing Tyutchev, Cassandra and Thaum, by the way. They didn't make it to the list and nor did the Talisman of Death Red Dragon. Tyutchev made an appearance across three gamebook series - FF, WotT and Virtual Reality. Ah well. Yeah, I like all of those too. I had to apply some kind of 'rules for entry' to draw the line somewhere otherwise I could conceivably have included hundreds of characters from across the series, so I limited it to the main antagonist of each book and those recurring characters who played a significant role in more than one FF (sorry, didn't consider other series due to my own unfamiliarity!). Some of my own favourites who I reluctantly had to leave out due to not meeting my own criteria were Throm, Katarina Heydrich, Jesper the Mongoose and Reinhardt. But yes, ToD's Red Dragon should have qualified under those rules - oversight on my part. I suspect I've probably made others too. Apologies for that, and to anyone else whose favourite character(s) have been neglected. Perhaps an idea for another thread - 'Best FF NPCs' or something!
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Jul 30, 2021 19:02:30 GMT
The Ancient - he doesn't actually do much but the Night Dragon's shadow looms overs the entire epic quest.
Orghuz - because Sharcle is a stupid excuse for a villain. He can't even afford to get real poison to make you return, and if you do, all he does is nearly kill Littlebig (which I suppose I should really be thanking him for but he can't even do that right).
Shareella - hard to not like the Snow Witch. She's like the Chun-Li of the FF series. Despite a rather too linear adventure, it's a nice change of pace to have the villain appear twice to thwart your plans and have the threat of her curse lingering with you for the second half of the book.
|
|
|
Post by vastariner on Jul 30, 2021 20:18:35 GMT
I'm missing Tyutchev, Cassandra and Thaum, by the way. They didn't make it to the list and nor did the Talisman of Death Red Dragon. Tyutchev made an appearance across three gamebook series - FF, WotT and Virtual Reality. Ah well. They're not really FF characters - they're characters Mark Smith/Jamie Thomson/Dave Morris (I think) had in their RPGs going back to the 70s.
|
|
|
Post by tyrion on Jul 30, 2021 20:35:00 GMT
The ancient - a bad ass dragon whose skull is more than a match for most heroes.
Orghuz - if only because sharcle is such an idiot. Drink this poison that's not even poison? You're having a laugh.
Shareella - I like how she's not even got stats, and how you get to play rock paper scissors. And then she has a tantrum anyway. Nicely done.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Jul 30, 2021 21:48:46 GMT
Nazek because I like the way he tricks your character into helping him. Gives you a personal stake in defeating him.
Orghuz. Not that I've ever got far in Chasms, but Sharcle is rubbish.
Ulrakaah is the best thing about a bad book but Shareela's revenge beyond the (second) grave makes her stand out so I vote for her.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 31, 2021 12:29:07 GMT
The Ancient as it doesn't have to hide behind a near impossible reader hating book
Orghuz for being part of one of my Top 10 FF books
Shareella because the joke of naming the other thing after a former 90s weather girl / tv presenter / panel member on an overrated unfunny alleged comedy show is not funny or clever, much like the rest of that pathetic excuse for a book.
|
|
|
Post by petch on Jul 31, 2021 13:13:36 GMT
Shareella because the joke of naming the other thing after a former 90s weather girl / tv presenter / panel member on an overrated unfunny alleged comedy show is not funny or clever, much like the rest of that pathetic excuse for a book. Uvavu! The merits of Shooting Stars aside though, I have often wondered if the naming of Ulrakaah was intended as a tribute or if Higson was trying to imply that the Swede was some kind of a demonic presence!
|
|
|
Post by petch on Aug 1, 2021 15:27:19 GMT
In stark contrast to the closely fought previous three bouts, this time around we've witnessed a series of whitewashes. Orghuz and Shareella dispatch their opponents with ease with clean sweeps of 5-0 and 7-0 respectively, and Nazek manages only a solitary vote against the Night Dragon's 5.
Winners: The Ancient, Orghuz & Shareella
Next up, a trio of evil wizards take on a magic-neutralising sprite, a pirate captain and a megalomaniac nut bar.
Jann the Minimite vs Dark Elf Sorceror
Abdul the Butcher vs Mordraneth
Gingrich Yurr vs Mencius
Votes in please by 4pm Tues 3rd.
|
|
|
Post by Charles X. on Aug 1, 2021 16:09:12 GMT
The first one is very hard, because although Jann could be annoying at times, he was also amazing. The Dark Elf Sorceror is so powerful he would know the Zed spell which would break Jann and make him the winner. I think Jann is cooler than Dark Elf Sorceror, but elves are cool as well, so I'm going with Dark Elf Sorceror. I like magic in FF, which tempts me to vote Mordraneth, but Mordraneth was a bit generic, whereas Abdul The Butcher was interesting, so I choose Abdul. I don't own\haven't played Blood Of The Zombies, but I've heard and read it's maddeningly tough, while I enjoy the foreign world of Magehunter and the gameplay, so Mencius gets my vote.
|
|
|
Post by bloodbeasthandler on Aug 1, 2021 16:28:23 GMT
Jann the Minimite to get my vote. He’s a magic nullifier, and for such a slight little chap has got a thick skin when it comes to being told to buzz off. Even so he's key to victory and doesn't deserve what happens to him.
Abdul the Butcher for vote 2. Slaver, murderer and sacker of cities he might be, he’s also quite a gentleman and concedes graciously at the end of the book if you’ve beaten him.
Mencius rather than Gingrich Yurr. He adapts himself quickly to his new environment, his new body, and is a powerful sorceror.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Aug 1, 2021 17:13:00 GMT
Aw I love Jann the Minimite. He definitely gets my vote.
Mordraneth because I love the bit where he tricks you into drinking vinegar. He could have given you poison but he'd rather just mess with you. Plus he lives in a world of his own illusions which is pretty cool.
Mencius is just such a smug git. He's a great villain.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Aug 1, 2021 18:18:53 GMT
Dark Elf Sorceror for being so fabulous he doesn't even bother revealing his name
Abdul the Butcher as the very name will annoy smug, self righteous vegan types
Mencius is sneaky
|
|
|
Post by tyrion on Aug 1, 2021 18:40:58 GMT
Jann the minimite, the cheeky wee scamp.
Abdul the butcher over mordraneth, even though I prefer sos to sob.
Mencius, because he's such an arrogant bugger.
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Aug 1, 2021 22:54:43 GMT
Jann - Dark Elf Sorcerer is so irrelevant that he doesn't even get a name. Mordraneth - Abdul gets close to zero screen time leaving you wondering how he's your greatest rival. Gingrich Yurr - He's actually a good villain despite being in an unplayable book.
|
|
|
Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 2, 2021 8:34:33 GMT
Mencius, because he's such an arrogant bugger. Played by Julian Sands, how could he not be?
|
|
|
Post by petch on Aug 3, 2021 15:35:46 GMT
Of our sorcerous threesome, only Mencius manages to emerge victorious, albeit by an impressive 5-1 margin. The black magics of the Dark Elf Sorcerer and Mordraneth were unable to turn the tide in their favour as they both go crashing out 4-2.
Winners: Jann the Minimite, Abdul the Butcher & Mencius
The next set of fixtures includes that hotly anticipated heavyweight clash between two classic adversaries from FF's hive of villainy, Balthus Dire and Zanbar Bone.
Captain Bloodaxe vs Unthank
Reiner Heydrich vs Globus
Balthus Dire vs Zanbar Bone
Deadline this time is 4pm Thurs 5th.
|
|
|
Post by daredevil123 on Aug 3, 2021 16:24:40 GMT
I have some strong opinions this round. I prefer Unthank to Captain Bloodaxe - the chamberlain is a devious, loathsome figure whom I was happy to see dragged to the underworld. Bloodaxe, by contrast, is thinly drawn.
Balthus Dire is perhaps the best villain in the FF canon, and apparently Steve Jackson's favourite of the characters he created. I love Dire's dialogue, his sense of arrogance and his intimidating presence - the illustration of him alone makes you wonder how you're possibly going to defeat him. Zanbar Bone is probably my favourite of Ian's villains (and also has a great illustration), but isn't as memorable as Dire IMO.
I'm not familiar with Heydrich or Globus, although Vault of the Vampire and Spectral Stalkers are both books I'd like to get my hands on.
|
|