Interesting thread. Some funny stuff, some obnoxious, but overall, quite interesting. Personally I'm flattered to have come in...what, 10th at the end? I had always placed myself as second tier.
Anyhow, my thoughts (Not rankings, and I can only comment on those I've faced in 1v1 combat):
Thoros: Brilliant combatant, albeit I get very annoyed at his guard slaying antics, he has always been one of those extremely talented fighters. His curing, like mine, lacks a small bit, but his offense is pristine. Every time I fought him, it always felt like dancing on the precipice. One mis-step spelt my doom. Utilized shield against him more than any other combatant I've ever fought.
Narsrim: All around, I'd have to place either Narsrim or Geb as my top combatant bar none. Narsrim knows pretty much everything about any skill in Lusternia...whenever I had a combat related question, the first person I'd ask was him. He was scarier as a MD than he is in the Celest guilds, but even so, he is unmatched in my opinion.
Daevos: Ever since I started playing, I had always aspired to be able to beat Daevos in a 1v1 fight. I first fought him as a squire, with non-masterwork weapons. Suffice to say, I got creamed. Eventually I got to the point where I could toe-to-toe with him and give my fair share of punishment. His curing is sublime, his offense is wicked. One of the best knights out there.
Geb: Like I said earlier, either he or Narsrim would get my vote as number 1. Combat knowledge, awareness, and ability...I think these two just outperform most others. However, the one thing against Geb is that he never led groups, whereas Narsrim was one of the most adept group leaders I've seen. Geb always acted like I acted, following the group and making himself as useful as possible, usually in the form of mass murder.
Forren: Always a good combatant, and his combat ability skyrocketed when he hit demi. He's extremely good, and one of the cornerstone's of Celest's military force. His presence in a group fight can often make or break the battle.
Tuek: Albeit cocky, he was always a very good MD. He and Thoros are very similar in solo raiding tactics, although I think Tuek's curing surpasses Thoros', whereas Thoros' offense surpasses Tuek's. As well, I'd liked to have seen Tuek play a different class than MD.
Diamante: Frighteningly good SD. Mess up once against him and you're dead. Get unlucky, and you're dead.
Shamarah: Also frighteningly good SD. His threat factor increased tenfold when he went from the Celestines to Shadowdancers. I think his reliance on a more manual curing is exceptionally suited to the class.
Ceren: To me, it feels like he has among the best curing in the game. As well, his ability to think creatively in combat is far beyond the scope of normal fighters. Excellent fighter, I expected him to take champion from me when I went inactive.
Murphy: Only fought him a few times, and that was when I was still learning the basics of fighting. However, I got my start from studying his combat logs, emulating his echoes, dissecting his combos and kills. THE premier bonecrusher. I'm honored to have been able to imitate him in combat.
Munsia: Although she may be one of the most annoying characters in game, no one can deny her skill in combat. She will do whatever it takes to win, and she will do it very well. Brilliant fighter, not to be discounted in any sense.
Desitrus/Sintor: Immense potential, albeit cocky bastard
Had he taken a more active role in organizations and raiding, I think he'd make the top ten.
Amaru: Like murph was the premier BC, Amaru was the premier celestine. Many current celestine tactics are based off his pioneering. However, I'm uncertain as to how he would do in the current times, given that curing systems are far more advanced, and far more available to the general combatant nowadays.
Ixion: Good fighter, surprisingly astute combat awareness. While Ixion and I have had our issues in the past, I cannot deny that he is one of the most aware combatants out there. There have been so many fights where I see him running around, tackling allies into safer rooms, and pretty much taking care of those that aren't as adept. While I'm not fully convinced as to his combat ability 1v1 as far as top ten, I do believe his combat awareness and ability in groups is one of the best around.
Torak: I've never fought him 1v1, since during his time of activity, I was still learning. However, his name always inspired fear.
Krellan: Very astute group fighter, amazingly manual cures, but never a real threat 1v1. While his ability is not to be denied, in a poll for the top ten, I think 1v1 is a significant factor. I've always told him to go SD, because his method of curing was so conducive to fighting in choke.
Kaervas: While skilled, I've never placed him as one of those combatants that just obliterate people because of sheer skill, rather than arties/demi, or whatever. Very very good, but top ten? Then again, I've only had experience against him after he made demi/titan.
Lyco: Always a good combatant, but in his day and age, he was always overshadowed by Murph. Never fought him one on one, but I've heard his ability as a BM was unsurpassed.
In the end, I think my rankings would have to go as follows:
Narsrim, Geb, Daevos, Thoros, Tuek, Diamante, Forren, Murphy, Amaru, Shamarah/Ceren/Desitrus. The rest of the mentions I've made would definitely fall within 11-20, with myself among that group. My judgements are based more off of combat awareness, ability, creativity, and aptitude rather than off of arties and demi stats.
Again, I do not have personal experience on people like Alger, Terenas, Eiru, etc. To me, they are but legends of old. I've heard amazing stories, however it's hard to judge their success given that curing abilities have naturally advanced since their times.
EDIT: Switched Tuek and Thoros around in my rankings, placing Thoros as 4th. As well, surprised I wrote such a long post >.< Final edit: I apologize for my fragmented sentences and run ons. I've had a few drinks...
Anyhow, my thoughts (Not rankings, and I can only comment on those I've faced in 1v1 combat):
Thoros: Brilliant combatant, albeit I get very annoyed at his guard slaying antics, he has always been one of those extremely talented fighters. His curing, like mine, lacks a small bit, but his offense is pristine. Every time I fought him, it always felt like dancing on the precipice. One mis-step spelt my doom. Utilized shield against him more than any other combatant I've ever fought.
Narsrim: All around, I'd have to place either Narsrim or Geb as my top combatant bar none. Narsrim knows pretty much everything about any skill in Lusternia...whenever I had a combat related question, the first person I'd ask was him. He was scarier as a MD than he is in the Celest guilds, but even so, he is unmatched in my opinion.
Daevos: Ever since I started playing, I had always aspired to be able to beat Daevos in a 1v1 fight. I first fought him as a squire, with non-masterwork weapons. Suffice to say, I got creamed. Eventually I got to the point where I could toe-to-toe with him and give my fair share of punishment. His curing is sublime, his offense is wicked. One of the best knights out there.
Geb: Like I said earlier, either he or Narsrim would get my vote as number 1. Combat knowledge, awareness, and ability...I think these two just outperform most others. However, the one thing against Geb is that he never led groups, whereas Narsrim was one of the most adept group leaders I've seen. Geb always acted like I acted, following the group and making himself as useful as possible, usually in the form of mass murder.
Forren: Always a good combatant, and his combat ability skyrocketed when he hit demi. He's extremely good, and one of the cornerstone's of Celest's military force. His presence in a group fight can often make or break the battle.
Tuek: Albeit cocky, he was always a very good MD. He and Thoros are very similar in solo raiding tactics, although I think Tuek's curing surpasses Thoros', whereas Thoros' offense surpasses Tuek's. As well, I'd liked to have seen Tuek play a different class than MD.
Diamante: Frighteningly good SD. Mess up once against him and you're dead. Get unlucky, and you're dead.
Shamarah: Also frighteningly good SD. His threat factor increased tenfold when he went from the Celestines to Shadowdancers. I think his reliance on a more manual curing is exceptionally suited to the class.
Ceren: To me, it feels like he has among the best curing in the game. As well, his ability to think creatively in combat is far beyond the scope of normal fighters. Excellent fighter, I expected him to take champion from me when I went inactive.
Murphy: Only fought him a few times, and that was when I was still learning the basics of fighting. However, I got my start from studying his combat logs, emulating his echoes, dissecting his combos and kills. THE premier bonecrusher. I'm honored to have been able to imitate him in combat.
Munsia: Although she may be one of the most annoying characters in game, no one can deny her skill in combat. She will do whatever it takes to win, and she will do it very well. Brilliant fighter, not to be discounted in any sense.
Desitrus/Sintor: Immense potential, albeit cocky bastard
Had he taken a more active role in organizations and raiding, I think he'd make the top ten. Amaru: Like murph was the premier BC, Amaru was the premier celestine. Many current celestine tactics are based off his pioneering. However, I'm uncertain as to how he would do in the current times, given that curing systems are far more advanced, and far more available to the general combatant nowadays.
Ixion: Good fighter, surprisingly astute combat awareness. While Ixion and I have had our issues in the past, I cannot deny that he is one of the most aware combatants out there. There have been so many fights where I see him running around, tackling allies into safer rooms, and pretty much taking care of those that aren't as adept. While I'm not fully convinced as to his combat ability 1v1 as far as top ten, I do believe his combat awareness and ability in groups is one of the best around.
Torak: I've never fought him 1v1, since during his time of activity, I was still learning. However, his name always inspired fear.
Krellan: Very astute group fighter, amazingly manual cures, but never a real threat 1v1. While his ability is not to be denied, in a poll for the top ten, I think 1v1 is a significant factor. I've always told him to go SD, because his method of curing was so conducive to fighting in choke.
Kaervas: While skilled, I've never placed him as one of those combatants that just obliterate people because of sheer skill, rather than arties/demi, or whatever. Very very good, but top ten? Then again, I've only had experience against him after he made demi/titan.
Lyco: Always a good combatant, but in his day and age, he was always overshadowed by Murph. Never fought him one on one, but I've heard his ability as a BM was unsurpassed.
In the end, I think my rankings would have to go as follows:
Narsrim, Geb, Daevos, Thoros, Tuek, Diamante, Forren, Murphy, Amaru, Shamarah/Ceren/Desitrus. The rest of the mentions I've made would definitely fall within 11-20, with myself among that group. My judgements are based more off of combat awareness, ability, creativity, and aptitude rather than off of arties and demi stats.
Again, I do not have personal experience on people like Alger, Terenas, Eiru, etc. To me, they are but legends of old. I've heard amazing stories, however it's hard to judge their success given that curing abilities have naturally advanced since their times.
EDIT: Switched Tuek and Thoros around in my rankings, placing Thoros as 4th. As well, surprised I wrote such a long post >.< Final edit: I apologize for my fragmented sentences and run ons. I've had a few drinks...
