Bao-Dur was fast, faster than the assassin droid had expected, with almost Jedi-like reflexes he fires his pistol, and with pin-point precision incinerates the droid's left photoreceptor. At that moment HK's motor functions return to him and he grabs his flamethrower, belching out fire to engulf Bao-Dur, diving clear the Iridonian screams in pain as the flames singe his singe his clothes and burn his flesh. HK gets to his feet and prepares to loose another stream but Bao-Dur knocks the weapon from his grasp with a kick, ignoring the pain of his scorched body as he leaps at the droid. HK is pinned to the ground, the motors in his right arm whining as it grips Bao-Dur's thrumming mechanical arm at the wrist. Face twisted into a grimace and disfigured by burns he pushes back against the droids grip, outstretched palm inching closer towards HK's chassis with a greater strength than the droid can match. But his other arm that pins HK's left appendage to the dirt is organic, weak. With a sudden movement HK pulls his arm free to strike Bao-Dur in the temple, throwing him off and on to the ground. In the next split second HK is diving for Bao-Dur's fallen pistol, whipping around just as the Iridonian lunges at him, and fires. The bolt tears through his chest, and he drops down dead. Sparks fly from the droid's fried photoreceptor as HK gets to his feet to regard his fallen opponent. "Complimentary statement: As far as organics go, you put up quite a fight. Observation: However, as is the case with all organic meatbags your fleshy parts caused your downfall. Now, where was I?" Retrieving his fallen sniper rifle HK scans the trees for signs of the boy with his remaining photoreceptor, but Ezra is gone, obscured in a sea of electromagnetic interference. "Reluctant observation: It appears the Iridonian bought enough time for the small meatbag to escape. Mockery: How very noble of him." And so the assassin droid makes for the trees, in pursuit of his quarry. ======================= They circle each other like lions, breathing heavily. Canderous Ordo spits blood from his mouth, fingering the trigger of his E-11. His opponent is Kir Kanos, legendary hero of the Royal Guard. The guardsmen twirls a vibroblade in his hands, eyeing his opponent with lethal intent. This is a fight between warriors, a fight to the death.

Well I think that unlikely, the HK-24 series were never mass distributed, HK-47 was one of a kind and Bao-Dur only came into contact with the HK-50s after joining the Exile's crew. So its unlikely he has any knowledge. Shooting him in the eye could be effective though.

Well I would only add that Bao-Dur's blaster pistol isn't going to be off much effect here against HK's armor, which leaves his mechanical arm, however that is only effective at close range. So if HK manages to escape close range he's in a much better position to take Bao-Dur down, and it will only take two shots...

Nah, I'm sure HK is overjoyed by the number of slushy bipedals crossing his path.

Tbh. I'll get excited when its on Steam.

================================================== The arena has been updated! http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=8817220#post8817220 We have another casualty. Meanwhile on the edge of the arena Bao-Dur has engaged HK-47, narrowly preventing him from killing Ezra Bridger. Bao-Dur is armed with a DH-17 and has acquired both a medium-value backpack and a power pak by which he has charged up with energy arm. HK-47 meanwhile is still reeling from the discharge, and not all his systems are back online, however he is loaded with weapons, including an A280 blaster rifle, a flamethrower, flashbang grenades and a couple of nerve gas grenades. What happens next people? Bao-Dur HK-47 ==================================================

Bossk roars in pain as a blaster bolt struck him in the chest. Kaylio smiles, squeezing off another shot as he falls behind cover. Then Embo rushes her, evading a bolt as he springs into the air, she tries to shoot him out of the sky but the sun blinds her, Embo coming down to kick her in the chest. Kaliyo is knocked to the ground, rolling away, but recovers quickly, sprinting towards Embo has he aims his bowcaster. She launches a high kick, knocking it out of her grasp. Embo throws a punch but the gas has made him sloppily, Kaliyo ducks under it before springing up word to headbutt Embo in the jaw. He staggers backward and she kicks him to the ground, and is about to shoot when a snarling green blur collides with her. Bossk pins her to the ground, clamping his hands on her face. She lashes out with a palm, striking Bossk's wound and weakening his grip before kicking him off her. Staggering to her feet she searches for her blaster. And then think strong arms grab her from behind, seizing her in a choke hold. She struggles to break away, biting, clawing, kicking, but Boba Fett's durasteel grip is unbreakable. Her blood shot eyes widen in fear as he slowly squeezes the life out of her, and then with one sharp jerk he ends it. "She was mine." Bossk snarls as Kaliyo's limp body drops to the floor. But Boba simple gives him a superior look. "Then next time don't play with your food." ======================= Emerging from the arena, HK-47 scans the tree line for life signs. A heat reading registers on his optical sensors, humanoid in shape, not much more than a meter in height, and springing from branch to branch. The humanoid is Ezra Bridger, and HK-47 calculates he is approximately 600 meters away. "Mocking statement" the assassin droid says as he lines up his sniper rifle for a shot "Oh what a silly little meatbag, you've not run nearly far enough." He waits as his built in targeting computer lines the boy up in its cross hairs and is about to squeeze the trigger when something strikes him from behind, discharging a thousand volts of electricity into his mechanical body. Sparks fly and HK spasms, dropping the rifle as he falls to the ground. "You won't be hurting anyone." A calm voice says as HK's frazzled photoreceptors come back online, an Iridonian Zabrak towers over him, one arm entirely mechanical and fused together by a beam of glowing cyan energy. HK's facial recognition software identifies him as the engineer, Bao-Dur. "Correction: On the contrary, meatbag, I intend to hurt you very much."

Hmm, well Boba is unarmed, suffering from nerve gas poisoning and the flashbang grenade. That said he's surrounded by supplies including adrenals/stimpacks, might he make that a priority to get back on his feet while Bossk and Embo cover him?

================================================== The arena has been updated: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=865625 Ventress has escaped with a pack but no weapons and is headed for Zone 4, meanwhile HK-47 has made his getaway loaded with weapons and supplies and is headed for Zone 4 as well. Meanwhile the Cornucopia has exploded into action again, the entrance is surrounded by flames and outside Kaliyo Djannis has engaged Boba, Embo and Bossk. Boba is still suffering from the effects of the nerve gas and all three have been stunned by a flash bang grenade, vision and hearing has returned by both will remain somewhat impaired for several minutes. So who is winning this fight? Will Kaliyo flee, die or take them all to town? Boba Fett Bossk Embo Kaliyo Djannis ==================================================

His mechanical appendages slash like pincers as he attempts to grab her, Ventress leaps clear, soaring over his head to drop behind him. But Grievous is phased for only a movement, lashing out with a foot he strikes Ventress in the back, throwing onto the ground. With a groan Ventress tries to get to her feet but Grievous is upon her, seizing her in a durasteel grip before flinging her through the air. With the Force Ventress controls her descent, landing feet planted against a wall before springing forward to launch herself at Grievous with a kick, striking him in the face, the General grunting as he slides away. She couldn't keep this up much longer. But she's already found her exit. Without further hesitation she turns and runs for heading for a crumbling archway. Behind her Grievous leaps, soaring over her head to land in her path. "Going somewhere?" Ventress smiled "If you don't mind." Before throwing out a palm to knock Grievous under the arch, and then, with a clenched fist and a tug, brings it all collapsing on top of him. "Try not to miss me." She says on her way out. ======================= "Get up, Boba." Something snarls with a guttural hiss. Boba forces himself to concentrate, head pounding, eyes blurry, as the something pulls him to his feet. Seven leering Trandoshans wielding a DC-15s waver in front of him before merging into one. Bossk. "I could have killed you just now." He says with a toothy grin. Boba shrugs him off, retrieving his blaster rifle, "Where's Sing and Bane?" "Occupied, now come on we gotta move." Boba doesn't protest as they climb back up to the top of the platform, the gas is clearing, Embo firing off shots blindly into the mouth of the Cornucopia. "Nowhere to run." Bossk growls as he aims levels his own rifle. Only without warning a flaming jet stream pours out of the mouth, igniting the dissipating gas in a fiery ball and belching out of the Corncuopia, like a dragon breathing fire, Bossk and Boba shield their faces and Embo ducks behind a crate as grass ignites, creating a wall of flames. Then something flashing and spherical pops out from the smoke. A bang, a bright flash of light and for a several seconds the bounty hunters are blind. HK-47 bursts from the smoldering Cornucopia, loaded with weapons and supplies, he is gone before they can recover. They are still in a daze when a plasteel back pack smacks Bossk over the back of the head, knocking him down. Kaliyo Djannis smiles as she rushes Boba, driving a knee into his stomach before bringing a pair of elbows down on his back. She grabs his rifle and is about to shoot when a blaster bolt blows the weapon out of her hand. With a snarl Kaliyo vaults over the stack of crates besider her, then with a sharp kick brings the pile down over Boba and Bossk. Grabbing a pistol as they fall as they fall she open fires on Embo, studding the containers he's crouched behind with holes. "Well at least one you knows how to fight." And with those words she shoots at him again.

Good point.

This is TCW Grievous. Anyway I'm not denying his strength, just his skill, bar the special attacks he can perform with his anatomy he's limited to flailing, stomping, thrashing etc., attacks that are far more predictable and avoidable than a refined technique. That and Ventress should be agile enough to evade most of his attacks. If she tries to take him head on, sure, my point more was that Grievous can't easily destroy Ventress if she goes on the evasive/defensive, and if she can't escape, or doesn't want to separated from Vos, she can probably hold out. I suppose a more important question is can she escape if she decided it the best course of action? I was more talking in terms of Grievous abilities, and she was hit with a barrel them smacked over the head. On the other hand, we have seen Ahsoka, Eeth Koth and Adi Gallia suffer direct hits from Grievous without lasting injury. I doubt Vos will have the foresight to bring an EMP grenade, however assuming Ventress and Vos are in some kind of partnership, he might try and aquire a vibroweapon and or energy bow for her. But if escape is an option for Ventress, will she stick it out in hopes of teaming up with Vos, or flee? EDIT: And can Ventress escape without aid? She is fast and agile, but Grievous can be the same when he wants to be.

One hit huh? On what basis? Not that I necessarily disagree, just asking for evidence. What is Vos arrives with weapons, would that change things?

Meh, Ventress BFRed Kenobi with a kick for some time in TCW, so I don't know about that. However Ventress is much skilled in H2H than Kenobi, and much more agile. More importantly though, on what basis does Grievous "muderstomp" Ventress here, if survival is her goal? As I wouldn't actually suggest Ventress has any chance of winning here, but I don't see her being destroyed.

That bad huh? I would remind everyone that Kenobi lasted 30 seconds against Grievous in unarmed combat, without sustaining injury. Ventress also survived for roughly the same amount of time weaponless against Savage, despite him being armed. Grievous is undeniably strong, durable and a deadly anatomy, but he doesn't really have many if any H2H skills.

================================================== Apologies for the delay, but the arena has now been updated! http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=8809501#post8809501 One Pa'un died in bringing you this information. In other news, Embo managed to escape the gas unscathed by Boba has suffered minor exposure, expect blurred vision, nausea and muscle convulsions in mild form. An'ya Kuro and Lumiya have managed to slip in and out without incident and have headed to Zone 3 and 1 respectively. Meanwhile Ventress has been cornered by Grievous on the lower levels, both are unarmed but Ventress has acquired a pack. How will this play out, fight or flight? Is there any chance that Quinlan Vos will intervene? Grievous Asajj Ventress ==================================================

Hands clamp to mouths as the bounty hunters back away from the spreading fumes. The gas closes in, Embo pirouettes into the air, Boba dashes for the edge of the Cornucopia before leaping off it. The Inquisitor, still on the ground can but splay a hand, throwing back the gas as it threatens to envelop him. It rushes in to the Cornucopia, flooding towards him at all angles, he staggers to his feet throwing up another hand to create a bubble around him. Through the smoke, a pair of photoreceptors glow orange behind him. If only he had seen them. The squeeze of a trigger, a flash of red, the Inquisitor hardly feels a thing as the blaster bolt pierces his heart. ======================= She lurks at the edge of the Cornucopia, she has been taking her time, steadily advancing. Let them fight amongst themselves, she thinks. Let them snatch and claw while she, concealed in the Force, slips in and out unnoticed. She has been biding her time, but now the Force tells her it is time to act. And so for a brief moment the Dark Woman becomes visible, before phasing through the very walls of the Cornucopia to emerge within. She is not alone. A droid, rusty red, raids the trove, slinging weapons over its back, a grenades belt over its shoulder, stuffing a power pak into a bag. A cloud of yellowish gas blocks the entrance to the Cornucopia. No doubt the droids doing. Then it suddenly freezes, before wheeling around with speed that only a Jedi could match to aim a blaster at her. Luckily she is a Jedi. With a raised palm she blows the droid away, and half a dozen crates with it. Before reaching out with the Force to pull a pack and vibroblade into her waiting hands, she slings the former onto her back. The droid is on its feet again, this time is firing off a shot, but she blocks it with a hand, before pulling the blaster into it. And as soon as her fingers close around it, she disappears into nothing. "Irritated remark: Jedi and their tricks." ======================= She slips through the battlefield unseen, clouding the minds of those around her to her presence. She has no time to fight over scraps like the rest, she is Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith. And so like a phantom she drifts into the mouth of the Cornucopia, deep purple robes flapping about her legs as the noxious gases melting away around her, she needn't go any further, what she needs is already within reach. A black metal hilt, from which extends a woven coil of metal wires. Yes, this will suit her purposes well. A pair of throwing knives catch her attention as she stalks away, she scoops them up and slips them through her belt. Now she is ready to kill, she muses. Making for the trees as she heads for the ancient temple looming in the distance. ======================= Ventress cushions herself against the impact as she's knocked to the ground again. Growling in irritation before rapidly rolling away as a clawed metal foot attempts to crush her. Springing to her feet Ventress throws out her palms to blow her opponent against a wall. "Listen, General." She says "I've got places to be, can't we do this another time?" The cyborg warlord, General Grievous, laughs, or rather the hoarse mechanical rasp that passed for one. "Why? Surely we're not getting tired?" And with those words he lunges.

I don't think his incapability with telekinesis when it was an innate inability, not a sign of weakness. On the other hand conjuring illusions that could fool Luke Skywalker (and wasn't this well before his prime), and absorbing the power of explosions, and intense heat demonstrate considerably proficiency in the living Force. I also believe he fought a marathon engagement with Vong over the course of several days, if so that's tremendous stamina feat. And demonstrates pretty strong mastery over the living Force as well. I'm not confident Talon has comparable showings in TK and Force lightning that stack up to this. That said I'm not well versed in Corran Horn as a character, and what's important here is his Force defenses, you say his defenses "aren't that great", may I ask on what basis, besides getting ragdolled by Kyp?

Well exactly, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Kyp's lack of showings only demonstrates the writers gave him a lack of attention, though from what I can surmise from his few showings, I wouldn't say he's superior. There remains an element of ambiguity though, I'm not keen on positing superiority based on little evidence. I didn't mean it in that sense, I mean less than those more powerful than them. For example Darth Traya possesses superior healing to many of the characters already ranked, and being considered, but she is not more powerful. Well showings wise, however there are many that I'd think would be logically capable of his accomplishments. But the precedent is set, superior healing ability doesn't necessarily make you more powerful, additional evidence is required. I respect his abilities though, however I feel he'd have to show at least equal raw power to Kyp in other fields, particularly Alter, to be given an edge, that is how we approached things when discussing Krayt's DT. Kyp has quite a lot of consistent showings, which I don't feel Cade has matched. As far as dominating Force users go, I think there it would be important to assess Corran Horn's power, from what I can gather, he seems to be more powerful than Darth Talon. Logically, yes, though I don't think there is a statement, it beefs out his inventory, but not sure it will be enough.

Perhaps, but feel Kyp's destructive power makes a stronger case for superiority, whereas superior healing and illusions are often possessed by lesser Force users, and his overall edge in control has a lot to do with Kyp's lack of showings.

Not sure on that, Kyp seems thoroughly above Cade in Alter, bar illusions.

Expect a verdict later today, also I'm considering the Grand Inquisitor's live to be in jeopardy, but whether he survives or not will come down to chance. May the odds be in his favour, maybe.

Before I get on to my analysis, I want to make a few remarks regarding Kyp's controversial black hole feat. Namely through the notion that "Size matters not" and "Your focus determines your reality". What does this mean? It means that the difficulty of a feat is as much determined by your perception its nature as by its actual nature. Or to be more specific your perception of an objects size matters just as much as its actual weight. So let's apply that to this feat, where Kyp Durron manipulates an artificial black hole which should logically be extremely dense, however the density of a singularity is something beyond human comprehension, even with knowledge of it, and the void isn't something Kyp can actually see, only sense through the Force, and percieve conceptually. In this respect "size matters not", because the "size" of the black hole for Kyp exists entirely in his imagination, he has no other way of comprehending its size other than conceptually. This is not the same as say, seeing a planet and attempting to move it, because there is no visual stimulus telling Kyp how heavy the void is, or more importantly that it is too heavy to move. This is going to make it a lot easier to perceive the void as something it is not, namely something lighter, and in general regard the feat as something he can accomplish, rather than impossible. The lack of visual stimulus removes those mental inhibitions. Indeed note how Kyp visualizes the black hole when he attempts to move it: As a landspeeder being pushed by a metal rod. Still as a difficult feat, but infinitely less difficult that what he's trying to accomplish. The important point being that there is no visual stimulus to conflict with how Kyp sees it in his mind, and without those mental inhibitions in place, it should have been easier to achieve. Now is there an actual precedent for the perception of an object influencing how easy it is to manipulate? Yes. For example when Dooku was just seven years old, Yoda conveyed the principle of "size matters not" to him by having him lift soil of incredibly density, but without giving him any indication of its weight: Dooku still struggles to lift the pot, but, especially at such a young age, we should assume if he were aware of its weight he would have struggle much more, and perhaps been unable to lift it at all. Another example is when Galen Marek alters the course of a falling Star Destroyer, itself weight hundreds of thousands of tonnes, if not like millions, doing so by using its distance to imagine it infinitely smaller: Now in neither of these examples was visual stimuli entirely absent, especially not in Starkiller's case, and yet the partial alleviation of those mental inhibitions made these feats easier, those barriers are next to none existent for Kyp, so it goes to show just how much of an impact it would have had on the difficulty of the feat. Does this mean the feat is unimpressive? Of course not, "size matters not" isn't a literal claim, size does impact difficulty, but perceptions are just as important, therefore size and difficulty do not directly correlate. And Kyp's ability to manipulate an artificial black hole doesn't mean he can move planets, nor does it make him God-tier as a Force user. In a few words it means the feat should not be taken at face value, and I would think if someone is able to match or surpass Kyp's other telekinetic showings, they should be capable of matching or surpassing this particular feat, with all its extenuating circumstances. However its certainly proof of superiority over anyone who fails to fulfill that criteria.

Been rather overwhelmed by RL stuff at the moment. However I have started, so hopefully I'm have something by this weekend.

Keep up. But really, see here for some reference material on that verdict. You might also want to look at the debate surrounding it.