How to best use Counter Attack

Hi!

So I've got this theatrics glad, a defensively oriented one, that I think I'm not getting as much out as I think I could. If you're curious her name is Sagaris and she's recently gotten to lv 50.

Anyway, I've been trying out the Counter Attack strategy instead of going with the tried and tested Parry-Bash(using an axe) I know works fairly well. The results aren't entirely poor but it could be better.
Generally I've found my glad is extremely inaccurate regardless of how much I tweak activity and bloodlust. Lowering bloodlust helps a bit but accuracy is still unacceptably low.
Furthermore the damage is rather disapointing. If an attack does hit the mark oftentimes it will cause minimal damage compared to the number I could get using Parry-Bash.

So I conclude that I must be using the strategy wrong or some such. I would love to find out what goes wrong so I could perhaps set up a good defensive Counter Attack strategy or find out that's not how one uses this particular strategy so I know for certain I should simply stick to Parry.

Here's an example of a fight that didn't quite go according to plan. I've had many more cases of poor accuracy and damage using Counter Attack but I didn't save them so here's the most recent:


The odds makers are quickly collecting money from all the eager gamblers.
R O U N D 1
>> ANONYMOUS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1
>> SAGARIS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1
ANONYMOUS hopes for a crushing shot.
ANONYMOUS looks to blind SAGARIS with one of her signature moves! (-Signature Move: Blind-)
ANONYMOUS jabs a finger in SAGARIS's eye!
SAGARIS pelts frantically around the arena.
SAGARIS swings her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE, nearly losing her balance.
SAGARIS's attack causes an old veteran in the audience to shake his head.
>> SAGARIS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 2
>> ANONYMOUS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 3
R O U N D 2
SAGARIS is no longer affected by Signature Move
ANONYMOUS closes on SAGARIS and looks to destroy her enemy.
ANONYMOUS puts a hand up to her ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
Sparks fly as SAGARIS's armour deflects the strike!
SAGARIS looks at the crowd as she runs around the battle field.
SAGARIS slips as she charges forward.
Stopping mid action, SAGARIS realizes her timing is off and aborts.
ANONYMOUS moves with uncontrolled energy around the arena.
ANONYMOUS's SOUL-FORGED HATCHET brutally slices toward her opponent.
An old injury is hit and magnifies the damage!
Magnificent hit to the shin creates a pain so unbearable SAGARIS bites off a portion of her tongue in an attempt not to scream! (+135 Damage)
SAGARIS dances and hops around the arena.
SAGARIS makes a vicious attack with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SAGARIS puts a hand up to her ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
SAGARIS allows her weapon to taste victory and inflicts prolific injuries on ANONYMOUS's butt! (+73 Damage)
R O U N D 3
ANONYMOUS raises her HEROIC FLAIL overhead and makes a devastating attack.
An old injury is hit and magnifies the damage!
ANONYMOUS smiles after the mammoth hit to SAGARIS's stomach! (+231 Damage)
SAGARIS has small cuts and bruises from today's fight!
SAGARIS executes a deadly cutting attack with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
Awesome shot nearly caves in ANONYMOUS's skull! (+153 Damage)
ANONYMOUS pauses for a moment to catch her breath.
ANONYMOUS tries to maul SAGARIS.
SAGARIS's shield moves quickly to intercept the bulk of ANONYMOUS's flailing attack!
An old injury is hit and magnifies the damage!
ANONYMOUS's HEROIC FLAIL connects with SAGARIS's armpit creating magnificent wounds! (+183 Damage)
SAGARIS flashes frantically around ANONYMOUS.
SAGARIS attempts to maim her opponent.
SAGARIS readies her signature move! (-Signature Move-)
ANONYMOUS is knocked back as her armour absorbs the hit!
SAGARIS moves off a riposte and strikes.
SAGARIS's DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE tastes victory and inflicts magnificent injuries on ANONYMOUS's forehead! (+119 Damage)

ANONYMOUS has taken some slight damage from this fight!
R O U N D 4
ANONYMOUS tries to stop her bleeding!!!
SAGARIS is no longer affected by Strength of the Crowd
ANONYMOUS moves furiously trying to gain the advantage.
ANONYMOUS swings her HEROIC FLAIL with deadly force.
An old injury is hit and magnifies the damage!
Incredible smash to what used to be SAGARIS's stomach brings the crowd to their feet! (+331 Damage)

SAGARIS takes a step back to catch a quick breather.
Blood pours from SAGARIS's battle wounds!!
SAGARIS sneaks in an off handed strike.
SAGARIS's BONE-IRON WALL SHIELD is a blur as she slams into ANONYMOUS.
A stalwart wound is opened on ANONYMOUS's jaw! (+53 Damage)
ANONYMOUS whirls furiously around the arena.
ANONYMOUS swings her HEROIC FLAIL with deadly force.
SAGARIS's shield moves quickly to intercept the bulk of ANONYMOUS's flailing attack!
Whoosh...several ribs are driven into the lungs! (+159 Damage)

SAGARIS tries to give up!!!
SAGARIS's DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE arcs toward her opponent.
ANONYMOUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
R O U N D 5
ANONYMOUS hurtles right at her enemy.
ANONYMOUS slams the flat side of her SOUL-FORGED HATCHET into SAGARIS.
SAGARIS's armour deflects the blow!
Fatigue weighs ANONYMOUS down, slowing her attacks.
SAGARIS crashes her BONE-IRON WALL SHIELD into ANONYMOUS.
ANONYMOUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
ANONYMOUS moves with unbridled energy.
ANONYMOUS makes a swift bashing strike.
ANONYMOUS fumbles about with her weapon!
R O U N D 6
SAGARIS looks to strike her adversary.
SAGARIS's missed attack causes a wave of laughter to ripple through the crowd.
SAGARIS slams her BONE-IRON WALL SHIELD at ANONYMOUS.
ANONYMOUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
E N D O F M I N U T E 1
ANONYMOUS appears to be winning this duel!
R O U N D 7
ANONYMOUS makes a swift bashing strike with her HEROIC FLAIL.
ANONYMOUS looks to blind SAGARIS with one of her signature moves! (-Signature Move: Blind-)
ANONYMOUS jabs a finger in SAGARIS's eye!
SAGARIS awkwardly swings her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SAGARIS stumbles on an old skull and aborts the attack.
SAGARIS hustles frantically around her opponent.
SAGARIS attacks ANONYMOUS and seeks to injure her.
After assessing the situation, SAGARIS decides against it.
SAGARIS speeds around as if on fire.
SAGARIS stumbles but swings her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE anyway.
SAGARIS barely misses.
>> ANONYMOUS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 2
Fatigue weighs SAGARIS down, slowing her attacks.
R O U N D 8
>> SAGARIS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 3
SAGARIS is no longer affected by Signature Move
ANONYMOUS drives towards SAGARIS and seeks to bash her.
ANONYMOUS puts a hand up to her ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
Incredible smash to what used to be SAGARIS's stomach brings the crowd to their feet! (+120 Damage)

Resisted Stun Effect!
ANONYMOUS should really think about taking a break!
ANONYMOUS looks at her reflection in the lifeless horror filled eyes of SAGARIS!

The Enforcer kicks the beaten gladiator and orders the loser to be removed from the sands!
The fight lasted 1 minute & 21 seconds!


Sagaris didn't quite use Create Distance as much as she should but that's probably because I've not yet trained the skill up as much as I plan to. Other then that lacking skill it seemed like it should have been a pretty even fight.

I'll post more info on my glad if it'll help me get this strategy working, otherwise I'd prefer to keep 'em secret to keep an edge. :p

For the life of me i CAN'T get parry/X to work for crap, so if anyone has tips on that as well I'd love to hear it.
As far as counterattack is concerned, i have luck using it when fighting really slow(Tanking wars) or really fast glads(really fast glads:cool:) But i would still love to hear the vets preach on this subject

Silly me, I posted only the bone crushing highlights so the misses aren't visible, fixed the fight log.

You'll want Oedi's wisdom on this.
Defensive glads will still be able to do well with parry and counter-attack, but if your build isn't defensive to start with, you are not likely to get much out of these 2 fighting styles, ever.

Thanks Alba Kebab i think i have just the glad to try a defensive approach with...and yeah...uh...Oedi, your input here would warm my heart cuz Polebarn Ranger has beef with Skarbrand.:eek: And i hear your the man to see about theatrics, muchas gracias y por favor, senior.

Sagaris can't for the life of her get past Slavagus as well.
Usually when I get stuck on arena challenges it's on a rage glad so this is kind of an irregularity, my other two high lv glads beat the challenge just fine.
Same thing she cannot propperly land a blow, in this case especially since Slavagus is kind of defensive. So the problem with my current strategy is especially evident.

A volcano erupts in the distance.
R O U N D 1
>> SLAVAGUS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1
>> SAGARIS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 1
SAGARIS dances and leaps around her opponent.
SAGARIS whips around with her off hand.
SAGARIS moves towards SLAVAGUS and looks to destroy her opponent.
After assessing the situation, SAGARIS decides against it.
>> SAGARIS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 3
R O U N D 2
SLAVAGUS springs hurriedly to and fro.
SLAVAGUS sneaks in an off handed strike.
SLAVAGUS attempts to maim his opponent with his IRONWOOD HEATER SHIELD.
An old injury is hit and magnifies the damage!
Well placed shot to the arm slightly mangles the meat! (+34 Damage)
SAGARIS hurtles around as if on fire.
SAGARIS looks to maul her adversary.
SAGARIS puts a hand up to his ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
SAGARIS misses badly and works to regain her balance.
R O U N D 3
SLAVAGUS moves quickly around SAGARIS.
SLAVAGUS strikes at SAGARIS and seeks to slice into her.
SLAVAGUS tries to fake SAGARIS out with a few twirls of his weapon! (-Feint-)
Grizzly strike to the bicep causes SAGARIS to retreat from battle and nurse the injured arm! (+63 Damage)
SAGARIS moves with uncontrolled energy around the arena.
SAGARIS looks to cut into her enemy with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SLAVAGUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
R O U N D 4
SAGARIS sneaks in an off handed strike.
SAGARIS collides with SLAVAGUS and seeks to chop him.
With what appears to be a parry of some sort, SLAVAGUS thwarts SAGARIS's attack.
SAGARIS strikes at SLAVAGUS and attempts to cut her enemy.
SLAVAGUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
R O U N D 5
SLAVAGUS bounces swiftly around the arena.
SLAVAGUS seeks to maim his enemy.
SAGARIS kicks SLAVAGUS in the chest knocking him out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
SAGARIS looks at the crowd as she dashes around the battle field.
SAGARIS uses her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE to make a poorly timed attack.
SAGARIS is aiming at SLAVAGUS's head.
SLAVAGUS intercepts the oncoming strike.
SAGARIS pauses for a moment to catch her breath.
R O U N D 6
SLAVAGUS bounces around the arena in hopes of action.
SLAVAGUS moves off a parry and makes an arcing slash with his POWERFUL BASTARD SWORD.
SLAVAGUS's POWERFUL BASTARD SWORD tastes victory and inflicts cyclopean wounds on SAGARIS's knee! (+55 Damage)

Resisted Stun Effect!
SLAVAGUS pauses for a moment to catch his breath.
SAGARIS speeds uncontrollably back and forth.
SAGARIS tries to cut into her opponent.
SAGARIS's DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE is intercepted with a well placed block.
E N D O F M I N U T E 1
SLAVAGUS is on top in this match!
R O U N D 7
SLAVAGUS leaps hurriedly about.
SLAVAGUS makes an off handed attack.
SLAVAGUS moves at SAGARIS with an unsteady shield bash.
SAGARIS's armour absorbs the hit!
SAGARIS storms SLAVAGUS and attempts to flatten her adversary.
SAGARIS puts a hand up to his ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
The crowd cheers as SLAVAGUS redirects the attack into the arena wall.
R O U N D 8
SAGARIS's wounds continue to bleed!!!
SAGARIS moves off a riposte and strikes.
SAGARIS looks on in astonishment as her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE is knocked away.
SAGARIS should have spent more time running laps.
R O U N D 9
SAGARIS has taken some slight damage from this fight!
Open wounds continue to bleed on SAGARIS's body!!!
SLAVAGUS circles SAGARIS like a starved vulture, looking for an opening.
SLAVAGUS makes a poorly timed attack with his IRONWOOD HEATER SHIELD.
SAGARIS's armour absorbs the hit!
SAGARIS flashes right at her opponent.
SAGARIS's DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE cuts a wide arc toward SLAVAGUS.
SLAVAGUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
R O U N D 10
SAGARIS looks to counterstrike with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SLAVAGUS blocks the attack.
SAGARIS looks renewed as she steps back and takes a deep breath! (-Second Wind-)
Fatigue weighs SLAVAGUS down, slowing his attacks.
R O U N D 11
SLAVAGUS leaps around the arena in hopes of action.
SLAVAGUS stabs weakly with his POWERFUL BASTARD SWORD.
Glancing blow to SAGARIS's back. (+15 Damage)
SAGARIS clashes with SLAVAGUS and looks to injure him.
With what appears to be a parry of some sort, SLAVAGUS thwarts SAGARIS's attack.
R O U N D 12
SLAVAGUS charges at SAGARIS and looks to smash her.
The attack to the abdomen proves to be very ineffective. (+14 Damage)
SAGARIS speeds right at her opponent.
SAGARIS stumbles as she lashes out with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SAGARIS puts a hand up to his ear before attacking and the crowd roars her name! (-Strength of the Crowd-)
SAGARIS's DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE is intercepted with a well placed block.
>> SLAVAGUS SWITCHES TO STRATEGY 2
E N D O F M I N U T E 2
SLAVAGUS is beating SAGARIS!
R O U N D 13
SAGARIS is bleeding from multiple flesh wounds!!
Blood continues to pour from SAGARIS's body!!!
SLAVAGUS decides to attack with the other hand.
SLAVAGUS makes a poorly timed attack with his IRONWOOD HEATER SHIELD.
SLAVAGUS looks on in astonishment as his IRONWOOD HEATER SHIELD is knocked away.
SLAVAGUS tiring quickly, is looking to finish the fight!
SAGARIS tiring quickly, is looking to finish the fight!
SAGARIS nearly falls as she attacks with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SAGARIS's attack is parried away and fails to hit its mark.
SAGARIS looks at the crowd as she dashes around the battle field.
SAGARIS attempts to destroy her adversary with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SAGARIS stumbles on an old skull and aborts the attack.
R O U N D 14
SAGARIS is becoming noticeably weaker from blood loss!!!
SLAVAGUS bounces around the arena in hopes of action.
SLAVAGUS makes a high arcing slash.
SLAVAGUS tries to fake SAGARIS out with a few twirls of his weapon! (-Feint-)
SLAVAGUS's face scowls as SAGARIS's armour does its job!
SAGARIS hurtles like wild fire around the arena.
SAGARIS leaps into the air and executes a cruel strike with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
SLAVAGUS kicks SAGARIS in the chest knocking her out of striking range! (-Create Distance-)
R O U N D 15
SLAVAGUS dances swiftly around the arena.
SLAVAGUS makes a high arcing slash with his POWERFUL BASTARD SWORD.
SLAVAGUS tries to fake SAGARIS out with a few twirls of his weapon! (-Feint-)
SAGARIS's armour absorbs the hit!
SAGARIS looks at the crowd as she hustles around the battle field.
SAGARIS looks to counterstrike with her DARKSTEEL BATTLE AXE.
Solid hit to the skull causes SLAVAGUS to grimace in pain! (+73 Damage)
Sweat pours off of SAGARIS's face!!
R O U N D 16
SLAVAGUS rams into SAGARIS and tries to chop her.
Unbalanced shot to the solar plexus slices flesh and peels back some skin. (+27 Damage)
SAGARIS runs madly around her enemy.
SAGARIS whips around with her off hand.
SAGARIS makes a rookie attack with her BONE-IRON WALL SHIELD.
SAGARIS is aiming at SLAVAGUS's head.
A slight miscalculation causes SAGARIS's attack to split the air only inches from SLAVAGUS.
Sweat pours off of SLAVAGUS's face!!
SAGARIS seeks to strike SLAVAGUS.
SAGARIS's attack causes an old veteran in the audience to shake his head.
R O U N D 17
SAGARIS can't take much more of this beating!!!
SAGARIS's wounds continue to bleed!!!
SAGARIS races uncontrollably around her adversary.
SAGARIS moves at SLAVAGUS with an unsteady shield bash.
SAGARIS almost connects with SLAVAGUS but misses by inches.
R O U N D 18
SLAVAGUS circles SAGARIS like a starved vulture, looking for an opening.
SLAVAGUS makes an off handed attack.
SLAVAGUS overruns SAGARIS and looks to pulverize her.
SLAVAGUS tries to fake SAGARIS out with a few twirls of his weapon! (-Feint-)
SAGARIS's armour protects her!
SAGARIS is ready to drop from exhaustion!!!
SLAVAGUS looks to strike SAGARIS again, however the Enforcer steps in and spares the bested SAGARIS!
A few talent scouts jot down a couple of things!
The fight lasted 3 minutes & 8 seconds!
Sagaris wasn't up to the challenge and is dragged off the bloodied sands!

When having problems landing blows, if it looks like you are slower than your opponent, I always turn up the activity and turn down the BL, and take it off any parry/counter and just go for normal swings. Then see how well your accuracy is and adjust from there.

Also, if it looks like you need to go offensive to beat a guy and you are simply not hitting/dealing enough damage, consider lightening your load and shield and just go for it.