The duel (一騎打ち, ikkiuchi) is a gameplay element that exists in all five main series titles of the Suikoden series.
The duel is a one-on-one battle where opponents select one of three commands. This is then compared to their opponent's command and based on the result, both players will either deal damage or take damage. This repeats until one person's health bar is depleted. It is possible to determine what action your opponent will take based on the quote they use before attacking and to counter this accordingly.
Information
The duel was a ritualized form of combat often seen in times of war. As the name implies, a duel was performed mainly to decide a battle that had become deadlocked, or for the pride of the warriors involved. To turn down a challenge was considered the greatest disgrace for a warrior, and no one was expected to attempt to avoid a duel.
Psychology and the ability to read the opponenet's intentions from their words and body language were considered vital to coming out on top in a duel.
Duels in the Suikoden Series
In the first Suikoden, there are three duels. The first sets the hero against Kwanda Rosman to decide the Battle at Pannu Yakuta Castle. The second has Pahn duel Teo McDohl in order to buy time for the Toran Liberation Army to retreat following their rout in the First Battle with Teo. The final duel has the hero face Teo, father against son, following victory in the Second Battle with Teo.
In Suikoden III, a time limit to enter commands was added, as well as a momentum meter, adding further complexity to the duels.
References
- Genso Suikoden Encyclopaedia (ISBN 4-575-16297-3), page 28
- Genso Suikoden Kiwami Encyclopedia, pages 24, 128, 281