GunZ: The Duel

GunZ: The Duel (International Edition)
File:Gunzforumlogo.jpg
Developer(s)	MAIET Entertainment
Publisher(s)	MAIET Entertainment
Designer(s)	Unknown
Engine	GunZ Engine
Platform(s)	Windows
Release	June 2005 (Beta Edition)
Genre(s)	Shooter
Mode(s)	Online Multiplayer

GunZ The Duel, also known simply as GunZ, is a Multiplayer Online Shooting/Role Playing Game (MOSRPG) created by Korean-based MAIET Entertainment. GunZ is currently free and in beta stages, and it will remain free for everyone to play. GunZ is played from a 3rd-Person view, with no clear way of changing this announced. Though the International Edition is in beta stages, the Korean version has long since been more complete with much more to the game.

The game's most recognizable characteristic is the ability to perform gravity defying Matrix-esque stunts while in play that allow you to fight your opponents in a myriad of ways. However, to gain points you must defeat your fellow players, taking them on in a multitude of different game styles featuring different ranged and melee weapons.

By gaining XP, you also acquire bounty, which is the currency used in the GunZ world. The unit value given for one kill is 1.2 times the level of the person you killed, with a maximum gain of double the amount someone would get for killing you. With bounty, you are given entertaining RPG style shops at which to buy new clothes, weapons and acessories. These include weapons such as dual guns, rifles, long swords, kodachi, and grenades. You can also purchase health packs.

As in other role-playing games, with enough XP, you can also level up. This enables you to wield better weapons and wear better armour. The amount of money (bounty) and XP you get depends on the level of your enemy you defeated. However, suiciding results in negative XP after level five. With enough negative XP, you can delevel, though you do not lose bounty.

In the early stages of its International Version life, Gunz had problems coping with the mass influx of users. The Beta still has issues coping with the high number of users and servers are still difficult to access.

Storyline

Ryswick the Great

Axium, dubbed the only empire on the continent today, was not that much different from other small city-states before it was unified by Ryswick the Great. It wasn't until he was designated as the Master of the Knights that Axium was in constant conflict with neighboring countries, even though its military power fell short of the elite Iron Sides (troops) of the military city, El-Tracass.

However, everything had undergone drastic changes once Ryswick was appointed to the mastership of the palace knights. The knight troops, led by Ryswick and Superion, who he recommended, demonstrated strong power in combat and started to conquer its neighboring countries one after another.

The remaining countries who thought little of it at first were alarmed by the expansion of Axium. As a result, they formed an alliance with the military city, El-Tracass, at its center. Though outnumbering Axium, the alliance was soundly defeated at the battle on Skerna Plain succumbing to Ryswick. This led all the city-states of the alliance to open their gates to accept Ryswick. However, even the Ryswick Windsbird, known as the best emperor in the history of Astra, fell short of completely unifying the continent. The story is that he lost most of the dauntless knight troops on the deadly battlefield with El-Tracass and he himself developed some unknown disease. thus, he had to stop the goal of achieving the unification of the continent.

It is not exactly known why most the knight troops of Ryswick with the superior military power were killed at the fierce battlefield of El-Tracass.

Following the El-Tracass battle, Ryswick took the princess of Axium as his wife. He then took the throne of Axium under the name of Ryswick I after the king passed away. This is the start of Axium, which was formed more than 150 years ago. This story is about its hero.

Industrial Cataclysm and the Start of a Republic

Time passed by and then a strong wind of change started to blow toward Astra. Around 100 years ago, a machinery civilization called industrial cataclysm started to be introduced to the region. This eye-popping change sparked by the invention of a steam engine brought drastic changes not only in agriculture and industry but also in every other corner of the society.

Transportation went through great revolutionary development and those who entered into the transportation business grew to accumulate huge capital and wealth. Citizens of Axium who had a long belief that being loyal to power and the authority of king was everything started to realize that capital represents another power or authority. Now appeared those kinds of people who adopted different ideologies that could undermine the safety of society. Meanwhile, gangsters looted the steam engine trains and outlaws that enjoyed gun sightings. All these drove the Empire into an unprecedented chaos.

As the group of bankers, merchants, lawyers grew to have the power equivalent to that of the nobles consisting of the royal families, nobles and the priests, the brains of Axium were divided into two group: 1) a conservative one that branded the nouveau rich as the force posing a threat to the society and looked down on them as slaves and the machinery civilization; and 2) the reformers who insisted the capital and the development of the civilization should be accepted with modesty.

Then, about 60 years ago, the Crown Prince of Baron, an extreme conservative and strong believer of the divine rights of kings succeeded to the throne. This led his younger brother and reformist, James, to take his followers to the south of the continent called Ilys to establish a republic under the name of Travia, for which he was selected as the first President.

The emergence of a republic fascinated the rich of different regions, greatly undermining the foundation of the Empire. In the end, Baron delivered an order to arrest James and other leading forces behind the Republic branding them as traitors. This led to inevitable war between the Empire and the Republic. Everybody predicted a victory for the Empire as it outnumbered the Republic. But it did not easily fall into the hands of the Empire as it was armed with capital and a science-oriented civilization.

It was about 60 years ago when the Empire suspended its attack on the Republic after a huge amount of blood was shed, and the two parties signed an armistice. This allowed the people to enjoy a moment of peace.

Age of Adventure

Even though the war was halted, each country kept on building their own military on a psychological warfare.

Amidst this confusing situation, there came a group of anarchists centered around the regions with low populations. Though they called themselves anarchist, both the Empire and the Republic called them outlaws. With no distinguishing leader at its center, the number of anarchists who lived with looting and surprise attacks kept growing in the midst of the confusion of the society.

There emerged a hero in the Empire, whose power sagged with time. The master magician, Ramitz, started to pay attention to the power of magic, which had been forgotten by the people after the advent of industrial cataclysm. Dreaming of the reconstruction of the Empire that declined after Ryswick, he accelerated his research on the magic with strong support from Baron and strengthened the army of the Empire. With the support of the stronger military force, he started to suppress the anarchists in the country. The emergence of Ramitz and subsequent appearance of a strong force irritated the Republic. They belatedly launched on the research of the magic in secret and developed its own system.

It is against the backdrop of the continent that there emerged a number of people who were willing to test their own power, becoming quite renowned in the continent as brave adventurers.

Weapons

In the game, there are 7 types of ranged weapons, 3 types of melee weapons, 3 types of grenades, and 3 types of accessories:

Guns

• Pistols: Pistols have a decent range, and accuracy. They also have a generally fast rate of fire, do a fair amount of damage, and can hold a decent amount of ammo.
• Revolvers: Revolvers Have a relativeley slow rate of fire, small clip size, but also do an extrodinary amount of damage. Along with its far-reaching aim, the revolver is a favorite for proficient slash shooters.
• Shotgun: Shotguns do a great amount of damage, but at a low rate. It also only holds a small amount of ammo. It shoots groups of low damage rounds, when hit with the full blast a shotgun can easily take down an opponents AP and HP to at least 1/4.
• Rifles: Rifles are one of the arguably one of the easiest weapons to use. Their high rate of fire, and astounding accuracy make them a favorite among all kinds of players. These automatic weapons, like the SMGS can hold a fair amount of ammo.
• Sub Machine Guns: Sub Machine Guns have a high rate of fire, hold large amounts of ammo, and are automatic, like rifles. However, Sub Machine Guns do more damage, are less accurate, and weigh more than rifles.
• Rocket Launchers: Rocket launchers shoot at a very slow rate, hold only a few rounds, but do massive amounts of damage. Like the grenade they have the potential to be a one-hit-kill, but only if the force of the explosion knocks the enemy off a cliff. They also do explosive damage, which means you don't have to get a direct hit to damage your oponent. Rocket launchers reduce your speed by 10% and prevent wall running.
• Machine Guns: Machine guns are automatic weapons that do a fair amount of damage, and can hold the most amount of ammo. But, like the rocket launcher, they reduce your speed by 10%, and prevent wall climbing. They also have low accuracy.

Melee

• Swords: Swords deal the greatest damage of the three types of melee weapons. As a consequence they also have the slowest attack rate. The secondary attack is an uppercut which knocks your opponent into the air, capable of knocking them off edges or leaving them open to attack. It is possible to recover from the uppercut by pressing jump right after being hit by it.
• Daggers: Daggers have the fastest attack speed of the melee weapons, but also does the least amount of damage. Daggers also have the special ability to knock your opponent down with the Right Click button. Also note that daggers are the only melee weapons incapable of blocking.
• Kodachi: Kodachi are the "intermediate" of the melee weapons, they do more damage than the dagger and are faster than single swords. Their secondary attack has the same end result as the sword's, but the animation is longer, and it is harder to hit with. However, you can cary your momentum while using it, unlike the sword.
• Two Handed Swords: Weapons that have been coded into the game that have yet to be added..

There is also an attack in which you hold your left mouse button to charge up your weapon. When it is done charging a glow around the hilt of your melee weapon. Tap the button again to release it when you reach another player to do a ton of damage. This move is called Massive Strike.

Grenades

• Frag Grenade: Shot and after a set amount of time blows up, dealing damage to anyone near it in the game. At full health it is possible to be killed by a single grenade especially when you are standing on the grenade with 100 HP and 0 AP.
• Flash Grenade: Bursts into a flash of light, causing deafness and blinding anyone in the vicinity.
• Smoke Grenade: Releases a cloud of smoke, creating a visual barrier around the grenade (can also create lag).

Accessories

• Rings: Rings have a varied effect, They can add AP, add HP, or even increase weight capacity.
• Medic Packs: Medic Packs can be used to restore HP in increments of 10.
• Repair Kits: Repair Kits can be used to restore AP in increments of 10.

Guns, Swords, and Accessories written by GojiMaji with a little help from alice?

Techniques

One of the key features of Gunz is the ability to execute many different wire-fu acrobatic stunts featured within the game.

Bullet Deflect

While holding a melee weapon, press 'SHIFT' on your keyboard to deflect enemy bullets.

Vertical Wallrun

While running straight against a wall hold forward and press jump.

Horizontal Wallrun

While running at about a 45 degree angle to a wall hold forward and jump.

Wall Jump

While in the air next to a wall press jump.

Wall Climb

While in the air next to a wall and equipped with a melee weapon press and hold right click to stick to the wall. Hold forward and jump again and right click again to repeat the process.

Wall Hang

While in air with melee weapon and directly facing a wall, right-click to hang on wall.

Tumble

With a ranged weapon equipped double tap forward, sideways, or back to perform a tumble in that direction.

Dash

With a melee weapon equipped double tap forward, sideways, or back to dash in that direction.

Wall Slash

This is not a given move, you must do this manually. While doing a Wall Jump, you may slash your melee weapon against the wall and do another Wall Jump. This can be repeated many times, but you will need skill to master it.

'SS'

This is not a given move, you must do this manually. While slashing another player with a melee weapon, you jump and quickly switch to your shotgun/rocket lancher/revolver and shoot the player, then quickly switch back to your melee weapon to slash/defend. This may be done several times in order to kill your opponent while defending with your sword. This move also needs a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

Cancelling Techniques

Expanding on the original techniques, what is commonly known as the Korean Style of play is technically a style of play mostly based on a programming oversight within GunZ: the ability to cancel certain moves. Much like in Fighting Games such as Street Fighter, this allows you to cancel a move into another, or even allows you to repeat certain moves or activate moves where you shouldn't be able to, thus creating complex combo moves.

Basics Behind Cancelling

Guard Cancelling

At any point during a slash with a sword or kodachis, you may immediately cancel the animation by pressing BLOCK.

Switch Cancelling

At any point during a slash with a sword or kodachis, you may immediately cancel the animation by SWITCHING WEAPONS.

Slash Cancelling

At any point during a jump off a wall from either a wall jump or a wallrun, you can cancel the fixed state of either and regain movement control in the air by slashing.

Dash Cancelling

At any point during a slash with a sword or kodachis, you may dash as long as your previous 'dash' has ended.

Movement Techniques

Infinite Walljump / Flying

( WALL JUMP -> SLASH -> DASH ) This consists of cancelling a Wall Jump with a slash. Slashing cancels the neutral state of the Wall Jump that doesn't allow you to do anything, which allows you to dash back towards the wall to jump again. You are able to repeat this indefinitely. Basically, when you flip off the wall after a horizontal wallrun, slash and dash towards the wall so that you are almost parallel to it. Then press space bar twice quickly to flip sideways and immediately start wallrunning again. An advanced version of this technique has people executing the "Quick Slash" instead of a standard slash. It is possible to dash into the wall and jump off it sideways, and you are also able to Full Step (SlashShot) mid-air while executing this.

Light Step

( JUMP -> DASH -> SLASH -> DASH ) Allows you to dash twice during one jump by cancelling the slash with another dash. It increases your running speed and can be used to dodge faster.

Light Step Variant

( JUMP -> DASH -> SLASH -> JUMP -> DASH ) A variation of the Light Step that's easier to perform continuously. The main problem is that it doesn't increase your running speed, so this is basically used only for dodging.

Aerial Horizontal Wallrun

( DASH TOWARDS WALL IN MIDAIR AT ANGLE -> WALL JUMP -> JUMP ) Allows you to execute a wallrun. This is curiously done by cancelling the very first frames of a Wall Jump with an attempt to Wallrun.

Silent Step / Super Dash

( GLITCH ) ( FALL -> DASH REPEATEDLY ) After falling for a fairly long period of time (2-3 seconds), your model's animation will freeze and you will be able to dash indefinitely, regardless of what weapon you're wielding. Effective to reload on a long fall, such as on the wall at the stairs in Dungeon.

Flash Step

( JUMP -> DASH -> QUICK SLASH -> DASH ) Based on both the Quick Slash and the Light Step, this allows you to move around much faster than a normal Light Step due to the quicker ending of your slash. This also has the added effect of putting sword damage in your movement trajectory, and can thus be used as an offensive technique as well, much like a faster, unblockable Butterfly Step.

Combat Techniques

Full Step (Slash Shot)

( MIDAIR SLASH (HOLD) -> SWITCH TO GUN -> GUN WILL SHOOT -> SWITCH TO SWORD ) The basis of almost all quick-movement combat within the game, this is one of the first types of cancelling most people learn. It consists of cancelling a mid-air slash (with the mouse button held down) immediately into a weapon switch, then waiting for the shot to go off before switching back to your sword to move again.

Note: The Slash Shot (oftenly referred to as 'SS') usually has a jump and a dash before it although sometimes people dash first, then jump. Jumping, and then dashing is apparently more effective, but more difficult to perform. It is rumored that generally, the female characters are faster than the male characters, so according to this rumor, it would be easier to accomplish the 'SS' using a female character. It is however most likely only a rumor, because many advanced players begin using female characters after having mastered several techniques and gameplay of GunZ. People also oftenly combine SlashShooting with wall-jumping, when someone is multi-wall-jumping under them, or when they multi-wall-jump sideways.

Butterfly Step

( JUMP -> DASH -> SLASH -> BLOCK ) The best use of guard cancelling available, this move allows you to continuously cancel slashes into guards, giving you very short slash attacks repetitively while allowing you to move forward or dodge side to side. Effective in gladiator mode, as well as in general combat.

Half Step

( MIDAIR SLASH (HOLD) -> SWITCH TO GUN -> DASH -> GUN WILL SHOOT -> SWITCH TO SWORD ) One of the first variations on the Full Step, this allows you to dash as you draw your gun to shoot, giving you a quick dodging opportunity mid-switch.

Half Half Step

( MIDAIR SLASH (HOLD) -> SWITCH TO GUN -> JUMP -> DASH -> GUN WILL SHOOT -> SWITCH TO SWORD ) This variation of the Half Step allows you to string multiple Half Steps together.

Million Step

( MIDAIR SLASH (HOLD) -> SWITCH TO AUTOMATIC GUN -> JUMP -> DASH -> RELEASE FIRE -> SWITCH TO SWORD ) The execution may not be completely accurate. The move is described by Kraise simply as "unstop Half Half Step with rifles or 120 gun". The gist is being able to aim and land a perfect stream of quick bullets, much like how slash-shooting is intended to land the perfect shotgun blast. It is technically a Half Half Step with an automatic weapon.

Quick Slash

( MIDAIR SLASH -> SWITCH TO GUN -> SWITCH TO SWORD ) This makes any sword attack incredibly shorter by cancelling your full slash recovery into the delay of your weapon draw.

Swapshot (Streaming)

( WHILE MOVING, SHOOT -> SWITCH TO OTHER GUN -> SHOOT -> SWITCH TO OTHER GUN -> SHOOT -> ... ) This technique allows you to consecutively fire two high-delay weapons in an alternating fashion, allowing you to output a high amount of damage in a short amount of time. Effective with weapons like Shotguns, Revolvers, Rockets or a combination of the three. It may be done in mid-air while falling, or while walking. Med packs and Armor packs are still streamable but through a different method. Now you must use different packs for it to work (eg: You can use 1 pack of Meds and 1 pack of Armor, or 1 pack of 3 Meds and 1 pack of 2 Meds).

Launch Combo

( SWORD / KODACHI LAUNCH -> SWITCH TO GUN -> SHOOT ) This nasty technique requires a decent amount of control on the mouse and good aim, and simply allows you to shoot an enemy down mid-air after a launch. Rifles will keep an enemy aloft in the air for some time if hit directly from below and followed properly.

Instakill

( MASSIVE COUNTERATTACK -> SWORD LAUNCH -> SWITCH TO GUN -> SHOOT -> SWITCH TO OTHER GUN -> SHOOT ) This is the proper execution given for the deadly "Instant Kill", essentially an expansion of the Launch Combo and almost completely guaranteed to land. After a counterattack done with a massive attack off a block, you can dash in and launch your opponent into the air and shoot them twice in mid-air. Because this is often done with shotguns, the amount of damage done in total is so high that very often you can completely kill an opponent through this method, particularly when using higher level guns such as the Avenger series. You can also continue the combo if you miss; when they land launch them up again and repeat (very deadly if mastered)

The following are some glitches that add some level of unpredictability to the game, but aren't as widespread and popular as the ones listed above. They are mostly related to melee weapon use.

Unblockable Strike (Glitch Strike)

Due to the odd collision detection used in determining if slashes hit or not, it is possible to bypass someone's guard when executing a Massive Attack. To hit someone who is blocking facing you, turn away entirely and execute a Massive Attack. To hit someone who is blocking facing upwards, strike while facing upwards. To hit someone who is blocking facing downwards, strike while facing downwards.

Blocking Massive Attacks

Based on the above Unblockable Strike, you must predict where and how your opponent will throw their Massive Attack and block accordingly. If your opponent often turns away to hit you with a Massive Attack, then turn away at the same time they do to prevent yourself from being hit. If your opponent looks down when doing it, look up instead, and viceversa.

Short Ceiling Sword Launch Combo

In areas with short ceilings, you can prevent someone from safefalling when you do a sword or kodachi uppercut by slashing two-three times as they are in mid-air.

Blocking Regualar Massive

This allows you to block massive strike for people who don't utilize the unblockable strike. Before they hit you with massive strike look up and hold that position unitl massive is over. When it is successful, the striker should be knocked/bounce back (giving you an opportunity to hit them).

Foot Slash

You can prevent yourself from bouncing off someone's guard by slashing at their feet. It will register to them as though they had blocked the attack, but you may continue to follow up unhindered because your client will not consider you have been blocked. This lets you hit them while their guard falls due to their client thinking they've successfully blocked an attack.

Gamplay Variations

Bow Rules

A game variation that is commonly used in gladiator games, in which only melee weapons are permitted. When playing under bow rules all players agree to participate in 1 on 1 fights only with each player bowing to their adversary before they begin fighting. Once two people have bowed to each other and began fighting other players are not to interfere in their fight. Bowing can either be done by typing the command /bow or pressing the 6 key. Many players wishing to play bow rules will have "bow rules" written in the title of the game name and you should not join a bow game if you do not intend to play under the rules. Entering a bow only game and running around attacking random people to get as many kills as possible will likely get you kicked from the game.

Naked Games

A game variation commonly played in expert level (often on the Castle map). It is frequently a deathmatch or bersker match set to 30 minutes. Often, rooms such as these are locked but have a variation of the title: "Naked game" and the password will be naked. All players go armorless, and therefore they are "naked". Often, weapons such as MG's and rocket launchers are used due to high damage and the lack of accuracy needed. It is expected that players will leave and re-enter the room at 25 kills as not to interupt the game. Players that have clothes on are kicked.

External links

• Official Gunz Site
• TWCOM GunZ ServerStatus / Fansite / Forum
• Gunz Factor - Premium Gunz Guides, Screenshots, Statistics, and Forums
• GunzFansite