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Advanced Combat Techniques

An apprentice with a good mastery of the Combat Basics is ready to begin training in advanced combat. This level of training expands upon the basics and teaching more complicated attacks designed to deal with specific situations, These moves present more challenge and require a greater level of physical fitness and body control.

Advanced Blocks

Advanced movements intended to turn away or otherwise avoid attacks made by an apponent.

Upward Dodge

Used to: Dodge attacks towards the feet and lower chest with the teeth.
Best against: Any opponent of equal or larger size to you
Cautions: Can be countered via an Attack Reverse Technique

Leap strait upwards and away from the teeth of the attacker just as they are a half-stride from contact.

Downward Dodge

Used to: Dodge attacks towards the head and lower chest with the teeth.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: Can be counter via an attack reverse technique and opens the back of the neck to the attack.

Throw oneself flat on the ground just as the attacker is a half-stride from contact with the teeth.

Advanced Strikes

Advanced movements intended to cause harm to an opponent.

Spinning Right/Left Paw Strike

Used to: Strike at an opponent behind you.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: Opens one to strikes while whirling around to face the enemy.

As the opponent moves in for a strike from behind, spin rapidly around and reach out and strike at the face of the attacking cat, throwing the weight of the body and the momentum of the spin into the attack.

Spinning Bite

Used to: Strike at an opponent behind you.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents who are behind you.
Cautions: Opens one to strikes while whirling around to face the enemy, and opens the head to attack during the bite.

As the opponent moves in for a strike from behind, spin rapidly around, and spring into the face of the cat aiming a bite for the throat.

Reverse Right/Left Paw Strike

Used to: Strike at an opponent following behind and attempting to grab the rear legs.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: Slows running by leaving only three legs available for it.

While fleeing the enemy at full speed, kick out with a rear paw, striking for the face.

Reverse Rake

Used to: Strike at an opponent following behind and attempting to grab the rear legs.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: Requires the cat to plant the forelegs and stop running. This technique is incredibly risky due to this, and in most cases is ill advised.

While fleeing the enemy at full speed, plant the forelegs and kick out with both hindlegs at the face and neck.

Combat Techniques

Movements intended to quickly change the purpose of another movement and alter it suddenly into a more effective movement.

Attack Reverse

Used to: Counter a dodge by shifting the means of attack.
Best against: Any opponent using a dodge style block.
Cautions: Has a tendency to put the fighter into an unbalanced stance, and can have unpredictable results.

Suddenly change direction and alter the course of the weapon currently being used to attack. It might even include changing which weapon is being used in an attack.

Dodge Reversal

Used to: Turn a dodge into a strike.
Best against: Any opponent using an attack.
Cautions: Has a tendency to put the fighter into an unbalanced stance, and can have unpredictable results.

In the midst of a dodge, dig in an alter the course of the dodge straight at the enemy, bringing any convenient attack to bear against them, which whatever weapon is best for the current positioning.

Block Reversal

Used to: Turn a block into a strike.
Best against: Any opponent you are using a block against.
Cautions: Has a tendency to put the fighter into an unbalanced stance, and can have unpredictable results.

While making a block, should you see a good opening, use either the paw not blocking or the teeth to make a simultaneous attack against your attacker.

Advanced Hunting Tactics

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WARNING

This page is current in editing and new content will come shortly.
Please excuse the construction!

The knowledge of the best ways in which to approach prey is an important matter. The final level of tactics must be taught following the completion of Intermediate Hunting Tactics. Only the most talented of hunters will truly master these difficult hunting techniques.

Flying Prey

Already Taught

  • General Birds – Hunting birds in general are a fundamental hunting skill and must be mastered at beginning level.
  • Tiny Birds – Tiny bird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at beginning level.
  • Songbirds – Songbird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at the beginning level. 
  • Small Raptors – Small raptors are not dangerous, and the hunting of them should be mastered at the beginning level.
  • Group Birds – Group hunted birds is a basic skill that should be mastered at the intermediate level.
  • Waterfowl – (Specialty) Waterfowl hunting should be mastered [when required] before the advanced level of hunting training is started.
  • Bats – (Specialty) Bat hunting is not required in any clan, but if taught should be taught at the intermediate level.

Large Raptors

  • Specialty Tactic – Frequently taught in WindClan, Sometimes taught in RiverClan and ShadowClan, Rarely taught in ThunderClan

Large raptors such as hawks and falcons are an extreme challenge to tackle, and require either ambushing the bird on the ground after it has caught prey of its own or managing to turn an attack by the hawk or falcon on oneself into an attack on the bird. They are very dangerous prey, but taking one down means that there is one less hawk or falcon stalking the young of the clan, making the undertaking valuable in two ways.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic:

Running Furred Prey

Already Taught

  • Ground Rodents – Chipmunks and moles are a staple food of all the clans
  • Land Rodents – Mice, shrews, and voles are a stable food for all the clans.
  • Tree Rodents – Squirrels are a stable food of all the clans.
  • Waterside Rodents – Water Voles and Water Shrews are common prey amongst any clan with water flowing through it.
  • Chase – (Speciality) Rabbits and Hares are worth chasing in some territories.

Rats

  • Specialty Tactic – Mandatory in ShadowClan, Frequently Taught in ThunderClan, Sometimes taught in RiverClan and WindClan.

Rats are tenacious fighters for their size and to be approached with caution while hunting as they possess teeth that carry diseases with their bites. Care must be taken to avoid being badly bitten and ending up with a deep infection in the puncture wounds they leave behind.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic: Brown Rat, 

Furless Land Prey

  • Coming Soon

Furless Marsh Prey

  • Coming Soon

Water Prey

  • Coming Soon

Security Measures

While the security of a clan will vary depending on a leader, and for purposes of RP you should consult with your leader player about their expectations, some standards are maintained.

Standard Security Measures

Patrols

Each Clan would set out a number of patrols every day. These patrols are responsible for securing the borders and ensuring no trespasses against the clan territory happen. They also keep an eye out for predators and other dangers. In addition to these scheduled patrols the hunting patrols would provide a random element as, in addition to hunting, any cat heading out would be expected to be looking for dangers and intruders.

Standard Daily Border Patrols

  • Dawn Patrol at Sunrise
  • Sunhigh Patrol at Noon
  • Dusk Patrol at Sunset
  • Moonhigh Patrol at Midnight

Standard Daily Hunting Patrols (send 2+ patrols out at each time-period)

  • Dawn Hunting Patrol at Sunrise
  • Dusk Hunting Patrol at just before Sunset

Camp Security

In addition to the Patrols that go out through the day, the camp itself requires its own security. The Camp is a sensitive strategic location. If another clan wishes to harm yours, your camp will be a prime target. Should a predator get into camp it would be a nightmare, as the weakest of the camps’ cats stay in the camp.

Standard Camp Security

  • A Sentry to watch the Entrances and Raise needed alarms
  • A Queen in the Nursery at all times to serve as the Kits first line of Defense

High Security

There are times in which a higher than normal level of security is needed. These times include war conditions (or conditions where war is deemed a possibility), times when predators have been sighted but not yet driven off (a difficult and dangerous prospect that can require planning/organization) or following attacks by other clans or rouges of outside cats. Many leaders also address gathering night as a high security time as a good bit of the Clan’s fire-power would be going to the gathering. The following are suggestions for measures a leader may or may not take in response to a situation they feel requires higher than normal security.

Possible Extra Security Measures

  • An additional Sentry(s) Stationed in camp
  • A Camp area patrol to find dangers before they reach camp
  • Additional patrols outside the normal schedule
  • Additional patrols to secondary areas on the normal schedule
  • Security Details for essential cats (Leader, Deputy, MC, MCA)
  • Security Details for vulnerable cats (Kits, Elders)

Warrior Training – Advanced

The Advanced Period of training should have the mentor working to refine the apprentice in fully advanced skills and perfect them into a cat worthy of the warrior’s title. The mentor should take into account their apprentices actual abilities, not just their age, when deciding which level of training is suitable for their apprentice.

This period typically encompasses the 5th and 6th moons of training, and are geared towards the usage of hunting skills for the good of the clan and perfecting fighting skills of the apprentice. A young cat should be expected to be completing their advanced training during their 12th moon.

Any files marked with ^ are currently unfinished.

Advanced Level Apprentice’s Responsibilities

  • Hunt to provide for the elders and medicine cats.
  • Join hunting patrols to provide for their clan.
  • Standing sentry over camp as assigned.
  • Join border patrols to gain combat experience and protect the clan.

These oldest apprentices are nearly warriors in their own right, able to serve (with the aid of older, more experienced cats) in the capacity of a warrior. In accordance many of the fetching and carrying tasks are dropped from those that are expected, so that they can be freed up to spend more time on more practical activities that make better use of the training they have done thus far and gain them the experience they will need to function as a warrior when they are permitted to work without supervision.

Advanced Hunting Training

Hunting Patrols

The continued growth of hunting skills should come mainly through practical application and the inclusion of the apprentice on Hunting Patrols as a fully functional member of that patrol. These patrols should be both with and without the mentor, letting the apprentice gain confidence in their ability to function as a hunter without their mentor.

^ Advanced Hunting Tactics ^

Education in the most difficult tactics should be undertaken in this phase of the apprentice’s training.

Advanced Battle Training

Advanced Battle Techniques

Combination attacks are explored and taught through practice bouts.

The Art of Teamwork

Working with other cats is taught to prepare them for work in a full patrol.

Practical Patrol Work

When the mentor feels they are ready, the apprentice can begin to join patrols and be included in working border patrols.

Security Measures

An apprentice must have a functional understanding of securing the clan and ensuring that the camp and territory are properly protected, fed, and secured.

Visit to Highstones

Prior to becoming a warrior, every apprentice must visit Highstones. This is typically not done until the mentor is confident that the apprentice is prepared for a warrior name.

Clan Specific Strategies

Each clan possesses a unique mix of terrain and has special challenges associated with them. The ins and outs of these challenges must be known by an apprentice if they are to be a successful hunter.

ThunderClan

The great majority of the territory of ThunderClan is forest lands, which need to be hunted with stellar stalking skills and consummate skills to capture the mice, voles, chipmunks and squirrels the dart amongst the undergrowth. Rich with birds, the trees present challenges and give them many places to hide beyond the reach of a cat who’s stalk is not good enough.

The series of open spaces provide a variety of other terrain to hunt. Snakerocks is populated with adder, which is edible but dangerous. The clearings all provide territory for rabbits and hares, though hunting them without a perfect stalk is difficult without a good grounding in chase hunting skills.

The access to the river via Sunningrocks, and the offshoot Sidestream provide spaces for water voles and water shrews to be hunted, in addition to places to fish for those that have learned the difficult skill.

RiverClan

While the specialized knowledge of the art of fishing is amongst the most important things that a RiverClan cat can learn to exploit the river that dominates the territory, there is far more prey available than just what lies below the water. Water Voles and Water Shrews live along the river and are great sources of food when the water is still iced at the edges as the spring thaw rolls in.

Open fields provide space for rabbits and hares to prance about, though they’re another type of prey that requires extra knowledge to hunt well. The marshland just beyond the territory provides the challenges of waterfowl and marshbirds, while the River Copse is a great location to hunt both the common type of birds and the various animals that dwell in the underbrush.

WindClan

The open lands provide prime territory for the rabbits and hares that WindClan is widly known as a specialist in hunting. The less windswept flatlands do provide a good hunting ground for the small rodents, however, and small of the birds that favor feilds over trees.

WindClan is not without access to the common preys of other clans, and has access to the birds, rodents, squirrels and chipmunks of the forested places by hunting through their access to the treelines. Rodents with also root amongst the rocks and like places that lie scattered through the territory, and the occasional adder is not out of place.

ShadowClan

While the Clan possess swamps full of frogs and lizards, their flesh lacks the richness of other prey and the boggy hunting grounds makes for dangerous going for such poor food. More favorable hunting is found by way of the marshbirds and ducks that visit the area, thus learning the special hunting styles for these birds is very important.

More typical hunting can be found in the plains and heathlands that lie around the edges of the swamplands, providing homes to the typical mix of small rodents, chipmunks, rabbits and hares. The common sort of bird life can be found along the Thunderpath edges and at the forest’s edge along with Squirrels. 

Intermediate Hunting Tactics

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WARNING

This page is current in editing and new content will come shortly.
Please excuse the construction!

The knowledge of the best ways in which to approach prey is an important matter. The second level of tactics must be taught following the completion of Beginning Hunting Tactics. Following the completion of the Intermediate level and the training required to be prepared for the next level the apprentice should move forward to Advanced Hunting Tactics.

Flying Prey

Already Taught

  • General Birds – Hunting birds in general are a fundamental hunting skill and must be mastered at beginning level.
  • Tiny Birds – Tiny bird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at beginning level.
  • Songbirds – Songbird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at the beginning level. 
  • Small Raptors – Small raptors are not dangerous, and the hunting of them should be mastered at the beginning level.

Birds, Group

  • Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in all Clans

Some species of birds group together into flocks. These flocking birds work together and require multiple cats working in tandem to be effectively hunted. Two members of the hunting patrol distract the bulk of the flock, drawing their attention while watching each other’s backs to prevent injury. The third member of the patrol (along with any additional members over three) then works quickly to kill a bird or two before the prey is snatched and cover is taken by the hunters.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic: American Crow,  Black Tern,  Blackpoll Warbler,  Bobolink,  Brewer's Blackbird,  Brown-headed Cowbird,  Cedar Waxwing,  European Starling,  Horned Lark,  Lapland Longspur,  White-throated Sparrow, 

Waterfowl

  • Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in RiverClan & ShadowClan. Infrequently taught in ThunderClan. Never taught in WindClan.

Ducks, with both the water and the sky to provide escape for them, are difficult to hunt by any means other than well-timed ambush from the shore. This ambush requires patience and an unparalleled stalking skill. The hunting cat must stalk along the bank, tracking all ducks in the area. The closest duck must then be attacked with a powerful leap that will take the cat out into shallow water or swamp. Once a kill is made on a duck a hunting trip can be considered complete, as a single duck is a large kill that will provide food to a large part of the clan.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic: American Black Duck,  American Wigeon,  Blue-winged Teal,  Bufflehead,  Canvasback,  Common Goldeneye,  Common Loon,  Common Merganser,  Gadwall,  Green-winged Teal,  Hooded Merganser,  Horned Grebe,  Mallard,  Northern Shoveler,  Red-throated Loon,  Redhead,  Ruddy Duck,  Wood Duck, 

Bats

  • Specialty Tactic: Rarely taught in any clan

Bats fly at night only, and in accordance are a truly difficult creature to hunt. They do not come to ground, and must be caught my leaping into the air and snatching them before they realize they have been attacked. This technique is difficult, and many cats who try it suffer sprained paws, bumps and bruises due to the dangers of executing such athletics at night.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic: Big Brown Bat,  Hoary Bat,  Little Brown Bat,  Northern Long-eared Myotis,  Silver-haired Bat, 

Not Yet Taught

  • Large Raptors – Hunting of Large predatory birds such as Eagles is a training specialty and should not be taught as hunting targets until the apprentice has mastered fighting basics.

Running Furred Prey

Already Taught

  • Ground Rodents – Chipmunks and moles are a staple food of all the clans
  • Land Rodents – Mice, shrews, and voles are a stable food for all the clans.
  • Tree Rodents – Squirrels are a stable food of all the clans.
  • Waterside Rodents – Water Voles and Water Shrews are common prey amongst any clan with water flowing through it.

Chase

  • Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in WindClan. Frequently taught in RiverClan and ShadowClan. Infrequently taught in ThunderClan.

Rabbits and hares are amongst the largest of the common prey caught in all the clans. They possess amazing speed through powerful hind legs. Those same legs can kick hard enough to break legs and ribs in cats not quick enough to make a clean kill, or not strong enough to hold the animal firmly. There are two methods that work for hunting chase prey: the first being to wait along the paths they use frequently. The more reliable method, however, is to simply stalk carefully close enough and then give chase, as both rabbits and hares are prone to panic and a swift cat with good reflexes can follow the dodges and get closer by running in a straiter line than the rabbit’s erratic course.

Animals Hunted With This Tactic: Eastern Cottontail,  White-tailed Jackrabbit, 

Not Taught at This Level

  • Rats – Rats are ferocious fighters and apprentices should not be taught to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.

Furless Land Prey

  • Coming Soon

Furless Marsh Prey

  • Coming Soon

Water Prey

Already Taught

  • General Fish – Hunting fish like perch and bluegill are general are a fundamental hunting skill, especially in any clan that has water in its territory, and should be mastered at the beginning level.
  • Tiny Fish – Tiny fish hunting, like minnows and herring, are a fundamental skill that must be mastered at beginning level.
  • Eel – Juveniles are small and not dangerous, and the hunting of them should be mastered at the beginning level.

Fish, Group

  • Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in Riverclan, Frequently taught in Shadowclan and Thunderclan. Never taught in Windclan.

Some fish species tend to group together into schools like dace, or feeding specific schools formed by some trout and bass. While one cat can have success in fishing from these schools, the best success comes with hunting as a team, lining the shore where other cats can drive the school to waiting paws. Extra cats in the hunting patrol should be available should one fish be too big to pull out by a single cat and patience is a must.

Catfish

  • Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in Riverclan, Frequently taught in Shadowclan and Thunderclan. Never taught in Windclan.

Catfish hunt by vibrations felt by their sensitive whiskers and smell through their skin. Most are bottom feeders, attracted by surface tension and the smell of prey and can be lured to the surface with some clever use of fresh kill. As catfish can be unpredictable, its best to hunt them with a group with one cat to spot while the other actively waits for the catfish to surface. Patience is key and a strong cat is required to haul in most adults.

Not Taught at This Level

  • Pike – Pike are strong, fierce predators and apprentices should not be taught to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.
  • Sturgeon – Sturgeon are huge, armored fish that can easily drag apprentices into the water and should not try to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.
  • Fish, Large – Large fish such as salmon are to be approached with caution and are not taught at the intermediate level.

Seasonal Hunting

This document is intended to explain the sorts of hunting and the quality of food that exists in the forest using broad generalizations about the types of prey and the methods of hunting favored based on time of year and the like.

New-leaf (Spring)

Melting Waters

Overview: Lean, Thin times with very little food.

In Melting Waters the prey is thin on the ground and what can be caught is lean and stringy. Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and small rodents are almost nonexistent at this time of year. The birds that are available are the panful of species that stay year round. Reptiles and Amphibians are only found if a cat is lucky enough to stumble onto one hibernating in a hole close enough to the surface for them to reach. The majority of small rodents are hibernating, but they do show up occasionally as they rise from hibernation for water and a small snack. Rabbits and Hares are frequently found, while squirrels are seen only occasionally.

The river is closed at this time of year, making fishing impossible. Snow is thinning, but still covers all things until the end of the moon. The open lands clear the earliest, while the snow that’s accumulated under cover remains thickest the longest.

First GreenOverview: Lean, Thin times with little food.

In First Green the prey is still thin on the ground, but birds have begun to return, as have small rodents. The ground is still too hard for the under-ground rodents to have come from hibernation, yet. Squirrels are seen more frequently, as are ground squirrels and chipmunks. Fish, reptiles and amphibians are still unavailable.

Grasses have just begun to sprout and turn green again, but the river still remains closed.

First Fishing

Overview: Lean times, but with acceptable levels of food for most.

In First Fishing the prey is finally starting to run reasonable well. Rodents are all out of hibernation, and the grand majority of the bird life has returned. It’s warm enough for reptile and amphibians to be returning to hunt-ability. Rabbits and Hares are breeding at this time of year, and wise cats will leave them be to ensure a good summer hunt. The biggest boon of this moon is the return of waterfowl as the pass through on migration.

Grass is here to stay for the year, and the river has finally opened and receded enough to be a safe place to fish.

Green-leaf (Summer)

Running Prey

Overview: Rich times with easy hunting

In Running Prey the prey really is running thick on the ground. Most species of Rodents, Rabbits and Hares have finished breeding and the young, inexperienced examples of the species are thick everywhere. Most bird species are beginning to fledge and inexperienced members of those species are also about. Care should be taken not to hunt wastefully, and to not overhung the youngest and most experienced of the species, otherwise the next generation might be too old to reproduce well.

Full foliage and grass is everywhere, The world is rich and green.

Long Sun

Overview: Rich times with food for all.

Hunting remains good, with all species (save waterfowl, who have already passed through) are still in evidence. Though on the hottest days prey can be thin, as it’s taken to hiding from the burning sunshine.

The foliage is rich, but the burning heat can thin and wilt the greenery.

Lion’s Glory

Overview: Rich times with food for all.

As the sun burns the hottest it will burn all year, hunting remains. Strong. All species (save waterfowl) are still in evidence. Days can still be hot enough to drive prey to ground.

Foliage is still in evidence, but not of verdant spring quality anymore.

Leaf-fall (Autumn)

Cheetah’s Flight

Overview: Rich times with food for all

Cheetah’s Flight marks a turning point int eh year. Bird life beginnings to thin, but they are promptly replaces by migrating waterfowl. Most other prey still runs strongly, however.

Foliage shows the first signs of decline as leaf-fall begins.

Turning Leaves

Overview: Good times with food for most.

Turning Leaves sees few birds and the least signs of waterfowl. It also marks a thinning of reptiles and amphibians. Making up for this, however, animals like squirrels, other ground rodents, and rabbits are preparing for the coming Leaf-bare and growing plumper.

Foliage remains strong, but in decline as the growing season ends.

First White

Overview: Fair times with food for most.

First white is typified by the arrivals of the year’s first snows. Very few birds are available, while Reptile and amphibian kind are very thin on the ground. Rodents, rabbits, squirrels and the like are spending more time in hiding. The waters of the rivers and swamps are very cold, and fishing becomes more challenging. It marks one of the last moons of fishing for the year.

What foliage still surveys is likely to meet its end this moon. Soon the only free in evidence will be pines.

Leaf-bare (Winter)

Leopard’s Rest

Overview: Lean times with food for most, most of the time.

Leopard’s red brings deeper snows and challenging hunting. The snow covering everything makes tracking what prey their is a challenge, and chasing becomes hampered. Only the finest hunters will continue to have good catches.

Foliage is buried and dead until spring.

Long Nights

Overview: Lean times with little food.

Snow remains thick, hampering hunting alongside the freezing cold. As snow continues to deepen even the best hunters will see their skills dampened by the conditions. The grand majority of the prey is driven into hiding by this cold, on top of the challenges of the weather.

Foliage remains buried and dead.

Tiger’s Wrath

Overview: Lean, thin times with very little food.

Tiger’s Wraith is the bitterest, coldest part of the year. Hunting is utterly difficult, even for the best of hunters. These starting times mark a point of suffering for all cats. Starvation is a real danger.

Foliage remains dead and buried.

Dealing with Blue Moons

Blue Moons mark a year in which a single season spans an extra moon. This is caused by the fact that each year has 13, not twelve, full moons. StarClan provides the name of the year’s Blue Moon when it happens, those older cats with a good feel for how the seasons should progress can usually feel them coming on when a season draws out long.

In character they should be dealt with by simply assuming the hunting conditions and expectations of each moon in the effected season are extended for an additional 10 days.

Strikes, Attacks, & Blocks

An apprentice with some experience and some training in things like the vulnerable parts of the body is ready to begin training in actual combat. This begins by learning the strikes, blocks and attacks that form the foundation for any fighting style. A firm grounding in the basics is very import to being able to fight well.

“You have to train until your paws and claws can act before you even think about it”

– Hopestorm of ThunderClan (CoSC)

Blocks

Blocks are movements designed to turn away a strike by an opponent. Blocks should be trained in a face to face situation to begin with, and then elevated into working from angles.

Right/Left High Paw Block

Used to: Block a strike aimed at the head, neck & upper chest.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents.
Cautions: Blocking an attack with the opposite side paw as the attack originates from opens the body to followup strikes.

Keeping a firm center of balance, reach out and guide the striking paw away from your body. Bringing the paw to the ground is safest as it helps to keep it from being used to repeat the same strike again.

Right/Left Low Paw Block

Used to: Block a strike aimed at the legs & chest.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents.
Cautions: Blocking an attack with the opposite side paw as the attack originates from opens the body to followup strikes.

Keeping a firm center of balance, reach out and guide the striking paw away from your body. Bringing the paw to the ground is safest as it helps to prepare yourself to return with the same attack.

Forward Block

Used to: Block a strike aimed at the throat.
Best against: Smaller opponents.
Cautions: Opens the paws and legs to strikes using the teeth. Best followed up with a reverse dodge.

Firmly planting the hind legs, reach forward with the forepaws and plant them on the face, neck, throat or chest of the opponent.

Variation(s): The use of only one paw, or the use of a strike in place of a block.

Left/Right Dodge

Used to: Evade a strike aimed at the head, neck & upper chest.
Best against: Larger or slower opponents.
Cautions: Too much time spent dodging without making your own attacks can given an opponent control of the fight. Dodging too close to the enemies other paw can open you to attack.

Launch your body out of the reach of the enemies claws using the power of the hind legs.

Reverse Dodge

Used to: Evade a strike aimed at the throat.
Best against: Larger or slower opponents.
Cautions: You might leap into something you cannot see.

Launch your body backwards using all four paws in as graceful a movement as possible.

Strikes

Strikes are movements designed to damage or hamper and opponent.

Right/Left High Strike

Used to: Strike at the head, neck or upper chest.
Best against: 
Cautions: Reaching too far up before striking can make your attack obvious and expose your chest.

A strike made by reaching up and moving the paw at the opponent in a downward motion.

Right/Left Low Strike

Used to: Strike at the legs or chest.
Best against: Any opponent.
Cautions: reaching too far down or lowering the head too far can open the back of the neck to an attack.

A strike made by reaching down and moving the paw at the opponent in an upwards motion.

Forward Bite

Used to: Strike at the throat of the enemy.
Best against: Smaller or equally sized opponents when you have a clear upper paw in the contest.
Cautions: This is a risky attack because it puts your face within striking distance and biting distance of the enemy.

lunge forward with your mouth open to bite the throat (or whatever part of the enemy you succeed in grabbing hold of) of the enemy.

Diving Rake

Used to: Strike at the exposed flank of an enemy preforming a left or right dive.
Best against: Slower or tired opponents.
Cautions: This strike does open you to a retaliation with the same move, be prepared for evasive action.

When the opponent dives to the right or left in a dodge, lunge forward with paws extended to catch their flank as it goes by. Smaller opponents might be born to the ground by such a strike.

Attacks

Attacks are combination of strikes and blocks that are designed to damage or hamper and opponent and give the cat in question an edge in the battle.

Double High Paw Strike

Used to: Attack the face of the enemy with the claws.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: The attack is difficult to abort if needed, and opens the underside of the attacker.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Right High Paw Strike, Left High Paw Strike
Actions Used: Forward Dive

Launching yourself towards the enemy, preform a right and left high paw strike simultaneously, aimed at the head of the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.

Double Low Paw Strike

Used to: Attack the throat and/or chest of the enemy with one’s claws.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: The attack is difficult to abort if needed, and opens the underside of the attacker.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Right Low Paw Strike, Left Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: Forward Dive

Launching yourself towards the enemy, preform a right and left low paw strike simultaneously, aimed at the chest and throat of the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.

Double High/Low Block

Used to: Block a double strike.
Best against: Smaller, equal sized or slower opponents.
Cautions: Not pressing the attack and only blocking can give an oponent an edge.
Blocks Used: High Paw Block and High Paw Block -or- High Paw Block and Low Paw Block -or- Low Paw Block and Low Paw Block
Strikes Used: None
Actions Used: None

When an attack with both forepaws is preformed, it is countered by preforming a pair of blocks to protect oneself.

High-Low Strike

Used to: Strike from both the high and the low positions simultaneously.
Best against: Most opponents
Cautions: Be prepared to switch quickly to a block or dodge if necessary. Remember that once in contact a dodge becomes more difficult.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Left High Paw Strike, Right Low Paw Strike -or- Right High Paw Strike, Left Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: None

Move into position and simultaneously preform a Right/Left High Paw Strike and a Right/Left Low Paw Strike against the opponent. This attack places one well to follow-up with a grapple or tackle.

Dual Block and Strike

Used to: Block an attach from one side while making one from the other.
Best against: Most opponents.
Cautions: Be prepared to switch quickly to a double-block if necessary.
Blocks Used:Left or Right High or Low Block
Strikes Used:Left or Right High or Low Strike
Actions Used: None

Move into position and simultaneously preform a Right/Left High/Low Block and a Left/Right Low/High Strike at the same time. This attack forces the opponent to either move or tie their paws up in a double-block.

Left/Right Block and Strike

Used to: Block an attack from one side while making an attack from the other.
Best against: Most opponents.
Cautions: Very quick opponents might turn this against you.
Blocks Used: Left or Right High Paw Block -or- Left or Right Low Paw Block
Strikes Used:Left or Right High Paw Strike -or- Left or Right Low Paw Strike
Actions Used: None

Preform a block against an incoming attack and couple it with a strike of your own with the opposite paw.

Grapple and Strike

Used to: Take control of an enemy while continuing to attack.
Best against: Smaller opponents.
Cautions: Grappling any cat who is larger puts you in position to be grapple by them in return.
Blocks Used: None
Strikes Used: Any
Actions Used: Dive and/or Grapple (Grab and Hold)

Move quickly and jump on the enemy, using your paws, claws and teeth to latch on. Once your hold is secure begin to make attacks as the opportunities become available until the enemy breaks free.

Warrior Training – Intermediate

The Intermediate Period of training a mentor should be working to establish their apprentice’s more advanced skills and begin refining them into a cat that will become a full warrior. The mentor should take into account their apprentices actual abilities, not just their age, when deciding which level of training is suitable for their apprentice.

This period typically encompasses the 3rd and 4th moons of training, and are geared towards refining hunting skills and building the foundations for a full fledged fighting warrior. A young cat should be expected to be completing the intermediate training during their 10th moon.

Any files marked with ^ are currently unfinished.

Intermediate Level Apprentice’s Responsibilities

  • Clear dirty bedding from elder’s den, sick den, nursery, and any other den at the request of the Medicine cat, Leader, Deputy, Senior Warriors or Mentor and replace with fresh.
  • Run errands for Deputy, Leader, Medicine Cat, Senior Warriors or Mentor as needed.
  • Fetch and Carry for the Elders, injured and sick cats.
  • Hunt to provide for the elders and medicine cats.
  • Join hunting patrols to perfect hunting skills and gain experience
  • Standing sentry over camp as assigned.

The apprentices of this age group are now of an age where they should be well able to manage on a hunting patrol. Towards the end of this period of training they should be ready (or nearing ready) to start joining border patrols.

Intermediate Hunting Training

Practical Hunting

The apprentice is expected to refine hunting skills on their own, and under the tutelage of their mentor, through practical application and the tasks such as providing food for the queens and elders. This might also include being sent on Hunting Patrols with older cats.

Clan Specific Strategies

The apprentice, having mastered basics, can begin to learn the specific strategies of their clan, including where to find things and how to best hunt the specific terrains the clan possess.

^ Special Hunting Techniques ^

The apprentice, understanding the ways to use the various terrain and places the clan is in possession of, might also learn the various specialized hunting styles that are employed to hunt certain types of creature.

^ Intermediate Hunting Tactics ^

The next collection of hunting tactics should be taught to the apprentice. In addition some already taught tactics can be expanded on for species of particular value and complexity, or specific types of that type of prey.

Seasonal Hunting

The territories of the clans are subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Each moon leads the cats to shift and adapt. A warrior must be ready for these changes and prepared for there ever changing run of prey in their territory.

Intermediate Battle Training

Strikes, Attacks, & Blocks

The art of striking, attacking, and blocking must be mastered.

Basic Practical Combat

The apprentice should be entered into ‘soft paws’ (claws sheathed) training bouts in safe conditions geared towards helping the apprentice manage to apply the strikes, attacks and blocks of other lessons.

Advanced Study of the Warriors Code

Lessons on the application of the code in life, and it’s ramifications in later life and as a warrior through discussion and instruction.

Beginning Warrior Code Studies

A quick note: Various cats have different opinions on certain points, and small changes in interpretation can radically change the perceived meanings of things. This document reflects the most typical way to interpret the code.

Beginner’s Study of the Warrior Code

Given that it is, in essence, the law that guides Clan life itself, knowing and understanding the warrior code is considered absolutely imperative for an apprentice to learn, and is taught as early as possible.

There are four codes in the Warrior Code, and they can be described as follows:

  • The Warrior’s Code – a code that dictates the rules and obligations of Clan life in general
  • The Mentor’s Code – a code that describes the training of apprentices and requirements for graduation
  • The Leader’s Code – a code defining the naming and duties of leaders and deputies
  • The Medicine Cat’s Code – a code dictating the behavior and duties of a medicine cat, and some duties of other cats in relation to medicine cats

Apprentices are expected to know and understand all parts of the code. At assessments, they will be expected to have the codes memorized and understand all their key points. If an apprentice does not fulfill either requirement, even if they excel in all other aspects of training, they will have an extremely low chance of being permitted to graduate. 

However, in some cases, there is some leniency. With the exception of the MCA, apprentices may be graded less severely on memorization of the Medicine Cat’s code. Their knowledge may be considered acceptable to instead simply understand the key points rather than have it completely memorized. Medicine Cat Apprentices, however, will most likely be strictly evaluated on all parts of the code.

The Warrior Code may be viewed in its entirety here.

The Key Elements of the Codes

The Warrior’s Code

The First Stanza

  • A warrior must always walk according to StarClan’s will
  • If a cat does not believe in StarClan, they cannot be a warrior

The Second Stanza

  • The Clan is a warrior’s highest priority
  • A warrior must be willing to give their life in service to their Clan
  • While a warrior may have friends and family, their loyalty to their Clan takes precedence

The Third Stanza

  • All Clan cats of all Clans should be treated with respect
  • Warriors are not permitted to attack kits or let them suffer
  • Warriors are not permitted to attack medicine cats

The Fourth Stanza

  • Each Clan must protect their own territory so they may hunt on it
  • A warrior may not cross and hunt on another Clan’s territory
  • Borders must be patrolled and maintained daily by all Clans

The Fifth Stanza

  • Prey is a gift from StarClan and should not be hunted or used wastefully
  • Food goes to Clanmembers in most need of it first, such as queens, elders, kits and the medicine cat
  • Only after these groups are fed is a warrior allowed to eat

The Sixth Stanza

  • A warrior is not allowed to kill in cold blood unless the other cat is a traitor to the warrior code, or the death is necessary to protect other cats
  • A warrior is not allowed to follow any part of the life of a kitty pet

The Mentor’s Code

The First Stanza

  • A mentor passes on all the knowledge that they possess to their apprentice

The Second Stanza

  • The first thing an apprentice must learn is the layout and borders of their Clan’s territory
  • They must grow to be completely familiar with the territory in order to hunt on it and defend it

The Third Stanza

  • The second thing an apprentice must learn is how to hunt
  • It is the apprentices duty in particular to hunt for those who need food most, and cannot eat until queens, kits, and elders are fed

The Fourth Stanza

  • The last thing an apprentice must learn is how to fight
  • They must learn restraint in battle and must be ready to give up their lives for their Clan

The Fifth Stanza

  • An apprentice must go to at least one Gathering during their apprenticeship
  • An apprentice must go on a journey to see Mothermouth with their own eyes at least once during their apprenticeship
  • An apprentice may graduate only after all these things have been accomplished

The Leader’s Code

The First Stanza

  • A Clan must always have a leader to guide it, accepted by StarClan

The Second Stanza

  • All leaders must have a deputy to help the leader run the Clan
  • If a deputy retires or is removed from their position somehow, a new one must be named by Moonhigh

The Third Stanza

  • If a leader dies, a senior warrior is chosen to take over the deputy’s position
  • A new leader will be given nine lives and their new name as part of StarClan’s acceptance of their new position
  • These lives shall be spent in service to the Clan

The Fourth Stanza

  • Every full moon when the moon is visible, all the Clans shall meet under a truce
  • At this truce, the Clan Leader will give the other Clans any news of note that has happened to their Clan

The Fifth Stanza

  • A Clan leader oversees and performs all rituals that cause a change in name or rank

The Medicine Cat’s Code

The First Stanza

  • Medicine cats, while their greatest loyalty is to StarClan, must also remain loyal to the Clan they serve

The Second Stanza

  • Kits who choose to follow the path of a medicine cat must first get StarClan’s approval by journeying to Mothermouth at a medicine cat’s meeting
  • Once the apprentice is approved, the Clan’s leader will then give it a new name that they will have while they learn the art of a medicine cat

The Third Stanza

  • Once a medicine cat apprentice is ready to graduate, they must again be tested and approved by StarClan at a medicine cat’s meeting
  • After they are approved again, they will be given their adult name
  • If a Clan has more than one medicine cat, the older one and younger one will work together; There does not have to be only one medicine cat

The Fourth Stanza

  • Medicine cats are not to be harmed by other Clan cats
  • When medicine cats journey to the Moonstone, they are not allowed to eat on their journey
  • Neither are medicine cats allowed to attack other cats on this journey 

The Fifth Stanza

  • On the waxing half-moon (a week before the Gathering) medicine cats must journey to the Moonstone for a meeting with the other medicine cats and to commune with StarClan
  • No Clan cats may interfere with this journey

The Sixth Stanza

  • A medicine cat’s Clan becomes their highest priority when they take up the position, and they must treat all members of the Clan with love and care
  • A medicine cat is not allowed to have kits, so they will not put their blood children before other members of the Clan