Given Valic's practices in magic and sword techniques as well as his composure... I'd say he's more of the type to build a tactic throughout a fight to win a result.
For instance, using magical abilities at a range to force the opponent to dodge and move about until there's an opening for him to lunge and strike with his sword. If he can't find an opening, he'll essentially "make one". Keeping distance with Valic would just result in tiring yourself out with a constant barrage of attacks, slowing your endurance or catching you off guard. If a head on assault was had, he'd just have to take it on himself within melee range and possibly create a gap if he felt the need to be defensive.
Overall, the strongest offense can make a suitable defense. If they're immobilized and unable to counter attack with so much pressure, there's nothing to fear typically. I would say that could be Valic's weakness in combat though, getting in a surprise attack or something sudden that would force Valic into his own position. In the end it'd be a battle of the minds, who can outdo who or who can best use the environment to the best of their abilities to their advantage. Otherwise, he's very cautious in choosing when to deliver a finishing blow that risks a close up encounter.
That's only strategy though, if we're talking actual attacks.... I'd say massive flares and aeros to keep the opponent on their feet. They'd be typically fast spells with chainspelling and the range coupled with the size of spells would prevent any advances or retreating to original positions. The moment they're between steps of dodging a ranged attack would be when he would lunge in for the multiple stabs and finishing blow. If that doesn't kill them.. he'd retreat and advance when another opening is available and repeat until it was a success. (sounds very much like the red mage videos so far huh, just repeat the spells and rapier motions until dead lol.)
For instance, using magical abilities at a range to force the opponent to dodge and move about until there's an opening for him to lunge and strike with his sword. If he can't find an opening, he'll essentially "make one". Keeping distance with Valic would just result in tiring yourself out with a constant barrage of attacks, slowing your endurance or catching you off guard. If a head on assault was had, he'd just have to take it on himself within melee range and possibly create a gap if he felt the need to be defensive.
Overall, the strongest offense can make a suitable defense. If they're immobilized and unable to counter attack with so much pressure, there's nothing to fear typically. I would say that could be Valic's weakness in combat though, getting in a surprise attack or something sudden that would force Valic into his own position. In the end it'd be a battle of the minds, who can outdo who or who can best use the environment to the best of their abilities to their advantage. Otherwise, he's very cautious in choosing when to deliver a finishing blow that risks a close up encounter.
That's only strategy though, if we're talking actual attacks.... I'd say massive flares and aeros to keep the opponent on their feet. They'd be typically fast spells with chainspelling and the range coupled with the size of spells would prevent any advances or retreating to original positions. The moment they're between steps of dodging a ranged attack would be when he would lunge in for the multiple stabs and finishing blow. If that doesn't kill them.. he'd retreat and advance when another opening is available and repeat until it was a success. (sounds very much like the red mage videos so far huh, just repeat the spells and rapier motions until dead lol.)
![[Image: gLGk1P9.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/gLGk1P9.gif)
