Something that I never did know. I had an idea, but it was never confirmed, and then I thought it was the contrary, and...ah, I'll just ask the question.
My previous character as a Noghri could beat any brawler 4 times a day without any problems. My current character can just about beat a brawler once. There is also a very marked difference in the amount of damage done during combats.
Ironically it seems to me that the most important attribute for brawling is Strength,Dexterity and Vigor. It seems unarmed combat and dodge seem to play very little into the equation.
Yes, skills play a part. I believe Unarmed Combat has little/nothing to do with it, because it was actually still the Throw skill when the brawling was first coded.
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"May the Grace of Ara go with you, and His Vengeance be wrought upon your enemies."