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Thread: Dog Beating Formation: the most underrated formation in wuxia fiction?

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    Default Dog Beating Formation: the most underrated formation in wuxia fiction?

    When people think of powerful formations in wuxia, they'll usually think of the Cheun Jen Sect's 7 Stars Big Dipper Formation or the Mo Dong Sect's similar 7-part formation. Though it seldom gets the same respect, the Beggar's Union's Dog Beating Formation appears in many wuxia adaptations (and presumably, the novels that inspired them), and one thing I've found in common whenever the Dog Beating Formation is deployed is that it tends to neutralize even the most powerful fighters. Without exception, across a number of different series based on both Jin Yong and Gu Long novels, the Dog Beating Formation consistently was successful in hemming in and neutralizing elite martial artists who otherwise seldom lost fights. It's a wonder that this formation doesn't get more attention/respect given its propensity for flustering even the most powerful individual fighters.

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    may i ask, in what Gu Long's novel that this dog beating formation showed up?
    Best Wuxia author of all time : master Jin Yong

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    Quote Originally Posted by a_tumiwa View Post
    may i ask, in what Gu Long's novel that this dog beating formation showed up?
    It showed up last night in Episode 16 of TVB's 1979 CHOR LAU HEUNG adaptation, and true to form, it neutralized Wu Teet Fa, one of the story's better fighters. Without exception, whenever the Dog Beating Formation goes into action, even very powerful fighters get neutralized in short order.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    When people think of powerful formations in wuxia, they'll usually think of the Cheun Jen Sect's 7 Stars Big Dipper Formation or the Mo Dong Sect's similar 7-part formation. Though it seldom gets the same respect, the Beggar's Union's Dog Beating Formation appears in many wuxia adaptations (and presumably, the novels that inspired them), and one thing I've found in common whenever the Dog Beating Formation is deployed is that it tends to neutralize even the most powerful fighters. Without exception, across a number of different series based on both Jin Yong and Gu Long novels, the Dog Beating Formation consistently was successful in hemming in and neutralizing elite martial artists who otherwise seldom lost fights. It's a wonder that this formation doesn't get more attention/respect given its propensity for flustering even the most powerful individual fighters.
    It actually only appeared twice in Jinyong's works - in HSDS (against Zhang Wuji) and DGSD (against Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e). Against ZWJ, it was useless - he disarmed all 21 participants in a flash. Against BBT and FBE, it was overkill - Qiao Feng stepped in before it got out of hand.

    Compared to the Quanzhen and Wudang formations, it seems to require a large number of participants - I rather doubt it would be anywhere near as effective with just 7 in the formation. It was also rather undignified - it has the participants begging, whimpering in pain, beating their chests etc. to distract the opponent.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    It showed up last night in Episode 16 of TVB's 1979 CHOR LAU HEUNG adaptation, and true to form, it neutralized Wu Teet Fa, one of the story's better fighters. Without exception, whenever the Dog Beating Formation goes into action, even very powerful fighters get neutralized in short order.
    I've checked the novels - there are references to a 'dog beating stick', but not a formation - so presumably this is a TVB addition. I remember in the 1981 TVB series 'Yeung Female Warriors' (which shamelessly ripped off themes from DGSD), it was used to capture Mu Guiying quite easily.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Kwok View Post
    I've checked the novels - there are references to a 'dog beating stick', but not a formation - so presumably this is a TVB addition. I remember in the 1981 TVB series 'Yeung Female Warriors' (which shamelessly ripped off themes from DGSD), it was used to capture Mu Guiying quite easily.
    I thought of that Muk Gwai Ying moment too, and a similar thing happened to Wu Teet Fa in CLH '79, as I mentioned in the previous post. This happened with such frequency that I began to think that this Dog Beating Formation was one of the more effective means wherein a number of weaker fighters actually could subdue a much stronger fighter...essentially enabling the beggar drones to fight above their weight class.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    I thought of that Muk Gwai Ying moment too, and a similar thing happened to Wu Teet Fa in CLH '79, as I mentioned in the previous post. This happened with such frequency that I began to think that this Dog Beating Formation was one of the more effective means wherein a number of weaker fighters actually could subdue a much stronger fighter...essentially enabling the beggar drones to fight above their weight class.
    In JY's world? The strongest formation is a group of 7 or 8 soldiers, as stated by JY himself using narrators voice in DGSD.
    Its BIxie Jianfa Gawdammit you guys!!!!

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