Basic Attacks vs Techniques
The primary schools of combat[Bogenschießen, Zanjutsu, Hakuda etc] have techniques, much like Hadō does. As such, when a basic attack like a non-technique sword swing, collides with a technique, the technique will always win. For example, a Transcender rank Arte de la Espada's basic sword swing strikes an amateur rank defensive technique like Bakudō #8: Seki, the amateur rank technique will always win. However, this does not apply to Hierro and Blut techniques that harden the person's skin. A basic sword swing can cut through one of these techniques if there is at least a 5 tier difference. For example, an amateur Hierro/blut technique can block up to Adept rank. However, an expert swordsman would be able to cut through it.
Basic Attacks vs Basic Attacks
No Difference: This is when the tiers are the same. For example, two amateur rank Zanjutsu users, or two Master rank Hakuda users. They will be perfectly matched when they lock swords, with their strength being identical.
One Tier Difference: This is where there is a One Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs novice, or master vs Grandmaster. The higher ranked individual has a minute advantage. For example, if a Master in Zanjutsu locked swords with a Grandmaster in Zanjutsu, they would essentially be equal, though the higher tiered individual will have a small advantage.
Two Tier Difference: This is where there is a Two Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs Apprentice, or master vs Transcender. The higher ranked individual has a noteworthy advantage. For example, if a Master in Zanjutsu locked swords with a Transcender in Zanjutsu, the higher ranked individual would begin to overpower the lower ranked individual.
Three Tier Difference: This is where there is a Three Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs Intermediate, or Advanced vs Transcender. The higher ranked individual has a clear advantage. For example, if an Advanced user of Zanjutsu locked swords with a Transcender in Zanjutsu, the Transcender would easily overpower the lower ranked individual. At this point, direct confrontation by the lower ranked individual is essentially pointless, forcing them to fight with strategy rather than direct confrontation.
Four Tier Difference: This is where there is a Four Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs Adept, or Expert vs Transcender. The higher ranked individual has a domineering advantage. For example, if an Expert user of Zanjutsu locked swords with a Transcender in Zanjutsu, the Transcender would effortlessly overpower the lower ranked individual.
Five Tier Difference: This is where there is a Five Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs Expert, or Adept vs Transcender. The higher ranked individual has an immense advantage. For example, if an Adept user of Zanjutsu locked swords with a Transcender in Zanjutsu, the Transcender would overpower the lower ranked individual so dramatically, that merely clashing swords with them would cause the lower ranked individual's blade to begin to crack and dent.
Six Tier Difference and higher: This is where there is a Six Tier Difference or higher. For example, Amateur vs, Advanced or Intermediate vs Transcender. The higher ranked individual has complete domination. For example, if an Intermediate user of Zanjutsu locked swords with a Transcender in Zanjutsu, the Transcender would overpower him so dramatically that he could cut clean through the lower ranked individual's Zanpakutō.
Technique vs Technique
Techniques interact in different ways depending on how they function. Two offensive techniques colliding are calculated on a tier system, shown below. All binding techniques state their own weaknesses, and barrier techniques detail what they can block.
No Difference: This is when the tiers are the same. For example, two amateur rank Hadō techniques, or two Master rank Gintō techniques.
Cancel each other out. These techniques are the same power, and when they collide, will cancel each other out.
One Tier Difference: This is where there is a One Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs novice, or master vs Grandmaster. When these two spells meet, the higher ranked one will devour the lower ranked technique and continue on. However, the higher ranked technique will only have 25% of it's initial power left.
Two Tier Difference: This is where there is a Two Tier Difference. For example, Amateur vs Apprentice, or master vs Transcender. When these two spells meet, the higher ranked one will devour the lower ranked technique and continue on. However, the higher ranked technique will only have 75% of it's initial power left.
Three Tier Difference or higher: This is where there is a Three Tier Difference or higher. For example, Amateur vs Intermediate, or Advanced vs Transcender. When these two spells meet, the higher ranked one will devour the lower ranked technique and continue on. The power of the higher ranked technique will be unaffected by this encounter.