Hmmm . . . . .
I'd like a bit more info on this.
How tough are enimies, and roughly how long do you think they'd take to defeat. if they were to take say 3-6 actions, if they were a good warrior/generally tough, they'd last for 5-8, if they don't kill you.
The main problem I see now is that magic is completely composed out of these special "effect" type attacks, and has no plain attack option, thus forcing them to utillise different spells to win, assuming they don't just spam the same spell many times over. However, in physical, you do have that simple attack option, so I reccomend removing it, replacing it with some simple things, like thrust, slice, stab, ect.
An interesting anti-repetition mechanic would be routines, and recognition. What will happen, as the fight progresses, the combatants circling and watching each other, they would get used to each other's moves. So, if someone used the same thrust, slice, slice, stab pattern, the enemy wouldget used to it, and get a bonus to dodging + counter attacking through seeing the weaknesses of the pattern. Even if the swordsman mixed it up a bit, they would still get used to the moves, albeit slower. Basically, throwing in these extra actions like push, disarm, ect. would take the person off guard and give you an advantage. Of course, this is mostly theory, and you'd need to work out a good system, or if you can force me to work one out for you.
All this is based on the assumption that a fight last x-y actions long.
Edit: Also, keep in mind that I have no experience in these things.
Also, on the whole how much can Derm screw up an RtD, how about an RtD with derm as evil mastermind, working with the GM, and the players are trying to take him down. Sound good?