Agreed, I definitely have not seen any improvement of riposte from not known to inept. None of my PCs have trained it yet, either.
On the question of the riposte's dealing damage when the skill is unknown, however, I believe it does so. In the two below instances, the parry came in the first round of the fight, when no damage had been dealt against the mob until the riposte happens. When it does, the game indicates a drop in damage, and the damage echo caused by my following attack seems consistent with an attack made on an already damaged opponent. I see this happening in most other instances; these were just two very clear examples.
n
kill m
order 'reginald pure white cormyrean destrier' kill m
A high plateau
The sky is warm and stormy and a warm southerly breeze blows.
(Black Aura) A kobold cultist kowtows before the temple's edifice.
(Black Aura) A kobold cultist kowtows before the temple's edifice.
Reginald, a pure white Cormyrean destrier is here mounted by you.
A kobold cultist runs about in circles.
A kobold cultist approaches you and prepares to engage you in combat!
A kobold cultist approaches you and prepares to engage you in combat!
You parry a kobold cultist's attack.
You riposte a kobold cultist's attack.
Your pierce tears open a kobold cultist's abdomen.
a kobold cultist has a few small cuts.
Reginald, a pure white Cormyrean destrier joins the battle!
You do your best!
Ok.
You sidestep a kobold cultist's piercing attack.
You sidestep a kobold cultist's piercing attack.
You sidestep a kobold cultist's piercing attack.
Your pierce tears wounds into a kobold cultist's right leg.
a kobold cultist is badly bruised.
e
Ruinous crossroads in the middle of the wastes
N-A ruinous road E-A ruinous road S-A ruinous road W-A ruinous road
The sky is sultry and a warm southerly breeze blows.
You hear the sounds of battle from somewhere.
You get shot by a crude bone arrow coming from the southeast.
[lots more spam from being shot at]
A hobgoblin elite swings its poleaxe viciously.
A hobgoblin elite swings its poleaxe viciously.
Someone surprises you and prepares to engage you in combat!
Someone approaches you and prepares to engage you in combat!
Someone approaches you and prepares to engage you in combat!
You get shot by a crude bone arrow coming from the southeast.
You get shot by a crude bone arrow coming from the northeast.
disarm
You prepare to disarm ...
A hobgoblin elite fades into visibility.
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
A hobgoblin elite fades into visibility.
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
You parry someone's attack.
You riposte someone's attack.
Your pierce tears open someone's chest.
someone is badly bruised.
Someone attacks as you open your guard attempting to disarm!
Someone fades into visibility.
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
You disarm a hobgoblin elite!
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
You duck under a hobgoblin elite's slashing attack.
You attack a hobgoblin elite as he gets within your weapon's reach.
Your pierce tears a gaping wound into a hobgoblin elite's abdomen.
a hobgoblin elite has a couple of severe gashes.
Also, my original post in this thread shows a riposte causing a spellcaster to lose concentration while casting, which definitely seems to indicate damage dealing.
Hope that helps some.
...But if thou hast done evil, fear her. For she beareth not her sword in vain. For she is the Lord's instrument: a wrathful avenger unto the wicked.