Thanks for adding this (I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t include it, but I was focused on drawing the distinction between the different categories). I agree that deescalation and/or escape are always the best options if you’re being threatened, but sadly there are circumstances in which those are not options. Circumstances where the assailant’s only intent is to cause harm.

In a situation where the attacker cannot be eluded or dissuaded from causing harm to their would-be victim, I don’t think there’s any alternative for proper self defense training. Also, the elements of awareness that are taught in legitimate self defense classes would increase one’s odds of having a chance to run/talk in the first place.

In the very few situations where I’ve actually had to defend myself or someone else physically, there wasn’t time to talk or run, so my self defense training was all I had. That said, I’ve been in and witnessed many more situations where verbal deescalation has worked, so you may be right when you say it is the best.

I don’t really think one is more important than the other; I think everybody should learn both.