One With Shadows were designed to let a warrior react at a moment's notice, and were only truly mastered by those who were as clever as they were strong. Through a series of compact ripostes and vicious counters, the warriors who make alertness their unconscious state of mind become adept at foiling surprise attacks of various kinds

A few questions.
Strong and wise. This legacy depends on strength and wisdom or intel?

foiling suprise attacks.
If someone comes to you and dirt kick you or charge with his polearm impale with a spear, Are these scenarios classified as suprise attack?
(Most would think blackjack, ambush, assassinate?)

Do you have to learn this legacy over time by subjecting yourself to constant suprise attacks?

>Strong and wise. This legacy depends on strength and wisdom or
>intel?

The helpfile says "clever". That's typically a synonmy for intelligent. I have no idea what effect wisdom has, not having looked at the code, but based on my interpretation of the helpfile, I'd say "not much".

>If someone comes to you and dirt kick you or charge with his
>polearm impale with a spear, Are these scenarios classified as
>suprise attack?

I doubt it. Then again, I've never had the legacy. "Surprise" makes me think of attacks like the ones you mention: jack, ambush, assassinate. Possibly also "normal" attacks made by people who are hiding (e.g. dirt kick or trip from a hidden thief or assassin). Though that's just speculation.

>Do you have to learn this legacy over time by subjecting
>yourself to constant suprise attacks?

Unless there's some hidden counter, legacies are either "on" or "off". I don't believe they're learned like skills.