Here some thoughts on what makes a good RP fight. This text was revised and translated with the help of Nadja Avalanche and Zelmo Boucher.
#1: Try… DON’T DO The attacker’s ability is to describe an attack towards a defender “only”, perhaps enhanced with a possible outcome of the attack, (e.g. the defender should know in advance if the blade is poisoned). The “hit or damage taken” itself has and is to be RP’d by the defender, never by an attacker!
#2: 2 actions as a maximum Don’t post more than two actions in one ’round’, wait until you have reply from your opponent, give him/her the time time he needs to react. (RP is not a contest in fast-speed typing.)
#3: Round based fighting vs. live action fighting RP combat is usually not “round based” which means: The attacker does not have to wait for the opponent’s reaction. BUT: If an attack has been started then the attacker must wait for the defenders reaction. Of course, if your first action was a defensive one (not an attack) you don’t need to wait for a response, then you may just proceed with any second action. (To emphazise it again: An action would be something like “/me shouts to xyz *Hey you Sleen, hit me if you are brave enough to*. Don’t muddle up with the terms *action* and *attack*: Things like attacks, defendings, moves etc, all those things are actions!)
Conclusion: You (only) have to wait for a reaction if you drew an attack yourself , to give your opponent the chance to post his reaction, defence or attack, whatever he likes to choose. Those rules can lead to interesting scenarios, as there can happen a collisions of attacking actions and defensive reactions. If an opponent’s attack appears in the chat window right while you are typing, describing your own action, then you primarily should accept the attack, and react to this new attack. But once more: RP is not a contest in fast-speed typing. The above mentioned siutation can possibly happen. Therefor ist’s warmly recommended to look at the chat window each time, before you hit the enter-key.
#4: One Attack per action You mustn’t run two attacks in one and the same action. It is possible and realistic to move at the same time as you attack, aswell as it is possible and realistic to shout and to move at the same time. You should rebounce to attack with more than one weapon at the same time, as those would be quite unrealistic actions, and so forbidden ones. (Yeah, of course some superfighters might be able to hit twice in one ’round’. But if you are in a RP combat, you are interested in good, exciting RP).
#5: ArmorsArmors and clothes can parry attacks but it’s not inevitably in any case. It mostly depends on the used weapons. A normal armor can parry a blade, but would it be able to parry an attack chopped with a battleaxe? Remember, heavy armors aren’t very often used in Gor.
#6: Defending You can NOT evade on each and every attack. DOT. Acting in such a way is not RP-lilke, boring and frustrating. Even if rule #2 gives the defender the right to react in creative ways like blocking, or with an elegant sidestep, you also must be able to support some hits at least. It is senseless and has nothing in common with RP, if someone parries all the against him lead attacks on the one hand, but on the other hand assumes to be successfull with all of his attacks! Accept that you could loose the fight, before you start it.
#7: Details Describe the details, it helps. “/me draws his blade and tries to hit xyz“ is not enough.1st: A RP battle should be like a short story. Dangerous, detailed, with atmosphere and tension.
2nd: “Tries to hit xyz.” Where ? From where ? The description doesnt show a clear ‘picture’ of what happens. And the counterpart needs a clear picture to react properly. Better would be: “/me draws his sword, shimmering torchlights at the razorsharp blade, swings it in a quick circle, aimed at his enemies left knee trying to disable his foe.” There you go: Now you have a picture in mind what happens and know exactly, where the attack is aimed to. But, dont write novels. Detailed description is good enough and needed, but in RP there always are two participants at least. … It’s rather boring to wait and wait …
#8: Accept your roleA woman will lose a fight against a man in most cases. (not everytime, if she is really creative)
A trained warrior would win against a scribe sitting the whole day in his office.
#9: Examples of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ Roleplay attacks* Keira Wilder draws an arrow, fits it on the bowstirng and shoots it at XYZ
Right
* Keira Wilder drives the sword’s blade in XYZ’s belly.
Wrong
* Keira Wilder kicks at XYZ’s wrist, who looses his sword.
Wrong
* Keira Wilder draws the sword and swings it against XYZ’s head
Right
* Keira Wilder draws the crossbow and shoots at XYZ. The bolt hits the belly with full force.
Wrong
* Keira Wilder rams his ellbow right into the assassins balls.
Wrong
