Heroic Combat Vs PvP (Player vs Player)

There are two distinct forms of combat in my opinion, one is a great roleplay enhancer a selfless act not only to make the combat look super cool to all those watching, but also being epic for anyone actually taking part. The other a mere selfish act of just wanting to make someone’s day a hundred times worse by annihilating them using any given tactic or rule to their best use.

Now to me personally I feel Hero fighting is where LRP should be, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a well telegraphed fight between consenting combatants, the over dramatic sword swings the exaggerated expressions and over reactions to each and every blow that lands, because let’s face it when you have complete faith that your opponent is wanting to do exactly the same as you, then why not embrace the roleplay side of fights and roleplay the heck out of it ?

I’ve seen and I’m sure I will continue to see people not only using superior skill in fights (heck if your more skillful that’s your right) but also “min , maxing” skill choices and armour to make them the toughest they possibly could be ? Why?

Well the answer is twofold. In the case of the defender (potentially) it is because some players just want to kill you, and this is the ONLY way you can defend against it.

On the flip side when you are wanting to go out and kill other players being the toughest can also have obvious advantages !

Photo Courtesy of Zoe Thomson

I know LRPers who would not normally get into fights knowing that there is a “player killer” and in other events have seen that same player get stuck in with knives and no armour, knowing full well all the fights at that event would be “heroic” and not just some ridiculous fight where people are just wanting to kill people.

But the counter-argument is that film-style hero fighting offers no challenge to those that want to become skilful fighters. I am of the opinion though that unless you are in full real armour and using real swords that you will never be a genuine good fighter, you are after all just pretending.

So what encourages visually good fights and vice versa more pvp? Is it systems with lots of hits and skills in fights? Is it a too-keen crew who want to score points? Is it the briefing of crew and players?

Bring on more hero-fighting I say, perhaps instead of telling crew how they might stay alive (you have 4 hits) we should instead tell them to invent and enjoy an amazing death?

Photo Courtesy of Ian Heath