Combat between two players in Outbreak involves using the HUD to determine the outcome, followed by the involved parties actually role-playing the scene out in detailed emotes.
Preparing for Combat
Please consider the following when emoting a melee combat scene:
- Use the HUD (red combat button) to engage each opponent in a fight; this will secure consent and determine the recommended outcome between the two.
- When fighting multiple individuals or between groups, determine who will attack who before engaging them with the HUD.
- Make sure the object used as the weapon is visible on character’s avatar or small enough to realistically be concealed.
- Katanas and swords are not fair to use against other players who stick to the gritty realism of the backstory; thus blades longer than 20 inches are not allowed for use in role-play.
- When using firearms, make sure you’ve attached the one you want to use before using the HUD to start a combat scene.
Combat Conduct
When writing posts for a combat scene, please consider the following:
- Posts detailing your attacks must always be written as an attempt, allowing the opponent to decide whether they will take the hit or not.
- Track the order of posts between the players in a scene. Only post when it is your turn.
- Plan on getting hurt. Role-play is not about winning or losing; combat scenes are great ways to seed more opportunities to role-play with other characters like medical staff or planning revenge stories.
- Take 2-3 separate posts to withdraw a hidden weapon and ready it in-hand for combat. Describing multiple actions and maneuvers in a single post may be considered powergaming.
- Don’t be a ninja and always play fair. If your character has physical advantages (large or tall physique), balance them with a weakness that is articulated to others by weaving it into posts.
Good Examples
/me approached the man with that baseball bat down by his side. “Hey you!” he barked almost immediately to get the man’s attention. “This is my fuckin corner.” As he quickly approached his target, he then raised his bat, clasping his free hand around the base, readying himself for a swing.
Notice above, that the bat is clearly visible to the opponent and the threat is established up front.
/me had decided that physical violence was the only way to resolve the turf dispute. With a sneer, he pulls his arm back, aimed for man’s torso, and gave it his all. The bat swung with fierce intensity.
Notice above, the post stopped short of predicting if the opponent got hit; it’s up to them to respond whether or not they were hit.