New (Old) Blog Post - PvP Style and Class

[Jayde Moon]

A new blog post that details some of my thoughts on PvP in EfU can be found on the Blog page.  I hope everyone takes a moment to give it a read and finds that it is helpful!

No longer relevant, see post below.

[Jayde Moon]

With the loss of the 'Blog' Page and some recent incidents in game, I thought I would present this again for the community.  Please read!

PvP: The Rules, Written and 'Unspoken'

Conflict is a large part of what makes Escape from the Underdark and its subsequent Chapters dynamic and interesting.  The intrigues and subplots between the many factions and individuals provides  the context for a rich and realistic environment filled with danger and excitement.  Conflict comes in many forms and does not always have to end in outright battle yet it is with near-certain inevitably that there will come a time when one of your characters engages in PvP.

The PvP that occurs EfU:M is meant to be an added element of fun and excitement, filled with real consequences that are potentially harsh but ultimately very rewarding.  However, if handled poorly it can leave a rather bitter taste to those who feel unfairly treated.  Since the goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves, we should examine what makes PvP more than ego-centric showboating and instead makes it an integral part of a compelling story.

The first is no less than the hard and direct rules regarding PvP that are located on the Info page, in the Mistlocke Manual, under Conduct (direct link here).  These rules are designed to contribute to balance and fairness in PvP.  Following these rules always will help to ensure that your PvP is conducted in a manner that is less likely to cause bad feelings from anyone on the losing end of any fight.

That said, following these rules strictly and by the letter alone may not (and often does not) lead to a fun and enriching experience for all involved.  It is possible to follow each of these rules and be above reproach in a very technical sense but to still fail in a broader sense of providing fun for others.  For PvP to truly have the best impact on our server and within our community, always try to approach PvP with a sense of story, style, and above all else: Class.

Ultimately, Style and Class are intangible and abstract, they cannot be codified into hard and fast rules, hence the concept of 'unspoken rules'.  They are subjective and amorphous and often change depending on the situation.  Still, they are very important concepts and worthy of great consideration.

It is not a difficult thing to create a powerbuilt 'crushbot' and stand outside the gates of Mistlocke, waiting for someone to step outside, only to wordlessly attack them from invisibility and strip them of all of their coin.  You might follow all of the rules as listed and cite several precedents of 'banditry' as an acceptable in-character reason for your actions.  But you would be hard pressed to explain how this is fun for any player whose character that you have attacked.

While it is easy to quickly throw out justifications for how or why it is acceptable, the bottom line is that it lacks any style and it most definitely lacks class.  No reasonable individual would claim to enjoy being on the receiving end of such an experience and it is exactly the type of behavior that can lead players to have a bad impression of PvP and drive them away from the server.  It is also the type of behavior that turns the DMs off from your character.

Of course, this example is among the most extreme, yet each of its component parts make up various factors of the situations we find ourselves in.  When engaging in PvP, you should consider each of these and other factors to determine how they can contribute or detract from the overall story and the enjoyment of the server by the larger community.

Powerbuilds:  Simply put, in and of themselves, powerbuilds are uninteresting.  They are generally simple to construct and require less creativity and imagination than other builds.  For a character that is optimized in this way, there should definitely be some other compelling facets to the character if there is to be any expectation of interest in the character.  Further, powerbuilds often include minimized abilities (such as Intelligence or Charisma) that are easily and often ignored or minimized through role-play and that is unacceptable.  We may not retire your PC in such cases, but it is unlikely that we will ever show interest.  (For clarity, a Pure Fighter with high strength wielding a greataxe is not necessarily a Powerbuild, while a fighter/rogue/barbarian making use of a good number of feats, sneak attack, and barbarian rage might fall into this category).

Role Play:  At its core, EfU:M is a Role Play server.  Part of that is staying in character and creating an immersive environment for other players. In PvP, it includes ensuring that all sides of the conflict get to engage in a compelling drama/story that is inclusive.  Wordlessly attacking someone tends to lack style.  Whether the Role Play comes in the form of a warning or demand, emotes and statements during the attack, or villain monologuing over a fallen rival, it is important to gather oneself and contribute to the atmosphere of the server in this manner.  PvP can often get the adrenaline going and one of the first things to go is RP, but always try to remember to include it.

The FD: Full Death is a very real possibility in EfU:M and a possible consequence of any PvP interaction.  Before embarking on any Full Death, consider the ramifications of your actions.  You are closing the book on another player's character.  Do the circumstances truly warrant such a harsh consequence?  Can the story be better served by leaving the individual alive to continue an engaging rivalry?  Regardless, even when a Full Death is fully warranted, consider fighting in subdual first.  The rules of PvP dictate that a downed character cannot rise without the permission of the individual who brought him low (or a DM).  There is often plenty of time to kill them after; consider the effect of 'last words' or of gleaning information from a dying enemy before ending them.  This interaction can often make the incident more meaningful to both parties.

Looting: Consumables and coin are almost always hard won commodities in EfU.  Whenever you defeat a foe, you are often given the opportunities to take some or all of their provisions for your own.  Strongly consider the effect of overlooting the fallen.  While it may feel good to see your coinpurse jump by over a thousand coins or your potion stockpile double or triple, it is very possible to create resentment from an otherwise fun and engaging incident by taking more than you need to.  Some individuals might even react more bitterly to this than to an outright FD.  There are times when 'drylooting' may be an acceptable course of action but generally it is better to err on the side of conservative when taking things from the fallen.

Overkill: Consider whether you need six individuals to gank two.  Sometimes that's just the way it goes but remember that the more the odds are stacked against you, the more notoriety your PC (and by extension, you the player) might earn for their deeds.

Sportsmanship: Always be a good sport, win or lose.  There are times when you are going to win, times when it's going to be close, and times when you are simply going to be wtfroflstomped.  There are times when you think that the situation was fair and deserved and times when you will feel the great rage come upon you, victimized by griefers and powergamers.  Stop, take a breath.  You win some and you lose some.  If you truly feel that you have been unfairly treated, contact a DM, calmly.  Above all else, do not lower yourself to any perceived wrongdoings.  Maintain your bearing and composure and drive on.  This behavior does not go unnoticed!

This behavior does not go unnoticed.  The DM Team has a lot of oversight into the events on the server as they happen.  We are generally on hand for most PvP situations.  We see what is going on.  Even if we do not directly intervene in a situation, we have taken note of who we feel was unfairly treated, whose actions were comported with dignity, respect, and fairness, and who was being a jerk.  Even though an action may have been 'Fair Play' and allowed IC, it does not necessarily mean we felt that it was stylish, classy, or in keeping with the overall spirit of the server.  Rewards, both concrete and abstract, will reflect our observations.

I close with a classic reminder from the Founder of EfU, Howland, who wrote back in 2005:

PvP Karma:
"You reap what you sow" - PvP Karma is too amorphous for us to strictly enforce, but is something we like to encourage. Seeking it will make you a happier player, avoiding it (even if you don't strictly break any rules) will just lead to disappointment for all involved (yourself, your opponent, other players, and the DMs).

• Is the PvP Justified?

Has the conflict between your characters reached a point where the natural progression would be PvP? Are you certain that the desire for PvP is entirely your character's, and not your feelings as a player seeping into your RP?

• Is it best to subdual, to subdual-loot, or to FD (full damage) kill?

Has the character (and player) had opportunities to avoid being FD'ed if they've lost? Is the rivalry or conflict sufficient cause that you think looting or FD'ing is justified? If the situation was reversed, and you were playing your character's opponent, would you feel the same way? Has the story progressed to a point where a FD death would be appropriate? Please note: often the answer is yes, sometimes in EFUA it's just time for FD time.

• Is the PvP fun and stylish?

Style is intangible, but should always be sought. Put some thought into it.

• Is your attitude as a player relaxed, respectful, sporting?

Are you a gracious winner, and respectful loser? Sportsmanship is important. Note that this does go both ways, even if you're the victim of PvP that you think doesn't agree with the PvP Karma Guidelines, you should still try to be gracious and respectful. Of course, feel free to come to the Dms if you have concerns.

None of what is written here is the end all and be all list of considerations.  There are certainly others that can be thought of and added.  The point is to remember that PvP is a tool to enrich the conflict driven plots that exist in our server and to treat all of the members of our community with the consideration and respect that you would want to be treated with.  Done well, it becomes and exciting and enjoyable experience for everyone.