Actions

Guide to Melee Fights

From ThornsWiki

This is a run-down of the different types of melee fights in this game. These rules also apply to magic fights but this page is geared towards hand-to-hand combat.

PvP (or Player-versus-Player) Fights

Undetermined Fights

An undetermined fight means that the players do not know who will win the fight; that is left up to a moderator. These fights can last a long time, so try to follow these tips to keep the fight manageable.

Undetermined threads go in turns between players. Player 1 posts; Player 2 has the opportunity to try to dodge or deflect, but not attack; the Mod posts and decides the outcome of the turn. Then the roles reverse: Player 2 gets to attack, and Player 1 has the chance to try to dodge.

At any time, you can allow something to hit your character. For example, if Player 1 aims an arrow at you, on your post you are allowed to say that the arrow hit you. This negates the need for a mod for that turn.

To milk as much action as possible out of the thread, make your posts count. Don't just write a one-liner explaining your action; include descriptions of your character's emotions and the five senses. Even throwing in some dialogue can help flesh out a post.

Coordination is still a good idea, even if you don't know the outcome.

State your action clearly. The mod can't determine outcomes if they can't tell what you're trying to do.

Predetermined Fights

A predetermined fight means that the players have coordinated and decided who will win, so any posts they make are made with the end result in mind. This kind of fight runs quicker, because the moderator is not needed, and so these types of fights can include more posts. Mods will observe the fight but not moderate, unless there are NPCs involved.

Players can agree to let the other player god-mod (assume the actions of the other player) to a degree. This can speed up the action further.

As with the other type of fight, you should not just write one-liners. This is boring to read for everyone; one-liners read like a fight log from an MMORPG!

You can decide the outcome, but you need not decide every move. If you give the other player some leeway to control outcomes, you can let them surprise you with what they choose to do. If there are NPCs involved, they might end up changing the outcome of the fight. You cannot control outcomes when it comes to NPCs; for example, you cannot presume to kill one, knock them unconscious, or dodge their blows.

It's a good idea to let the mod know what the outcome will be in a PM. That way they can help you work towards your goal.

PvNPC (or Player-versus-NPC) Fights

This type of fight is between a player and a non-player character. They cannot have predetermined outcomes.