PvP in LARP

Dennis Brand wrote: If I, as a level 30 warrior character, happen to get pissed off at a brand new character, I know full well that I can decimate a level 5, regardless of class. I know I probably have twice, if not three times the hit points and swing twice as hard. I know that I have Superior tag skills that they can't defend. I know that I will win... everytime

PvP as a result of an argument or disagreement between characters will stifle role-playing and make players shy away from talking to others whom they do not know for fear of character death.

There seems to be the -general- attitude or consensus on the thread that PvP as a concept has to result in the death or detriment of at least one player. My opinion is that PvP should be employed by a system of checks and balances personal to each player/character. If your first thought of PvP as a player is 'killing new players/shuffling anyone', then as a responsible player, I wouldn't seek PvP out. If your first thought of PvP is 'how will this develop my character/their character' then it might really be for you.

Bottom line is that KR is a game; games are meant to be fun. PvP is a great *tool* to use, to cultivate that fun, not ensure it. Unfortunately, PvP as a tool, can cause some players real OOG stress, which is not fun. Everyone pays to play, everyone deserves to leave the weekend absolutely 100% satisfied with their experience. It's important to remember that behind EVERY character, there is a player just trying to enjoy themselves, whether they're the one actively engaging in PvP, or not. That being said, I believe OOG communication between the engaged players should be left completely open, possibly even mandatory, as to combat OOG conflict.

Rook wrote: I was actually talking with Steve and Matt this weekend about it because someone grabbed me at game physically without checking consent first. I don't like the assumption of "this flag means all physical contact is okay" because I, as a woman who has been assaulted several times, react differently to different people, situations, comments made, what my mindset is, etc.

95% of the time I'm fine with physical role play/touching for spells/healing, etc. the problem is that if I'm in that other 5% of time, don't touch me. Not unless you want me to have an OOG panic attack. It's not something I can pre-determine ahead of game, or at lay on, or even an hour ahead of time.

It's not feasible to have a "I'm okay with this" ribbon or list or identifier of some sort because it sets a dangerous precedent of not asking consent EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And not checking in during serious scenes or RP because "oh they're okay with it they have the ribbon", etc

That is a concern I share with you, I was merely bringing the flags back up for discussion, entertaining the thought.

Really I prefer Dennis' player's idea, which is what already should be happening, where people pull one another aside and talk it out. A coupling of the two ideas would be if people wore flags to signify that they may be receptive to physical RP or PVP, and thus are open to talk about it OOG. Or, the other way around, wearing the flag signifies that you are right now 100% not okay with physical RP or PVP.

I am almost positive that no one will ever be 100% receptive to physical RP from every source so that shouldn't be apart of this discussion. This discussion is about PvP where the only contact is with swung boffer weapons and thrown spell packets.

So let me share a story with everyone about how PvP actually advanced my character goals. I have been the victim of a total of five PvP instances in 15 years of playing. Back a number of years ago, I as Rayven was wavering as to whether or not I wanted to be a Templar. A returning player came to the game late and said to me he needed a place to stay the night, so my first thought was to give him the extra bed down in the Monastery (now the Guard Barracks). We began talking IG about a bunch of stuff, and how I was on the fence as a Gaian (a lot stuff just went down that made me consider giving up Cleric even), and halfway through the conversation he calls a Master Warrior skill that allows him to swing for Body Damage against me for a whole battle (cant remmeber the skill). I realized what was about to go down, and we fought. I lost, not realizing how much stronger he was than me. Prior to calling a killing blow, we had a quick 20 second talk about whether or not I was ok taking a death due to PvP. I said "As long as you make my death worth it." His response was simple. "I'm a Glamachian, and this is part of my test for a higher list". I was sold right there. He role played the torture scene out awesome, killing me in broad moonlight, so close to the path that two players LITERALLY walked over my feet when they were passing by. Few people knew about the scene because the player managed to do such a good job at hiding both me and himself. That was an instance of not only amazing RP, but fantastic PvP that actually made me decide I need to stay on the path to becoming a Templar. Just my two copper.

If the PvP advances the story being told, absolutely. But a quick Oog convo needs to happen to make sure there's no hard feelings or miscommunications.

Exactly. And sometimes if there is an opportunity, a quick 15 second conversation as all that's needed. Granted, this doesn't happen all the time, but when it can that's great.