NewsRolePlay -- RoleCombat
An interesting thing about combat-style RP is that while it is easy to
pose swinging a forceblade at someone it is not so easy to play out a
combat /well/. What that means is that writing poses isn't the secret to
role playing combat. The secret is communication.
One way to communicate is through the pose. Leave it open to interpre-
tation. Pose an action, but not the result of the action. Along with
that, remember that combat is in the eye of the beholder. Some people
regard any pose that results in physical contact to be combat oriented.
Others think ahead to the probable results. And sometimes the obvious
result for one player is not what another player might expect.
For example: A half drunk character may not think twice about goosing a
pretty waitress's bottom. But, as a player, there's the choice if goosing
the waitresses bottom should be posed directly, or if the attempt should
be. In the first case, the pose is "Brent reaches out and pinches the
waitress's bottom." In the second, it is "Brent drunkenly reaches out to
try and goose the waitress's bottom." The difference is that in the
latter case the waitress's player is able to play off the attempt, instead
of playing off the result. In a scene others may RP their own reactions
to the result before the waitreses player has a chance to do anything
about it... despite the fact that the waitress may well be experienced
enough with drunk men to easily avoid the 'attack'. And think about it
this way, if it is okay to pose the result of the attempt, is it okay for
the waitress to pose the result of her attempt to bash the offending
character with her tray?
Where communication through poses comes in is that other players should be
made aware of what characters are attempting, with an indication of what a
possible result could be. Yet at the same time, the pose should be open
enough for other possibilities to be written in without undue trouble (or
revision). Some people see a world of difference between swinging a sword
at someone or patting them on the back. Others do not. And there may
well be IC circumstances about the other character that the player of the
first knows nothing about. It often takes only a couple words to make the
difference.
The trick is knowing which words to use, and when best to use them.
Which brings us to the second form of communication.
Direct communication is through OOC channels. Pages, com channel, using
the OOC speach command, Instant Messenging, etc. There are some people
that know each other well enough that they know what kind of poses are
permissible. But these people are pretty rare. Even rarer are those that
are okay with just about anything that occurs in a pose.
One should never make that assumption, however. If you're not absolutely
sure, ask. Heck, even if you are sure it is often best to ask anyway.
Asking only uses a little bit of time and can often lead to an even better
result through coordination.
Remember an author of a novel does not have to worry about leaving his
paragraphs open to interpretation because the author is the only one
involved in writing a story. In a game like this one, there are a number
of people involved. At least one for every player character involved in a
scene. Plus the invisible presence of those that may have generated the
setting the scene takes place in.
All of these players will have different view points, different goals,
different expectations, and different levels of experience. Thus comes
the importance of OOC communication. Get to know people you share games
with (this can be of benefit not just here, but RP games in general).
Learn who likes to keep OOC chatter to a minimum during a scene, who likes
everything discussed, and who is comfortable with what.
But in all cases, erring on the side of caution is often the best course.
Also remember that just because you are trying to express one thing
doesn't mean that others will pick up on it. Be prepared to both answer
and ask questions. Be polite, be friendly, and do your best to explain
what you're trying to accomplish.
People also identify with their characters on a personal level. It is
important to realize and take that in consideration when communicating
with other players. While it may not seem like a big deal to /you/ to
have your character launch nano-missiles at another character, the
target's player may well feel differently. Just as you may feel
differently between tossing a grenade into an anonymous bar and having
your own favorite watering hole vaporized.
Actions and results, perception and identification are most often the
roots to misunderstanding. Taking a few moments to talk can often keep
misunderstandings from growing into arguments.
It's not usually the violence of a scene that causes problems during
combat RP, it's the violence of misunderstandings. Avoiding those
problems helps keep the RP flowing and helps assure the scene will be
entertaining for everyone.
The best rule for communication is;
Don't Stress Out!
NewsRolePlay -- RoleCombat
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