Simulated combat: Difference between revisions
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* Combat can be [[self-adjudicating]] or [[GM-adjudicated]]. | * Combat can be [[self-adjudicating]] or [[GM-adjudicated]]. | ||
* It may use [[hit points]], or a single test to resolve victory and defeat. | * It may use [[hit points]], or a single test to resolve victory and defeat. | ||
* It may be deterministic - A always beats B - or use random resolution using a [[card draw]], [[finger flings]], [[paper-scissors-rock]], flipping a coin, or even dice. | * It may be deterministic - A always beats B - or use random resolution using a [[card draw]], [[finger-flings]], [[paper-scissors-rock]], [[bidding]], flipping a coin, or even dice. | ||
* Ties may be resolved in favour of the attacker or defender, to encourage or discourage combat. | * Ties may be resolved in favour of the attacker or defender, to encourage or discourage combat. | ||
* Information about characters' relative combat abilities may be open, or kept secret to create uncertainty. | * Information about characters' relative combat abilities may be open, or kept secret to create uncertainty. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Combat bubble]] | * [[Combat bubble]] | ||
* [[Combat number]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 16:18, 26 July 2015
Simulated, Abstract or Representational combat is a mechanic used in some larps, in which the participants resolve combat by abstract methods rather than hitting one another with weapons. It is typically contrasted with live-combat.
Use of simulated combat is often seen as a defining characteristic of theatre-style games.[1]
Mechanics
There are a wide variety of mechanical approaches used for simulating combat. Some examples:
- Combat can be restricted to certain characters (for example by using ability cards), or be something anyone can engage in.
- Items and skills may provide bonuses.
- Combat can be self-adjudicating or GM-adjudicated.
- It may use hit points, or a single test to resolve victory and defeat.
- It may be deterministic - A always beats B - or use random resolution using a card draw, finger-flings, paper-scissors-rock, bidding, flipping a coin, or even dice.
- Ties may be resolved in favour of the attacker or defender, to encourage or discourage combat.
- Information about characters' relative combat abilities may be open, or kept secret to create uncertainty.
Specific examples
- The Freeform Book uses single-use assassination cards, with the defender rolling a saving throw on 3d6 to survive.[2] Some later Australian freeforms use single-use "bullet cards", countered by "dodge cards".[3]
- Rules to Live By uses skills and dice, like a tabletop rpg.
- Mind's Eye Theatre uses paper-scissors-rock or a card draw, with skills providing retests or bonuses.
- Kickarse uses a single paper-scissors-rock test to determine victory and defeat.
- In Time Travel Review Board, anyone starting a fight is immediately dragged away and shot by the NPC guards.
See also
References
- ↑ All About Parlor Larps, larping.org, 28 October 2013. Retreived 2 February 2015.
- ↑ Morgana Cowling, The Freeform Book (TAGG, 1989), p. 14.
- ↑ Michael Wenman, "No Dice, No Table". Playground #3, p 51-58