A Discussion regarding Combat

Here's my two bitcoins:

First, I've always approached this game with it in mind that your character can be killed by other characters and settings and not to grow too attached. Plus, I've also found that there is a lot of freedom in the things you can do to avoid actually dying. As much of a storytrap a game like this can be to tabletop players or players who get really tied to their characters or content, there are a number of other games that better suit those desires. In fact, most roleplays are more considerate of player content and less of a free-for-all. To those of us who actually want the lifelike aspects of risk and unpredictability mixed in with a little emotion and a ton of diversity, TFS is our only holy land and we would really hate to see it change. A number of these proposed changes, if not all of them, would infringe upon this experience in some way.

Second, I also think limiting other players' choice to become a thorn in your side flattens the unpalictable, "risky" kind of experience that so readily connects TFS to real life feelings. This, to me, provide a sense of realism and immersion found in no such structured roleplay as D&D.

Third, I think our admin has been more than reasonable in bringing disagreements from fights to a conclusion. I have been here since almost the beginning of this game (like my first RP was Jun's first RP and she's the main protagonist!) and the number of powergaming cases that are actually brought to 'judgement' are very small. A number of powergame issues would be solved cleanly with admin judgment.

Fourth, drawing on my previous comment on how long I've played here, the upsetting events involving powergaming that have occurred throughout TFS' history have all stemmed from a very small subset of players (you know who you are). THAT SAID, I am absolutely willing to endorse a more expansive, definitive power cap beyond "no gods." There are some players who I think need "hard-coded" limits to the "sheer power" (better definition pending) or physical size of something in order to play more fair with others.

Fifth, I think the majority of players, characters, and their associated experiences and roleplays have been positive. I truly think the majority if not all of the defenseless characters on TFS are smartly engaged in places and scenarios that minimize the risk of sudden death.

Sixth, and last but not least, the strength of an godmoder's attack in their words, provided it isn't a melee attack, is usually fairly relative because it's typically something paranormal and undefinable IRL. Because these things can't be measured, there's the turns-to-prep concept. Basically if I take two turns to prep my fireball vs. his one turn defense, he has to take some damage. If they don't, I'd seek a judgment and that judgment would probably be based on prep. I have absolutely no fear about coming into a fight with a known godmoder because I would just report them when they cheated.

Combining all six of these perspectives, I actually kind of like the way things are and that the actual danger to people's content and feelings might become over-embellished if we ruminate on the many possibilities (however rare they may be) of us losing content or characters to another player's whim. I would support some changes (or more preferably, just some limits or definitions), but it's hard to define one that doesn't step on the concept that draws a lot of players like myself to this game over all the other games out there.