Combat

Hacking and slashing is not what Live Action gaming is about, characters are strongly encouraged to find more original ways of resolving their problems. But, when wit and creativity fail you, you may resort to the violence we lovingly refer to as Combat. When one character wishes to physically attack another character the only permissible way to do so is by using Pandemonium's combat system. Violent or aggressive physical contact between Players in our live action games is strictly forbidden. In a live action game combat will often occur without God present to referee. It is therefore the responsibility of the Player to be familiar with the rules and know how to use them. If you do no feel comfortable with your knowledge of the rules, or if you and your opponent disagree about the interpretation of a rule, pause combat and get God or a Rules Lawyer to help you.

The 4 Steps of Combat

The Combat System consists of 4 Steps; Step 1 - Initiate Combat, Step 2 - Calculate Scores, Step 3 - Bidding Contest, and Step 4 - Result. Each of these steps is clearly explained on the Pandemonium Combat Sheet. All steps of combat must be completed in the correct order. If you skip a step you may be overlooking something which could save your character's life. Once a step is completed it may not be returned to. Combatants may not go back and change any calculation or decisions made in a previous step.

(The Pandemonium Combat Sheet is currently being translated into a web format, it will be available very soon. In the meantime you can view this messy PDF file, but beware because it's really big [600K!] and loads REALLY slow.)

Note -- It is not always necessary to use the combat system to kill or subdue another character. If a character is already unconscious, subdued, or willing to die without a fight, Combat is not necessary. You can do anything to them that you like; heh, heh, heh.

Safety First!

One of the limitations of live action roleplaying is that, as players, we must keep in mind the safety of ourselves and the mundanes around us. When your characters are confronted with overwhelmingly dangerous situations, they would sometimes chose to Run Away! It is not safe for us to run through the hallways of a crowded hotel, just like it is not safe for us to wield swords menacingly in those same hallways. If another character approaches you and you want to escape from them, you must announce the Escape Phrase "Brave Sir Robin!" to them before they enter your combat zone. Your combat zone is circle around you with a radius of 5 feet (you are at the center of the circle, by the way). For a quick and dirty checking of the radius each player hold out your hands directly towards each other and if your fingers can touch you are in each other's combat zones. If you have not announced the escape phrase before the other character enters your combat zone, tough luck, deal with them pink boy. The escape phrase no longer works if you are within another character's combat zone or if the combat phrase has been called. When the escape phrase is successfully called the caller must leave the area and the other character must not pursue them for 5 minutes. The Combat Phrase is "Bite me, fanboy!" When the Combat Phrase is called role-playing stops and Combat begins.

The following is a list of yet more rules which must be followed during every step of combat:

1. There are no referees in combat so be honest. It may be painful, but remember this is just a game.
2. NO violent contact between players in combat.
3. NO drawn weapons during combat.
4. Once combat has started combat doesn't end until all characters have finished Step 4.
5. A character may not share or give Psyche, Blood, Brawn, Skill, Ability, and/or Force points to any other character without a spell or device that allows them to.
6. Any object (talisman, weapon, etc.) can only be used by one character during combat.
7. As a character uses a Ability, Spell, or Skill they must spend the required Psyche, Blood, or Brawn points during the Stage they use it in.
8. A Gizmo may only be used in Combat if its effect is continuous or if it triggers automatically.

How to Use these Rules

This section deals with the application of these combat rules in our live action games.

Knowledge is Power

In a live action game the player must often be their own rules referee. Because of this it is vital that all Players are familiar with the rules and with the information on their character sheets. If there is a dispute during combat and a God is not available to referee, the dispute cam be decided by the players. Naturally, the most informed Player will usually prevail. If you do not understand or haven't bothered to read your character sheet your character's life will be in dire jeopardy when it comes down to the time when you have to start using that information in combat. Knowledge of the rules and familiarity with your character's scores and cards will greatly increase your character's chance of survival or even success in combat.

When Combat Occurs

Combat can occur in our live action game at any time when two or more characters are present in the gaming space. You are only exempt from being engaged in combat during a game when you are wearing "Off Duty" and have left the gaming area. Remember, a God does not need to be present for combat to occur!

Necessary Materials

To be prepared for Combat, while you are in character you should carry with you the following items:

1. A copy of this page (the Combat Rules).
2. Your character's Attribute Card.
3. Your character's Skill and Ablility Cards.
4. A pen or pencil.
5. A Pandemonium Combat Sheet