[OOC] Arena FAQ/Advice

[Dolerman]

@Blueflame yes you can, and you can also have any 'version' of the character that you like. As long as you have agreed with your opponent first, just like any other match. Also not all tournaments will allow a Canon character, but its fine to ask.

[skidcrow]

This is dead as fuck, but a friend tried to make an Arena roleplay and discovered they couldn't set it as Ranked. Any reason for it? Do you need to have a certain amount of Arena posts or is it just a thing that only a mod can do?

[ImportantNobody]

This is dead as fuck, but a friend tried to make an Arena roleplay and discovered they couldn't set it as Ranked. Any reason for it? Do you need to have a certain amount of Arena posts or is it just a thing that only a mod can do?

@Mara

You only need mod approval to change it after it's already been posted to the best of my knowledge. I'd try it again if the forum was having a hickup.

[Dolerman]

@Xandrya So looking forward to our next match, just a few bits of advice before you take me or anyone else on.

1) You're undoubtedly a talented writer but the learning curve of non-collaborative writing can sometimes take a bit of getting used to. I started my RPing in the arena so it comes naturally to me, but you are writing to kick the living crap out of your opponents character not to nessecarily tell a dramatic combat story. Too often in our match did you have your character simply react to what was happening without counter attacking.

2) Be aggressive! Every post counts every action should have a reaction. If you're not constantly pressing the attack, you should be using your posts to set traps or to 'prep' bigger and more powerful attacks. Try not to use too many posts 'in a defensive stance' or 'waiting to see what your opponent will do'

3) Give your character a lot of different ways to fight, whether that be magic, abilities or gadgets. If for any reason your character is more stripped down or limited, take advantage of the environment around you, keep all of your attacks diverse and creative, make it harder for your opponent to 'write his way out' of a dangerous situation. Keep this in mind when choosing the fighters and locations.

4) Make use of the character sheets sub topic section of the guild to keep your roster of arena characters, so you can keep them nice an different from each other, and available for easy reference.

You're gonna do some real damage kid, looking forward to our next bout.

[Xandrya]

@Dynamo Frokane

I appreciate the advice! But like you said, definitely a learning curb on my end. The hardest thing to do imo is switching my mentality as I have zero experience participating in arena RPs.

[Dolerman]

@Xandrya Let me know when you want to rumble again.

[Xandrya]

@Dynamo Frokane

Whenever. A few of my RPs have slowed down.

[Dolerman]

@Xandrya Okay well I'm thinking we could try a fantasy match up. Sword and sorcery low-mid tier.

Put together a character sheet and let me see what youve got.

[Xandrya]

@Dynamo Frokane

Alright, I'll see what I come up with.

[Melting Point]

Do you guys only score for T-1? Or can it be T-2. Also, iis it only T-1? Or can it be T-2, T-3, T-4, and T-5?

[LeeRoy]

@Melting Point
I'm absolutely certain nobody here would actually use T2-5, mostly due to the vagueries and completely lack of effort required for that form of roleplay. The "Tails vs Sephiroth" fight that is commonly posted as a joke falls into, I believe T5, and for that exact reason T5 isn't exactly taken seriously at all. The shortening and removal of details causes a huge failing in posts, makes it so that fights can indefinitely stutter between two actions being countered back to back without any resolution until one party decides to lose. (Either by quitting or conceding.)

[Mogget]

So how is this Arena RP stuff supposed to work?

[Vordak]

So how is this Arena RP stuff supposed to work?

@Mogget

so uh eh first you gotta find yourself a partn'r, preferably someone that you find agreeable and can get along with, so as to in turn, ease resolving the inevitable disagreements; and also close to your skill level in understanding of RP fighting in particular, and combat/physics in general. Likely improbable, seeing as RPGuild's arena has turned to ghost town, but you can always drag in someone else into these confines or go seeking in different places.

then you got your character sheets and whatnot. very important.
The character sheet is reference for every action attempted in-character - if there's a question along the lines of "can he outspeed/break through/tank out/jump over/melt down/freeze/smash/swallow what they bite", then the go to method to finding an answer is peeking into the character sheets and comparing the respective character capabilities: if P1 can punch like a sledgehammer and P2's face is likened to a brick in their character sheet, then something's gonna be brick red alright.
For this reason it's important to be concrete and plentiful with detail; the two prominent philosophies are either providing exact physical measurements - 100 mp/h sprint speed, 10 ton deadlift, 2000 celcius firebolt, etc. - or, using comparative feats - strong enough to lift and toss cars, as durable as a tank hull, breaching supersonic speed. Important to note, it's not only the magnitude of your characters capabilities that should be included - the "how much" - but also the mechanics and inner workings of any ability/power/aspect they have - the simple "how". For example, a searing 5000 celcius plasma bolt might do heavy damage to unprotected material, but due to its quick dissipation, have negligible impact on an insulated target; whereas as sticking ball of napalm, burning at 500 degrees, might adhere for long enough to seep its heat through the insulation and bake whatever's beneath.

finally! after making sure you wanna fight and your characters are of comparable power, you actually do the thing
the same general notion applies here - plentiful and thorough detailing enriches the experience, as the more detail you provide to your actions, the deeper the possible degree of interaction is; for ever property you describe, that becomes a property that can be interacted with. The speed, the angle, the timing and the degree of commitment to an action; your character's positioning in every key moment in the fight; the information your character currently does know and can operate with; etc.
However, it's all up to you and your partner to decide how complex you want your fight to be, adjusting by omitting or including various aspects of the action - the beauty of RP fighting is that it has minimal restrictions, by virtue of every rule and mechanic being player regulated.

That should conclude a basic introduction to the general nuance of RP fighting; all else is best pursued in raw experience.

[Mogget]

<Snipped quote by Mogget>

so uh eh first you gotta find yourself a partn'r, preferably someone that you find agreeable and can get along with, so as to in turn, ease resolving the inevitable disagreements; and also close to your skill level in understanding of RP fighting in particular, and combat/physics in general. Likely improbable, seeing as RPGuild's arena has turned to ghost town, but you can always drag in someone else into these confines or go seeking in different places.

@Vordak

Ok then, would you like to do one together?

[Vordak]

<Snipped quote by Vordak>

Ok then, would you like to do one together?

@Mogget

Sorry, but probably not - unless you've a natural talent for kicking ass and a knack for vicious character builds. I've only enough time to keep one fight running right now and i'm seeking to go up against an experienced player, since the plan is to limber up for an upcoming tournament around next month, so i can bring my best performance.

[Mogget]

Alright then.

[LeeRoy]

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[Mogget]

@Mogget
I'll fight you. Post a character, post a location, and I'll match you. I've got the spark right now and I want to make use of it. Obviously not here, in a thread of its own.

@LeeRoy

Okay do you have any preferences for these type of matches?

[LeeRoy]

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[Mogget]

Oh so who's T1?