Post by Rodimus Prime on Jan 24, 2009 18:22:10 GMT -5
Multiple Attacks: When They're Appropriate
There seems to be some confusion as to how many times and ways it's acceptable to post attacking in a single post. Please keep in mind that battle is ICly a fast paced thing, even if OOCly a round takes a day or more, and most characters simply won't be able to get a very large number of activities done before someone else would, by rights, have a chance to respond to them.
Generally speaking, a single combat post should include: a response to all attacks made against your character in the last round (to optionally include reactions to attacks that don't specify the targets), witty banter, possibly some radio talk, and, under most circumstances, a single attack against a single other opponent. Multiple targets can be included if their players have agreed that the characters are very close together. Unless you are an extraordinary shot (Spinister, Eye-Fire, Perceptor, for example) firing a ranged weapon into a melee always carries a chance of hitting an unintended target, and both allies and enemies engaged in melee should take that into account while posing.
For the purpose of this game, multiple shots made with a single rifle/pistol/laser-type weapon against the same target or a closely aligned group of targets (say, as part of a strafing run) are considered a single attack, provided the character doesn't pause while firing. In fact, this by itself is a pretty good sort of single attack, as it gives opponents a chance of claiming some damage without requiring that they suffer the full force of the firepower. Still, be reasonable, and try to keep in mind that the other characters should have a chance to respond. Multiple strikes made with a single melee weapon do not count as a single attack, although a feint (or two, depending on the speed of the attacker) and a strike can be, and the very occasional use of a 'whirlwind' type attack is fine.
There are multiple attack types that are acceptable without the OOC permission of your opponents. The first are attacks obviously designed as area attacks. Botanica's chain-lightning and Needlenose's Sunbeam are two examples here. Most 'City-Buster' attacks are assumed to be area attacks by default. Misfire's suppression fire attack is an area attack as well. I won't go through and list every area attack in the game, but by now, you should get the idea.
Same direction multiple attacks, within reason, are allowed without asking. The most intuitive example of this are vehicle modes with guns pointed straight ahead that fire at the same thing they're attempting to ram. Trying to ram one opponent in vehicle mode while firing at another is a bit more difficult (and this is assuming that you even have the ability to fire anywhere but straight ahead). Characters that are shown in canon to do something similar to this, or OCs who mention specializing in attacks like these in their application, can do this without OOC approval from their opponents. Otherwise, it's best to ask.
Single Transformers existing in different locations can make multiple attacks. The obvious examples we currently have in play are Omega Supreme in his alternate mode, or Rodimus Prime or Scourge while they have their 'battle wagons' in play. Supreme could, for example, fire on someone as a tank while trying to ram someone else as a rocket. Rodimus can make an attack with his body (rifle, exhaust pipes, buzzsaw, etc) while firing at something else with his wagon. Scourge can do the same. Scourge is also shown in canon to pull out his battle wagon and fire all the weapons on it, plus his shoulder rockets, plus his double-barrel pistol, at a single target or in a single direction at the same time. Best solution here? Find something to hide behind.
This is not to say that multiple attacks in other circumstances are not allowed. Some months ago Fleetwind-3 was engaged in a training spar with Evac. During it, more than once, Fleetwind either made multiple attacks with his dagger or fired before slashing. However, before those posts were made, Fleetwind's player got permission from Evac's player to do that, in order to represent Fleetwind's superior reflexes and agility. OOC communication is the key in keeping other players from feeling like they're being put upon, or that you're overdoing it. Most of us communicate very regularly OOCly. If you've got the idea for something really, really awesome, don't be afraid to ask about it! We all like to see awesome things. What it comes down to, though, is that when other people give you your moment in the limelight, it's only fair to let others have their moment, too.
Oh. And if we ever get a Blurr, he can make multiple attacks per turn. Because dude. It's Blurr.
