PvP Rules and Guidelines

Player versus Player (PvP) on Wasteland is for story building first and foremost. Wasteland is not a PvP centric server. The following rules are designed and intended to facilitate PvP as a story tool, not a way to end stories.

OOC Agreements: Agreements made with another player Out of Character (OOC) can supersede any rule below as long as those OOC agreements are made in an RP Planning Ticket, with all parties involved, in good faith, without pressure or coercion. Reports of pressure or coercion is a bannable offense.

General PvP Rules

1. No KOS: Kill on sight is not allowed unless approved by staff in a ticket before the encounter.
2. Combat Types: Use one of the three combat systems: Dice, RP, or Open.
3. PvP Actions: Includes non-combat actions like setting traps or poisoning—any action harming another character.
4. Purpose: PvP is for story progression, not for winning or exerting control.
5. No Combat Logging: Logging out to avoid a fight/death is forbidden.
6. Value Life and RP Pain: Engage in combat valuing your character's life and role-playing pain. Your character is not fearless or immune to pain.
7. Record Combat: Combat should be recorded. Without recordings, disputes may result in the encounter being voided.
8. OOC Consent Rules: All Sensitive RP OOC Consent rules apply in combat.
9. Stay in Character: During PvP, stay in character except for OOC comfort checks. Use a ticket to report rule violations.
10. Special Rules for Killing: To actually kill a character, you must have a CK Approval prior to the engagement, or have already had an OOC discussion about the death of the character.
11. No CK without Approval: Without CK approval, do not kill in a way that leaves no room for a second life appeal (e.g., no headshots or heart stabs). Leave them unconscious and unable to fight.
12. No META Techniques: Using META techniques like abusing camera angles or wearing multiple layers of patched clothing is considered FailRP.
13. No Instant Transport in PvP: You may not use any instant transport system (bus, taxis, train, ferries, etc) when feeling from or responding to a PvP situation.
14. Reinforcements/Death Balling: Excessive reinforcement, or "death balling," is not allowed. If your character has conflict with someone else give the conflict a chance to be RP'd on a personal level before calling for reinforcements. Ask yourself: does this disagreement make sense to involve others? Does involving others make the conflict more or less fun for the other player? Has the conflict had a chance to be settled without involving others?

RP Combat

RP Combat is flexible and should be used when the outcome is agreed upon OOCly or will not result in permanent injury/death (e.g., bar fights, boxing matches, friendly scuffles).

1. Emote All Actions: Emote every action, such as drawing a weapon, aiming, taking cover, hiding, punching, shooting, swinging, etc.
2. Detailed Emotes: Be specific in your emotes. For example: /me swings a crowbar at John's torso with all his might from the side, attempting to hit the stranger center chest.Do not include the other characters reaction or consequences of your action, leave that up to the other player. For example, do not do: /me swing his bat, striking Johns face breaking his nose sending blood into the air.
3. Allow Responses: Give others a chance to respond to your actions, including attacks.
4. Realistic Responses: Respond to attacks by dodging or taking the hit. Your character is not superhuman and should accept hits when appropriate.
5. Single Attack Rule: You can only swing or shoot once per emote. Emote again to continue attacking.
6. Ensure Visibility: Make sure all relevant parties can see your emotes. Use /meyell or /meshout if others are not close by.

Dice Combat

Dice combat is used when the outcome is not predetermined and not story-driven. It is the most common, and default, type of combat in WastelandRP.

1. RP Combat Rules Apply: All rules of RP Combat also apply to Dice Combat.
2. No Game Mechanics: Only in-game skills are considered, not game mechanics.
3. Non-mechanical Hits: Do not mechanically shoot or hit to avoid unintended injuries or deaths during RP.
4. Initiating Combat: Inform the other player and open the Dice Combat mod screen (click the Gear menu in the chat window).
5. Standard Style: Use the “Hybrid” style in the mod as the standard. Other styles can be used if all participants agree.
6. Initiative Rolls: Roll for initiative. Players take turns from highest to lowest roll. Re-roll ties only between those who tied.
7. Actions per Turn: Each player gets three actions per turn: Movement, Attack, or Utility.
8. Turn Example:
   • Emote intended action
   • Use mod to perform action
   • For attacks:
     • Roll for attack
     • Opponent rolls for defense
     • Apply hitpoints
     • Emote results

Detailed explanations of each step are available on our Discord Server under “Server Information.”

Open Combat

Open combat can be used when RP or Dice Combat is not feasible (e.g., large groups of more than 4) or when all parties agree. Open combat uses the game's mechanical combat system and follows these rules:

1. No Ambushes: Open combat should not be used for ambushes. Ambushes require a war ticket as they are premeditated.
2. Initiating Combat: Clearly state the intent to engage in open combat via an OOC message. Combat begins only after all players agree.
3. Opting Out: Players can choose to flee if they do not wish to participate. They must state their intention OOCly and RP their character running away. They cannot return until the combat is resolved. This option is only available if the character has not already engaged in combat.
4. Surrendering: If already engaged, a player can surrender. Declare the surrender OOCly and RP the character laying down their weapons and putting their hands up. The surrendered character is considered "downed."
5. Allowing Fleeing: If the entire opposing party wants to flee, you must let them. Not everyone enjoys Project Zomboid PvP mechanics. If you feel wronged, you can file a ticket declaring war and resolve the conflict under war rules.
6. Free Fire: Once open combat is confirmed, free fire is on. However, avoid meta-gaming by not immediately shooting. Both sides should have the opportunity to take cover before shooting starts.
7. Non-lethal: Deaths in open combat do not result in character kills. A downed character cannot re-enter combat and must wait until it is over before interacting with those still engaged.
8. No Looting: Do not loot the body of a downed character during open combat.

Character Kills (CK)

A character kill (CK) is permanent and means your character is dead in the RP and cannot respawn. A CK is more than just dying in-game or losing a fight.

Reasons for CK:

1. Voluntary Death: You choose for your character to die for any reason, as long as it doesn't imply another character killed yours without approval.
2. CK Approval: Another player receives a "CK Approval" on your character via a ticket and kills your character in RP or Dice combat.
3. CK Enforced Event: Staff declares an event as "CKs enforced," and your character dies during the event.

Random or Spontaneous Encounters:

• These are short-term or one-off conflicts (e.g., petty arguments, random highway robberies, store hold-ups).
• In these encounters, you cannot kill the other character. You may, however, injure them to a “knocked out” or “downed” state.

Post-Combat Ticket:

• If you cause another character's death in combat or any PvP situation, open a ticket explaining who you killed, why you killed them, and how they could have survived if they invoke Second Life.

CK Approval Ticket:

• You can apply for CK Approval if:
  • A character violated Second Life terms.
  • A character violated Ultimatum terms.
  • A character repeatedly and unprovokedly committed acts of great harm to you or your faction.
• CK Approvals are at staff discretion. If granted, neither character can invoke Second Life protection in their conflict.
• Characters with a CK Approval against them will be informed and given a chance to appeal. No one should lose their character without notice.

Second Life

Wasteland uses a "Second Life" system to allow characters to respawn after dying in PvP combat.

Invoking Second Life:

1. Eligibility: You can invoke Second Life anytime your character dies due to another player/event unless there is a "CK Approval" against your character or you have a CK Approval against theirs.
2. Making a Request: To invoke Second Life, submit a ticket declaring your request.
3. Staff Review: Staff will review the situation to determine:
   • How your character survived when appearing to have been killed.
   • The scope of the conflict.
   • Any special circumstances or rules relating to the Second Life.

Stipulations of Second Life:

1. Conflict Resolution: The conflict leading to your death is to be considered resolved between you and the person/group that killed you. Neither you, nor them, may engage each other in this conflict any further. If you do, you lose the Second Life protection.
2. Lore Integration: Staff will inform both players how the character survived. This becomes part of the lore and must be RP'd accordingly.
3. Fear RP: The revived character must Fear RP the other character(s) for 14 days. After this period, they can submit a ticket explaining why and how they overcame that fear.
4. No Soliciting Revenge: The revived character cannot solicit others for revenge, including OOCly. Others can address the assault, but they must do so because of their own motivations.

Ultimatums

Ultimatums prevent players from using the Second Life system to harm others without repercussions.

Key Points:

1. IC Agreements Only: Ultimatums must stem from in-character (IC) agreements and actions. Out-of-character (OOC) agreements are not valid grounds.
2. Disproportionate Harm: Ultimatums are granted if violating the agreement would disproportionately harm a person or group (reputation, property, well-being).

Requesting an Ultimatum:

1. Submit a Ticket: Provide the following details:
   • Who is the ultimatum against?
   • Why are you requesting it?
   • What are the terms of the IC Agreement?
   • A screenshot of the IC threat (if you do x, I will kill you), and them agreeing to those terms.
   • How would you/your group be disproportionately harmed if the agreement is violated?
2. Staff Review: Staff will determine if the ultimatum is approved and its scope. All players will be informed of the decision.

Violation and Consequences:

1. Reporting a Violation: If the ultimatum is violated and the offended character finds out ICly, the player can open a CK Approval ticket explaining the violation.
2. Staff Decision: Staff will decide if the ultimatum was broken and if CK Approval should be granted.

See examples of Ultimatums.

War Rules

If a conflict escalates to a point where many members from multiple groups are involved in a conflict, your group can open a ticket and declare war. Staff will then create a War Ticket. In the war ticket, leaders of each faction will discuss the rules that will apply during duration of conflict, including topics such as:

• Who is eligible for being engaged.
• Rules for engagement.
• Date/Times for all out war.
• Areas where engagement is allowed.
• Conditions for considering the conflict resolved.

NPC Combat Rules

Interacting with NPCs in combat generally follows the same rules as players with a few exceptions as noted below.

Individual NPC Combat

Individual NPC combat is for interaction with a one NPC, or a small group of generally non-hostile NPC’s. Generally, interacting with NPCs should be treated the same as any other player.

• Combat can only follow appropriate reasoning and natural escalation.
• Attempts to resolve the conflict without killing the NPC should be attempted (unless the NPC previously indicated OOC they are supposed to die for the story).
• The Staff Member has the final say in any combat situation, including voiding actions taken by your character.

War NPC Combat

This is reserved for special events, which will be announced beforehand. This is a totally different mechanism of combat on the server, and the rules of engagement will be included in the event announcements. Generally, the following rules are in place for a war though:

• Operated in an "Open Combat" style. KOS allowed.
• If your character is killed, they are not CK’d, but can not rejoin the fight.
• Any gear brought into the fight will not be lost.
• Emoting is not required.

Examples of Ultimatums

John witnesses a particularly horrific crime by Sally. Sally is generally known to be a good person. Sally puts a gun to John's head and says: "If you tell a living soul, I will hunt you down and kill you". John, in fear for his life, agrees.

• Sally's player can then apply for an ultimatum on John because a Second Life would allow John to both disseminate the information, ruining her otherwise positive reputation, and continue to live even if Sally did seek revenge.
• Staff would set the conditions: John can not tell anyone of the crime committed by Sally.
• If Sally receives verified proof ICly that John told someone about the crime, she can apply for a CK Approval on John.

All members of a gang must take a blood oath that they can never leave. Jill agrees to this blood oath (both ICly and OOCly).

• The gang leader can apply for an ultimatum on Jill because Jill's player OOCly agreed, and if a second life was allowed the blood oath was pointless.
• Staff would set the conditions: Sally must remain a member of the gang.
• If Jill attempts to leave the gang, the gang can apply for a CK Approval on Jill.

A group of thugs walk the street trying to rob people. Amber resists, eventually getting a gun put against her head. She capitulates and hands over her valuables, then is told "Ever do that again and I'll kill you".

• In this situation, due to there being nothing at stake if the second life rule is enacted, the ultimatum would be denied.

Abdul has an ongoing dispute with Steve. Steve takes it to the next level and firebombs Abdul's house. Abdul applies for an ultimatum in retaliation.

• This would be denied because there was no IC ultimatum given, e.g. "If you do X, Y will happen"

John is a member of Group A. He is tasked with infiltrating Group B as a spy. Laura, the leader of group B, based on some clues and rumors, suspects John is a spy. Laura, along with a couple of Group B members, corner John and question him, to the point of threats to his life should he betray them. John is resilient, sticking to his story.

• Laura can apply for an Ultimatum on John because revealing the information he knows would harm Group B significantly.
• Staff would set the conditions: John can not reveal information to Group A about Group B.
• If Laura finds out that John did, she can apply for a CK Approval on John,

Mary is a self serving little thief. She has been returning to the same faction over and over, stealing food and supplies. The faction notices their missing stuff and sets up a sting. They wait for her to return, and when they do they capture her and warn her: If we ever catch you on our property again, your life ends.

• The ultimatum request would be denied because there is nothing at stake if they are granted a second life