Rules of Engagement

These are our rules for Player-Versus-Player ("PVP")combat, to ensure fair play.

All players must follow them at all times.

PVP - The Rules of Combat

"Even in Death there must be Honour". I forget who said that - but it sounds relevant!

Player-Versus-Player combat is one of the biggest attractions in multiplayer Freelancer. However it is also the biggest problem, when the victim feels that he or she has been harassed or unfairly treated. Many server admins overlook this problem or even encourage it.

We do not overlook it and we do not encourage it.

The following are our Rules Of Engagement and must be followed at all times to ensure Fairness - the most important of our Three Pillars of Virtue.

There is only one exception to the ROE.

Examples are given below for clarity. Click the Notes links to see the examples.

Challenger = the attacking player; Victim = the targeted player.

Notes:

Exceptions

There is only one exception to the ROE:- players tagged [OUTLAW] or [FUGITIVE].

[FUGITIVE]

Players tagged [FUGITIVE] are wanted by the Guild for a bounty. They know that they will be targetted by any nearby player and should be ready to be attacked at any time. Hunters must issue a simple warning to the [FUGITIVE] but do NOT need to wait for a reply before attacking.

[OUTLAW]

Players tagged [OUTLAW] earn their living by killing other players. They are only required to alert their Victim with a simple warning, but must CLEARLY state their Victim's name. They DO NOT need to wait for a reply from the Victim, since the [OUTLAW] tag is adequate warning.

All players are reminded: if there is an [OUTLAW] in your system, then YOU are most probably the intended Victim and should decide in advance whether you will run away or stand and fight.

Similarly, players with the [OUTLAW] tag must again only expect a single warning and should not expect time to reply.

The No Dock Killing rule still applies.

If no warning is given at all then the offended party has the right to complain to the Guild with a screenshot of the chat screen as evidence for assessment.

Example challenges

Example Challenges to a player character called "MadMax":

"MadMax: Pay me $200,000 or die!"

This is a piracy / buccaneering challenge.

"MadMax: Pay $200,000 to pass"

This is a toll challenge.

"MadMax: Prepare to die!"

This is a challenge to the death, no negotiation is wanted.

No response

If a Victim does not respond and is not moving, remember that he / she may be busy, on the phone, or away from the PC.

The Challenger must allow enough time for a reply and must not attack, but must challenge again when the Victim's ship moves, in case the player did not realise that he / she is being challenged.

If there is still no response then the Challenger should challenge again, or decide to not attack.

If the Victim runs away without responding then the Challenger can chase and attack.

If the Victim shoots at the Challenger without responding, then the Challenger can attack. If the Challenger is killed before he / she can defend himself / herself then the Challenger can make a complaint against the Victim.

Example responses

"Hold on" or "OK"

The Challenger must wait and negotiate.

"I don't have $200,000" or "I can't pay"

The Victim must not lie in this response, that would be cheating and unsporting.

If the Challenger believes the Victim, the Challenger must be fair, and may agree to take part of the Victim's cargo or equipment, or less money.

"NO!"

Just "No" is not a clear response. The Victim might mean: "No I won't pay!" or maybe: "No, don't attack me".

So the Challenger must clarify this response by asking another, clearer question, such as: "MadMax do you refuse to pay?"

"Just try!" or "MadMax Never pays!" or "Haha" or "YOU will die!"

These are clear responses, the Victim will not pay and is ready to retaliate or run. The Challenger can now attack.

"Stop" or "Wait"

The Challenger must let the Victim talk. Maybe there is a reason the Victim can't fight or doesn't want to fight.

If the Challenger does not want to negotiate, he / she must declare this clearly again before attacking, by saying for example: "No, prepare to die NOW!"

"I'm new" or "I can't" or "I don't know how"

The Challenger should be sporting. We suggest that the Challenger should ask more questions to verify this, and if the Victim really is far less experienced and is killed, the Challenger should reimburse the player's losses.

The Victim tries to run away

The Challenger can chase and attack.

The Victim successfully runs away and docks

This is a fair escape. The Challenger must issue a new challenge.

The Victim attacks the Challenger without replying

This is not sporting and is against the ROE. The Challenger can attack and the Victim has no defence if he/she decides to complain after.

The Victim does not reply but does not try to run

The Challenger must wait for at least one minute and challenge again. The other player may be away from his / her PC, especially if the character is stationary. If there continues to be no response and no retaliation then the Challenger should be sporting and leave the player alone.

No Dock Attacks

Players must not attack any player who is docking, once their docking lights come on.

If the Victim has run away and manages to dock, then he / she has made a successful escape and the combat is ended.

Challengers must not wait for and attack victims as soon as they launch again without challenging them again first and giving them time to reply.

No self-destructing

Players who suicide-crash on planets or self-destruct to avoid combat or to avoid paying for repairs after combat will be jailed and fined.

No pressing F1 or rebooting

Pressing F1 or rebooting to avoid a Challenger or avoid being killed or even to cease hostilities from non-player characters (NPCs or "AI" characters) is cheating and is forbidden.

No re-attack on respawning

If a player is killed in combat then he / she may NOT attack the other player again on respawning unless he / she issues a new challenge and allows time for a response.

No gang attacks

Multi-participant combat must be agreed to by all parties beforehand.

Any players accompanying a Challenger or Victim may NOT attack any other player unless he/she has been nominated as Champion to fight one-to-one on the Challenger's or Victim's behalf.

If a Challenger defeats a Victim he/she may NOT attack the Victim's companions without issuing a new challenge.

Freedom of passage

In a Toll challenge, when either player in PVP combat is killed, the fight is over. If the Victim is killed, the Victim and his/her party must be allowed free passage through the system for the rest of the day, or for a time period agreed to by all parties.

If the Challenger is killed in a toll challenge, the Victim and his party have earned the right to free passage for the rest of the day.

Ceasefire

If either combatant calls for a ceasefire or a stop during combat, the other combatant must cease firing.

If a call for a halt is only a pretence to surprise the opponent, the offender will be jailed without question.

Complaints

In case of complaints of unfair play these rules will be used by the Guild Elders to assess the complaint.

Send complaints by email with a screenshot if possible, to: admin@rrjds.com

Screenshots

Screenshots are helpful in evidence of unfair play or breach of the ROE, or for "proof of kill" claims. You can display conversations by pressing "Y".

To take and send a screenshot:

With the image that you want showing on your screen, do the following:

1. Press the PrtScrn button, this will make a copy of the screen to the clipboard.

2. Press Alt-TAB or the Windows Logo button to switch to the desktop.

3. Start your graphic program, photo program, WordPad or other word processor

4. Insert the image (usually by pressing Ctrl-V)

5. Save the image or document, and remember or write down the name and where you saved it.

6. Write an email to: admin@rrjds.com and attach the screenshot.