Post originally by LD at 2004-04-20 22:51:20
Converted from Phorums BB System

Games that lack a combat system are sort of like two kids playing cops and robbers with their fingers: "I got you!"..."No you didn't, your bullet bounced off my belt buckle!"..."That's crap!"...."You're crap!"...etc. Except, if you have a game master instead of two players its: "I got you!"..."oh, o.k. Now I'm another guy."..."I got him too!". Maybe this is good for some folks, but I think lots would consider it wretched. There has to be consequences for physical actions, and opportunities for failure that don't just arise out of negotiation between players. That's what the combat rules are for. Any dynamic that does not require this sort of 'mediation' by the laws of physics, etc., and any kind of real negotiations doesn't require the rules.