I'm currently working on creating a structured PvP Arena, hopefully for use both on the forums and in the real world. I just posted an interest check in PbP recruitment (which you can read here for more info), but I'm also realizing that some of the specifics could use some work.
The overall idea of the physical combat space is a gladiatorial arena, presumably run by an extremely powerful entity or organization, from which there is no retreat, and in which characters can fight against one another in whichever horribly broken way they please. I had originally envisioned it being something like 60, 70, or 80 feet long, but as I looked at a grid, it became apparent that it is difficult to give an exact size without benefiting some builds more than others (too far and archers have a major advantage, 40 ft. away means heavy armor builds can charge it, 60 ft. means medium armored fighters can do it while heavy armored ones can't, things like that). I had also thought of adding some walls or columns to the arena, to prevent archers from always full attacking, disrupting LOS for spells, charges, etc.
What might be a good sort of arena that doesn't horribly weigh the odds in favor of one type of character? I don't mean weighed odds in that some characters will be inherently better at arena fighting than others, that will always be the case, but what might be an optimal layout for a combat space to promote some amount of balance?
If you want:
Circular Arena: I suggest using a Hex Grid with full Hexes taken up with Columns and such.
Square/Rectangle Arena: I would build it as an Open Maze. This gives cover & breaks up LoS/LoE. Look up some Infinity: The Game Table Pictures and use that as inspiration.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. I always have at least one Arena/Dueling Field in all of my Worlds.
EDIT: I strongly recommend a 25+ Point Buy Spread. It allows more concepts to be usable. Maybe allow Vital Strike to combine with effects it officially can't, like the TWW's Doublestrike or the Mobile Fighter's Capstone. Maybe give them a slightly higher Starting Gold. Like Max Class Starting Gold or 500gp but can only be used on Mundane Items or Consumable Magic Items.
Also don't have the victory money taken from the Loser. It promotes Over-Optimization and might as well just be a DPR Olympic Test.
Yes, I have given this way to much thought and devotion. Welcome to the insanity of Gladiatorial & Dueling Combat.
Thanks, Azaelas. I mentioned the Arena of the Gods in the other post, it seems awesome, I hadn't known about Chaiboy's though. I really wanted to keep the concept of an open battlefield, with crowds surrounding it and a magical dome overhead to prevent too many flying shenanigans. I had also originally had the PB at 25, I'm not sure why I changed it, but I put it back. How effective has arena combat in a PbP format worked for you so far? I was hoping to be allowing for pretty much any tactic that works against an NPC, including secretive actions. Have you found such things possible in an online arena, where in most cases you can see exactly what your opponent has (mechanically) done on his or her turn?
Edit in response to second edit:
Oh, but see, I want this to be a DPR olympic test of sorts. The rules I originally wrote were meant to encourage optimization (over or otherwise), to see how superpowered characters fare when they need to start fighting one another at Level 1. The victory money being taken from the loser (they can't drop below WBL) I think is helpful to reward characters for not losing multiple bouts in a row. Is your suggestion of higher starting gold to benefit martial characters/people who need armor? I don't have any specific attachment to 200, but I'm not sure what the comparative benefits of higher would be.
I'll take a look at all of this, though, I appreciate the feedback.
Mine is still in the recruiting phase until Midnight (Central USA Time) tonight.
But I find PBP is nice for this.
Discussion will be used for Exploration.
Gameplay will be for Combat.
Discussion will be used for Character Advancement and such.
Gameplay will be for the Combat.
I am going to allow crafting but you can't start with any crafted gear. Mainly because it means you will be stagnant while crafting.
The PM System is excellent for Secretive Actions.
I am even debating on switching my AotG to this or seeing if they would rather switch over to a Sandbox Campaign. Though it would be their current characters until one of them wins. Though this would require a major restart of the campaign...
But as it stands if I don't feel there will be a good competition or it will be to one sided I will call it.
& man I need to start running some of these campaigns... I have a 15-Page Word Document in 10 point Times New Roman filled with Campaign idea ... Each linked to another Document that links to that campaigns current planning...
EDIT: I am meaning for the DPR part is that you will see only certain builds dominating (2H Barbarians or Fighters). & The Starting Gold is more for Martials which is why I say Max Starting Gold. Simply so Martials can get their necessary Gear without to much hassle.
I might even consider giving them Double Max Starting Gold.
Oh! You might also want to allow Piecemeal Armour. It fits nicely. And I would allow the Performance Feats and increase the VP to 10 per level.
so to get to Level 2 you need 10 VP, Level 3 you need a total of 20 VP. instead of losing Wealth maybe make it they lose VP. If they would lose a Level because of it they gain a negative level until they gain back their VP back.