Poll regarding Kayfabe rules of hentai in non-hentai matches.

Yori wrote:My Stance is this:

There is nothing to be gained by making hentai an "always legal" tactic that benefits the in universe aspects of AFW as a whole. It presents issues with justification for characters who do not partake in hentai stuff, be it due to player discretion or in character reasoning. You also run into issues with meta justifications. Such as why someone known to use hentai tactics suddenly doesn't use them in a match because the players have decided not to involve hentai stuff. Well what is the in character reasoning for that now? Is there any? While I have plenty of characters who actively take part in things that include lewd roleplay, I do have several characters who I in no way want to be involved with that side of AFW and its inclusion being made the norm really puts into question why they even are in AFW as a league.

Ever since I first joined I have always treated it as an illegal maneuver within standard matches akin to things like illegal chokes, hair pulling, low blows, etc. This adds weight when it is used outside of its normal setting, and gives it a certain sense of danger for both wrestlers involved. It being made legal, to me, takes away from a toolkit of subtle or seductive characters that try to sneak these things in on a character that wouldn't be expecting it just like any other form of cheating. It is incredibly easy for someone to include hentai in a match with a small note denoting its use is legal in a particular match or the match itself is a no holds barred rule set. I know this, because its exactly what I have always done myself and have faced a total of zero negative feedback with my roleplay partners.

In a broad summary, making everything okay and legal in universe is boring and cuts off interesting roleplay potential. This applies to more than just hentai, mind you, but I am trying to keep on topic.

Yori wrote:Making hentai just another move doesn't make it unique. Normalizing something, by its nature, makes it less unique as it becomes the new standard. These is nothing to stop a character from doing what you gave as an example and having it still be an illegal move.

I can think offhandedly of a plethora of more interesting plot hooks, engaging spots, and interesting angles to come from it being left as an illegal tactic when used in standard matches instead of it just becoming a homogenized mass.

You can just as easily have a match that allows hentai without changing the rules to inconvenience already existing characters and worldbuilding for no real benefit.

Tarantulust wrote:I can see some issues... It's extremely limiting in all the ways Yori has already pointed out.

I mean as a spider that tends to write heels, any Heel/Villain whose persona lends itself to Sensuality or seduction would be kinda neutered if hentai was allowed (Ironically). Their use of seduction or perverted tactics helps paint them as villains because their opponent is not comfortable with those things. It invades their personal space and crosses the professional boundary. Letting it be okay takes that away from them, or at least that unique quirk about the character.

I disagree with the idea it brings unique scenarios to a standard match. Jstruggs example could easily happen in a hentai match, if you were so inclined. If it remained an illegal move, then it could help establish a clear antagonist in a fight, or reveal a much cruller personality. I think you can be flirtatious in a standard match, but there is a reason why its mostly Heels that do so. Some characters are not comfortable with it or the idea of being involved in such matches.

I dunno...those are just the unfiltered thoughts of a semi-mad scientist.

LunarWolf wrote:A while back we had a thing called a Semi-hentai match. Which was just a normal match with hentai stuff allowed iirc?

So I don't see a problem with making it illegal. If people want a match where that should be okay in the match they can just do that, label it as a Semi-Hentai match. or Hentai-Allowed. As long as it doesn't impose anything...for people rping and doing whatever they want.

Jstruggs716 wrote:
But to me much more interesting hentai moves were legal than illegal move. And also don't see how it would inconvenience already characters and world building.
No real benefit in making hentai move illegal in standard matches neither.

Jstruggs716 wrote:Not really does it tho as a face could easily do the same thing and still be considered a face without having cruel personality.