by GDEXXY » Aug 21, 2003 (1:35 am)
Everyone has mixed feelings about this so I'll summarize, then break down both of your examples.
As long as the player operating both personas is clearly responsive with both and can maintain a role-playing perspective with both, it is generally not a mechanics abuse situation. If any average passer-by who attempts to interact with either (or both) characters can't easily tell whether or not that's the case, then there is nothing disturbing to the gaming environment by what the player is doing.
If a player has two characters that are learning skills from each other and are responsive (as above), then this is not an abuse or violation of any kind unless the actions become very repeatitive (disturbance) or "scrolls" fast enough (disturbance). This is usually pretty clear when it's happening.
If a player has two or more characters that are purposely being injured or otherwise constantly cause a situation that would generally be very anti-role-playing (like being intentionally hurt, getting killed, etc.) ESPECIALLY for the intended purpose of one of their (or even anyone else's) characters to have the opportunity to heal/help them for experience or some other gain, then that is a clear-cut example of a mechanics abuse, as Katiana points out. Report this if you see it.