Player versus Player in Pen and Paper

There seems to be this general notion going around that PvP in RPGs is inherently bad, whether in and of itself or as specifically applied to rolling dice to headshot a muthafucker -- muthafucker being that degenerative-asshole-across-the-table-from-you's character.



I don't understand this.



I condone and even encourage this shit all the time in any and all games I host. Puts players on edge and makes em' think twice, ramps up intensity and emotional/economical buy-in value and autocorrects asshole/escapist behaviour at the table: this being my experience, of course. Run several different systems in my modest time as a GM and none of them seem to change how the above plays out -- death is a legit outcome in all cases. Much fun had by all every time which I'm very thankful for.



So what's the deal?

Player versus Player in Pen and Paper