GAME MECHANIC: Looking for input on "rules of engagement" (or auto-attack)

[Volte6]

When should a players character automatically begin attacking mobs, if at all? Here are some scenarios to consider:

• They are in a party, and the party leader attacks a mob
• They are in a party and a non-party leader attacks a mob
• A mob hits the player directly (engages in a 1-way attack on the player)
• Similar to above, a mob aggros the player directly (before a hit is landed)
• A harmful spell is cast on the player by a mob
• The player defeats one of several aggro'd mobs (i.e. there are more still attacking)

There are probably some other scenarios too.

Should players only engage in combat with mobs when they explicitly indicate they wish to? Running through an area where mobs hit the player would become difficult if you constantly auto-engaged in combat.

[ArmoredArtist]

Some ideas - I would set a flag to auto attack back when attacked in any way (on or off) that way when traveling you could just flag it off to do so. I think if your in a group the party leader should have to initiate the attack always then you auto attack if he does first (by grouping up your agreeing to fight together). You do not want your personal attack flag logic competing with anyone in your group because the leader might not swing while traveling but you have it set to on and start attacking by yourself so it should default to the leaders combat logic.

[Volte6]

Well having a flag or configurable behavior is fine, but there should still be some default behavior prior to players overriding it...

[ArmoredArtist]

Maybe default on the side of caution to full auto attack back to everything. When they travel and it annoys them then they will figure out how to flag it off :)