I've had a couple of people ask about recently about the OOC boxes and what is appropriate to include in them so I thought it might be good to do a larger post putting that in one place and tag everyone in the venue so if anyone else is having the same questions or concerns it will hopefully be addressed

ReubanBrightwood Chambers
Orianna Aurora
deltadream Witch
Skye LadySin
Asclepius Jombot
Abyssalstar Thirteen
Lionell Salem
Fedup Mateus

Firstly just in case what is meant by a OOC box.

This is the mage version of an OCC (Out of Chracter) Box!



They are used to convey out of character information or questions, which means yes I completely get why some people might be hesitant about their use or unsure when is an appropriate time to use one so hopefully this will offer some clarity.

Good use:

1. Using mechanics.

If your character is using some from their sheet e.g. a fighting style, power or other merit using an OCC box to include a wiki link and copy/paste of the description is really helpful! (Chambers does not having brute force as a fighting style the below is just an example)

[Swinging for all he is worth Chambers risks it all to try and land a decisive fight ending punch.]

Chambers is using the 2nd dot from Brute force fighting stle

Juggernaut (●●):
The character uses his entire body as a weapon. He barrels forward, smashing his head into his opponent and throwing the rest of his weight into the attack. This is an “all-out attack” per p. 157 of the World of Darkness Rulebook. The character foregoes his Defense, but gains a +4 bonus to the roll as opposed to the normal +2 bonus. Normal all-out attack rules apply.


2. Taking actions:

While certainly not needed for every action If a Character charges, dashes, doges or things of that nature as well as describing the action in post, a quick occ box with the stated action is helpful!

[As the barrage of magical attacks came flying towards him Chambers makes a concerted effort to dodge them and avoid being being hit where he can.]

Chambers takes the dodge the action.


3. Asking mechanical questions.

The area is described as being dark is their penalty to sight based perception checks?



Social use:

If you have read a scene you might well see something like this at the end of a scene

Thanks for the scene!
or
That was a really fun scene! Thanks everyone.


This while not required is nice and absolutely approved.


Inappropriate use:

IC (In Chracter) Clarification.

My character means that ...


My character thinks that ...


To Clarify my characters position on ...


Or any other variation there in of.

What happens IC happens IC and the OOC boxes do not have any bearing on that. IC miscommunication will happen, things will expressed one way and understood another it is part and parcel of communication. By using the OOC box in this way you rob players of a chance to RP the situation out because you have either intentionally or accidental boxed them into a position from which they might unintentionally meta game. We are all here to play the game so don't use the OCC box for this yeah have fun playing the game



Meta gaming (worst use):

We should all know what this is. Using OOC knowledge or knowledge a character does not posses. Using the OCC boxes for this purpose will get a slap on the wrist, more then once a strike against the character and a suspension from the venue, any more and the Character will be removed from play. I am sure it does nto need to be said but do not do this.

That Character is a member of X order so don't trust them.
If a mages order is not known IC this is an example of meta gaming on a few fronts.

Firstly Using the players knowledge of another characters order to inform their character views.
Secondly Using that OOC knowledge try and dictate other characters actions.


We should all attack this guy.
Or even.
What do you guy think should we attack this guy?


Planning actions with others OCC is meta gaming and the OCC boxes should not be used for that kind of communication.

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I think that covers the gist of when to use and when not to use the OCC boxes and hope it helps answer some of the questions or provides some clarity.