Player versus Player combat is clearly central to the game's dynamic, and there's been much discussion of how the mechanism will work, with talk of getting experience points (or XP) from players as well as NPC monsters. Here's how. As the situation stands, there are a number of sets of shoes (as it were) into which players must step, in order to exist in the world. The default position is that of bystander, who is your average player, unable to participate in PvP combat or be targeted by ruthless assassins. Although safer, these players are unable to gain XP from trade tasks, or from killing players, being left with the rather duller monster whack marathon. Then there's your XP traders -- these players are undertaking trade tasks such as moving goods from one city to another, where they are needed -- gaining XP by doing so. This sounds nice and easy, except it's more like running the gauntlet, since XP traders can be attacked by the third type, Outlaws.