My suggestion for combat is a story-based combat system, with a few limitations.  So long as the attacker describes what the attack is, what it looks like, where it comes from, etc., then whether or not the attack hits, or is effective, is up to the defender.  So long as the defender doesn't ignore everything, it allows them to decide how much fun they want to have before losing, and allows them the opportunity to counter-attack along the same rules.  Basically, so long as you don't take control away from another player, or have endlessly overwhelming attacks, it should go fine.<br/><br/>And, I'm interested if you ever get this thing off.