Well, and his head? I do agree it should just result in the loss of all your items--and head. But when somebody runs, which is an option we should have, logging off as part of a means of escape should not be an option (mind you, Bat was trapped; his logging off was an attempt to avoid what was coming--and it inconvenienced the players who had caught him. What about them? Were they to wait 24/7 for him to log back on?). Still, AT&T kicks me every now and then for a few minutes. I would hate to get banned in that instance, but if it happened, I would deal with it (and hope for a lesser sentence on appeal). We have discussed the possibility of alternatives, but in the absence of something better, we have to have a rule against combat logging and enforce it. Combat logging is despised on every server I have been on.
I don't feel a ban is necessary in such an instance, as it would clearly not be an attempt to circumvent the scenario of losing one's items.
Combat logging like that is an attempt to avoid loss of items, and it ruins the game experience for other players. Maybe loss of items (and head) would suffice if we were all being watched every moment we are on the server. As it is, we are not. The rule does function as a preventative measure: if you get caught, then you have to face a ban. I'm not sure how feasible it is to have the server track pvp better (beyond the "You have entered combat" phase--maybe distance could be the determining factor. Still, I would require a player to be 8 or 10 chunks away for a safe log-off. And I would make the loss of stuff and head automatic if one logged off in a foreign town).
If I had sufficient evidence, it would have been a simple matter.
11. Don't PvP Log
11.1. Don't log out in an attempt to avoid PvP (either fleeing or to avoid an incoming fight) or prematurely terminate a fight in progress.
Did Bat log off to get away? Yes.