One thing costumed villains don’t like is heroes. It goes without saying. This is especially true when you have Heroes who know what they’re doing.

Whether the heroes are part of a group or alone when they meet villains (Criminals and Delinquents) in the process of crimes, violent or otherwise. When they follow the ACIDS approach, they improve their chances of stopping the villains’ plans in their tracks.

ACIDS approach to thwarting the villains’ plans

Assess – the situation – is anyone in mortal danger? Is it a setting? What weapons could or are the villains likely to have? Is this a situation you can handle alone or do you need support in the form of local enforcement, i.e. the police?

Is it worse to do nothing than to get involved right away? Remember that the comic book hero, Batman, may track a kidnapped victim to the villain’s abode before implementing a rescue plan.

Call – the Police and inform them of the crime in progress. Don’t assume someone else has. Please include the following:
To lease.
Estimated number of perpetrators.
Anyone injured.
Visible weapons if any.
If the villain is moving, then in what direction.

Intervene: Use common sense here. What is your goal in intervening? Would it be enough to call the police and track the perpetrator until the police catch up with him? It pays to read and practice military strategies and tactics when dealing with a number of different situations. For example: Are you outnumbered? Are you outdone? Can you surprise them and use that to your advantage? Can you extract the victim and still be effective? Can you use Terrain to your advantage? How?

Diffuse – This can also be disarmed or dismantled where needed. Inform them that the police are on their way and that your photos have been emailed to your support network in case you are attacked. Ask them to leave, but be sure to stay together (if you’re part of a group) whenever possible. Deny security threats as a priority, unless your priority is rescuing someone, then it’s judgment, but keep in mind that injury or death is always a possibility.

Safety – Survival: Make sure you and the victims (if any) are safe. Or make them safe too. Don’t forget your own safety, you can’t save a drowning person if you are unconscious because you have been hit against some rocks. Keep first aid kits handy and learn some first aid as well. Move to a safer place if necessary, preferably a public place with security cameras or a hospital or police station/police station. If you need to retreat to another position, find a spot that will give you protection from the attacks you are likely to receive.

Above all, make sure you stay safe. If you plan to actively follow this line of daily participation, be aware that it is dangerous. People have died in the past. And they were just normal citizens. Hopefully, if you are faced with a situation where others are doing something wrong, this approach can help.

Having said all of the above, if you decide to go out and actively pursue this activity, then a costume or disguise may be the best way to protect yourself. You can put on colored contact lenses to change the color of your eyes, wear a mask. Or even a completely different costume.