Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition: A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy.
Wow, you have a point... if everyone does start out with 200h/200a, and there's all weapons and weapons stay, we're all on an equal footing. Most people don't try things unless they are forced to do so. I know the purists won't like this idea much but you never know until you try.