Short for preparation, this is a term used to refer to a condition in a match where a combatant is given time before the match starts to set up their strategy and come up with new plans/equipment in order to help them win. For example, if you give a character 1 month of prep, that means said character has 1 month to build something/create a plan to defeat their opponent (and if the basic knowledge rule is enabled, they can tailor it specifically to their opponent). The resources a character/entity has for the purpose of prep are usually restricted to what they normally have available to them or could conceivably acquire within their own continuity.

Using prep can allow much weaker fighters to beat much stronger ones.

Rules for a fight with prep:

- Attacking your opponent during their prep time is never allowed (unless otherwise specified by the OP). Even if a character has time travel, reality warping, or any other such abilities, they are not allowed to use them to interfere with their opponent's prep time.
- In order to present an argument using prep, you have to come up with the plan/idea the character will think up yourself. This means you can't just say "He'll come up with something", you have to explain what that something is, why it would work, and provide evidence that he could acquire it in the time allotted.
- If CIS is on, you can't come up with prep ideas that would be completely contrary to a character's personality. For example, you can't say Superman will hold his enemy's planet hostage and threaten to kill them all if his enemy doesn't surrender (it's against his character to do such a thing - although not unheard of).

It should be noted that precognition provides somewhat of a defense against prep.

Characters famous for their prep skills:

- Batman, Lobo, and Lex Luthor from DC Comics
- Captain Kuro from One Piece
- Chao Lingshen from Negima
- The Doctor and The Master from Doctor Who
- Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Doom, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Thanos from Marvel Comics
- John Constantine from DC/Vertigo comics
- Joseph Joestar from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
- Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach
- Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho
- Lelouch vi Britannia from Code Geass
- Ozymandias from Watchmen (DC/Vertigo Imprint comic)
- Professors Farnsworth and Wernstrom from Futurama
- Shikamaru from Naruto
- Taikoubou from Houshin Engi
- Yagami Light from Death Note
- Washu from Tenchi Muyo!
- EvilMoogle and Gig