Lo-Fi Games

I was roaming the wasteland as one often does when a Shek challenged me to a solo duel. Very nice. I beat his ass into the ground with my bare hands (as one often does).

But then all of his buddies showed up and attempted to continue the skirmish. I ended up having to equip a weapon and beat the entire group to the ground.

Very dishonorable. Shame upon their families.
At the very least I didn't gain any negative faction relationship.

Anyone else experience this?

Not this specifically. But I've seen similar instances across the world. Dialog events that start fights, factions that defend their "allies" from the attack. Full blown war emerges.

Small fight starts over some gambling debts? Town erupts into a war until one faction is left standing.

Bar thug gets pissed and attacks you? Every Drifter in the bar thinks you need to be killed.

And of course, as you said. Shek warrior challenges you to a duel? They bring in the reinforcements.

I really think there needs to be a check somewhere to prevent this kind of thing. If these little fight events are going to exist, they need to not start large scale conflicts. In some cases it makes sense, with military patrols attacking for you breaking some law or something for example. But others, like a bar drunk attacking your hiver because he thinks he's a fogman, should not prompt the entire town to defend him. Especially in towns run by outlaws. I'd imagine they would watch and laugh as him and his friend gets beaten into the ground.