Bending Levels

[Kairo]

I know we've been through this before. But we've redone the level system, and we've redone it again and again. The post count/chi system was too complicated, however other systems we've thought up are just as complicated. So I've decided to come to you guys, you tell me what you all think we should do for the bending levels. I'll give you guys some hints I may be willing to work with.

First, I wondered if maybe it's time TAS give members the ability to choose which level their character is at based on their profiles. This would indeed allow players more freedom in the RP's, but I don't think it will sit too well when we get god-modders and such. I've also considered that maybe we keep the master level exclusive, only earned at a certain point where a member will have to take a test to prove they can RP as a master. But the issues at hand are 1) How can we keep members from taking the test as soon as they join— like what would be a prerequisite. And 2) what about members without a master rank. How do we determine their abilities as benders without taking away TOO much freedom.

Then I came up with a second system which involved tests. After a certain period of time, member would be eligible to take a test to advance their levels. These tests would of course test their RPing ability to make sure they are competent RPers who will most likely RP higher levels more fairly. But then the issue comes to hand is how many requests will we be dealing with when the forum grows?

So those were my two ideas. If any of you can come up with ideas, PLEASE share them. Our main goal is to not focus on how much a person posts, but rather the quality of their posts. So... IDEAS!

[Avatar Ren Long]

I think that the first system is better. That way we don't have weak benders vs. powerful benders so to speak. However, in regards to masters, I think that if we set a time limit of say, if you are active for x amount of time, you will be elligble to become a master, ONLY if you find an existing master to train you, as there is only so much you can learn by yourself.

Once the master is found, you train for a bit and then take a RP test. Obviously RP skill and the amount of time spent training will be taken in account. Also maybe a post limit, so say that you must have 200 posts or something before applying?

What do you think?

[Raven]

The system with members just choosing? (And proving. There has to be MUCH initial proving involved in that system or else the god-modding would be incredible).

Finding a master to train you rings back to something we were talking about when we first started discussing the flaws in our levelling system, but it's really a bit complicated, especially since at least at first, Masters would have to be NPC controlled. The point of this is to make Master a very special rank that you really have to earn, so hopefully we wouldn't have very many masters running around. We considered doing a teaching/training thing for a while, but we don't have that kind of mod power at the moment.

The IDEA behind the Master-training-incoming-Master bit makes sense, it's execution that would make our lives difficult. The time limit is a nice idea. Maybe you have to be the level below master (I should know that off of the top of my head. I really, really should) for a while before you apply, or whatever shape that transition takes.

[Avatar Ren Long]

I personally think that since Advanced (which is before master ) should be earnt through RP samples when people apply. That way, people with little experience can be beginners, and so on until Advanced, which will be highest rank you can begin with.

In addition to mastering an element, i.e. getting a Master rank, I think there should be other levels within the Master Rank. E.g. Blue Firebender, Lightning, Bloodbender, Metal Bender, etc.

Also, there should be a very exclusive level above Master, which should be Avatar-level bending. Of course, the Avatar will have the right to apply for this role, but why make it exclusive to the Avatar only? Allow Master Ranks to apply for this after x amount of time of being a Master. I'm sure Ozai (as an example) would be an Avatar-level Firebender, along with other benders out there.

[yukiko]

Perhaps a blending of the ideas? It might be complicated, but the leveling is going to complicated no matter what.

I'm thinking that for those not already established, there should be an RP test to see if they can handle RPing as an x-level bender. So I would have to go through it to become an Advanced bender, like in my profile. If I can't prove myself satisfactorily (as judged by the mods?), then I will have to settle for a lower level.

W/e the title is gained, then after x-amount of time I can seek out a more powerful bender (mods, other RPers, or NPCs?) to advance to the next level. It is then at that bender's discretion to choose who to train: w/e decision is final. If I don't get the teacher, I can try again after another set amount of time. If I get in, I train w/e way the teacher deems fit. Eventually a final test could be hosted to see if I'm ready. Again, w/e decision would be final and I can try again after x-time.

If I passed a Master Rank test, I can then discuss via PM w/ my teacher (or mods) about which Master Rank I earned through the test. The same idea would apply to gaining other Master Ranks (Blue Firebender, etc), once I became a Master. Ditto for the Avatar-level.

Again, I know it would all be complicated. But that's how it would be no matter what. So what do y'all think?

[Kun Ning]

......<.< ....>.>.....

I vote for tests....though it doesn't matter to me....cause Kun doesn't bend....

[Avatar Ren Long]

Wait... why am I contributing to this? This means it's gonna take forever to learn all four elements and master them!

[yukiko]

;D Does this mean you don't like my idea? *snickers*

[Avatar Ren Long]

... don't make me glow... you won't like me when I glow.

[Kun Ning]

Glow bug...

[yukiko]

Don't try to be all Hulk with me, Mister Avatar. *smiles sweetly* It won't work.

[Kun Ning]

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!

*watches*

[Avatar Ren Long]

*glares at Yukiko*
You've just made yourself a very powerful enemy...
*Sits on a rock to meditate*

[Kun Ning]

^ Lame....I wanted to see some fisticuff action....now I have to go find an innocent person to attack...

[Zoya]

Ugh, here I am.... always the extremist.

Anyways, I like the idea of giving the members the choice of what level bender they are... but, see, I think it would depend a bit on their character profile (I don't know if this is just me being a profile mod/obsessed with profiles or something else). Take for example, if someone had a profile like Katara. Only 14, went for like a week or two to the North Pole and totally masted waterbending, that person definitely wouldn't be worth having a master level bender character. It's just not realistic. However, take for example, someone made a character like Kai's. He's 30, and had many experiences/training with bending. That person would be more deserving of master title.

HOWEVER!! This is relating to the test thing. I don't think someone should straight out say that they want their character to be a master. Perhaps, only up to advanced? But anyways, a roleplay test according to how long you've roleplayed (on the site) and been active can be given to deem whether or not you deserve that title. But the only thing that irks me about giving roleplays tests is that every judge/mod has different standards or opinions on what a good roleplayer/roleplay post is.

So yeah... sorry about the rambling. I...er... is just tired. Well, that's how I've seen it successfully been done on other roleplay websites and that's my opinion.