The First Sith: Experience Points and Character Levels

[Brandon Rhea]

Experience Points and Character Levels​

In our last announcement we talked about how characters in Star Wars: The First Sith can earn higher ranks by leveling up. Everyone on the site will start at the first level and will need to earn experience points to gain higher ranks and levels. We're calling these experience points "credits." This does not equate to money, and this is not a site financial system. It just adds a bit of Star Wars flair.

How are credits earned?
You automatically earn credits by posting on your character sub-account(s). Every 100 words equals 1 credit. In order to advance to level 2, you must achieve 750 credits (75,000 words). Level 3 will require 1750 credits (175,000 words). Level 4, the highest level, is 3000 credits (300,000 words). These credits are cumulative, so you won't have to start at 0 every time you reach a new level. This is the reason why we are bringing back sub-accounts and making them mandatory, as they will be used to track the credits for each character.

Earning credits will not only be based on word count, however, as there will also be bonuses to earn additional credits. These include: thread completion, willingness to engage in PvP, minor and major plot completion, and more. Additionally, in the event of character death, a new character made to fill that newly-opened character slot will receive 50% of the total credits earned by the dead character, plus the remaining experience earned from that character's remaining threads. Character death will be the only means of removing a character from play and retaining some of the credits earned. Archived characters cannot have their credits transferred to a new character, and those credits will be lost forever.

It should also be noted that the staff will not tolerate any post fluffing to unreasonably boost word count. Fluffing includes copying and pasting to hide extra unnecessary words within a post, adding or quoting entire IC verbal conversations from previous posts into current posts, taking 30 words to describe a salt shaker, and more. Staff will take the time to review posts, so this will be caught. Members caught doing this will earn a warning, and any action taken afterward will result in infractions and bans.

Fluffing in the sense of writing passively, or taking the time to describe what is going on around your character, is perfectly acceptable and will not be punished. Be creative!

Level and Rank Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of what the levels and ranks will look like.

Levels-

• Level 1: Starting Rank
  Characters of this rank will be relatively unknown, mostly known only to family, friends, and other characters they have already met.
• Level 2: 750 Credits
  Characters of this rank are relatively well known among members of their faction. Their deeds and accomplishments are such that even those who don't know them personally within their faction have more than likely heard of them and can probably recognize them either by name or by face.
• Level 3: 1750 Credits
  Characters of this ranks are well known among their faction and known to the enemies of their faction. Their reputation is such that nearly everyone in their faction know of them well, and many enemies know of and can recognize them.
• Level 4: 3000 Credits
  Characters of this rank are known of by nearly every being in the civilized galaxy. Every person in their faction likely knows them by face and name. Their enemies know of them just as well, and while lacking more intimate details about this character, recognize them by face and name.

Ranks-

• Jedi: Knight > Master > Councilor > Grand Master
• Exile: Apprentice > Master > Lord > Warlord
• Hutt: Enforcer > Vigo > Lorda > Supreme Mogul

Each ranks requires you to reach the associated level (i.e. Level 2, Jedi Master) before achieving that rank. However, just because you reach a level does not mean you necessarily earn the corresponding rank. There can't be multiple Jedi Grand Masters, for example.

Distinction Between Levels and Ranks
Levels are gained strictly based on the amount of credits you have and nothing else. They are primarily an Out of Character determinate in how strong a character is in the Force, how well known they are throughout the galaxy, and whether they are eligible to hold a rank/title within their faction.

While levels will be an automatic tool, ranks are based on plots and will be determined by staff. In order to be eligible for a certain rank, you must meet the minimum level for the rank and complete plots for your character. Plots can begin before achieving the required amount of credits to expedite the process. Members will be required to complete major plots in order to prove they are committed to higher ranks and have an impact on the story. Rank will determine how much say you have in the direction of the faction and have some influence on the effect of plots the character can lead.

There will also be the option of not ranking up, for those who wish their character to remain at a certain rank for story or other purposes. Characters that level up and choose not to rank up will still gain any of the notoriety and other perks that come with leveling up. Which leads to...

Level = Power... Kinda
One of the most discussed topics for our team is the question of whether rank should equal power. After long deliberation it was decided that levels would influence a character's skill and mastery in their chosen areas...to a degree. It will not, however, be to a degree where a Jedi Master could automatically defeat a Jedi Knight level character without breaking a sweat, while accounting for the fact that it would also be rather ridiculous if an Exile Apprentice could battle on the same power level as the Jedi Grandmaster.

As far as the Force is concerned, higher level characters will generally have more stamina, power, and/or finesse in the Force than characters of a lower level than themselves. The scaling of this will be a gradual one, with level 2 characters being only slightly more powerful than a level one character, and so on. This does mean a level 1 character would be fairly outclassed against a level 4 character, just as Asajj Ventress was easily disarmed by Yoda in The Clone Wars. This does not mean, however, that being a higher level than another character will be an automatic win; a well-written Jedi Knight could defeat an Exile Master, and a well-written Jedi Knight could defeat a poorly written Exile Lord. Inversely, the Jedi Grand Master could probably hold their own against two Exile Apprentices.

The reason for this change is simple. While it is "fair" in the current system for everyone to be on even footing, the addition of an experience system and other changes necessitate a reward for those who contribute to the site through activity and plot advancement. This also reflects a more realistic portrayal of the Star Wars universe, and the larger emphasis on story and plot in the new timeline.

This is a pretty big change and a very long announcement. Let us know if you have any questions!

 

[Danee]

Hmm, I'll have to read this over a few times, seems pretty decent so far tho, and first.

 

[Richie B.]

There is a lot of mentions of plots and such, am I correct in assuming that some plots will need be to approved by the Admin's? And will we the plays be creating these plots which when finish is submitted to the Admins for additional credits?

 

[Arcangel]

There is a lot of mentions of plots and such, am I correct in assuming that some plots will need be to approved by the Admin's? And will we the plays be creating these plots which when finish is submitted to the Admins for additional credits?

That would be correct. Minor plots that really only have to do with character development can be done and submitted after completion without approval, while more major plots that affect worlds/systems or just the story in general on a larger scale will require some level of pre approvale.

 

[Loco]

Much excite. I'll have to see how the plot/pvp bonuses balance out with the word count rewards for those with more conservative writing styles, but I dig the concept.

 

[Wit]

Love the rules around death and credit transfer! I could see people being unwilling to jump into situations where their characters could die, but this gives them another incentive for taking that risk!

One question, a clarification on levels and credits. Say I earn the credits to be eligible for a level 2 character and I use that to create a level 2 character. Now if I want to make another level 2 character am I automatically eligible for that or do I need to earn the credits again?

 

[Arcangel]

Love the rules around death and credit transfer! I could see people being unwilling to jump into situations where their characters could die, but this gives them another incentive for taking that risk!

One question, a clarification on levels and credits. Say I earn the credits to be eligible for a level 2 character and I use that to create a level 2 character. Now if I want to make another level 2 character am I automatically eligible for that or do I need to earn the credits again?

Credits will be earned by character. So earning enough credits on one character only ranks up that character, and does not have any influence on the credits or levels for other characters. In short, no.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Love the rules around death and credit transfer! I could see people being unwilling to jump into situations where their characters could die, but this gives them another incentive for taking that risk!

One question, a clarification on levels and credits. Say I earn the credits to be eligible for a level 2 character and I use that to create a level 2 character. Now if I want to make another level 2 character am I automatically eligible for that or do I need to earn the credits again?

Levels only apply to individual characters, with the only exception being post-death credits transfer. If your character gets enough credits to reach level 2, only that character advances to level 2. If you create a new character, that character starts at level 1.

Edit: ninja'd

 

[Wit]

Ahh, so each character has their own credit count, hence the linked IC account for credit tracking. Nice, clean, implementation! Gotcha!

 

[The Good Doctor]

All the rules seem fair to me.

Additionally, in the event of character death, a new character made to fill that newly-opened character slot will receive 50% of the total credits earned by the dead character, plus the remaining experience earned from that character's remaining threads. Character death will be the only means of removing a character from play and retaining some of the credits earned.

So, I am sure there will be a measure to prevent abuse, but what happens if someone makes a thread just to write "*insert character name here* trips on his own lightsaber, killing him"

Would that be considered the same of just requesting an archive since what I wrote would be abusing the system for only the credits transfer?

 

[Brandon Rhea]

All the rules seem fair to me.



So, I am sure there will be a measure to prevent abuse, but what happens if someone makes a thread just to write "*insert character name here* trips on his own lightsaber, killing him"

Would that be considered the same of just requesting an archive since what I wrote would be abusing the system for only the credits transfer?

That would be considered cheating. It would not result in credit transfer and would likely carry the same kinds of consequences as unreasonable post fluffing.

 

[Wit]

All the rules seem fair to me.



So, I am sure there will be a measure to prevent abuse, but what happens if someone makes a thread just to write "*insert character name here* trips on his own lightsaber, killing him"

Would that be considered the same of just requesting an archive since what I wrote would be abusing the system for only the credits transfer?

Good question! And expanding on that, what about scenarios where you come up with a legit plot where your character needs to die to advance the story? Would that still qualify for credit transfer?

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Good question! And expanding on that, what about scenarios where you come up with a legit plot where your character needs to die to advance the story? Would that still qualify for credit transfer?

Yes, because you're willing to give up your character in the service of a story, which is an awesome thing to do.

 

[Clayton]

Love the rules around death and credit transfer! I could see people being unwilling to jump into situations where their characters could die, but this gives them another incentive for taking that risk!

One question, a clarification on levels and credits. Say I earn the credits to be eligible for a level 2 character and I use that to create a level 2 character. Now if I want to make another level 2 character am I automatically eligible for that or do I need to earn the credits again?

Each character has their separate bank account, so to speak. You'd need to start again.

Edit: holy ninja guys.

 

[Insalius]

Will there be more ranks for those not part of the three larger factions?

 

[Clayton]

Will there be more ranks for those not part of the three larger factions?

Depends how people running Indies want to structure it, and how populated those indies are. A group of 3 players would look weird if they had a 12-rank power structure.

 

[Dread]

Awesome. This clears up a lot of my concerns.

I'm also glad that PvP wont be left in the dust.

 

[Insalius]

That makes sense. I had an idea for an independent military body, like a pmc or merc group, but only having 2 or 3 ranks for them. Nothing crazy.

 

[Black Noise]

Well damn, I’m excited. I especially like that credits earned for one character stay with that character, and fluff rping will be watched.

 

[Rorren]

I don't think I like this at all, it seems like it would turn this sight more into a game than a roleplay. Also feels like it punishes people who are busy and can't get on often. I would accept completed threads but word count just supports saturating posts with fluff that CAN flavor the experience, but if it's forced by a desire just to rank up then I feel like it will only hurt. In my opinion it's better to leave loopholes for people who don't deserve to level up as fast than to restrict people who do deserve it.

I also don't like the idea of making sub accounts mandatory to make this possible, it just seems to complicate things and may make things harder for newer people to the site who are unfamiliar with managing sub accounts and the like. This and personally most of my free time is when I'm out and about on mobile, and sub accounts would be substantially harder or at least more annoying to manage on phone.

Still disagree with the leveling system making it hard to create a faction character (or at least a Jedi) with any kind of history or backstory, but that is more of a personal opinion to me. However I think starting at a knight instead of a padawan for Jedi is a great way to supplement this, and I DO agree that it solves a problem of making new characters that are too powerful. I just wish there was a little more lenience for the ability to start a character off a little ahead, not very strong or influential but can have a little experience and past.

It goes into the same issue for me that it seems to be turning this site more into a videogame based in writing skills rather than gameplay. That may even be the aim to make this like an old republic recreation, but for people who come here to make a story around/with a character rather than to progress a character's abilities and placement, I don't know how to feel about this.


This is only my initial reaction, and I would love to hear any clarifications or opinions of others. I could very well be wrong with my thoughts or how things are implemented in the end.