Vs. Battle discussion thread

[lap_otter]

(Is this the one that's on hiatus? Can I make a suggestion here, or would it be better to do so somewhere else?

(Well, I'll do it here, since this is where I am. Would it be possible for more advanced players to develop a system of stats for their character? For example, the characters that make it into the Cell. In that case, they may not have to wait to get out before they can play others: they can revert back to the current system. Of course characters who haven't made it into the Cell before, and characters who have left the Cell, could still request a new-system battle. That way those who want to can put in the extra effort to determine stats for their character, and those that don't can still play anyone whether they have or haven't. The problem still remains to develop said stats system, and the mathematical formulas to see how they work. I mean, I could find the formulas for, say, Pokemon's stats system, but that rather limits characters to, iunno, Weapon Move A, Accessory/Pet/Lackey Move B, Magic Move C, and Other Move D.

(I like the dodge-phase and the attack-phase thing, and think that that should maybe be incorporated into the rules. Kind of like how Magic: TG (and Pokemon, and probably Yu Gi Oh, not that anyone cares about THOSE) has phases during the turn. At least I think it does; it has been a long friggen' time since I've played Magic. But yeah, if everyone played with two phases it would make understanding things a lot easier.

(I don't feel like I'm done but I can't think of anything else and I'm running two other conversations right now so if I think of anything else I'll come back.)

[Silfedac]

For your first point, I think that, even for the advanced fighters, trying to put statistics in place for the characters would be needlessly confusing and a source of pointless conflict over power levels.

For the second, the "Dodge phase" and "Attack phase" aren't really parts of the rules, they're just something that Meister uses for his style of fighting. You can incorporate them in with your style, but I don't think that putting them into the rules would be a good idea.

[lap_otter]

I will concede the first point.

I will not concede the second point, at least not yet. I know it's not part of the rules; I'm saying I think it should be because I think it would make things easier if it were universal, and help to prevent misunderstanding. You're saying it shouldn't. Why not? You haven't provided any reasoning.

[SpriteMeister]

I like his first point, too. I want to add that I'm not ready for coming up with and balancing out a new system, and don't want to adopt anyone else's system*. Plus there's the problem with balancing characters--with the ones we have, we'd have to create a tier system and some way to handicap, because they're already unbalanced. (It just doesn't matter because of our judging system)
But most importantly, I think--and I have no idea why I didn't think of this earlier--is that I'm afraid issuing stats will put more emphasis on winning than writing interesting posts. I don't want the battles to degrade to "I hit you for (x) damage." "I block." etc. And I'm afraid it will affect judging in a similar matter, and take away--or worse, and point values to--the categories besides "Most Damage". I, for one, don't want to quantify a qualitative judging system.
That said, I actually like the idea of having an optional stat system. If you can figure out one that will work with everything we've mentioned, feel free to let us know. I'm just too lazy right now to develop one myself.
Which leads nicely into my footnote:
*I have an idea of writing a game based on these battles, and it would be easier to transfer it if there is already a stat system in place. Everybody who has participated in these battles or discussions would be included in the credits, of course.
Of course, like every other idea I come up with, it probably won't happen, but you never know.

As for the second point: I was going to say something similar. The two-phase thing is just my style. It is easier to use, yes (and a more efficient way to battle, I think), but I don't see how it avoids misunderstanding; I've been involved in a lot of conflicts through these battles, even some stemming directly from the style I use (this battle is a good example, if I remember right). It shouldn't be required, just recommended, like the character template is.
As well, I don't want to make it a universal rule, because it could interfere with someone else's style.

[Silfedac]

That's what I was thinking here, too. People write with different styles; we shouldn't force them to conform to one just because we think it's easier.

[Pieman]

Also, stats-wise, I think it would be difficult thinking of stats that would apply to all of the characters. Most of them have their own fightng style, so any stats that would apply to them would probably be 0 on most of the other people's.


I'm also craving pie.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Man, me too! We should start a club.

[Silfedac]

The cake is a lie, and the pi is irrational. I say we get some cookies.

[Torg]

No, those have to be deleted.

[Silfedac]

Damn, you're right! Perhaps eclairs?

[Ziggy Stardust]

Neapolitan ice-cream sandwiches? Yum yum yum!

[Silfedac]

Or just ice cream sandwiches in general. Anything with some form of cream in the middle would be good, actually.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Oh really? *Breaks out the Clapton CD*

[Silfedac]

I don't get it. Should I get it?

[Ziggy Stardust]

Eric Clapton was in a lot of bands- The Yardbirds, Derek and the Dominoes, his solo work, and yes, a band called Cream.

[Silfedac]

There you go.

[Pieman]

Cream sounds tastes disgusting.

[Silfedac]

Sacrilege!

[Torg]

I agree. Shaving cream tastes horrible.

[Silfedac]

Even more sacrilege!

[Pieman]

Shaving cream's fine.

[Silfedac]

Slightly less sacrilege!