[redox-kun]

first post in mechanics board w00t

anyway, some of y'all might know me for my lack of love for stat sites, but let me clarify. i dislike stat sites that are overly complicated/headaches inducing. if i can't figure out the system in one read...then there's probably a problem.

there's also the matter of fairness to consider. how much of an advantage should the oldest/most active members maintain? if exp is emphasized too much, then it could also be hard for new members to integrate, imo. but stats could also be a reward system for activity, i think.

so what do you guys think about stat sites? how did it work? to what degree of effectiveness did it work?

thinking about adding a few stat elements to my own site

[konya]

don't like them, will never join them. I believe in development through story, not through numbers, and I don't see why there can't be discussion on the side of the players as to who wins a fight, if it comes down to that. I know you get big-headed god moders who think they're the absolute best without question, but I've found more of them on sites that use stats than those without so.

I also don't think a stat system where the older members are automatically above anyone new is exactly fair. idk it's never sat well with me and I've always gotten the feeling of snobbery from it.

also i just hate numbers.

[redox-kun]

oh yeah i definitely know where you're coming from. i've never had personal experiences with overly godmoddy rpers though, so i definitely thought that i should get some outside input.

hmmm what about a stat site that runs on temporary power boosts? i'm trying to incorporate canon field advantages, so.

[harusame!!]

Well first off, I kind of like stats. I mean, they sort of organize the members powers and such. But I have come here with experience and I understand what you mean. Members reach a certain stage and they think they are the very best. Then they get cocky and go all berserk. But stats can organize canon characters very easily. Honestly, I think original sites are easier to work with.

[Deleted]

It entirely depends on how you intend to use stats.

I ran a Fallout site that used stats, but that makes sense since it is a major element from the game. The way my co-admin and I did it was that there were quests and there were various ways to complete these quests, but each of the ways would depend on a stat. If you had a sneaky character, they could pick the sneaky option over the offensive one, etc. Personally, I thought it was a lot of fun. Each post gained experience and a certain number of posts meant a certain level. Nearly every member was able to get the idea and fell into it super quick.

We never experienced problems on our end, but again, we could have just been super lucky with all our members.

[butters]

Stats are super helpful, so I like them. 8)

That is, when the admins actually update them, LOL... It's pretty hard to keep up with your stats as an admin, so I really don't use them.

[Deleted]

I made users be in charge of their own stats.

There was a forum where they posted their base (starting) stats in their own thread. From there, it was made clear how many stat points they got from each level. They had to keep a running track on their stats and post in a stickied thread each level where their points went, as well as updating it in their own thread.

It was a way to keep them responsible and lessen the load on the admin. My co-admin and I would check the threads to make sure that the math matched, but we never updated them ourselves. We only had a few people not entirely understand. You'll always have those people who flub up even when there's a tutorial written up exactly how it needs to be done.

Edit: Sorry, I keep tossing my two cents in. :c

[redox-kun]

ahhhh no no cadence this is good input

but yeah i don't want to be too constraining, but i also want to give people a good idea of roughly where their power levels should be. i feel like godmodder will find a way to be godmodders either way, though. i've seen rpers take advantage of subjectiveness AND power hierarchies, so.

LOL yeah i'm thinking about forcing people to update their own profiles if i do go through with this idea

[Egao, Egao Everywhere]

The idea of stat mechanics isn't bad itself. They are systems that can be as horrible as any other rule. What matters is the actual concept behind it and its execution. You will find a bad system mechanic when 1) It's not practical 2) It does not fulfill its purpose 3) It makes people overly competitive 4) The staff cannot keep up with it.

The negative connotation around stats is the fact it does poorly in all these categories. You find that the numbers aren't worth it, you question how it's supposed to relate to character, you get annoyed of people bragging about it in the cbox and the staff get lazy overtime. I like stat mechanics but I never adapted such a number-based stats. In my old Pokemon site, there were stats - Attack, Def, etc but they were gauged through "Good, Bad, Average" and so on, and each description was clarified in the rules. I think it was the EV system that I added that was computational and the load of the work went to the staff. It didn't really affect power overall. The EV system simply increases the boost of a certain stat when you level up.

I know stat-based sites out there but I never joined them because I saw that the exp system was very flawed. That site in particular had the staff being overly strong and competitive and there was a whole drama about it.

Stats do stop people from godmodding but you're right that it puts old members and certain characters at an impossible advantage. All you have to do really is to put a plug on these problems. Have a set stat experience but allow requests to accommodate some situations. Do know though that this thing will require a number of responsible staff and a small community. Stats often work best at big communities for its ease in structure and execution.

So if you want to use stats, you have to consider the following:

1. Am I willing to make exemptions?
2. How strict am I going to impose it?
3. What would members feel about its effects?
4. Do I have the manpower for it? Or if I leave to members, would I trust them enough?
5. How big is the site going to be?

I think number 5 is the most important question. It not just include stats but all of the site's systems and mechanics. You have to know an estimate of your community so you could deal with them the best you could with the manpower that you have.

[redox-kun]

oh yeah, i totally agree with what you're saying. i really just want to use a system to define power levels and provide occasional bonuses in each attribute catagory. won't be anything that's really worth gaming, i don't think

but this is a really helpful reference either way thanks, tanz <3

[Egao, Egao Everywhere]

Bubbles was right. You have the scariest smiles, Redox.

[redox-kun]

...............................................................................

what how

HOW DO I FIX IT

[darth vader]

why are you listening to tanz

[redox-kun]

..because tanz wasn't the only one qq

[Egao, Egao Everywhere]

lol