Update to the Tier System Explanation of Update: The tier system was originally designed to give all players a fair chance to play in sessions of Maladon. Unfortunately it has not kept up with the explosive growth of the game, and many flaws in the original system have presented themselves. These updates are aimed to fix some of those problems as well as setting the framework to improve the ease of using the tier system going forward. Additionally this new system should allow for faster changes in the future in order to adapt to an ever changing player-base. More tiers, less tears! Explanation: The existence of only 4 tiers of play was fine when Maladon only had a small active player-base with 2 or 3 sessions a week. In the modern day we have 4 or more sessions each week as well as an active player-base that's more than doubled in size. With so many sessions a player can go from tier 4 to tier 2 in one or two days which is not the system working as intended. In order to combat this problem we have added tier 5, and tier 6. In addition the previous 4 sessions in Maladon are now considered instead of just 2. We're starting out with this small change, but in the future we may add even more tiers if too many players are fighting it out in the same tier(s). In addition this change will allow us to quickly add or remove tiers in the future in order to adjust to changes in the size of the playerbase, and number of sessions being hosted. Update: Thanks to the help of Clarence we now have an automated tier list calculator. As such the number of games being considered has been increased to 8. You will be able to determine your tier by checking the list located here . If your name is not on the list then you are likely tier 1, or tier 2. Tier 1: Everyone who plays a Bronze, Silver or Gold Pass . The only other way of gaining tier 1 status is through a Special Exemption granted by a GM, or Co-GM; or by being Stephen.......... Tier 2: Everyone who has played 0 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 3: Everyone who has played 1 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 4: Everyone who has played 2 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 5: Everyone who has played 3 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 6: Everyone who has played 4 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 7: Everyone who has played 5 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 8: Everyone who has played 6 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 9: Everyone who has played 7 out of the last 8 sessions. Tier 10: Everyone who has played 8 out of the last 8 sessions. Clarification: Tiers are determined on a per player basis. The number of characters a player has does not affect which tier they are in. You shall not pass! Explanation: The pass system was originally designed to give new players the chance to immediately find their way into a session. We were worried that veteran players might use their mastery of this system to crowd out some new players, and tried to level the playing field by giving new players passes to get into games without the burden of the tier system. This worked a little too well, and has made it extremely difficult for veterans to find their way into a session. Currently a new player can play in 3, 4, or even 5 games all whilst staying in tier 1. That's without even playing their adventure pass! We love the enthusiasm, but are looking to tone this down a bit to allow everyone a fair chance to join in the fun. The pass system now works as follows: In the past, adventure Passes allowed PCs to set missions etc but the
system is no longer fit for purpose. We used to have various categories
of passes but these are hereby abolished and a new system instituted. Inspired by the Olympics, henceforth I and the other Co-DMs will award Gold, Silver and Bronze Passes for players, as follows: Bronze Passes 1)
Bronze Passes are awarded for role-playing (including text based RP),
for good attendance or for helping around the site. For every 10 times a
player signs up for a game, arrives on time, and does not get a Yellow
Card, they will be granted a Bronze Pass. Two Bronze Passes are awarded
to all new players who enter Maladon. They are played automatically in the first two games a new player enters. 2) Bronze Passes allow a player automatic entry at Tier 1; though the game does count against their tier count for determining their Tier for future games. 3) A Bronze Pass may be played in any game on this site; including all Co-GM games. 4) Bronze Passes do not allow a player any special input into party composition or to influence the mission choice beyond their normal vote. 5) A Bronze Pass must be played within the legal sign up phase of a game and can be played in any game (including CoGM games). Silver Passes 1) A Silver Pass is awarded for monumental Roleplaying, or being really helpful around the site with administration. 2)
A Silver Pass grants automatic entry into a game at Tier 1; though the
game still counts for the player's sessions played for calculating their
tier. 3) A Silver Pass allows the player who plays it to set the mission they want to tackle. 4)
A Silver Pass allows the player who plays it to veto (but not choose)
characters who go on the mission; i.e. if a player signs up but their
character is considered unsuitable, the Silver Pass player can force
them to play another character (or create a new one if one is not
available). Silver Passes do not allow a player to veto a player. 5)
A Silver Pass must be played before signups open or more preferably
before the next mission signup gets posted. This allows for GM's to
prep for the mission earlier and for players to decide if they also want
to sign up for the special mission and create a new PC if you provide a
requirement of no Evil/Good characters and they do not meet this. These
can be played in any game (including CoGM games). Gold Passes 1) Gold Passes are awarded only to CoGMs or for a vital story thread based RP that is central to the main campaign. 2) A Gold Pass can be played in any game (including Co-Gms games). 3)
A Gold Pass can be used to ask a GM to run a game when none is planned;
provided the GM is available. Obviously, this requires negotiation but
allows urgent missions to be forced into play. 4) A Gold Pass
allows the player playing it to automatically join a game at Tier 1;
thought the game still counts against their tier count. 5) A Gold
Pass allows the player playing it to handpick the mission, the players
and characters on the mission. They have complete control over party
composition. They may also pick the campaign date provided it would not
advance the timeline more than 1 month. It can be used to force a mission in the past but cannot contradict the canon timeline. 6) A Gold Pass can be
played like a Silver Pass just setting what type of PCs go or what PCs
can not. (I want an evil party so Cain is not allowed). If played in
this way it can be played before signups start or beforehand by speaking to
the GM as it does not effect sign ups so much. 7) A Gold Pass also
allows you to choose the people/PC's you would like to go on the mission
but this must be worked out with the GM you wish to run the mission before their
next game is announced. This is to avoid players signing up and being first in
line to play to just have a gold pass played and be booted out because
they were not selected. Changes 1.) Players no longer receive any passes for additional characters, or if a character dies. 2.) For clarification purposes any game in which a player plays a pass still counts against that player for all purposes of the tier system. This was always intended, but there seems to have been some confusion about this topic. Example: Tom plays two sessions with his Bronze Passes , and then signs up for a third. Since he has played in 2 out of the last 8 sessions he is tier 4 as he no longer has any Passes to play. Tom could try and earn a Silver Pass to sign-up as tier 1 once more if he had a mission that was important for his character's personal story. Order out of chaos. Explanation: For awhile now players have had trouble keeping track of what tier they are in. Well no more! A new sheet has been created tracking which players have played in which sessions. As a player you should be able to look over the previous 4 sessions in order to determine how many you have played in. This should make using the tier system much simpler for all players, and game masters. Update: The sheet now calculates tiers automatically. It can no longer be updated by everyone. 1.) A new sheet has been created that can be found here . 2.) This sheet should have up to date information on which players have participated in the most recent sessions. If you participate in a session (or gm one) please take the time to update this sheet appropriately, and others will do the same for you. Keep in mind this sheet should only contain player names and not the names of their characters. 3.) When you apply for a session please look at the most recent 4 session and count how many times your name appears. This will allow you to easily determine you current tier.
