Post by Ryori Holloway on May 1, 2014 20:43:52 GMT -7
While many Mass Effect organizations, such as the Alliance, make use of a comprehensible hierarchy of power, not all organizations do. This makes it very difficult in situations where PC's are battling other PC's. Because of this, we have created a five tier ranking system that is an out of character reflection of a character's general skill levels and accessibility to resources. We have described them below for your understanding and awareness.
Additionally, we would like to make it clear that being a higher tier does not always mean that you are going to be more successful in your endeavors than those lower than you. The higher tier you are, the more experience you have in your field and the more resources you have at your disposal. More resources allows you the tools to be more successful at accomplishing your goals, and may make you a more veritable foe in battle, but it doesn't mean you are necessarily stronger than lower tiered players. You simply have more tools to use.
It is customary that all new characters start at the first rank of Recruit. There are some exceptions to this, which are at the discretion of the administration. If you are coming to MEG from another board and are interested in transferring your character over, so long as you can provide evidence of the time, dedication, and achievements you've had with your character on the other boards, the administration may be willing to approve you to start at a rank higher than Recruit. However, if the administration does not feel there is sufficient proof of past work with that character, you will be told to start in the first tier. You can only make such a request with a transferring character once, and it must be done before you start RPing with the character.
Additionally, we would like to make it clear that being a higher tier does not always mean that you are going to be more successful in your endeavors than those lower than you. The higher tier you are, the more experience you have in your field and the more resources you have at your disposal. More resources allows you the tools to be more successful at accomplishing your goals, and may make you a more veritable foe in battle, but it doesn't mean you are necessarily stronger than lower tiered players. You simply have more tools to use.
It is customary that all new characters start at the first rank of Recruit. There are some exceptions to this, which are at the discretion of the administration. If you are coming to MEG from another board and are interested in transferring your character over, so long as you can provide evidence of the time, dedication, and achievements you've had with your character on the other boards, the administration may be willing to approve you to start at a rank higher than Recruit. However, if the administration does not feel there is sufficient proof of past work with that character, you will be told to start in the first tier. You can only make such a request with a transferring character once, and it must be done before you start RPing with the character.
GRANDFATHERING POLICY:
We want to make a special note acknowledging that some of you currently have more perks than are approved in the ranking system, specifically in relation to ENPC's. Since this is an issue of us not having any posted regulation on such things, we are not going to ask you to retract anything that has already been placed in your dossiers as a result of these ranking guidelines. So, if you have more ENPC's than your rank allows, and those ENPC's were already listed in your Dossier before today's date (02/04/2015) then you are being allowed to keep those additional ENPC's. However, if you have not yet specified such things in your dossier, you are expected to adhere to the following rank guidelines. If you are uncertain if this grandfathering policy applies to you, please don't hesitate to PM a staff member.
We want to make a special note acknowledging that some of you currently have more perks than are approved in the ranking system, specifically in relation to ENPC's. Since this is an issue of us not having any posted regulation on such things, we are not going to ask you to retract anything that has already been placed in your dossiers as a result of these ranking guidelines. So, if you have more ENPC's than your rank allows, and those ENPC's were already listed in your Dossier before today's date (02/04/2015) then you are being allowed to keep those additional ENPC's. However, if you have not yet specified such things in your dossier, you are expected to adhere to the following rank guidelines. If you are uncertain if this grandfathering policy applies to you, please don't hesitate to PM a staff member.
Recruit
A recruit is the lowest of the power tiers. Widely interpretive, a recruit may be someone who is recently starting to get involved in her field. Her skills may be rudimentary, her knowledge general, and she may need near constant guidance from her superiors until she proves herself responsible. Or, perhaps she may be someone who has been involved in her field for some time, but is at a disadvantage to her peers due to a non-existant reputation and a lack of resource support. Either way, a recruit faces their endeavors generally with more difficulty than most other people. They only have access to very limited resources, are generally considered to have meager funds at their disposal, and their influence in the galaxy is essentially non-existent. Aside from an administrative exception as exampled above, everyone starts in this tier and must work their way up.
How to achieve this rank:
-Start a character. Tada!
Can be formally trained by: Anyone in the same faction/field, rank adroit and above.
Perks:
-Two total ENPC's
-Access to Class 1 weapon and armor upgrades
-One additional biotic or engineering power (if applicable)
Adroit
The adroit is an individual who has perhaps learned enough of his field to competently handle himself without constant supervision. He is adept in his skills, and more advanced in his studies than the average civilian. He is trusted with certain responsibilities and is capable of making some executive decisions if necessary. Alternatively, an adroit may be an individual who has started making a name for himself among his immediate peers, and has perhaps gained enough influence to have earned himself a few rivals. He has access to general resources and is considered to have a reasonable income. Though an adroit still has much to learn before he is considered an expert in his field, he is far from helpless and is generally capable of handling himself in most circumstances.
How to achieve this rank:
-Roughly 2-4 weeks spent actively posting as a recruit.
-At least 2-3 in character threads completed; at least one must be faction or galaxy related.
-Endorsement by your trainer (or a staff member, if for some reason you have no IC trainer).
Can be further trained by: Anyone in the same faction/field, rank paradigm and above.
Perks:
-Three total ENPC's
-Access to class 1 weapon and armor upgrades
-Two additional weapon upgrade slots
-One additional weapon purchase point
-One additional biotic or engineering power (If applicable)
-One custom weapon or item (Must be approved through the standard R&D process)
Paradigm
One is considered a paradigm when he has worked hard enough and long enough to become a noticeable figure in his field. ICly, a paradigm is someone who has efficiently mastered his skills more than the average member of his faction, and has advanced knowledge in his studies. A paradigm likely has a reputation that is known by many of the peers and rivals in his field, even those he does not often interact with. He has access to advanced resources and a higher-than-average income.
How to achieve this rank:
-Roughly 4 months spent actively posting as an adroit.
-At least 10-15 in character threads completed, a third of which should be faction or board-wide stories
-Endorsement by trainer or staff.
-Has shown noticeable in-character growth and development.
Can be further trained by: Anyone in the same faction/field, rank Renegade/Paragon and above.
Perks:
-Four total ENPC's
-Access to class 2 weapon and armor upgrades
-Two additional weapon upgrade slots
-One additional weapon purchase point
-One additional biotic or engineering power (If applicable)
-One custom weapon, item, or biotic/tech ability (Must be approved through the standard R&D process)
Paragon & Renegade
A paragon (or renegade, if you prefer) is an individual who has gone above and beyond the minimum requirements and expectations of her peers. In an effort to recognize a well loved aspect of the ME games, upon being promoted to this tier the writer may choose whether she wishes to be referred to as a paragon or a renegade. Both titles carry equal weight.
ICly, the paragon has become a leader in her field. She is an individual who is typically calling the shots and capable of achieving remarkable feats. She has become a well known entity, even to people outside of her faction or field. Her skills are honed from experience, and her knowledge is vast. She has access to most top-tier resources and has a comfortable income at her disposal.
OOCly, a paragon is someone who has shown exceptional commitment to the board. Not only does she post actively and show initiative in the RP boards, but she is greatly involved in the community as a whole by getting involved with the community and being a helpful hand. This person is exceptional in her writing, takes criticism willingly, delivers criticism fairly and respectfully, and shows active interest in branching outside of her comfort zone to work with all members. She is an individual that is considered a leader and example, both IC and OOC.
How to achieve this rank:
-Roughly 10 months spent actively posting on the board as a paradigm.
-At least 40-50 completed in-character threads, a third of which much be faction or board-wide stories.
-Has shown significant character growth and ingenuity, and has achieved some kind of remarkable feat or goal ICly.
-Endorsement by a trainer or staff member, and support from a majority of the active community
-Has noticeably contributed to the site both ICly and OOCly
Perks:
-Five total ENPC's
-Allowed one additional PC alt
-Access to class 3 weapon and armor upgrades
-Two additional weapon upgrade slots
-One additional weapon purchase point
-One additional biotic or engineering power (If applicable)
-One custom weapon, item, or biotic/tech ability (Must be approved through the standard R&D process)
Can be further trained by: Anyone in the same faction/field, rank Exemplar.
Exemplar
There is no rank higher than that of the exemplar. The exemplar is someone who has completely mastered his skills and is the top of his field in training, experience, and knowledge. His name and reputation precedes him, even in the most remote corners of the galaxy. His resources are virtually limitless, and his income is profound. An exemplar is rarely outranked in his field, and is typically respected by peers and rivals alike.
OOCly, he has done more than show one singular moment of creative ingenuity, but instead has been consistent in delivering top-notch RP. He is well respected by the community, and actively contributes to the site both in and out of RP. He is trusted by staff to help guide other members on the board in matters of lore and RP, and is willing to take on tasks and responsibilities when asked.
How to achieve this rank:
This rank can only be achieved when the administration feels someone has been active and consistent enough in their time and efforts on the board to merit it. An exemplar must be at least a paragon or renegade, but past that there is no definable minimum for time spent on the board, nor number of threads completed. This title is meant to be difficult to attain.
Perks:
-Six total ENPC's
-Allowed one additional PC alt
-Access to class 3 weapon and armor upgrades
-Two additional weapon upgrade slots
-One additional weapon purchase point
-One additional biotic or engineering power (If applicable)
-One custom weapon, item, or biotic/tech ability (Must be approved through the standard R&D process)