Route 29: mods (
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route_292011-11-05 08:58 am
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Drumroll, please!
First things first: please don't forget that the new Eevee distribution system is now in place! If you've been hankering to app a character and wanted an Eevee starter, both the Starters list and the app have been updated!
And on to the second part...
You've been waiting for a while, we know. We hope the wait is worth it—we've really tried to work in a total revamp. None of the changes outlined here will come into effect immediately, and they're not retroactive, so just let us know if you have any concerns.
Our goals:
1. Make being a Rocket both more difficult and more rewarding.
2. Make Team Rocket a legitimate threat, both to non-members and members.
To do this? First of all, Team Rocket will phase in a new code of conduct.
NEW RULES
1. Rockets will be required to wear their uniform at all times while on Rocket business, including domino mask. Members with long hair should wear their hair up and under their regulation cap to provide less visibility. On plainclothes missions, members will be required to remember a series of keywords that will identify fellow teammates, if unable to identify them on sight.
2. Rocket grunts will be required to provide* one (1) pokemon of uncommon rarity or high level (30+) to the organization each week in order to secure their continued employment. Grunts who fail to do so twice (consecutively or otherwise)** will be cut from the team and their name reported to the police.
*In this case, 'provide' implies theft, but if a wild pokemon can be obtained at level 30+ it would be acceptable. Uncommon/rare pokemon only, please, no Pidgeys, Hoppips or anything else commonly found. Chances are, if it's available in the wild, they already have it, or have no interest in it. Ilex Forest starters (Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Turtwig, Treecko) are fair game, for instance. Uncommon evolutions are also acceptable.
** A grunt is exempt from this if they are on TR business for 2+ weeks, on a special mission, or hunting a rare pokemon.
3. Rockets will be divided into 3-4 member squads (oocly randomized) and positioned across Johto; a special signal from the Radio Tower will connect with Rocket pokegears (and ONLY Rocket pokegears) will keep these grunts informed and updated. Note that this does not count as 'special missions', but only regular work, and these grunts would be required to obey the 1-per-week rule. Working together is highly encouraged.
4. Squads will be required to submit a weekly report (handwaveable!) to their superiors informing them of any updates (or not) to the situation in their current location: new arrivals, economic changes, a surge in the number of wild pokemon, etc.
5. Rocket members should not mention being members of the Team on public venues such as over unsecure lines on the pokegear.
ROCKET STARTERS
Microchips
In the future, Rocket starters will come with a microchip implant; this allows the Team to keep track of its members' positions and correct them as necessary. Grunts who wish to remain in the organization must submit to having their starter implanted with the chip. The microchips can be removed by Nurse Joy, but asking for it...would amount to turning yourself in to the cops.
Starter Loyalty and Levels (!!!)
Rocket starters are pre-trained Rocket employees. Their personalities will still be as varied as any player can imagine, with a caveat: they will be loyal to the Team. Think of it as having a really enthusiastic coworker: if their trainer slacks off, they'll be gently (or not-so-gently, depending on the individual pokemon) reminded to get to work. This is tied with the microchip; removing it causes this behaviour to disappear.
Furthermore, Rocket starters will now begin their careers at level 15*. We feel this is more appropriate for an organization that takes itself seriously and provides only the best for its deserving members, while keeping most under their first evolution.
*This is not a free pass to getting a level 15 pokemon, then quitting TR and getting it de-chipped within 24 hours. If we see abuse, they'll go back to level 5 like the regular trainer starters.
Along with their starter, each Rocket grunt will recieve one (1) free of: Ekans, Koffing, Rattata, Grimer or Magikarp (without tackle, since it isn't a starter) at level 5.
Rocket Starter Availability I AM IMPORTANT, READ ME!!
Team Rocket is a criminal organization. As such, they have something of an...image to uphold. We, the mods, would like to limit potential Rocket Starters. Before we do that, though, we want your opinions.
Here are the starters we would like to remove:
Bonsly, Budew, Caterpie, Chinchou, Cleffa, Corsola, Dunsparce, Feebas, Happiny, Hoppip, Igglybuff, Ledyba, Mantyke, Miltank, Mime Jr., Pichu, Pidgey, Shuckle, Skitty, Smeargle, Smoochum, Sunkern, Surskit, Swablu, Togepi, Wingull, and Wooper.
Cute things, essentially. Rocket members might still obtain these through regular channels, like eggs or in the wild.
What do you think, Johto?
[Poll #1792581]
The new Rocket Base!
As most of you were already suspecting, the base in Mahogany is moving. (IT HASN'T MOVED COMPLETELY YET.) All assets are to be transferred to the new base, in the basement of the Radio Tower. (What, you thought they left it alone? LOLNOPE. But moving a whole base is hard work!)
All new Rocket Grunts will materialize from the Base in Goldenrod from now on. They will spend an obligatory two weeks there, learning the ins and outs of the business under the eye of the Executives. (NPCs, unless PC execs would like to volunteer.) This will keep the organization more centralized and provide ripe terrain for Grunts to learn the ropes.
If your character can handle staying in Team Rocket: You don't have to do anything. Their starter will be microchipped, they'll be participating in the re-intro plot, and further instructions will come in time.
If you want your character OUT of Team Rocket: Easy! If they're a current member, they refuse to report for microchipping and get cut. They'll have to serve a two-week jail sentence, but that's about it! Team Rocket doesn't want freeloaders. :|b
Rocket re-intro plot! You want DEETS?
Sorry, not yet! We're going to wait until opinions regarding rocket starters start rolling in. Expect it next week! But it might have something to do with that magnet railway they're renovating between Goldenrod and...where was it again?
/trollface.jpg
And on to the second part...
You've been waiting for a while, we know. We hope the wait is worth it—we've really tried to work in a total revamp. None of the changes outlined here will come into effect immediately, and they're not retroactive, so just let us know if you have any concerns.
Our goals:
1. Make being a Rocket both more difficult and more rewarding.
2. Make Team Rocket a legitimate threat, both to non-members and members.
To do this? First of all, Team Rocket will phase in a new code of conduct.
NEW RULES
1. Rockets will be required to wear their uniform at all times while on Rocket business, including domino mask. Members with long hair should wear their hair up and under their regulation cap to provide less visibility. On plainclothes missions, members will be required to remember a series of keywords that will identify fellow teammates, if unable to identify them on sight.
2. Rocket grunts will be required to provide* one (1) pokemon of uncommon rarity or high level (30+) to the organization each week in order to secure their continued employment. Grunts who fail to do so twice (consecutively or otherwise)** will be cut from the team and their name reported to the police.
*In this case, 'provide' implies theft, but if a wild pokemon can be obtained at level 30+ it would be acceptable. Uncommon/rare pokemon only, please, no Pidgeys, Hoppips or anything else commonly found. Chances are, if it's available in the wild, they already have it, or have no interest in it. Ilex Forest starters (Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Turtwig, Treecko) are fair game, for instance. Uncommon evolutions are also acceptable.
** A grunt is exempt from this if they are on TR business for 2+ weeks, on a special mission, or hunting a rare pokemon.
3. Rockets will be divided into 3-4 member squads (oocly randomized) and positioned across Johto; a special signal from the Radio Tower will connect with Rocket pokegears (and ONLY Rocket pokegears) will keep these grunts informed and updated. Note that this does not count as 'special missions', but only regular work, and these grunts would be required to obey the 1-per-week rule. Working together is highly encouraged.
4. Squads will be required to submit a weekly report (handwaveable!) to their superiors informing them of any updates (or not) to the situation in their current location: new arrivals, economic changes, a surge in the number of wild pokemon, etc.
5. Rocket members should not mention being members of the Team on public venues such as over unsecure lines on the pokegear.
ROCKET STARTERS
Microchips
In the future, Rocket starters will come with a microchip implant; this allows the Team to keep track of its members' positions and correct them as necessary. Grunts who wish to remain in the organization must submit to having their starter implanted with the chip. The microchips can be removed by Nurse Joy, but asking for it...would amount to turning yourself in to the cops.
Starter Loyalty and Levels (!!!)
Rocket starters are pre-trained Rocket employees. Their personalities will still be as varied as any player can imagine, with a caveat: they will be loyal to the Team. Think of it as having a really enthusiastic coworker: if their trainer slacks off, they'll be gently (or not-so-gently, depending on the individual pokemon) reminded to get to work. This is tied with the microchip; removing it causes this behaviour to disappear.
Furthermore, Rocket starters will now begin their careers at level 15*. We feel this is more appropriate for an organization that takes itself seriously and provides only the best for its deserving members, while keeping most under their first evolution.
*This is not a free pass to getting a level 15 pokemon, then quitting TR and getting it de-chipped within 24 hours. If we see abuse, they'll go back to level 5 like the regular trainer starters.
Along with their starter, each Rocket grunt will recieve one (1) free of: Ekans, Koffing, Rattata, Grimer or Magikarp (without tackle, since it isn't a starter) at level 5.
Rocket Starter Availability I AM IMPORTANT, READ ME!!
Team Rocket is a criminal organization. As such, they have something of an...image to uphold. We, the mods, would like to limit potential Rocket Starters. Before we do that, though, we want your opinions.
Here are the starters we would like to remove:
Bonsly, Budew, Caterpie, Chinchou, Cleffa, Corsola, Dunsparce, Feebas, Happiny, Hoppip, Igglybuff, Ledyba, Mantyke, Miltank, Mime Jr., Pichu, Pidgey, Shuckle, Skitty, Smeargle, Smoochum, Sunkern, Surskit, Swablu, Togepi, Wingull, and Wooper.
Cute things, essentially. Rocket members might still obtain these through regular channels, like eggs or in the wild.
What do you think, Johto?
[Poll #1792581]
The new Rocket Base!
As most of you were already suspecting, the base in Mahogany is moving. (IT HASN'T MOVED COMPLETELY YET.) All assets are to be transferred to the new base, in the basement of the Radio Tower. (What, you thought they left it alone? LOLNOPE. But moving a whole base is hard work!)
All new Rocket Grunts will materialize from the Base in Goldenrod from now on. They will spend an obligatory two weeks there, learning the ins and outs of the business under the eye of the Executives. (NPCs, unless PC execs would like to volunteer.) This will keep the organization more centralized and provide ripe terrain for Grunts to learn the ropes.
If your character can handle staying in Team Rocket: You don't have to do anything. Their starter will be microchipped, they'll be participating in the re-intro plot, and further instructions will come in time.
If you want your character OUT of Team Rocket: Easy! If they're a current member, they refuse to report for microchipping and get cut. They'll have to serve a two-week jail sentence, but that's about it! Team Rocket doesn't want freeloaders. :|b
Rocket re-intro plot! You want DEETS?
Sorry, not yet! We're going to wait until opinions regarding rocket starters start rolling in. Expect it next week! But it might have something to do with that magnet railway they're renovating between Goldenrod and...where was it again?
/trollface.jpg
HEADCOUNT
If your character is a Rocket, tell us here if they're staying or going, so we can have an accurate headcount. Thanks!
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Winry might try the new stuff, but she'll fail... um, hi, jail, hi, you um... you're not that bad for two weeks and boyfriend will be mad at you?
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Rockets still have access to wonderful things he misses from back home. Like money, and helicopters, and sleep bombs and stuff.
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/too lazy to log out
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/also tempted to app a rocket again. /sigh
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All these changes sound so cool and ahhh Rocket plot. Way to trollface. You guys are so amazing. <3
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I like the idea of limiting the starters and taking out the cuter stuff! Maybe if you guys don't want to give people less options, you can offer some Rocket-exclusive starters? (aha)
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My body is ready for all this extreme Rocket stuff.
ETA - oh right, question! Can those Rocket Grunts that are going to jail either break out or get taken out with bail money? No particular reason to know.... nope.
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Question!Actually, I lied, two questions!Are characters allowed to make visits to their less-fortunate friends in the slammer? Or are prisoners completely off-limits for those two weeks?
And on the topic of microchips, is having Nurse Joy take them out the only possibility for removal? Or could characters go in after them themselves, but possibly to the grievous detriment of the pokemon in question?
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2) Pretty much. Home-removal would involve knowing where the 'chip was implanted, which, by the time the process is finishes...well. Good luck figuring that out. They're welcome to try, but it'd still be home surgery, basically. They would grievously hurt that pokemon, and wind up in jail anyway for abuse.
Furthermore, deactivated chips (from a supposedly loyal Team member) will result in your bosses calling you asking you to send your starter back in for another implant...
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The reason why I'm asking is that Louise here and his partner Kia already work together. While I feel they can handle being able to get a Pokemon a week, I think they'd want to remain working with each other rather than being separated.
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One question, though: I'm assuming that lex retro non agit applies here and the current Rockets won't be getting any free extra Pokémon?
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The last time we did Rocket evaluations, Cobra and another character who's no longer here got promoted from Grunt to Private. I noticed most of this applies to Grunts, so how does it differ, if it all, for the next rank up?
And about the mask, could he wear it over his regular mask, like the glasses in this icon? Or would he be required to go without his normal mask?
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Actually, if you could contact my privately (my AIM is sickiebeaver, or send Nero/Watanuki/Leon a PM, or even PM the mod account here), I'd love to discuss options with you regarding Cobra Commander's involvement in the current system. I've got a bunch of options for you, depending how much time and energy you have OOCly.
I haven't forgotten about you!
I know this is lame, but I couldn't resist.
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Handwaving that the rockets are doing their job kind of puts us back in the same place we're in now, which isn't much of an improvement, but obviously having the verification thing every week is a lot of work.
Would it be worth it to do something bi-weekly or monthly just to show that, yes the rockets are doing their job, or something? It could even be OOCly.
Like "Character X caught this pokemon, or Character Y stole these pokemon" or something."
Because I mean, if a Rocket's around Violet city for whatever reason, it's gonna be hard to find a required pokemon, so it might help to make things a little more realistic rather than just assuming it's good every week.
Just a thought. I hope it made sense.
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We also didn't want to make that big of a deal out of it, to the point where it overcomes other ideas players might have. This system allows for people who do want to play it out to do so, lets players of characters with multiple rare pokemon plot with Rocket members to get spied on/mugged/stolen from, and lets people who play characters with strong moral values have their characters deal with the consequences of their actions, while remaining fairly stress-free OOCly.
The consequences of failure are pretty strong; this was intentional, so that muns who felt bored or wanted a change would always have a quick, simple way of getting out of Team Rocket. Unlike before, where Rocket members would just split up and mosey around like trainers, now they have a goal, something to do every week, a plotting point that doubles as a way to get CR, and a whole Base to run around in, set in Johto's busiest city.
All of that aside, if we get a strong demand for some kind of IC Rocket 'check', we'll definitely see what we can implement!
reposted for borked HTML
One question about the weekly theft, though -- the post says that a wild level 30+ Pokemon would be acceptable, but then asks for trained Pokemon. That a typo, or does it mean the Pokemon has to be actually captured (not just dragging it into the base on an improvised leash)?
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THINGS THAT TR WANTS:
- pokemon, wild or trainer-stolen, above level 30
- evolved pokemon
- rare or at least uncommon pokemon
Pokemon should be caught, as in inside a pokeball, when they are delivered. Barring that, they should be at the very least KO'd for easy transportation.
THINGS THAT TR DOESN'T WANT:
- pokemon easily found in the wild
- unevolved common pokemon :|
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...making this decision to ask permission for this, there we go.
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You're stuck with Soviet Team Rocket, sorry.
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POKEMON STEAL YOU
[1/3] ...I am so sorry.
1) (Note: For bits of this I am assuming the two weeks of jail mentioned is also the duration applied to Rocket members who are cut due to inactivity/noncooperation. Do correct me if I'm wrong there, I can't tell for sure from the post.)
Two weeks jail time is a pretty significant punishment, in OOC terms. That's half a month where a character's actions will be severely limited, which could make it much more difficult for some players to get their characters involved in threads, including threads that they need to get to pass AC. And if it was an IC action that led to the jail time, I wouldn't think this was a problem at all, because when players have their characters do something that'll get them arrested, they know jail time is a possible consequence, and they accept that by having their character do the action anyway.
This two-week jail time for all Rocket characters who don't want to hang around under the new system, though? That is not something the players agreed to. While players apping new characters under this new system would be aware of the possibility, and thus implicitly agree to it by signing them up anyway, players who signed up their characters to be Rockets under the old system did not agree to have their characters jailed for doing nothing. I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to doing a plot that got my character thrown in jail for no particular reason, but that would be something I'd have to agree to beforehand. I did not agree to have my character arrested, and this post is basically telling me that he's going to be anyway, because ICly he wouldn't want to steal things. Forcing a character to do something without their player's permission, either explicitly or implicitly given, is pretty much the definition of godmodding. And in fact, by Route's own rules, it is: [Y]ou cannot automatically have another character do something without that player's permission.
By telling me, as a player of a Rocket character, that my character is required to be jailed for something they haven't done, and that I haven't agreed to, and I don't get to opt out of it? That is the mods godmodding my character, and it is NOT acceptable, at all.
So: Make this jail time opt-out, like any other plot. I realize it could be a bit wonky to arrange that ICly, so see #2 for my suggestion there.
[2/3]
I do like the idea of TR reporting uncooperative members to the police, but it seems completely nonsensical for the police to actually arrest everyone that gets reported that way. There are quite a few characters in-game already who are aware that people don't have a choice about joining TR, I believe, and it seems like a huge fail on the police's part for them to not also be aware of this. It's perfectly possible to have a Rocket character who's been around for months and hasn't done anything Rocket-y in that time, so arresting them and throwing them in jail just for being in TR seems ridiculous when it's known ICly that Rockets aren't willingly enlisted. This even more true for new characters who will come in under the current system and immediately want to leave the Rockets -- they've literally only just arrived, been told they'll have to steal Pokemon, and decided not to, and they're going to have to serve jail time anyway? Really? I know the Johto justice systemic is simplistic, but significantly punishing characters for something out of their control still seems ridiculous.
My suggestion would be to handle TR's contacting the police more like an anonymous (and therefore not necessarily trustworthy) tip. When TR contacts them, the police could run a background check on the character / take the character in for questioning, and determine any punishment based on the current system in place. If the character hasn't done anything illegal, or hasn't done anything illegal recently (i.e. that two-week period that a warrant lasts), then don't arrest them. If you do want there to be some kind of consequence for Rockets who've been here a while: they could be forced to spend a couple days at the police station to clear things up (OOCly a few days with limited activity isn't as big a deal, so it's rather less godmody); or the police keep a closer eye on them for a while just to make sure, as a sort of probation period, and any illegal activity performed during that period gets a harsher punishment than usual. Something along those lines seems a lot more fair and a lot less... "wtf is wrong with the cops here".
3) This one is more YMMV, but requiring grunts to provide Pokemon once a week seems a bit excessive to me, OOCly. Yes, it can be handwaved, but the player would still have to account for the fact that their character is doing this. Stealing Pokemon is a punishable offense if they get caught, and it's not reasonable to say every Rocket ever would avoid getting caught every single time. (They could catch the Pokemon in the wild, sure, but there's very few locations currently with level 30 Pokemon available in the wild. That option isn't at all feasible for newer characters.) Even if players agree to their character being caught and arrested sometimes, they might not want to deal with that quite that often; that's four times in one AC period, after all, which is pretty damn often. That could be pretty tricky to work around, especially if the character isn't the sort who gets in trouble a lot in canon.
And, ICly, I wouldn't think the Rockets would want to risk getting caught so much. The police and/or other character would eventually notice a huge increase in Pokemon thefts, and presumely try to do something about it. Which could make for a pretty interesting plot, actually, but it really doesn't seem feasible for Johto to be in a state of constant Pokemon-stealing all the time.
So maybe make it one Pokemon every two weeks, instead? Something not quite as extreme. Also see #4.
[3/3]
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