Information Center (Must Read)

[ZodiacLights]

Information Center

Welcome to the Information Center! This thread serves as THE thread to read for any and all information about how TBD works. It's recommended for all participants to read and memorize the majority of this thread. The Information Center can be trimmed down to the following chapters:

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Part One: Combat Process
Part Two: The Battle Cube
Part Three: Character Creation
Part Four: Tournament and Events
Part Five: Rules and Regulations

One thing that is universally true about TBD, is that it's always evolving, and streamlining itself to be the absolute best of it's kind. Using a unique division and power level based system, TBD strives to put all players on a equal playing field, whilst giving them the options to let their creativity soar. As you are a part of our society, we ask that you read this entire thread to heart, and follow the rules.  

[ZodiacLights]

Part One: Challenges, and Combat Processes

As stated previously, TBD differentiates itself from the competition by having a unique and orderly system by which it functions. In a niche of the role playing world normally known for it's chaos, it truly comes out of it's own. Generally, one would follow this checklist whilst planning their matches.

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1) Visit the Challenge Board, or contact the person you would like to engage via other means.
2) Decide if the match will be Official or a Spar.
3) Decision of the Match type, Turn time, Variables, Ring out, Strikes, Arena and Drop.
4) Once BOTH players agree to the terms, submit the match information to an admin and they will create a thread in the Battle Cube. As an alternative, you can make the thread yourself if you follow post etiquette.
5) After both players make their introductory posts (absolutely no combat, powering up, etc can occur during these), both players must roll a ten-sided die to decide turn order. Highest goes first.
6) Acquaint yourself with your opponents face! (Aka. Fight!)

Though most fights are 'to-the-death', death if a temporary state in TBD. A character may paint the Battle Cube with their insides a thousand times yet still fight without repercussions in future bouts. The exception is of course a Death match, in which the player in general will be suspended from playing their character for a period of time, or losing their character altogether.

After a match has been resolved, submit the information to a moderator and they will update the roster and close the thread.

At the very basic level, any match can be categorized in one of two ways: Official and Spar. An official match is basically any match that is counting towards rankings. As such, these are usually supervised by admins. Spars however are purely for recreation, and in no way will count towards official matches. Due to the casual nature of a spar, no admin supervision is required.  

[ZodiacLights]

Part Two: The Battle Cube

One of the greatest things about TBD is the sheer amount of options participants have when creating their matches. It can be a bit overbearing at first, but if players adhere to the following template things will stay smooth:

Match Type: What type of match is this?
Turn Time: How many seconds are given to act per post?
Strikes: Yes/No? If Yes, how many?
Ring out: Is Ring out and instant loss?
Variables: What variables are in place during this match?
Drop: What waits fighters in the ring out zones?

Simple enough, right? Fill in the above template with any of the options below to create a truly unique experience.

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Match Types
If all matches adhered to being 1vs1, TBD would be a very drab and boring place. As such, there a many different kinds of matches available:

1vs1: Obviously the most basic kind of match available in TBD.
2vs2: Two fighters versus two fighters.
3vs3: Three fighters versus three fighters.
1vsX: A handicap match. One fighter versus multiple fighters. This match can cross Skill Divisions and Power Levels.
FFA: Up to 6 fighters pitted against one another. The winner is the last one standing.

Match Variables
Tag: In regular matches, all fighters are on the field at once. If tag is selected, the current fighter may swap with another if possible. There can however only be two fighters in the arena at anytime. Fighters not currently fighters are considered in stasis can cannot heal or affect the match in any way shape or form.
Crescendo: Players decide on a number, and after that amount of posts, a new player (for one or both sides) enters the fray. This can be in synergy with the tag variable in that players enter in stasis can can be brought in.

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Turn Time
Turn Time is essentially the amount of time each post can span. This exists to prevent people from using powerful godlike moves that make take a minute to charge, or performing a hurricane of actions within a single post. The standard for this is 10 seconds, though this can be adjusted accordingly.

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Strikes
Strikes are a major variable in TBD. Essentially, a strike allows you to turn a normally fatal move against you into a non-fatal move. For example, a high speed axe blow to the neck could somehow "miss" if you use your strike, even if it were impossible otherwise. Strikes can only be used for Defensive purposes, and you must state you're using it during the start of your post. Chance-Strikes are a variable of regular strikes. Instead of being able to use a Strike as a guaranteed save, both players must decide on the chance rate (Choose a number between 1-100). Using the roll function in Gaia, players must roll the number chosen or higher in order for their Strike to succeed. Most official matches don't allow for Strikes.

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Ring out
Typically, a Ring out is an instant loss, even if there's nothing dangerous there; this is to streamline matches. To fully classify as a ring out, a character must have absolutely no means of returning to the fight from the drop.

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Variables
Variables are essentially modifiers that can turn otherwise normal matches into something quite different. Players may choose as many variables as they wish, as long as there's no clashes between them.

Death Match - Yes, your characters die all the time in TBD; but they are resurrected afterwords. With this variable, you're essentially fighting for 'pink slips'. If you die, you may be suspended from combat for a period of time, or you may never use that character again in TBD.
True Death Match - Exactly the same as a regular Death Match, only if your character is killed, your entire point earnings are erased along with your character.
Ability Ban: ______ - Essentially, this allows for further equalization in matches, should you choose to use it. You can choose to insert any amount of abilities you want (Such as healing, light speed maneuvers, time shifting, teleportation, etc.) into the blank to reduce annoyances in battle.
Ring Out Only - The only way to win the match is to send your opponent into the drop below. Killing blows are not fatal in this kind of match up, though everything else goes. It's impossible to lose consciousness as well.
No-Ring Out - Characters are completely immune to the effects of Ring out hazards. If characters are knocked out of the ring they will return to floor as if nothing happened. If possible, fighters can also fight in the ring out area (Pillars without a drop hazard, for example). This is for fighters that want to win through barbaric means.
Indestructible Ring - The ring cannot be damaged by any means.
Zero G - Because gravity sucks, feel free to exploit this variable to your heart's content. Drops can be placed anywhere in this match up.
Soul Switching - Ever want to play your opponent's character? Now you can!
Stock Match - With this match type, you only win once you defeat your opponent a pre-set amount of times. If you are defeated, you simply re-spawn and are brought right back into the fray.
Blitz - Tired of waiting for someone to post, only have them log off? This variable requires that the fight end in one sitting: Victory comes with A) Death, as usual B) Ring outs or C) Log offs. A 10-min grace period is given for family issues, disconnects, and/or other issues.
Time Match - A variant to Blitz; both opponent must post after each other within a few hours/days (Fighter's choice) or they are forced to forfeit the match.

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Drops
What is a drop you ask? It's whatever is waiting for you in the ring out zone. All drops are completely indestructible.
-None
-Spikes
-Bottomless
-Magma
-Water (Can have all sorts of vicious sea creatures within.)
-Liquid Nitrogen
-Acid
-Gears
-Oil
-Tar
-Quick Sand
-Ice Shards
-Plasma
-Black Hole/Vortex/Vacuum
-Electrical Fencing
-Storm Cloud
-Chaotic Space

 

[ZodiacLights]

Part Three: Character Creation

TBD strives off of order, and that order also makes itself into how Characters are categorized themselves. There are two axis in the TBD system: Skill Level and Power Level. Skill Level is how good you are as a player at textural combat. There are two categories of skill level in TBD:

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Regular
Advanced

Players are able to choose which of these divisions they wish to be a part of initially, but if they change their mind later they will have to consult an admin. In official matches, it's only possible for fighters of the Regular division to fight other fighters of the Regular division, and for fighters in the Advanced division to fight other fighters in the Advanced division. These divisions mean nothing when it comes to spars.

The second axis is power level. Power level is quite simply how powerful your character is - It isn't fair for a basic swordsman to be fighting a demigod that can move planets, for example. There are two power levels:

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Basic
High

Basic encompasses all melee and standard magic/energy users. Though they can be powerful, they can never for example bend physics, or tamper with the fundamentals of the universe itself. High is the opposite side of the coin: This division is a essentially a battle of gods. Your characters power level can only be determined by an admin after reading your profile.

I'm sure you've got some sort of image in your mind right now of where you stand, now we can move onto Character Creation itself!

When creating a character, we STRONGLY advise you stick to the following layout to avoid confusions:

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Name:
Account Name:
Gender:
Age:
Race:
Appearance: (Note, images are okay, but we'd strongly perfer it if you'd link to them or use thumbnails.)
Personality:
Abilities: In this field, type up the abilities that your character has. Abilities can range from racial traits, to magic use, to biological enhancements, etc. Your imagination is the limit here.
Equipment:Describe the equipment your character uses, and what it is capable of.
History:

The following conditions apply to profiles:
-You are free to have up to 3 characters in TBD. Of the three, one of them must be in a different Power Level than your other two (if applicable).
-You can have one character that is a complete rip-off of a game/anime/tv-show etc. Only one!
-You cannot borrow or completely steal ideas from other characters from any mediums.
-You can have one character that fits into the world of an established anime/video-game/tv-show, but only if it doesn't interfere with the plot or story.

All profiles must have the fields above filled out. Upon completion of your profile, you can post it on the Profiles forum. We ask that you name the thread exactly what your character name is. One you have your profile finished, you're free to compete!  

[ZodiacLights]

Part Five: Rules and Regulations

In any society, it's members must adhere to rules in order for the society to exist. Without rules, such society would crumble to the ground.

This is why we have rules here at TBD. All fighters must adhere and keep these rules in mind when taking part in guild activities. We want to keep things smooth, and friendly for everyone.

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1. No Godmodding: Quite simply, you are not immune to anything and everything. A very serious rule in any role play.

2. No Powerplaying: Every attack you do does not automatically hit the target regardless. If it does, you've powerplayed. A very serious offense.

3. Patience: We ask that everyone keeps a cool head within TBD. Textural combat can take a long time to play out. Likewise, everyone leads lives outside of the guild.

4. No Complaining: If you have constructive criticism, by all means let us know. If you simply want to troll and annoy us, please leave.

5. Posting: Please only post where you are allowed to.

6. Literacy: We can understand that everyone has different levels of writing skill, however we'd prefer it if you actively try to keep proper grammar at all times.

7. Third Person: We'd prefer it if all combat posts were done in third person. It can be notoriously hard to follow first person posts.

8. Profiles: Quite simply, if you don't have a profile, you can't fight. No exceptions.

9. Four Matches: You may participate in four matches at any given time. If you're in a tournament, but waiting for your round, that still counts towards your total of four. You may only be in one tournament at a time.

-This list may change, be added or subtracted to, at any time..

Punishments

First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: Strict Warning.
Third Offense: Taking away of Guild functions, i.e. smaller fight counts, fewer characters, etc
Fourth Offense: Short-Time Ban
Fifth Offense: Ban