After reading and mulling over Fier's post, I want to suggest a system for choosing TI monsters/maps that's a bit different than the current one.
I hope we get some kinda reply from the CM team if we gather enough interest. I'll try to pester them to answer and comment on the tiki stream.
Warning that it'll be a long post (Word says over 1350 words), worth the read and your time, I hope. Happy reading and sorry for the crappy editing, didn't wanna scare you right away with a wall of text.
1. Choosing monsters
1.1 Intro
Before I begin here, small disclaimer, there's a list of monsters they'd prefer in TIs:
70-100
Ground Petite
Skel Prisoners
Rafflesia
Stem Worm
Joker
Bathory
Zhu Po Long
Punk
Cramp
Jing Guai
Dragon Tail
Spring Rabbit
Mao Guai
Pitman
Pasana
High Orc
Assaulter
Cendrawasih <- Almr crushed my dreams and hopes, I think this one doesn't qualify anymore :c
Enchanted Peach Tree
Mavka
wraith dead
Dark Priest
101-125
Vanberk
Isilla
Ground
Sky Deleters
Death Word
Ancient Mimic
Succubus
Incubus
Lava Golem
Flame Skull
Gremlin
Centipede Larvae
Aliza
Aliot
Alicel
Plasma
False Angel
Gibbet
Zombie Slaughter
Isilla
Nightmare Terror
Ice Titan
Snowier
126-150
Incarnation of Morocc (Golem)
Incarnation of Morocc (Human)
Any Bio2 combination
Phylla and
Ancient Tree one
Dolomedes
Parus
Skogul
Frus
Acidus
Skeggiold
Byorgue
Gemini-s58
Scaraba
Take note that the thread was made in April 2013, I dunno if we can add more monsters (we probably can, there were Menblatts in a TI before). Also:
Our preference is not to include monsters that have super limited spawns, or who have very very long spawn times normally or ones that spawn a mob. We would like to avoid "mini-boss" monsters. Monsters that come from instance dungeons only are also ones that we do not want to have for TIs.
1.2 Sorting out and choosing the monsters
So, first thing I'd propose is to get a new and updated list of monsters that could be put into TIs. Maybe we could make a list of monsters (note the preferences above, we don't want angelings and such in TIs do we now?) and after we make it, send it to Oda/Camp so they can check it out and say what can and what can't be added.
After we get a new list, they'd close the old TI sugg thread and open a new one with the updated list if possible. Let the people post what they want and keep track of it (see point 3. The Mastermind(s)).
Some kinda „rules“ I'd stick to:
- avoid repetition (we hate that and it's the whole point of this suggestion)
- try to find a balance between monster levels (something that would be good for all levels, so one monster for the lower tier levels and one for the higher tier. Example: high TI: Gemini-S58 (lvl 135) + Angra Mantis (lvl 144)). Yeah, we always want parus+pom spiders for faster leveling but that'll get boring imo. And we kinda lack high level monsters (that's where the new updated list of monsters could come in, wonder if we could get old glast heim monsters in. Then again, they are from an instance so dunno). Same deal for mid and low TI range.
- avoid monsters with super annoying skills in low TI? Leave those for mid and high.
- nothing else comes to mind atm, will add if I think of something or if we get a good suggestions.
Let's say we got this for a TI from the TI suggestion thread:
Low TI: Punk + Joker
Mid TI: Nightmare Terror + Zombie Slaughter
High TI: Gemini + Angra Mantis
So, we'd take those monsters, PM it to Oda (or Campitor, I'm not sure who sets the monsters for TIs) a day or two before maint since I dunno if they need time to prepare anything special.
Those monsters go into the „Don't wanna see this in TI for the next xy weeks“ list and won't be used for xy weeks (xy here shouldn't be that long, maybe 6 weeks? We may run out of monsters if it's too high). High TI will have some problems due to lack of high level monsters that are currently on the monster list, I think.
One more thing, should they focus more on spotlight monsters or would that be too much? This month is Lighthalzen spotlight and let's say they put stem worm/rafflesia in low TI (ignore the fact they were in two weeks ago, this is meant just as a general idea), yay/nay?
2. TI map rotations
2.1 Intro
Same deal as before, Oda mentioned some maps in the TI suggestion thread:
Geffen dungeon
Turtle Island
Clocktower: Tower 3 or Dun 02
Toy Factory
Payon Dungeon
That list is definitely outdated and should be updated
2.2 Choosing the map and it's duration
Cinnamon posted something interesting (number of walkable cells of a map). My google fu found something too but the numbers don't match (he/she posted 35 041 walkable cells for ra_san 05 map while I found 35 641, not a big difference) but we could use it as a reference (abyss lake 3 has 15 032 walkable cells for comparison).
Definitely take into account the map layout too. I'd also take into account on what zone servers the proposed maps are to avoid lag (this is the main point here, avoiding lag if possible). Would have to check each zone and see what possible combinations there are. That's why an updated list of what maps they can use would come in handy (or is there one already? If yes, link me please).
I think a month is enough for a map, so every month the map would change. Your thoughts on this?
How to choose it is the bigger issue.
Open a thread and let people vote (the three highest voted rotate in)? A week before the scheduled change, the thread would be opened, people have a few days to vote (may even encourage more people to come and check forums) and the maps get chosen. The list of maps would be sent together with the list of monsters for that week's TIs.
I don't think there's much room for abusing the voting system since the same deal as with monsters would be in place, the three chosen maps go out of the pool of possible maps for the next x rotations. Yeah, we'd get stuck with some sucky maps from time to time, that just means the good ones could come the month after. I'd need to make a list of maps (taking into account the zone servers) since I'm not sure how they're distributed.
Could also leave it up to CMs, take a map from different zone servers and rotate them in. Dunno, whatever is easier on them, we'd just insist that they stick to the time frame of a month (or whatever time frame you feel is good enough). Always leave them a week of leeway in case something major happens that requires more attention that a map rotation (Windows updates anyone? :3 ).
Highly interested in your opinions, specifically how to choose new maps.
3. The mastermind(s)
Here's the tricky part. Remember the keeping track of which monsters the community wants in TIs? Well, here comes the Mastermind (temp name) into play. A person who'd check out the thread, see what's most often requested and notes it down for every TI range. The Mastermind would make a post like
For this week these monsters were chosen:
<list of monsters here>
Any suggestions after this post will be considered for the week after or invalid if they contain the monsters that were chosen this week.
„Don't wanna see this monster(s) in TI for the next xy weeks“:
<list of monsters>
Thank you for your input.
If we go with the voting for maps solution, the mastermind would open a thread where people could vote. Considering that would happen only once a month (or whatever time frame we decide on), it shouldn't be a problem. But just in case, I think it would be better if there were two people in the Mastermind positions (have to take into account real life and/or unforeseen situations). Any more and it could get chaotic imo.
The master mind then sends the list(s) to Oda/Campitor and we wait.
Thoughts/ideas about this?
No TL;DR, sorry, I want you to read it an gimme your thoughts/ideas. <3
PS. That click bait title huehue