Post by Catilena1890 on Feb 12, 2013 17:38:21 GMT -6
With the most heartbreaking of holidays just around the corner, it's time we reunited with our one true love, VictorySeekers! And we've got just the thing for that!
Spirit has been hard at work keeping this place functioning, and I think she deserves a big hand for all of her hard work. Thanks to her, we've got a new event pokemon coming in for Valentine's Day, and all I can say is that there will be much cheese to be had on that day.
But here is some bigger news than that! No offense Spirit. We're not just reviving VS, we're going to freaking reboot it with a new game mechanic! Allow me to introduce the Affinities! If you have read my fanfic, Lola: An Underdog Story, then you should be familiar with the concept, but for those who haven't, and for those who are curious as to how we're going to implement them on the site, allow me to explain:
In a nutshell, Affinities are the Human equivalent of Pokemon Types. Everyone has an Affinity, and some even have two, and just like with pokemon, having dual Affinities doesn't hinder having an Affinity at all.
I've noticed a small trend of characters being created on VS. Type Specialists to be exact. While it is fun to limit yourself to a certain pool of pokemon, and thus creating a challenge, there's a bit of a problem with that. If you want to, say, become a Dragon Master, you are going to have to wait an awful long time to catch a wild Dragon Type, since most of the really good ones are near Hurricana. If you are a trainer, that puts you at a ginormous disadvantage.
But not with Affinities it doesn't! If you want to be a Dragon Master, then we'll give your character an Affinity for Dragon-Typed pokemon, and they'll have a much better chance of encountering wild dragon types even if there aren't any native to the route you are in, which means you could potentially catch one as soon as you hit route 801!
In the world of Lola: An Underdog Story, Affinities make it easier to communicate and bond with pokemon whose types match your Affinity. On VS, the Affinities will do two things: Attract certain types of pokemon to you and help you build your character. If your character has an affinity for one type, then your character will attract pokemon of that type to the area you are at, and your character can grow into that Affinity's personality *but not exactly exclusive of course, I don't expect everyone with a Ghost Affinity to be stark-raving mad. Where's the fun in that?*. The drawback is that you repel pokemon whose types are against yours. In other words, if you have a Dark Type Affinity, good luck finding an Abra or a Mienfoo.
Now here's the political part. After I brought this up to Basile and discussed it with her, Bay and Spirit, we had a long debate on how to hand out Affinities. We considered assigning EVERYONE an Affinity at random, but with so many characters, that would be a daunting task, especially since we don't know who is in play and who isn't. We considered letting everyone choose their own Affinity, but then I'd have to put a cap in place to keep everyone from being a goddamn Dragon. So here's what we're going to do instead: for people who want to specialize in a certain pokemon type, they will get that type as their Affinity. Everyone else gets one at random. But don't worry, you don't HAVE to have an Affinity if you don't want one. Basile is making changes to the Character Form to include a section where you can say whether or not you want an Affinity.
As for Dual Affinities, well those are a bit complicated. In Lola, they are uncommon for two reasons: most people ignore the Affinities altogether and the ones who DO recognize their first Affinity don't particularly care about finding out if they have a second. On VS, we'll assign everyone who wants it a SINGLE Affinity, and if you want to later, we'll consider giving you a second one.
Here is the personality guide for Affinities based on my fanfic. Remember, this is only a guideline, NOT a blueprint. Your character's personality does NOT determine what Affinity you get, and your Affinity should not determine what kind of person your character should be. You should include something to your character that allows their Affinity to make sense, but don't make your character strictly psychotic or mellow or snobby.
Dragon: Proud and Noble, people with the Dragon Affinity tend to be hard-headed when it comes to wanting to do the right thing. To them, justice is Black and White, either you are a good person or a bad one. Dragon People tend to be difficult to reason with because of their pride and stubbornness, but they are also incredibly loyal to their friends.
Dark: People with the Dark Affinity tend to be slightly creepy and cryptic, though they don't mean to be. Their methods can appear to be cruel and destructive, but will end up being extremely helpful in the end. Oftentimes, it is someone with a Dark Affinity who will be the first to solve a problem because of how clever and decisive they can be, not hesitating to carry out the solution the moment it appears to them.
Ghost: People with a Ghost Type Affinity are known to be mentally unstable, though not overly violent. Like the Dark Type people, they are cryptic and rarely give a straight answer to anything you ask them. Regardless, they are much more intelligent than they appear, and their incoherent babblings will almost ALWAYS have a deeper meaning when you really think about them.
Grass: People of the Grass Type Affinity tend to be fun to be around. They will always try to find the good in everyone and everything they encounter, and are easy to befriend because of that. They are not ignorant though by any means, and will do their best to protect themselves and their friends when there is danger.
Flying: Those who have a Flying Type Affinity are almost always air-headed, and don't think things through very often. What is obvious to others may not necessarily be obvious to them, and they won't be thrilled when you try to explain it to them. On the other hand, people with a Flying Affinity embrace change, and HATE being stagnant or stuck in one thing. It is those of the Flying Affinity who will lead the way when something different is available.
Fire: Ironically enough, the Fire Affinity is not violent so much as it is just hyper. While people of the Fire Affinity DO have fiery tempers, it actually takes awhile to anger most of them. For the most part, people with this Affinity tend to be all over the place, and will not be satisfied with just doing one thing, As such, they have a hard time concentrating on anything, but they are incredibly fun to watch, as long as you aren't the target.
Ice: People of the Ice can be seen as fatalistic. Those with this Affinity prefer to take their time and look at the whole picture before they do anything, and they take life very seriously. As such, this is where the term "cold-hearted" comes from, because they will do anything and everything that maintains the status quo, whether you like it or not. They aren't totally apathetic though, and most of their decisions are made with the well-being of those under their care in mind.
Water: Water people are very laid-back and calm, and enjoy spreading this attitude onto others. They like to make people feel good about themselves, and will be the first to suggest a relaxing activity after a conflict has taken place. Be careful though, because they do have hair-trigger tempers, and may Arceus have mercy on your soul if you anger someone with a Water Affinity.
Fighting: People with a Fighting Type Affinity value hard work above all else, and tend to dislike people who seek the easy way out, or haven't EARNED the nice things they have. They will refuse to accept or receive gifts from others for no reason, even if it is tradition for a holiday or birthday. They also hold deep grudges that are near-impossible to get rid of, so angering someone of this Affinity is not a good idea. That said, they are more than happy to help you find your way if you are willing to earn it.
Psychic: People of the Psychic Affinity tend to have a high superiority complex. They can sometimes hold abilities that put them above normal humans, and they know it. They will usually be the first to break the language barrier with pokemon, or learn to pick things up with their mind, but they are not wicked. Though snooty and proud, people of the Psychic Affinity are indeed capable of love, and will use their powers to help others more often than to show off.
Bug: People of the Bug Affinity tend to be skittish and meek. They don't feel like they are worth much, and see themselves more as a burden than anything. On the contrary, they are the most loyal of all the affinities, and arguably the most brave and powerful if they put their minds to it. When the going gets tough, the bugs get going, and they will throw themselves in harms way to protect the people they care about, regardless of whether or not their feeings are reciprocated.
Ground: If you meet someone with a Ground Affinity, the chances are they are either set in their ways, or are seeking someone to guide them. People with a Ground Type affinity will value everything they have learned and the way they have lived above all else, regardless of the times, and it is hard to convince them to accept a new idea. In a way, people with a Ground Affinity are almost the human equivalent of Zekrom because of how much they value their ideals. They are incredibly helpful though, and will help set people on the right path based on their own experiences.
Rock: People of the Rock Affinity are slow on the uptake, but quick to retaliate. They are skeptical of changes around them, but when they finally acknowledge it they will be the first to find fault in it and fight against it with all their might. They don't quite understand the concept of building character, and will remain the same personality almost all their lives, and expect everyone else to do the same. For all their ignorance, they also have a heart of gold, and will shield the weak while they force the strong to team up with them to tackle a problem.
Steel: Those of the Steel Affinity tend to be sadistic, and take great pleasure in inflicting displeasure on someone or something that they feel deserves it. They aren't cruel though, and will usually only attack someone who needs to get their butt kicked or otherwises needs a kickstart in their egos. They have a skewed, though strong sense of right and wrong, and will more often than not go into a profession of law enforcement to keep the peace. Their violence makes them an unlikely target for attack, and if you are brave enough to befriend one, a Steel Person will use all of their anger and rage to defend you.
Normal: People of the Normal type Affinity value balance, and will remain neutral in life. They will usually refuse to take sides during a conflict that does not involve them, and are quick to relent if a conflict does present itself to them. That said, they are not afraid to protect themselves, or someone who needs protecting, regardless of their faction. The upside to this is that they will question your resolve, and can help you solidify it so that you have a stronger stance on what you are fighting for.
Electric: People with the Electric Affinity are very observant and quiet. They prefer to analyze the situation and consider every option before taking action, and they don't take kindly to anyone who rushes headfirst into a situation without thinking it through. They are useful to have around when you want to plan something, since they will be happy to close off any potential loopholes.
Poison: People with a Poison Affinity have a strong will to live and tend to be suspicious of others. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to befriend someone of the Poison, but when you do, you will find a loving, protective friend. Some people see the Poison as deadly and unworthy of trust because of their questionable and selfish ways, but they don't care and will do anything if it means keeping them and their loved ones alive.
And there you go! We've got some exciting stuff coming up! Our reboot comes with a brand new pokemon and a brand new mechanic! And speaking of Brand New Pokemon, keep in mind Generation 6 pokemon will NOT appear on VS until ALL names and types are confirmed. I'm looking at you, Ninfia, Xerneas and Yveltal!
EDIT: You assholes, how did NO ONE catch the fact that Electric and Poison weren't up there? I wrote the whole thing from scratch on the thread maker, and Basile was not feeling well, but dammit, you guys have no excuse XD
Spirit has been hard at work keeping this place functioning, and I think she deserves a big hand for all of her hard work. Thanks to her, we've got a new event pokemon coming in for Valentine's Day, and all I can say is that there will be much cheese to be had on that day.
But here is some bigger news than that! No offense Spirit. We're not just reviving VS, we're going to freaking reboot it with a new game mechanic! Allow me to introduce the Affinities! If you have read my fanfic, Lola: An Underdog Story, then you should be familiar with the concept, but for those who haven't, and for those who are curious as to how we're going to implement them on the site, allow me to explain:
In a nutshell, Affinities are the Human equivalent of Pokemon Types. Everyone has an Affinity, and some even have two, and just like with pokemon, having dual Affinities doesn't hinder having an Affinity at all.
I've noticed a small trend of characters being created on VS. Type Specialists to be exact. While it is fun to limit yourself to a certain pool of pokemon, and thus creating a challenge, there's a bit of a problem with that. If you want to, say, become a Dragon Master, you are going to have to wait an awful long time to catch a wild Dragon Type, since most of the really good ones are near Hurricana. If you are a trainer, that puts you at a ginormous disadvantage.
But not with Affinities it doesn't! If you want to be a Dragon Master, then we'll give your character an Affinity for Dragon-Typed pokemon, and they'll have a much better chance of encountering wild dragon types even if there aren't any native to the route you are in, which means you could potentially catch one as soon as you hit route 801!
In the world of Lola: An Underdog Story, Affinities make it easier to communicate and bond with pokemon whose types match your Affinity. On VS, the Affinities will do two things: Attract certain types of pokemon to you and help you build your character. If your character has an affinity for one type, then your character will attract pokemon of that type to the area you are at, and your character can grow into that Affinity's personality *but not exactly exclusive of course, I don't expect everyone with a Ghost Affinity to be stark-raving mad. Where's the fun in that?*. The drawback is that you repel pokemon whose types are against yours. In other words, if you have a Dark Type Affinity, good luck finding an Abra or a Mienfoo.
Now here's the political part. After I brought this up to Basile and discussed it with her, Bay and Spirit, we had a long debate on how to hand out Affinities. We considered assigning EVERYONE an Affinity at random, but with so many characters, that would be a daunting task, especially since we don't know who is in play and who isn't. We considered letting everyone choose their own Affinity, but then I'd have to put a cap in place to keep everyone from being a goddamn Dragon. So here's what we're going to do instead: for people who want to specialize in a certain pokemon type, they will get that type as their Affinity. Everyone else gets one at random. But don't worry, you don't HAVE to have an Affinity if you don't want one. Basile is making changes to the Character Form to include a section where you can say whether or not you want an Affinity.
As for Dual Affinities, well those are a bit complicated. In Lola, they are uncommon for two reasons: most people ignore the Affinities altogether and the ones who DO recognize their first Affinity don't particularly care about finding out if they have a second. On VS, we'll assign everyone who wants it a SINGLE Affinity, and if you want to later, we'll consider giving you a second one.
Here is the personality guide for Affinities based on my fanfic. Remember, this is only a guideline, NOT a blueprint. Your character's personality does NOT determine what Affinity you get, and your Affinity should not determine what kind of person your character should be. You should include something to your character that allows their Affinity to make sense, but don't make your character strictly psychotic or mellow or snobby.
Dragon: Proud and Noble, people with the Dragon Affinity tend to be hard-headed when it comes to wanting to do the right thing. To them, justice is Black and White, either you are a good person or a bad one. Dragon People tend to be difficult to reason with because of their pride and stubbornness, but they are also incredibly loyal to their friends.
Dark: People with the Dark Affinity tend to be slightly creepy and cryptic, though they don't mean to be. Their methods can appear to be cruel and destructive, but will end up being extremely helpful in the end. Oftentimes, it is someone with a Dark Affinity who will be the first to solve a problem because of how clever and decisive they can be, not hesitating to carry out the solution the moment it appears to them.
Ghost: People with a Ghost Type Affinity are known to be mentally unstable, though not overly violent. Like the Dark Type people, they are cryptic and rarely give a straight answer to anything you ask them. Regardless, they are much more intelligent than they appear, and their incoherent babblings will almost ALWAYS have a deeper meaning when you really think about them.
Grass: People of the Grass Type Affinity tend to be fun to be around. They will always try to find the good in everyone and everything they encounter, and are easy to befriend because of that. They are not ignorant though by any means, and will do their best to protect themselves and their friends when there is danger.
Flying: Those who have a Flying Type Affinity are almost always air-headed, and don't think things through very often. What is obvious to others may not necessarily be obvious to them, and they won't be thrilled when you try to explain it to them. On the other hand, people with a Flying Affinity embrace change, and HATE being stagnant or stuck in one thing. It is those of the Flying Affinity who will lead the way when something different is available.
Fire: Ironically enough, the Fire Affinity is not violent so much as it is just hyper. While people of the Fire Affinity DO have fiery tempers, it actually takes awhile to anger most of them. For the most part, people with this Affinity tend to be all over the place, and will not be satisfied with just doing one thing, As such, they have a hard time concentrating on anything, but they are incredibly fun to watch, as long as you aren't the target.
Ice: People of the Ice can be seen as fatalistic. Those with this Affinity prefer to take their time and look at the whole picture before they do anything, and they take life very seriously. As such, this is where the term "cold-hearted" comes from, because they will do anything and everything that maintains the status quo, whether you like it or not. They aren't totally apathetic though, and most of their decisions are made with the well-being of those under their care in mind.
Water: Water people are very laid-back and calm, and enjoy spreading this attitude onto others. They like to make people feel good about themselves, and will be the first to suggest a relaxing activity after a conflict has taken place. Be careful though, because they do have hair-trigger tempers, and may Arceus have mercy on your soul if you anger someone with a Water Affinity.
Fighting: People with a Fighting Type Affinity value hard work above all else, and tend to dislike people who seek the easy way out, or haven't EARNED the nice things they have. They will refuse to accept or receive gifts from others for no reason, even if it is tradition for a holiday or birthday. They also hold deep grudges that are near-impossible to get rid of, so angering someone of this Affinity is not a good idea. That said, they are more than happy to help you find your way if you are willing to earn it.
Psychic: People of the Psychic Affinity tend to have a high superiority complex. They can sometimes hold abilities that put them above normal humans, and they know it. They will usually be the first to break the language barrier with pokemon, or learn to pick things up with their mind, but they are not wicked. Though snooty and proud, people of the Psychic Affinity are indeed capable of love, and will use their powers to help others more often than to show off.
Bug: People of the Bug Affinity tend to be skittish and meek. They don't feel like they are worth much, and see themselves more as a burden than anything. On the contrary, they are the most loyal of all the affinities, and arguably the most brave and powerful if they put their minds to it. When the going gets tough, the bugs get going, and they will throw themselves in harms way to protect the people they care about, regardless of whether or not their feeings are reciprocated.
Ground: If you meet someone with a Ground Affinity, the chances are they are either set in their ways, or are seeking someone to guide them. People with a Ground Type affinity will value everything they have learned and the way they have lived above all else, regardless of the times, and it is hard to convince them to accept a new idea. In a way, people with a Ground Affinity are almost the human equivalent of Zekrom because of how much they value their ideals. They are incredibly helpful though, and will help set people on the right path based on their own experiences.
Rock: People of the Rock Affinity are slow on the uptake, but quick to retaliate. They are skeptical of changes around them, but when they finally acknowledge it they will be the first to find fault in it and fight against it with all their might. They don't quite understand the concept of building character, and will remain the same personality almost all their lives, and expect everyone else to do the same. For all their ignorance, they also have a heart of gold, and will shield the weak while they force the strong to team up with them to tackle a problem.
Steel: Those of the Steel Affinity tend to be sadistic, and take great pleasure in inflicting displeasure on someone or something that they feel deserves it. They aren't cruel though, and will usually only attack someone who needs to get their butt kicked or otherwises needs a kickstart in their egos. They have a skewed, though strong sense of right and wrong, and will more often than not go into a profession of law enforcement to keep the peace. Their violence makes them an unlikely target for attack, and if you are brave enough to befriend one, a Steel Person will use all of their anger and rage to defend you.
Normal: People of the Normal type Affinity value balance, and will remain neutral in life. They will usually refuse to take sides during a conflict that does not involve them, and are quick to relent if a conflict does present itself to them. That said, they are not afraid to protect themselves, or someone who needs protecting, regardless of their faction. The upside to this is that they will question your resolve, and can help you solidify it so that you have a stronger stance on what you are fighting for.
Electric: People with the Electric Affinity are very observant and quiet. They prefer to analyze the situation and consider every option before taking action, and they don't take kindly to anyone who rushes headfirst into a situation without thinking it through. They are useful to have around when you want to plan something, since they will be happy to close off any potential loopholes.
Poison: People with a Poison Affinity have a strong will to live and tend to be suspicious of others. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to befriend someone of the Poison, but when you do, you will find a loving, protective friend. Some people see the Poison as deadly and unworthy of trust because of their questionable and selfish ways, but they don't care and will do anything if it means keeping them and their loved ones alive.
And there you go! We've got some exciting stuff coming up! Our reboot comes with a brand new pokemon and a brand new mechanic! And speaking of Brand New Pokemon, keep in mind Generation 6 pokemon will NOT appear on VS until ALL names and types are confirmed. I'm looking at you, Ninfia, Xerneas and Yveltal!
EDIT: You assholes, how did NO ONE catch the fact that Electric and Poison weren't up there? I wrote the whole thing from scratch on the thread maker, and Basile was not feeling well, but dammit, you guys have no excuse XD
