Rank structure

[Trajan Drak]

So I was looking for a place to post this, because it really does not relate to FOA, when I thought that as far as I know a rank structure hasn't been wished for. 

Way back, a friend of mine was beta testing a mech game, now I can't remember if it was Mechwarrior or Battletech, but since both are inter changable it really doesn't matter now, and I can't remember the year 3025 or 3060, and (I know how pathetic it is but I was 20 at the time and now I'm 37) I can't recall if it was Westwood Studios that had the License at the time.    However I did join that beta, and I loved the game. 

It was a stab at a MMO 1st person cockpit mech game, it had a political map that updated at regular intervals, showing expansion of house territories.    It had varients and base models, different weapon customizations.    The important thing were the ranks, rank dictated the size or tonnage of mech you could operate, and what varients were open to you.    you spent your experience to buy these mechs and weapons.    You gain experience depending on how much a planet or secured system was worth in resources, and whether or not the planet was originally yours or not meaing, If I defended and successfully repelled invaders to a planet my house had originally owned I earned high exp, however some small system we just took wouldn't offer much experience as its resources cycled. 

Battle lines would form and be ever changing depending on the planet and the terrain.    I got in beta late as such I only made Sargeant, however Field Marshals, Generals, Captains were leading drops everywhere.    The Crazy thing is that players actually LISTENED to the command structure, unfortunately you could only drop 6 I think but multiple instances were made for other drops unfortunately these other forces were not playing on the same field as you. 

I know I'm all over the place but I want to pour all this out because I was excited to hear of FOA, a Mech game has been long overdue especially a MMO version not Exteel or the original Mechwarrior box sets. 

Back to the Beta I played, this game obviously didn't make it in the end Westwood or who ever it was shelved the project, but they gave us a free month extra due to out efforts before servers were taken down.    Now usually the small fries (lower ranks) were left to hash it out gladiator style between themselves, the big boys higher ranks like field generals would never take a lower rank since drop spots were few and very precious they would wait in the staging areas for hours for just the right tonnage.    However I am a hardcore player, and I constantly would try and jump into thier drop status and always get told I was too small and would get raped by the super heavies they often clashed against. 

One late night in our last month of beta however I changed that mentality for the first time in all of beta, when fearing the loss of a vital planet with many drops occuring and confusion at a high, I was quickly snatched up by a Lord Marshall call sign Boxcar.    Being a time before Vent or even Teamspeak for that matter he pm'ed me "stay close and wait for my command" I grabbed my best Javalin, answed "Yes Sir" and dropped as the only Light Mech in the grp of 6.    It was BEAUTIFUL, we exchanged some piliminary fire at range and at about med range I was given the command "Sgt, shoot for the legs", I moved so much faster then those war hulks, I made circles and jumps before they could turn to bring weapons on me, I crippled 2 and kill shotted 1 of the six, and after the fight was won Boxcar made sure to let all the higher ranked players know what I had done.   Something that had never occured to the testers or players before, but one which should have been common sense.   It is my hope that this philosophy is carried into the development of FOA, give players of all types the chance to do great things and you'll have a huge sucess.

I still owe Boxcar a thanks, as I never saw him again as the doors slowly shut on the project.

[Grim]

Great story Trajan and im glad you finally had the chance to prove to them the effectiveness of the smaller mech even against the titans!.That was pretty closed minded of them though.I have always had the mind set that in battle everyone has a role to play and if the team knows each ones own role and the role of the others and looks out fopr each other victory will be yours.When the ranking officers in these games close thier minds to these tactics they only loose viable resources.That said i agree that the rank system (in the factions at least) would be very viable way to give structurte to the different factions.As you said people actually listen to others with rank ,least up until they make really foolish descicions but then it doesnt take battle gamers long to know who they are in a game like this aye guys and gals?.Ill make sure hammy looks at this and see what he thinks.although im sure he already has .Glad to have ya here at FOA.

[Aurelius]

Hello !

i decided to post here instead of making new topic

maybe my wish about rank may look exotic    so here what i think

When i kill for example 100 mechs without being destroyed in combat it will be good get a "badge" painted on your mech  (dont laugh)   or maybe somekind of painting to make difference between "Mech Crowd "

and sorry for my English

[teufelich]

Hello !

i decided to post here instead of making new topic

maybe my wish about rank may look exotic    so here what i think

When i kill for example 100 mechs without being destroyed in combat it will be good get a "badge" painted on your mech  (dont laugh)   or maybe somekind of painting to make difference between "Mech Crowd "

and sorry for my English

I like this idea, more in medal concept
the more medals earned the higher your ranking

I am uncertain if devs would incorperate mech icons/symbols on the paint jobs per this but a medals window would be nice

could go with
xxxx Kill streak medal
David and goliath medal <using mech 1/3 the weight class>
Take the first shot medal <that uncanny ability to be shot first in combat>
Sniper medal <xxx cockpit shots from long range>
Real Man medal <the ability to complete xxx missions and always coming out with 90% damage but living and winning>

etc etc
so many can be awarded etc.  Oh and of course could have medals for pvp, raids, WARS, etc

Course I am thinking more of a ability to click on said player and select <Medals> option to see what all they done... this does however pose more DB work and Interface work.

don't see a need for this in alpha, or closed beta... but can see something similar coming around beta or even release

[Hamilton]

We can put up a decal image for Kills or Medals.
Now where to put them?
The Real World puts them on the tank barrel (Kill Rings), but for aircraft is at the cockpit.  Mechs can have many weapons, so Kill Rings won't do and if by the cockpit, would be hard to see. 

So perhaps on the side of a shoulder or at the shoulder region?  So it would easier to see.

[Sturm Kintaro]

Medals could be interesting from a flavor standpoint, but for the most part they'd fall in the same category as epeen stroking a la killmails from EVE;

I'd honestly rather not see Achievement Points make their way into this game - overall I think they'd take valuable development time away from other things that'd be more useful to us as players.  If you're doing Medals, people are going to want graphics, which is going to make people want to be able to wear them, etc etc.  nice bit of fluff, but not really needed to enjoy the game.

With regard to ranks, I could see a series of exams to gain some of the ranks, and not being able to command a lance/squad/etc in a hostile area until you reach an appropriate level.  The rank unlock could be achieved with the completion of a scenario inside VR, so the applicant isn't out tens of millions of credits to get there.  However, if you fail an exam, you can't just take it over and over and over until you pass, you'll have to wait until another block can be scheduled.  (If you fail the SAT, you can't immediately re-take it the same day to get a higher score, you have to wait).  

I'd use something like this:

(Please note not all ranks are done - I'll edit later)

Enlisted Ranks
E-1    Private - Obtained through Exam - Battle Armor/Vehicles
E-2    Private - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot Mechs 50 - 75 tons
E-3    Private First Class - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot 80 - 115 tons
E-4    Specialist - Obtained through combat/proficiency (completion of 20 missions or 10 kills in combat situations)
E-5    Sergeant - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot 120 - 150 tons
E-6    Staff Sergeant - Obtained through Exam - Can Pilot 155 - 185 tons
E-7    Sergeant First Class - Obtained through combat/proficiency (completion of 100 missions/30 kills in enemy combat)
E-8    Master Sergeant - Obtained through combat/proficiency (completion of 125 missions/40 kills in enemy combat)
E-8    First Sergeant - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot 190 - 220 tons
E-9    Sergeant Major - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot 225 - 250 tons
E-9    Command Sergeant Major - Obtained through Exam - Can pilot 250 - 300 tons, OR Combat (75 kills in combat)
E-10    Sergeant Major of the Army - Obtained through Combat (One per Faction) - 250 Kills in Combat.  {If this person wishes to rise to Officer, they would have to relinquish this rank, allowing others the ability to have it}

Warrant Officer Ranks
W-1    Warrant Officer 1
W-2    Chief Warrant Officer 2
W-3    Chief Warrant Officer 3
W-4    Chief Warrant Officer 4
W-5    Master Warrant Officer 5

Officer Ranks
O-1    Second Lieutenant
O-2    First Lieutenant
O-3    Captain
O-4    Major
O-5    Lieutenant Colonel
O-6    Colonel
O-7    Brigadier General
O-8    Major General
O-9    Lieutenant General
O-10    General
O-10    Field General

[Aurelius]

Hamilton you read my mind 

side of a shoulder or at the shoulder

its most optimal choice .

if there will be many ranks so it will be better to make 1 picture that changes when your rank grows


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btw " pin - up girl "  on the mech plane need  i start to like this game already