NationStates Jolt Archive

This guide is born out of inspiration of the recent Macabee/NATO conflict. While nothing has gone wrong RP wise and I have no gripes, it has made me think just how important angles and roles are. Here's my take on it.

As some of you know, I prefer good writing as opposed to stat wanking. Writers such as Pantera, Melkor Unchained, and The Resi Corp. always get my attention. Why? Because of thier use of the English language and their ability to write in a captivating manner. Catchy, descriptive, and ground breaking story concepts are what makes a normal RPer a legend.

In this guide, I'm going to touch on the importance of good and evil, roles and angles.

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To me, NationStates is like pro wrestling. While it is true that both are fake, lessons from wrestling can be incorporated into how we play NS. In pro wrestling, there is never a winner or a loser, only a story. Here's a look at the good guys and bad guys.

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Main story roles

Babyface (Also known as 'Face', or the 'Good Guy'.):

These are your good guys fighting for the side of truth and justice. They believe in what is right and will sacrifice anything for what they believe is good and pure. Good examples of 'Face' nations are: Menelmacar, Liverpool England, and Iuthia. Face nations use methods of diplomacy and other keen political methods to solve their problems. Most RPer's that have been 'Faces' since they joined the site rarely get into armed conflict, and truely believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Heel (Also known as the "Bad Guy'.):

'Heels' are the evil ones that stop at nothing to cause havok and destruction. They believe that the world marches to the beat of the war drums, and armed conflict is usually their first option. Alot of RPer's that have been 'Heels' since they joined the site are rarely messed with, mostly due to the fact that they are the 'bad guys' of the site. Good examples of 'Heel' nations are: Melkor Unchained, Kalessin, and Wretchengard.

Tweener (Also known as 'The Middle Men', or better yet, 'In-Betweener'.):

These are the guys you can never quite figure out. Sometimes they're fighting on the side of good, and the next day they're helping out the bad guys. Tweeners can sometimes be swayed to one side or another, but there are always a select few who choose to always walk the line. Good examples of Tweeners are: Automagfreek, Sketch, and Crimmond. Tweeners can also play both roles at the same time, and I will use myself as a prime example. Although ICly I claim to fight on the side of good, I use tactics that some would deem as 'evil'. Hence 'walking the line'.

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Now that we've covered that, let's get into some of the roles and angles in RPing. Again, using terms taken from pro wrestling, we can come up with a system whereas we remove the 'need to win' element from NationStates and make it more of a freeform RP environment.

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Feud:

Feuds are when two nations are at a constant state of turmoil. ICly, they hate eachother's guts and would like to see nothing more than their opponenet slaughtered. Some 'Feuds' can result from IC hatred (which unfortunatly can lead to OOC hatred), and others can be the result of cooperation. Again, I'll use myself as an example here. Melkor Unchained and myself have a longstanding feud even though OOCly we both respect and admire eachother greatly. This 'Feud' was born out of that respect and the desire to interact with someone we deem a good RPer. Our feud has lasted for a long time now, even when I played the role of a 'Heel' last year.

Feuds are generally longstanding and rarely have resolve. Although feuds have been known to end as the result of a 'gimmick change' which I will now discuss.

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Gimmicks and gimmick changes

In my opinion, NationStates is about telling the story of your nation. While doing this you play the role of your leaders, your people, and your country as a whole and are effectively locked into a 'gimmick'. Examples of gimmicks are as follows:

* Terrorist nations
* Corporate nations
* Democracies
* Dictatorships
* Tribal States

And the list goes on forever. Your 'gimmick' is how you tell your story, and your 'gimmick' also depends on if you are a 'Face', 'Heel', or a 'Tweener'. Sometimes (as is the case with myself) an RPer wants to change up how they play the game ever so often. This is called a 'gimmick change'. Examples of 'gimmick changes' are as follows:

Face Turn: A nation goes from being a bad guy to a good guy.

Heel Turn: A nation goes from being a good guy to a bad guy.

Transformation: Civil war, regime changes, etc.

A 'gimmick change' results when you vary how you tell your story in a manner that makes an impact. Having good weather one day and having a storm the next isn't significant enough to be a gimmick change, but a nuclear disaster is. Some players (such as myself) do gimmick changes every few months to keep things interesting for the player and for the people reading the player's work.

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I truely believe that in NationStates there is no 'winning' and there is no 'losing', because there really is no end to NS, right? There's no deadlines or finish lines, so really there is no way to lose this game. As with pro wrestling, everybody has their ups and downs at some point. Wether this is planned or happens because of an invasion or terrorist attack is up to the player. Here are a few terms that could best describe the on-going process that is NS. Mind you these terms apply to RP's that are sorted out before hand or are planned along the way (as I feel all RP's should):

Job: To intentionally lose to another player to give them a 'push'.

Jobber: One who loses frequently to 'push' other players.

Push: When a player's popularity in the RP community increases due to a 'job'. (EXAMPLE: If Melkor Unchained intentionally loses to The Island of Rose, TIoR would be recognized as a major power for toppling the ultimate Heel.) A player gains more acceptance in the RP community as the result of a 'Push'.

Bait and Switch: This is a clever turn around. For example, when a player looks like they are going to lose, they do something totally unexpected that ends up winning them the day. An ace up your sleeve, if you will.

Rub: When a well known RPer gives a lesser known RPer a 'Push' by associating with them, usually not by 'Jobbing'.

Working: Taking a loss to another player but not looking weaker as a result of it. (EXAMPLE: You lose an entire fleet but it happens because your admirals were not present and the confused lesser ranks were left in charge.)

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I believe that the stats of the game are really nothing more than building blocks. It's what you do with your RPing that makes you a household name. Simply because your nation is older or has larger stats does not mean that someone who has spent alot of time RPing their military and can RP the pants off of said nation will lose. RP ability defeats stats, always. Keep this in mind, but don't be a victim of:

Stat Wanking: Relying solely on stats. Listing in excessive detail what kinds of weapons you have, how many individual ground units, the name of each ship and plane in your arsenal, etc. Stat wankers post paragraph after paragraph of stats and are quick to scream at the first person who does something that is not entirely feasible by real life standards, such as

* Clone armies
* Unusually powerful weapons
* Space craft

If done tastefully and within the bounds of reason, none of the above should be the grounds for an IGNORE. Remember kids, THIS IS NATIONSTATES, NOT REAL LIFE. If you want real life, turn off the computer and go outside.

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Well, there you have it. I'll update this as I think of more info to put into it.

Dude! This should be stickyied!!!

BTW-when you talka bout feisable stuff at the end, that only applies to real techs, right? Not future/fantasy?

Dude! This should be stickyied!!!

BTW-when you talka bout feisable stuff at the end, that only applies to real techs, right? Not future/fantasy?


Absolutly not. NS is your world to do what you please, and I myself RP as a modern tech/ fantasy nation. I RP Abrams tanks and blood thristy demons at the same time, and I do it feasibly enough so it's not godmodding.

NS is a palce where you can let your imagination run wild as long as it is not godmodding. Having demons decimate and opponent is godmodding because demons cannot be killed by conventional means. When I RP demons, it's for story purposes and character building, never for military action.

Do what you please, that is the glory of freeform RP.

Absolutly not. NS is your world to do what you please, and I myself RP as a modern tech/ fantasy nation. I RP Abrams tanks and blood thristy demons at the same time, and I do it feasibly enough so it's not godmodding.

NS is a palce where you can let your imagination run wild as long as it is not godmodding. Having demons decimate and opponent is godmodding because demons cannot be killed by conventional means. When I RP demons, it's for story purposes and character building, never for military action.

Do what you please, that is the glory of freeform RP.

But if you were to do a fantasy RP where you had demons but your enemies had holy ARchangels THEN would you use the demons in battle?

But if you were to do a fantasy RP where you had demons but your enemies had holy ARchangels THEN would you use the demons in battle?

Yeah I would, but RP's like that are normally worked out before hand so things don't get out of control and so that tempers don't flare.

Demon and angel type battles are cool but generally don't have an effect on your gimmick, or much of anything for that matter unless you want it to.

OOC: Great thread, should be stickied as The Lightning Star said, I wouldn't mind getting beaten by you but I'd prefer to end outcome would be a (very forced) oath of fealty to AMF from Kriegorgrad, also, do you like urban style battles? Because the cities are gothic warzones!

EDIT: I'll probably be a tweener-heel.

OOC: Great thread, should be stickied as The Lightning Star said, I wouldn't mind getting beaten by you but I'd prefer to end outcome would be a (very forced) oath of fealty to AMF from Kriegorgrad, also, do you like urban style battles? Because the cities are gothic warzones!

That could be arranged, and it could be done in a manner where you take the loss but do not look weaker as a result of it.

Dammit, thee's a new definition I need a term for! ;)

That could be arranged, and it could be done in a manner where you take the loss but do not look weaker as a result of it.

Dammit, thee's a new definition I need a term for! ;)

Oh don't worry, I don't mind looking weaker, I just don't want to have that nasty "salted earth" on me. I don't want all my lovely, mucky, archaic 1800s industrial architecture to be gone :(

Maybe you could call it something like "tap-rub", as you associate with a lesser RPer and you "tap" them. Or something!

Oh don't worry, I don't mind looking weaker, I just don't want to have that nasty "salted earth" on me. I don't want all my lovely, mucky, archaic 1800s industrial architecture to be gone :(

Maybe you could call it something like "tap-rub", as you associate with a lesser RPer and you "tap" them. Or something!


The term Work or Working has been added. Thanks.

I normally play a tweener-heel, and heel battles are always cool because they usually pull out the dirty tricks on eachother. As far as 'salted earth' goes, I normally reserve that for people that ICly tap a nerve of Damien's. If a foe of Damien's has honor, then he does not loose the wrath. Hope that makes sense.

Definatly a good read, oh and Krieg, bag a few sentinels for me.(as in, best of luck).

The term Work or Working has been added. Thanks.

I normally play a tweener-heel, and heel battles are always cool because they usually pull out the dirty tricks on eachother. As far as 'salted earth' goes, I normally reserve that for people that ICly tap a nerve of Damien's. If a foe of Damien's has honor, then he does not loose the wrath. Hope that makes sense.

Its so much more fun being evil, isn't it? And I do understand your point about honour, the Kriegos military has a high standard of honour among it's troops, therefore, it has good morale.

Why don't you include some character angles, for generals, soldiers, civilians ect. ect.

EDIT: Thanks Dumpsterdam, I'll try (and fail)!

Why don't you include some character angles, for generals, soldiers, civilians ect. ect.

Sure, I can do that tomorrow if I have time.

Great, why don't you have something akin to a "left-to-right" scale, with evil being on side while good being on the other. Of course, this doesn't cover the whole character, just the base alignment.

bump

Bump

Amazing how fast threads can fall......

Interesting.

Bureaucrat of the Drum God Empire
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Member of GDODAD, Allied to Metus
Member of the Central Powers and RWC
A January 2003 Nation

((OOC: Glad to know I was at least mentioned :D ))

I'd just like to add that a nation can have any mix of these characters. You don't have to be a definite good or bad or neutral nation, really. It can fluctuate depending on the character use.

It looks good, but there are a few things I disagree with.
RP ability defeats stats, always.Although I agree with "It's what you do with your RPing that makes you a household name", I disagree with this. How well you RP won't help you when you're up against superior technology, numbers, and tactics, although it'll make your demise more interesting to read.
within the bounds of reason, none of the above should be the grounds for an IGNORE.If you're a modern nation, clone armies are automatically beyond the bounds of reason. Unusually powerful weaponry can be technological superiority and (primitive) spacecraft exist in real life, though.
If you want real life, turn off the computer and go outside.In real life I don't have control over an entire nation. ;)

This thread is great....

What I wonder is, WHY AREN"T YOU A MOD YET????

This thread is great....

What I wonder is, WHY AREN"T YOU A MOD YET????

Because the mods don't like me. ;)

WHY AREN"T YOU A MOD YET????

Because, last I heard, there have been serious issues with AMF in the past.

Because, last I heard, there have been serious issues with AMF in the past.


Yes, in the past.

I realize now that alot of my past frustrations were because there was nobody really trying to help in the RP community to keep things civil and offer advice. So now that's the role I've taken up because I know what it's like to RP and have everything go wrong.

Because the mods don't like me. ;)
They Hate you?!?!?!?!?!?!?! you and Euro should be Mods right off the bat, you both have great credentials, an unusually great understanding of the game, a good sense of fairness, both of you help others to learn the game better (AMF w/ Sephrioth and Feminany, by the way, hows that goin? and Euro with all his guides) and lastly, both of you RP Overly well. There are probably more like this, but can't think of many more off the top of my head... maybe Pantera or any of the players you mentioned AMF, but besides all of that ranting, great job!

And I thought I was sucking up...and Nianacio, he was talking about the nation as a whole, not the characters that make that nation up.

Nianacio, he was talking about the nation as a whole, not the characters that make that nation up.I don't think I said anything about the characters. :\

Its up to you what you accept, but as far as tech and unfeasible stuff goes.

The thing about gimmicks is that you cant really ignore them if they

a) RP them fairly, like you (AMF) and your demons and sentinels... or if someone uses post modern tech, you use a bit (or lot less if its big upgrade) less numberwise.

Ie Im considering 2020 ad era tech for my nation (possibly an MT version for people who wont accept it) but where id have crude power armour, I wouldnt have 1 million infantry, id have maybe a couple of hundred thousand maximum instead. etc.

On the other hand, I wouldnt expect anyone MT to accept my future spacedy nation in RPs if they werent themselves.

Although I agree with "It's what you do with your RPing that makes you a household name", I disagree with this. How well you RP won't help you when you're up against superior technology, numbers, and tactics, although it'll make your demise more interesting to read.

Not true. I've seen new nations RPing modern tech beat older nations using space tech. Superior tech will not save you if you don't know the firs thing about logistics or good writing.


If you're a modern nation, clone armies are automatically beyond the bounds of reason. Unusually powerful weaponry can be technological superiority and (primitive) spacecraft exist in real life, though.


No, clone armies are not beyond reason. I've stated several times that I am a slightly post modern nation, and who's to say that the technology won't be around in RL in the next few years? I do it within the bounds of reason and have gone into great detail as to how I've done it, so I do not think it is automatically beyond the bounds of reason.

Not true. I've seen new nations RPing modern tech beat older nations using space tech. Superior tech will not save you if you don't know the first thing about logistics or good writing.I've been trying to get this point across to other people that more advanced tech and greater numbers don't mean an automatic win.

A modern tech country with a primitive laser defense system can figure out how to use that laser to fire on an orbital platform. To get more extreme, an unshielded human from a future tech country still gets killed if he's hit in the right spot by an arrow from a past tech country's cavalry. Brilliant strategy beats ubertech.

Look at Finland in 1939. They fought a war against the Soviet Union (which I believe was even a superpower back then) and gave them a LOT of problems. Finland may have "lost" the war but the Soviets weren't able to subjugate the smaller country. I'm sure strategy played at least some role in Finland's survival.

Superior tech will not save you if you don't know the firs thing about logistics or good writing.Logistics should have been bundled in with technology, tactics, and numbers. I guess it should be "numbers + technology + applied knowledge". Good writing, on the other hand, will just make one's demise more interesting.
I've stated several times that I am a slightly post modern nationSlightly post modern!=Modern

Logistics should have been bundled in with technology, tactics, and numbers. I guess it should be "numbers + technology + applied knowledge". Good writing, on the other hand, will just make one's demise more interesting.

I cannot possibly disagree with you more.

Slightly post modern!=Modern

So? Because I'm modern tech doesn't mean I'm locked into what I can and cannot do. I don't see why some people scrutinize how clone armies aren't modern tech but then say space elevators are modern tech.

Because I'm modern tech doesn't mean I'm locked into what I can and cannot do.I strongly disagree here...Agree to disagree about this and the first quote in your post?
I don't see why some people scrutinize how clone armies aren't modern tech but then say space elevators are modern tech.I don't think space elevators are modern tech. ;) They're probably at least 2050 tech.

I was trying to make a point about 'to each, their own'. I don't believe that there are such things as 'strictly modern tech' or 'strictly space tech', and people on this site need to and should understand and respect that.

Babyface (Also known as 'Face', or the 'Good Guy'.):

These are your good guys fighting for the side of truth and justice. They believe in what is right and will sacrifice anything for what they believe is good and pure. Good examples of 'Face' nations are: Menelmacar, Liverpool England, and Iuthia. Face nations use methods of diplomacy and other keen political methods to solve their problems. Most RPer's that have been 'Faces' since they joined the site rarely get into armed conflict, and truely believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Heel (Also known as the "Bad Guy'.):

'Heels' are the evil ones that stop at nothing to cause havok and destruction. They believe that the world marches to the beat of the war drums, and armed conflict is usually their first option. Alot of RPer's that have been 'Heels' since they joined the site are rarely messed with, mostly due to the fact that they are the 'bad guys' of the site. Good examples of 'Heel' nations are: Melkor Unchained, Kalessin, and Wretchengard.

Tweener (Also known as 'The Middle Men', or 'Neutral'):

These are the guys you can never quite figure out. Sometimes they're fighting on the side of good, and the next day they're helping out the bad guys. Tweeners can sometimes be swayed to one side or another, but there are always a select few who choose to always walk the line. Good examples of Tweeners are: Automagfreek, Sketch, and Crimmond. Tweeners can also play both roles at the same time, and I will use myself as a prime example. Although ICly I claim to fight on the side of good, I use tactics that some would deem as 'evil'. Hence 'walking the line'.

Hmm. From the definitions here, I'd say that I'm normally a Babyface nation. But with the recent events of my downfall due to the Sith, I'm now a Tweener. I love playing both sides of the Force, so to speak. :)

Interesting terminology. I guess that classifies me as a 'face' nation. Sorta.

Tweener. Tweener...TwEEEEEner... Nope. Doesn't sound cool any way I say it. Oh well. It's what I am. Evil leadership at the moment, but most of the nation good and actually innocent to the world at large, thanks to nationalistic xenophobia. All they care is that we win any war we get into, so it works.

And I agree with you on all your points. You left out an important area of RPing though. An area I'm having to allmost completely relearn because of you. War RPing. I haven't been in an actual war since way back when in WWVI's days.

As I say in my NSWiki thingymadoo(how's THAT for technical?):

RPing is what I do for fun. I love it and would never want to give it up. I don't love following the crowds of fads though. I do when it suits me though.

Technology Boundries
These do not exist for me. I have interacted with nations that think electricity is a passing fad and others that have intragalactic fleets. Some call this breaking ettiquite and unstable RPing. My only concern in an RP is the story. Technology, species, sex, location... these are all parts of the RP, but the story you tell should never be dominated by any one of those things.

War
One of the most fun and difficult things to RP. I am involved in an war with a legend of NS, Automagfreek. And it was he, Steel Butterfly, The Brotherhood of Nod and the original Sniper Country that showed me what the best way to RP a war truely is.

As I state above, all the things that make up an RP are only supporting the story. The one, true goal of my wars is to make a story that you want to see made into a movie or a novel. If you can make the mind's eye see a war, you have succeeded, win or lose.

You can't do that by simply saying that a fleet or an army starts to flank a position, you have to involve people. A colonel, a general, a corporal, a grunt soldier making the flanking move. Without that... you might as well just RP a documentary.

Remember kids, THIS IS NATIONSTATES, NOT REAL LIFE. If you want real life, turn off the computer and go outside.

I like you already. Sometimes this game is taken too seriously.

It's an interesting and well thought out guide, but Im not entirely convinced by the Face / Heel thing. I dont think that such good / evil clashes really ever happen in RL, especially in international politics. Everything is just a shade of gray. My nation is not out to help people, or cause destruction, just to survive and better itself, ie consider doing things based on the possible gain vs possible risk to itself.

The way I see it, every nation has characteristics which will at least steer them into the direction of a particular category. My nation is a peace-loving nation, so we'd fall under the "face" category. I agree that not everything is black and white, but I do think every nation lies somewhere inside AMF's groupings, even if its only indirectly.

It's an interesting and well thought out guide, but Im not entirely convinced by the Face / Heel thing. I dont think that such good / evil clashes really ever happen in RL, especially in international politics. Everything is just a shade of gray. My nation is not out to help people, or cause destruction, just to survive and better itself, ie consider doing things based on the possible gain vs possible risk to itself.

I disagree. In some way, shape, or form you can fit almost every nation into either the Face/Heel/Tweener ranks. I see what you're saying, but just in in pro wrestling the good guys tend to fight amongst themselves at times while the bad guys stand more united.

Evidence of this is everywhere, when you a Face alliance fight another Face alliance. Happens all the time, and for the most part the Heels tend to stick together, like in the Reich, GDODAD, Metus, and other large organizations. I think there is a definate black/white/gray scale when it comes to the roles of people's nations.

Because I'm modern tech doesn't mean I'm locked into what I can and cannot do.I strongly disagree here...Agree to disagree about this and the first quote in your post?
I don't think space elevators are modern tech. ;) They're probably at least 2050 tech.I have to side with AMF on this one. I play as a sort of hybrid of modern and future (mostly modern with Tungsten rods and rail guns) so I don't think you should be locked into one or the other.

Besides, any free form RP that uses the concept of fluid time so heavily should not have strict limits on the technology people can or should use. If I'm creative enough to use a primitive missile defense laser to destroy a future tech country's orbital platform from the ground, I should be able to be rewarded for my creativity.

Also, I have to disagree slightly with AMF on Praetonia's comment on a face or a heel. While I'm in the middle of a quasi war with Sdaeriji (which is ultimately going to try to put a realistic spin on how our countries eventually form a strong relationship), we previously had a good IC relationship even though he might be a 'tweener' or a 'heel' while I might be a 'face.' Besides that, Doujin might have been a face or a 'tweener' but his country and mine were hostile toward each other. Not to mention that a couple of 'Heels' joined me in the anti-Cam III coalition.

I play as a sort of hybrid of modern and future (mostly modern with Tungsten rods and rail guns) so I don't think you should be locked into one or the other.I'm actually postmodern, I guess...I like to have railguns, laser CIWS, and other neat things that aren't available IRL quite yet...But I'm willing to play farther back (but not forward) in time to match the situation ('though my tanks will get slaughtered pre-1990(?) :().
Besides, any free form RP that uses the concept of fluid time so heavily should not have strict limits on the technology people can or should use.Absolutely! (As long as it's not godmoding.)
If I'm creative enough to use a primitive missile defense laser to destroy a future tech country's orbital platform from the ground, I should be able to be rewarded for my creativity.I don't mean to say people can't RP with nations from different eras, just that I won't and don't see how it could actually happen without time travel.

On the topic of who's what: I'm definitely a face...And it's gotten a lot of large nations angry with me. :D

Tweener. Tweener...TwEEEEEner... Nope. Doesn't sound cool any way I say it. Oh well. It's what I am.

Yeah it sounds pretty stupid, but it's short for 'in-betweener', so either one works I guess.

They Hate you?!?!?!?!?!?!?! you and Euro should be Mods right off the bat, you both have great credentials, an unusually great understanding of the game, a good sense of fairness, both of you help others to learn the game better (AMF w/ Sephrioth and Feminany, by the way, hows that goin? and Euro with all his guides) and lastly, both of you RP Overly well. There are probably more like this, but can't think of many more off the top of my head... maybe Pantera or any of the players you mentioned AMF, but besides all of that ranting, great job!


Why thank you! :) I am striving to do my best when it comes to helping people in NS, and will continue to do so, whether they would like me as a mod or not.

This is a great Guide though. Compliments to AMF on this.

Cheers, Euro. :)

Cheers, Euro. :)

*Cheers*
It seems that we should become the next wave of moderators. I can't think of anyone else who would be a better moderator honestly. Whatever you've done in the past should be seen as the past.

And after youse guys it'll be me :P

Oh and Euroslavia, check your stickied NS thread, I want you to post a link that I posted there. Last page.

Im never going to be a mod because, frankly, id abuse the power. Id TRY not to, but its in my nature! With me as Mod, all hell would break loose!

So i'll just leave that to u guys!

I wouldn't be a mod either. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I wouldn't be a mod either. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

True...but I disagree with the idea that everyone would just abuse their power. I've found that the moderators here and at the MuchMusic forums are pretty fair and are much better than other forums I've been to (*cough*GameFAQs*cough*), so there are good ones. Remember, not everyone is cut out for every job, including moderation.

Good job. As a character based RPer, I find this to be spot on.

STICKY! STICKY! STICKY! STICKY! [cheers]

Good job. As a character based RPer, I find this to be spot on.

STICKY! STICKY! STICKY! STICKY! [cheers]



I wouldn't go as far as nominating it as a sticky... but alas, maybe someone with a sticky should add it...
..
..
.
*looks around*
..
If AMF would like, I could always add it to the "Guide To Nationstates"

Sure. I'll dig up some older, more useful threads for you to look at and see if you want to add them.

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely...but it rocks absolutely too."

Damn those old thread purges!!!! :(

Alas, all I have left from my 'how to' threads is this.....

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=276553

Damn those old thread purges!!!! :(

Alas, all I have left from my 'how to' threads is this.....

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=276553

I'll definitely add this thread. Thank God for archiving. :p

You know... about the whole mod thing... if my memory hasn't left me... AMF, weren't you one of the first mods? I could have sworn your member title was "Retired Moderator" for months on the old server.

You're thinking of Amerigo.

If you're a modern nation, clone armies are automatically beyond the bounds of reason. Unusually powerful weaponry can be technological superiority and (primitive) spacecraft exist in real life, though.

I completely forgot that my Sentinels are no longer 'clones' in the conventional sense. They are made purely through organic means, and the wombs that create them are very simple in design. The egg sacks produce eggs with the exact same DNA makeup, and they asexually create the Sentinel because the sperm is also properly coded the way we want it. 'Genetic parenting' is the RL term for this, and it exists even now.

All I'm doing is taking a prefabricated egg and sperm that are created in an organic womb and growing it as any fetus would grow. A little sci-fi in theory to all the hardcore 'modern tech must be modern tech' people, I know, but at least now people can stop accusing me of having the '1337 UB3R C70NZ 0V D34T!!!1111Shift+1'

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=337474

Like most good post modern, you fully apply and practise modern tech rather than inventing new technology.

Plus there are trade offs. My mechanised infantry outnumbers your sentinels (to the best of my knowledge) but then, in capability, they are in a different league.

Simularly, Im working on powered armour which will come in several varieties and halve my infantry. Plus all the varieites will have different strengths and weaknesses. The personnel armour will not be bullet proof in the eyes or joints and wont provide a firepower boost. But it will be much tougher than standard troops. But also twice as costly. The larger battlesuits will still be comparitively mobile and wont have those weakspots, the heavier suits will be resistnat to heavier weapons too. But they are muh more costly, largwer targets, less able to use cover and a little slower. Plus they require more maintenance in huge quantities, making them shock troops rather than suitable for long campaigns without support as they would stop working after seven days when the fuel runs out! Plus they will be a lot less numerous than even my other personnel armour! Plus if you hit them hard enough they will fall over, even if they dont die! (though they can get up, its slower than a man by a loooong way)

But the joy of this is, that its clever application of modern technology, in a way that wouldnt be feasible in RL, but wold if our nations were real. Which the whole point/fun of NS RPing.

I just passed this thread by, amazing job by the way. As it almost came to a Russian Forces/Momanguise war recently, I was wondering if you could provide an example of a smaller nation defeated an 'über power'?

look at the newb Rps, you had Juliaan who organised it as a competition and is 3bil and 1bil Taldaan who just wanted an RP (didnt seem to realise there was any competitiveness) and won.

The moral is that the better RPer won (as he wasnt trying to "win", so he was a better RPwer just on that)

Theres a thought.

Vastiva kicked in Communist Louisiana's teeth in a recent RP, and we're smaller. Though I would point out our side lost the RP, that particular conflict ended with a Vastivan fleet victory.

And AMF has fought bigger nations and handed them their heads.

You might consider - the bigger the nation, the longer logistics lines, and the more internal dissent they're going to have (its basic human psychology).

Yeah, I realise the limitations. For example, in a war RF would have had a greater population, but I would have had a far greater population density, so far less logistics to worry about etc.

Yeah, I realise the limitations. For example, in a war RF would have had a greater population, but I would have had a far greater population density, so far less logistics to worry about etc.

Well, that's how you beat him. Mobile and Guerilla war, not Attritional.

[OOC: Are there some good example threads for a 'Face Turn' or a 'Heel Turn'?]

[OOC: Are there some good example threads for a 'Face Turn' or a 'Heel Turn'?]


OOC: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=370966

Heel turn!

Added to the Guide To Nationstates.

A much needed Bump.

*bump*

look at the newb Rps, you had Juliaan who organised it as a competition and is 3bil and 1bil Taldaan who just wanted an RP (didnt seem to realise there was any competitiveness) and won.

Hang on, let me just sort this out. Although I'd like this to be true, I didn't win. Our forces clashed once, inconclusively, and then we sorted it out through negotiation.

And a beautiful job once again, AMF. :)

What about the anti-heros? you know good guys who do bad things for good reasons...."the ends justify the means" caracters.



anyway great thread man!

What about the anti-heros? you know good guys who do bad things for good reasons...."the ends justify the means" caracters.I think that might be covered under "Tweeners." These are the people who ostensibly fight on the side of good but employ "evil guy" tactics. IE, if Sarzonia invaded Automagfreek and adopted a "scorched Earth" policy whilst on AMF territory.

I think that might be covered under "Tweeners." These are the people who ostensibly fight on the side of good but employ "evil guy" tactics. IE, if Sarzonia invaded Automagfreek and adopted a "scorched Earth" policy whilst on AMF territory.

I think the anti-hero ideal should be put in as a character trait/class, as the protagonist is fighting on the side of good, although he's doing it by dubious means.

but you know what i hate in RPs....is when some dude moves one million at a time.whenever i see that i just laugh all these forces need food,water,gas and other logistics all those units will die of starvtion...and it is impossible to move all those forces at once.

I think that might be covered under "Tweeners."



well...i see tweeners as neutrals making moves....since they are neutral you dont know what they are doin(or goin to do) at anyone moment....of course i could be wrong :rolleyes:



but hell there are millions of archtypes(SP?)

Well, it can be that but "tweeners" according to this guide generally refers to people who use dubious means to attain honourable goals or (much less likely), honourable means to attain dubious goals.

Well, it can be that but "tweeners" according to this guide generally refers to people who use dubious means to attain honourable goals or (much less likely), honourable means to attain dubious goals.



ok cool




bump


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