I'll be brief, since it's been a long day, but I wanted to put this up a) before I forget, and b) so you folks can chime in while I'm sleeping :p
Basically, I have two ideas on how to approach a species list:
1) The first idea is the one I've had in my head for a few weeks now, and that's basically that the list of approved species would list all species that have been applied for, along with individual stipulations for use for some of the other species with more superhuman qualities and individual stipulations on them. For example, Dashade would be allowed, but have the stipulation that they only have limited resistance to more indirect Force usage, such as mind-effecting powers, or that Shi'ido can shapeshift, but only to creatures of roughly the same mass.
2) The alternative idea that I came up with tonight is that we paint almost all species with the same brush and limit their in-combat abilities, but allow more freedom of out combat. So for example, any natural, biological advantage wouldn't be allowed to be used in PvP battles without consent, but in more story-based RP or with the consent of the other RPers, any innate, biological abilities can still be used. So, using the above examples, in typical dedicated combat scenarios a Dashade would still be vulnerable to the Force, and a Shi'ido would have to use their 'preferred form' in combat, but in RPs where members consent to it, then you'd be allowed the full use of your abilities, as written.
Thoughts?
I would pick number one. I know it will potentially be more work for the admins but I think the second hand approach will cause more hassle. As people will either complain that there character species specific effects don't work in PvP or will just forgoe using other species because there are all the same just look different.
I strongly prefer number 2. This would discourage people from using their races to powerbuild their characters for really wonky stuff. Generally, most people pick humans. 90% of people that pick aliens pick aliens balanced against humans, aliens which don't have superhuman abilities. The other 10% choose aliens with some sort of ability specifically usable in combat. In essence, if we go with number 2, the only people it impacts are the people trying to use their race choice for a meta advantage. The key point here is consent - if you really want to use your Rishii's ability to fly about like special snowflake, you can ask your opponent if they're ok with it. Normally, they should be, and by and large this rule will never negatively impact anyone that isn't trying to be abusive.I'll be brief, since it's been a long day, but I wanted to put this up a) before I forget, and b) so you folks can chime in while I'm sleeping :p
Basically, I have two ideas on how to approach a species list:
1) The first idea is the one I've had in my head for a few weeks now, and that's basically that the list of approved species would list all species that have been applied for, along with individual stipulations for use for some of the other species with more superhuman qualities and individual stipulations on them. For example, Dashade would be allowed, but have the stipulation that they only have limited resistance to more indirect Force usage, such as mind-effecting powers, or that Shi'ido can shapeshift, but only to creatures of roughly the same mass.
2) The alternative idea that I came up with tonight is that we paint almost all species with the same brush and limit their in-combat abilities, but allow more freedom of out combat. So for example, any natural, biological advantage wouldn't be allowed to be used in PvP battles without consent, but in more story-based RP or with the consent of the other RPers, any innate, biological abilities can still be used. So, using the above examples, in typical dedicated combat scenarios a Dashade would still be vulnerable to the Force, and a Shi'ido would have to use their 'preferred form' in combat, but in RPs where members consent to it, then you'd be allowed the full use of your abilities, as written.
Thoughts?
I strongly prefer number 2. This would discourage people from using their races to powerbuild their characters for really wonky stuff. Generally, most people pick humans. 90% of people that pick aliens pick aliens balanced against humans, aliens which don't have superhuman abilities. The other 10% choose aliens with some sort of ability specifically usable in combat. In essence, if we go with number 2, the only people it impacts are the people trying to use their race choice for a meta advantage. The key point here is consent - if you really want to use your Rishii's ability to fly about like special snowflake, you can ask your opponent if they're ok with it. Normally, they should be, and by and large this rule will never negatively impact anyone that isn't trying to be abusive.
But if people are signing up for main battles with ordinary, non-powerbuild characters and someones designed a character specifically to kill Jedi and shows up in a thread with a perfect storm of racial traits and combat abilities, and the opposing Jedi player never had a choice about who he was facing, it undermines the value of RP and character development and overemphasizes the value of character creation.
I don't think race is picked for combat. I usually choose an alien because I like not bring a human and the RP quirks that come with alien races. Plus to me it is boring to do just humans when we have a big galaxy of aliens. So I disagree with that idea of people only choosing it for meta game combat. Maybe some do, or a lot, but not everyone.
I like both options really but I'm not a huge min maxer so whatever works best for everyone I'm cool with it.