New Rule Re: Basic Battles

Permabasics will no longer receive money from 1v1 battles.

That is to say, as clearly as I can possibly make it:

A Pokemon that has met the required number of battles for evolution, but did not evolve, can no longer receive battle payouts for any and all 1v1 matches.

If a Pokemon that does still require evolution is battling against a permabasic, the owner of the Pokemon that still requires battles will still be paid. The owner of the permabasic will not.

This is a response to the disgustingly high number of battles that are conducted with a pre-determined outcome and "thrown". Any continued conduct of this sort will be considered abuse of the battling system and may incur fines or other punishment.

 

In light of members being confused as to why this rule has been changed/put in place, I'm opening this thread for questions. Any posts that are solely complaining or otherwise non-constructive will be deleted.

First, a few examples:

IDEAL 1v1 BATTLE:

Evolving Basic vs. Evolving Basic

In this case, both battlers will receive money for the outcome of the battle. Both players should, where possible, attempt to win the battle.
The current trend of predetermining the outcome of these battles was unacceptable, such as agreeing for only one player to use damaging attacks, and ensure they win the whole set.

ACCEPTABLE:

Evolving Basic vs. Permabasic

We are not banning the use of permabasics in 1v1 battles. However the permabasic will not be paid regardless of the outcome. This does make it difficult to battle competitively.
The use of permabasics in 1v1 battles should be avoided wherever possible. Unless it is urgent, we would ask that members simply wait a day or two until someone else also has a basic to evolve.
The Trainer Station is intended to help people find a specific battle. Posting your request here does not mean the battle MUST be conducted on the forum. Consider it a battle lobby.

Evolving Basic vs. Fully Evolved

Although this is technically an acceptable battle, NOBODY gets paid for this. Not the basic, the fully evolved Pokemon, or the ref. This is not a new rule.
The battle will count to evo though, so if you really just want a Pokemon evolved and nobody cares about money, do this. The fully evolved Pokemon can OHKO as required.

ALTERNATIVES:

Permabasics can still be used in and will be paid for all other battles types. 2v2's and 3v3's can be competitive, and allow parties to use a basic in one of those slots. For example:

Evolving Basic/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved vs Permabasic/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved

Evolving Basic/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved vs Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved

Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved vs Permabasic/Fully Evolved/Fully Evolved

Yes, these battles will take longer. What we are aiming for is for basic Pokemon to be used, at least in some small degree, competitively, and as such remove the abuse of the system by predetermining the outcome of 1v1 battles.
Whether this is against other evolving basics, or by including basics in larger battles is up to the individual.



This thread is now open for questions.

 

Adding on to what Monbrey said, I'd like to point out that there are upsides to forum battling too.

We've sort of evolved into this 'fast, fast, fast' mindset and have discouraged doing anything on the forum, especially for hustling newer players into evolving their starter right away. I think in doing that, we've lost some of the appreciation of what this role playing game is supposed to be about. Instead of spending ten minutes to instantly evolve a mon, why not appreciate every battle that mon goes through? This is a story telling game, after all.

In fact, I remember when players used to role play their moves in forum battles more often. I think we should bring it back: both forum battling and the role play aspect. This is a great way to expand on creativity and just have a little fun. Encourage your opponents and refs to do it too! You can build character and create back-stories for you and your team, the whole purpose of a role play. While this is more easily done on the forum, it can be done in AIM battles too! All it takes is something as simple as calling your mon by its nickname.

Part of the reason why there is some disquiet is probably because this was a sudden change, especially those that learned this way to begin with, and I understand that. However, this problem has been growing since permabasics began, and I think we'll be able to adapt to it. The URPG has always been about reward for effort, and the old perma system wasn't honoring that. Equal effort should be expended for gains.

That being said, there's no reason you guys can't do a 2v2 with your permas still, if you want to keep them in that form. You even get normal 1k/500 pay for them. Then, you can make the battle even more interesting and fun while helping out someone else too.

The changes will take some getting used to, but I think we'll be fine. All of you adapt to other changes remarkably well, and I think this will be another of them. All we need is a little spice in our battles.

 

So, just to confirm, permabasic vs. permabasic would result in no pay to either side, only the ref?

 

That's correct. The ref would be paid $500 for the 1v1 battle. Permabasics can still be used in 2v2 or higher for full pay - the same as fully evolved Pokemon, which don't recieve any pay for 1v1's either.

 

I thought even before this rule, perma vs perma didn't pay anyone, even the ref?

P.S.: Totally agree this rule was needed.

 

Double checked and you are right. But if people actually want to battle, and battle properly, perma vs perma in a 1v1, I see no reason the ref shouldn't get $500 for reffing it. However if the same two permas were battling over and over again the ref would then be abusing the system.