Beginners Guide Revamp (BBCode)

[center][b][u][size=200][color=#bf0000]Beginners Guideline to Role Ideas[/color][/size][/u][/b][/center]

[size=100]Role Ideas (RI) can be a difficult place to get the hang of. If you are new to Role Ideas, don’t fret; this thread will guide you through the dos and don’ts of this subforum, and everything else you need to know to get started.[/size]

[u][center][b][size=200]1. Proposing a Role Idea[/size][/b][/center][/u]

[size=100]Proposing a Role Idea is a simple thing to do, but it is very important to do it correctly so that people reading it will understand exactly what the role is in order to prevent misunderstanding. The [b][url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=80369][color=#800040]Role Ideas Moderators[/color][/url][/b] have created a few templates (a simpler and a more thorough one) that are considered to be great formats for your Role Idea. We strongly advise that you use one of these templates for your Role Ideas, as it is effective at conveying your role in an explanatory and an coherent manner:[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Template No. 1 (Simpler Version):[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[quote][b][u][size=100]Role Name:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Role Alignment:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Abilities:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Goal:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Win Conditions:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Additional Information:[/size][/u][/b][/quote]
[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Template No. 2 (Thorough Version):[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[quote][b][u][size=100]Role Name:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Role Alignment:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Abilities:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Notifications:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Goal:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Win Conditions:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Special Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Investigator Results:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Sheriff[/color] - [/size]
[size=100][color=#00bf00]Investigator[/color] - [/size]
[size=100][color=#ff0000]Consigliere [/color]- [/size]

[b][u][size=100]Achievements:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Additional Information:[/size][/u][/b]


[b][u][size=100]Lore:[/size][/u][/b][/quote]
[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Explanation of the features of a role[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][b]Role Name [/b]- The name of your role.

[b]Role Alignment [/b]- The alignment of your role.

[b]Abilities [/b]- A vague outline of what your role does.

[b]Attributes [/b]- Either describing the abilities of the role, or anything your role does which is not an ability.

[b]Notifications [/b]- Any notifications that your role may generate or receive at any point. For example, “You have revealed yourself as the [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color]!”.

[b]Goal [/b]- The goal of your role which will lead you to victory. All [color=#00bf00]Town[/color] share a goal, as do the [color=#ff0000]Mafia[/color], but [color=#bfbfbf]Neutral[/color] roles will have a seperate one.

[b]Win Conditions [/b]- A list of all of the roles your role can win with, and the ones it cannot win with.

[b]Special Attributes [/b]- Includes things such as role immunities (Night Immunity, Roleblock Immunity, Detection Immunity, Control Immunity, etc) and Role Uniqueness. If your role does not have any special attributes, leave this blank.

[b]Investigator Results [/b]- The results that all three investigative roles ([color=#00bf00]Sheriff[/color], [color=#00bf00]Investigator[/color], and [color=#ff0000]Consigliere[/color]) receive upon investigating your role.

[b]Achievements [/b]- A list of the achievements of your role, and/or an explanation as to why certain achievements were removed/added in the case of a rework or edit of an existing role.

[b]Additional Information[/b] - Anything you couldn't place in one of the above categories. For example, this could be an explanation of how your role can be useful, what happens with your role in certain situations, or anything else you want people to know.

[b]Lore[/b] - Any flavour your role has. This can be a quick description or an entire backstory, but don't feel the need to go too overboard if you don't want to.[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]For the title of your role thread, we recommend that you use this format:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Role Name (Role Alignment)[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]For the title of your role rework or edit thread, we recommend that you use this format:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Role Name [Buff/Nerf/Overhaul][/size]

[size=100][b]Buff [/b]- When the particular edit makes the role in question more powerful[/size]
[size=100][b]Nerf[/b] - When the particular edit makes the role in question less powerful[/size]
[size=100][b]Overhaul[/b] - When the particular edit includes both nerfs and buffs, or when the role has been heavily edited[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Colour Codes:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]While not necessary, it is advised you use colour to indicate [color=#00bf00]Town[/color], [color=#ff0000]Mafia[/color], [color=#bfbfbf]Neutral[/color], and information associated with the aforementioned alignments.[/size]

[size=100]#FF0000/"Red” = [color=#ff0000]Mafia[/color][/size]
[size=100]#00BF00/“Green” = [color=#00bf00]Town[/color][/size]
[size=100]#BFBFBF/“Grey” = [color=#bfbfbf]Neutral[/color][/size]
[size=100]#8000FF = [color=#BF40FF]Coven[/color][/size]
[size=100]#0080FF = [color=#0080ff]Sub Alignment[/color] (i.e. [color=#0080ff]Investigative[/color], [color=#0080ff]Support[/color], [color=#0080ff]Deception[/color], etc)[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Here is an example of what a role idea might look like using the more simple Template (No. 1) above:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[quote][b][u][size=100]Role Name:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]

[b][u][size=100]Role Alignment:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Town[/color] ([color=#0080ff]Support[/color])[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Abilities:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]- Reveal yourself as the [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]

[b][u][size=100]Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]- Once revealed, you will have 3 votes[/size]
[size=100]- Every two days after your reveal, you will lose a vote until you have only have 1 vote[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Goal:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Lynch every criminal and evildoer[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Win Conditions:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]You must kill the [color=#ff0000]Mafia[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#0000ff]Serial Killers[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#ff8000]Arsonists[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#804000]Werewolves[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#BF40FF]Witches[/color][/size]
[size=100]You win with the [color=#00bf40]Town[/color][/size]
[size=100]You win with [color=#ffff00]Survivors[/color][/size]
[size=100]You may spare anyone else.[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Additional Information:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]This is effectively a nerfed variation of the current [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color], since they will now lose a vote every 2 days after revealing, which will apply pressure on the [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] and encourage them to be more active and get things done quickly. The general lore behind this is the idea of [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] eventually becoming less trusted by the [color=#00bf00]Town[/color], and thus losing power over time.[/size][/quote]
[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Here is an example of what a role idea might look like using the more thorough Template (No. 2) above:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[quote][b][u][size=100]Role Name:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]

[b][u][size=100]Role Alignment:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Town[/color] ([color=#0080ff]Support[/color])[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Abilities:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]- Reveal yourself as the [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] during the day[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]- Once revealed, you will have 3 votes[/size]
[size=100]- Every two days after your reveal, you will lose a vote until you have only have 1 vote[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Notifications:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#45bf00]Town[/color] will see “[Player name] has revealed themselves as the [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color]!” when you reveal in the day[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Goal:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Lynch every criminal and evildoer[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Win Conditions:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]You must kill the [color=#ff0000]Mafia[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#0000ff]Serial Killers[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#ff8000]Arsonists[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#804000]Werewolves[/color][/size]
[size=100]You must kill [color=#BF40FF]Witches[/color][/size]
[size=100]You win with the [color=#00bf40]Town[/color][/size]
[size=100]You win with [color=#ffff00]Survivors[/color][/size]
[size=100]You may spare anyone else[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Special Attributes:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Unique Role[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Investigator Results:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Sheriff[/color] - Your target is not suspicious.[/size]
[size=100][color=#00bf00]Investigator[/color] - Your target could be a [url=http://town-of-salem.wikia.com/wiki/Investigator][color=#45bf00]Investigator[/color][/url], [url=http://town-of-salem.wikia.com/wiki/Consigliere][color=#ff0000]Consigliere[/color][/url], or [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color].[/size]
[size=100][color=#ff0000]Consigliere [/color]- Your target is the leader of the [color=#45bf00]Town[/color]. They must be the [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color].[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Achievements:[/size][/u][/b]

[b][size=100]Supervisor[/b] - Win 1 game as [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]
[b][size=100]Ambassador [/b]- Win 5 games as [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]
[b][size=100]Executive [/b]- Win 10 games as [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]
[b][size=100]Commander and Chief [/b]- Win 25 games as [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color][/size]
[b][size=100]Faith in the Town [/b]- Be acquitted without revealing to the[color=#45bf00] Town[/color].[/size]

[size=100]Two of the achievements [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] currently has, [b]Fearless[/b] and [b]Incognito[/b], have been removed since they encourage linear play, and arguably encourage gamethrowing.[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Additional Information:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]This is effectively a nerfed variation of the current [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color], since they will now lose a vote every 2 days after revealing, which will apply pressure on the [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] and encourage them to be more active and get things done quickly. The general lore behind this is the idea of [color=#00bf00]Mayor[/color] eventually becoming less trusted by the [color=#00bf00]Town[/color], and thus losing power over time.[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Lore:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Identical to [color=#45bf00]Mayor[/color]’s current lore[/size][/quote]
[u][center][b][size=200]2. Making Good Role Ideas[/size][/b][/center][/u]

[size=100]Making good Role Ideas is generally quite difficult, and it’s hard to define what constitutes a good role idea since it is quite subjective. If you take a look at other Role Ideas, you will notice that there is a lot of diversity in how people perceive different roles; people might prefer fun roles over balanced roles (or vice versa), for example. However, the [url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64703][color=#0000bf]Testing Grounds[/color][/url] community (TG), a community driven to balance Town of Salem and create new balanced roles, has created guidelines on what not to do when creating new Role Ideas.[/size]

[size=100]If your role doesn’t fall under any of these categories, then it is more likely to be a balanced Role Idea. Please note that these are not rules and some roles may overstep these guidelines and be as balanced as roles that don’t; they are just placeholders.[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Concepts Not To Make:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][b]Role Dependency/Hard Counters[/b] - Roles that depend on or exist to counter or copy abilities from roles being generated in the game
[b]Independent Mafia Killing[/b] - Roles that increase the [color=#FF0000]Mafia[/color]’s killing ability by duplication or independent killing
[b]Conversion Role[/b] - Roles that can change the win condition of another role
[b]Overly Complex Role[/b] - Roles that are hard to implement, understand and operate
[b]RNG Role[/b] - Roles that have abilities based on random number generation
[b]Negative Utility[/b] - Roles that negatively impact their own alignment
[b]Self-Confirming Town[/b] - Roles that can easily confirm themselves
[b]Night Immune Town[/b] - Town roles that have permanent night immunity
[b]Limited Neutral Killing[/b] - [color=#BFBFBF]Neutral[/color] [color=#0080FF]Killing[/color] roles that have limitations to how and who they can kill
[b]Chaos Role[/b] - Any role that is built to bring chaos to the game
[b]Non-Evil Neutral Evil[/b] - Any [color=#BFBFBF]Neutral[/color] [color=#0080FF]Evil[/color] that can win with [color=#00BF00]Town[/color]
[b]Omniscient Town Killing[/b] - Any [color=#00BF00]Town[/color] Killing that has no charge limit to its abilities
[b]Easily Confirmable Roles[/b] - Any role that can be easily confirmed
[b]Vote/Chat Blocker[/b] - Any role that can block others from voting or chat
[b]New Alignment[/b] - Any alignment made solely for one role[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Roles Not To Make:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][b]Firefighter[/b] - A role built to put out the douses of the [color=#FF8000]Arsonist[/color]
[b]Copycat[/b] - Any role that uses other role's night abilities
[b]Postmortem Lookout[/b] - Any role that can see who visited a dead player
[b]Survivor Rehash[/b] - Any [color=#BFBFBF]Neutral[/color] [color=#0080FF]Benign[/color] role whose only goal is to survive to the end of the game
[b]Buddy[/b] - Any role that requires another specific person to survive to win
[b]Role Swapper[/b] - Any role that swaps/changes others' roles
[b]Visitor[/b] - Any role that has a win condition involving visiting other players
[b]Silver Bullet[/b] - A role that can shoot an evil without finding the evil
[b]Old Spy[/b] - Any role that can read the [color=#FF0000]Mafia[/color] chat
[b]Necromancer[/b] - An evil [color=#00BF00]Retributionist[/color] that can revive a dead teammate[/size]

[center][u][b][size=200]3. Joke Role Ideas Are Not Allowed[/size][/b][/u][/center]

[size=100]Posting role ideas for the purpose of jokes/memes is considered spam. Posting a single joke thread in this board will get you an Official Board Warning (this includes copy & pasting roles from [url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13629#p333309][color=#0000bf]Forum Mafia[/color][/url]).[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]Here is an example of a joke role idea (DO NOT make something similar to this):[/color][/size][/u][/b][size=100]

[quote][b][u]Role Name: [/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#b45f06]The Turd[/color][/size]

[b][u][size=100]Role Alignment: [/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#bfbfbf]Neutral[/color] [color=#0080ff]Benign[/color][/size]

[b][u][size=100]Attributes:[/u][/b] [/size]

[size=100]Sits like a lump during the day[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Abilities: [/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Able to make people worship you at your shrine[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Goal: [/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Survive to the end[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Wins with:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Everyone[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Special Attributes:[/b] [/size][/u]

[size=100]Unique Role, Night Immune[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Investigative Results:[/size][/u][/b]

[size=100][color=#00bf00]Sheriff[/color] - Your target is not suspicious. [/size]
[size=100][color=#00bf00]Investigator[/color] - Your target is a loner. [/size]
[size=100][color=#ff0000]Consigliere [/color]- Your target does nothing.[/size]

[b][u][size=100]Additional Information: [/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]Because I can[/size][/quote]
[center][u][b][size=200]4. Rules Which You Must Abide By When Posting[/size][/b][/u][/center]

[b][size=100]The Role Ideas subforum frequently has instances of forumers not adhering to the Forum Rules. Failure to comply to any of the Forum Rules will result in a warning or other action at the discretion of the [url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=80369][color=#800040]Role Ideas Moderators[/color][/url].[/size][/b]

[b][size=100]The rules below (quoted from Forum Rules) include many of the rules commonly violated in the Role Ideas subforum, especially the ones given in bold. Please familiarise yourselves with them to avoid future comeuppance.[/size][/b]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bc0000]Rule 7 & 8 from the Forum Rules[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[quote][b][size=100][color=#383121]7. Spam isn't tolerated on this forum.[/color][/size][/b]
[size=100][color=#383121]Examples of spam include, but are not limited to;[/color][/size]
[list]
[*][b][size=100][color=#383121]Posting multiple times in a row rather than all in one post. Use the Edit button to edit your post if you have additional comments to make.[/color][/size][/b]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Spamming the use of smilies in your posts. (Please limit to 4 or less.)[/color][/size]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Abusing the report system for any reason. (This includes, but isn't limited to; Posting gibberish in the reasoning for the report, filing a report after being asked to stop by staff, etc.)[/color][/size]
[*][b][size=100][color=#383121]Making posts that are not relevant to the topic at hand or have very little content/quality. This rule applies everywhere. (In Role Ideas, explain why you like or dislike a role. In Suggestions, explain why you agree or disagree with an idea, etc.) One word responses that give little to no substance belong in this category ('/support' is an example of this.)[/b] Any posts failing to meet this requirement will be removed and the user will be informed of the removal and why. (In The Lounge, the enforcement is a little relaxed, but still enforced.)[/color][/size]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Post farming - the act of commenting on many threads with very small and lesser quality posts - is not allowed. If staff believe you are attempting to post farm, you will be contacted and your posts deleted.[/color][/size]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Repeating what someone else has said. (This includes posting just exact quotes without addressing the quote with a response.)[/color][/size]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Cross and double posting aren't allowed. (Posting in multiple forum boards or posting the same thread multiple times, respectfully.)[/color][/size]
[*][b][size=100][color=#383121]Posting to derail the original topic of the thread in question and directing discussions in direction of a completely different topic.[/color][/size][/b]
[*][b][size=100][color=#383121]Posting to bump a topic older than a month that you're not the original poster (OP) of, in addition to any of the spam examples (posting multiple times, spamming smilies, etc). If the bump creates new replies to the old thread or the bump was needed in order to reconstitute a past issue, then it is permitted to do so. If you wish to bump a thread older than 1 month, contact a Global Moderator for approval. Failure to do so will violate the rule and result in punishment.[/color][/size][/b]
[*][size=100][color=#383121]Posting asking for referrals towards the game's "Refer a Friend" feature to get the rewards.[/color][/size][/list]

[b][size=100][color=#333333]8. Personal attacks at a general audience, specific groups of people, or individual users are not allowed, nor tolerated, including outside drama.[/color][/size][/b]
[b][size=100][color=#333333]This includes but isn't limited to baiting, mocking, intentionally picking fights, racism, sexism, discrimination of any kind, flaming, etc. If you have any issues with a certain forum member, please keep it to PMs but do not forget we enforce the rules in PMs as well. Do not bring PM arguments to the open forum. If necessary, contact a Moderator for assistance by reporting the PM in question. Do not bring drama outside the forums into the forums. Failure to do so will result in a public reminder, followed by a Board Warning, and if necessary, a ban. Slurs of any kind directed at members will result in a permanent ban, including, but not limited to racial and homophobic slurs.[/color][/size][/b][/quote]
[b][u][size=150][color=#bf0000]To summarise the most commonly broken rules:[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]- Please ensure your content is constructive and informative, providing a reason for your opinion, whether it be positive or negative.[/size]

[size=100]- Posts with a lack of reasoning and constructive ideas/feedback will be considered as spam and judged accordingly. This includes posts featuring one word responses that give little to no substance ('/support' is an example of this.) [/size]

[size=100]- Please make sure that all of your posts stay on topic; posts deviating from the discussion regarding the Role Idea will be considered as spam. If this does occur, please move the discussion to forum PMs, away from the thread in question.[/size]

[size=100]- Heated arguments and derogatory remarks are not permitted; please remain civil and treat others as you would want to be treated. Similarly, flame wars are not permitted.[/size]

[size=100]- When making changes to your role idea, or giving feedback for a role idea, keep all of your ideas in a single post rather than posting multiple times. If you have additional comments to make, edit your original post.[/size]

[size=100]- Do not bump threads older than 1 month that you’re not the original poster (OP) of if you have no specific reason to do so. If you do have a specific reason, contact a Global Moderator for approval.[/size]

[center][u][b][size=200]5. Role Ideas Contests[/size][/b][/u][/center]

[size=100]Occasionally, Role Ideas Contests are held, which are contests where players will debate about each others Role Ideas. Winner/s are chosen among those who are considered to have the best role/s, the best ability to debate, or a combination of both. Each host will have their own take on how to decide the appropriate winner/s.[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bc0000]Joining a Role Ideas Contest[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]To join one of these contests, you should first read the instructions and details at the beginning of the thread.[/size]

[b][u][size=150][color=#bc0000]Hosting a Role Ideas Contest[/color][/size][/u][/b]

[size=100]In order to host one of these contests, you must privately message one of the [b][url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=80369][color=#800040]Role Ideas Moderators[/color][/url][/b] with your contest instructions. It is important that your post gives information on how to play your contest, as well as a list of all of the rules for contest. You also need to properly set up a system to ensure that players know who they are arguing against and what they are arguing about; the most important thing to do as a host of a contest is to stay active and keep track of everything that is going on.[/size]

[size=100]For an example of what your Role Ideas Contest setup should look like, please see [b][url=http://www.blankmediagames.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=82539#p2696599]here[/url][/b].[/size]