[Time Mage]

Originally Posted by Fat DougJustDoug

I plan to remove the line that specifically excludes building a new generation. Inevitably, we are creating bunch of pokemon -- whatever we want to call it. That line really just confuses things.

I agree. We should only focus on creating one pokémon at a time, one that adds something to the metagame, rather than creating a whole new generation, with all the implications that means. I think it's more important to create a new useful spinner, or a special attacker that is not walled by Blissey but is by others, for example, than a new starting trio or a new legendary trio.

Originally Posted by Fat DougJustDoug

We need a new section that broadly outlines the kinds of pokemon we want to create. I think it should mention that the pokemon are intended to be usable in competitive play (we don't need to specify tiers). I also think there should be some mention about contributing to a more balanced metagame. Perhaps a sentence or two that says we may create individual pokemon or themed sets of pokemon, like legends and starters. If others agree on this new section, please write up a suggested wording and post it.

I also agree. Competitive pokémon should be the focus, leaving the "flavor" aspects as a secondary decision after the role. And speaking of that, and although this probably fits better in the guidelines workshop topic, I think the first thing that should be decided for each pokémon is the role. typing affects greatly the roles the pokémon can play, so the role should be first, or we could find ourselves with a Fire/Flying pokémon, and people wanting a spinner, for example.

Also, I'll do the formal writeup of this:

"The pokémon created on the CAP project will always have a competitive focus. The goals when creating a new pokémon should be making a competitive pokémon, that adds something new or necessary to the metagame. Created pokémon should make the metagame more balanced, hopefully increasing the number of pokémon available in the OU environment. Creative decisions, such as its "legendary" or "starter" status should be an afterthought, and not the main goal of the project, as those designations doesn't mean anything in a competitive environment."

Originally Posted by Fat Brain

Also, in general, people care about their fake pokemon, not so much the fake pokemon other people made and that is why legitimacy is a very big deal. Your very community-centric system and Smogon's backing will help you a lot with that, hopefully it will be sufficient.

I think THIS is the key. The pokémon crated here are not someone's pokémon, but a community effort. As such, there are much more people that are attached to them, and that is an important initial player base that will help the project being healthy.

Originally Posted by Fat Brain

A) Keep doing what you do now:

B) Change the core mechanics.

A) Is what we are doing now and what I consider the wisest solution. Both ways might lead to a better metagame, but the first one will be much more accepted by the community, and the community is vital for this things to succeed. Not to mention that is much easier to make one pokémon at a time than to make everything from scratch, of course.