Smogon ASB League.
This seems like the most logical place to post this, if a bit more low key than I would like.
I propose a Smogon
Anime Style Battling League.
Other forums like Bulbagarden and
The PokeMasters have these games in effect, we did have one at PokemonFanUniverse, which is now defunct, Magmortified and a few other Smogon users were part of it.
These games are very expansive, continuous, and usually utilize several forums and subforums once they gain enough interest. Here are the basics, just to ascertain interest. They will be based on the ASB model I'm most familiar with (leagues across multiple forums differ), which is PFU's model.
The Basics:
Anime Style Battling combines role-playing elements with a PvP battling system where each battle between players has its own thread and its own "referee."
1. Each Player is allowed (1) account. This account includes all their pokemon, various specialty items for intra-ASB activities, and any currency.
2. Players can battle each other's pokemon in matches using any moves available to their pokemon that the pokemon have obtained. It requires both teams be approved, a battle arena chosen, and a ref for the match.
3. Additionally, Shops can be set up to provide pokemon, items, or activities at a reasonable price. Starting fresh puts this on a first come, first serve basis, and the user in charge must be active.
Now, all of this sounds very nebulous and to be honest, its actually a project to establish in and of itself. Here are the elements we had in the PFUASB before the forum deletion: TPM has many of these elements, and some different ones.
1. Team Approval Tower: (Teams are approved here, the first step for all users)
2. Bank: (where you verify transactions and monetary winnings from matches)
3. Reffing Tower: (where refs are approved.)
3a: Subsystems:
Scale of Damages (e.g. a method for calculating a logical amount of damage that an attack would do in battle).
Combining Attacks (just like in the Anime, refs will combine these attacks within reason based on the trainer's strategy)
Alternating Turns: (The trainer who sends out the first pokemon sends attacks second [sending second allows more defensive/reactive moves])
Attack List: (Attacks and their descriptions)
Ability List: (Abilities and their descriptions)
4. Various shops: including a Safari Zone, Breeding center, Daycare, Evolution shops, Item Shops, Trading Center, etc.
4a. Subsystems:
Evolving pokemon required physical time restraints and could not be used in battles while in a shop
5. Battle Dome: (Battles between users were requested here)
5a. Subsystems:
Number of Pokemon: (1vs1 - 6vs6)
Style: (Singles, Doubles, Teams, or "Free for All")
Arena: (Custom arenas with user created effects on moves, size of the arena, inherent weather effects, indoor/outdoor, etc. Basically if you can imagine it, the Arena was legit, provided you could get someone to accept it. Arena destruction is totally legit, as are rules about "Ring Outs." Use your imagination. Or go with Indigo Stadium.)
DQ Limit: Disqualification Period. Usually 3 days to week. Battlers are expected to post their next attacks within the DQ period or suffer a loss.
Other Limits: Usually around OHKOs, direct recovery moves and "chills," which restored HP and Energy, respectively. (Double Team usually isn't here because it's much easier to thwart in ASB than in Shoddy, seeing as wide attacks dissipate the clones. Basically if you've seen it done in anime, it's largely fair game as a tactic. Including Ghosts "phazing" through walls and the like)
Example:
3vs3
Singles
Arena: Indigo Stadium: A plain outdoor stadium around the size of a football field, with a granite floor.
DQ: 3 days
NO OHKOS
2 Direct Recovery (Milk Drink/Recover)/5 Chills [10% energy regain] per pokemon.
Battle Threads: (After getting a Ref to start the topic, The battle occurs here)
Subsystems: HP and Energy (A Pokemon is KO'd if it runs out of either. Powerful attacks cost more energy and do more damage. Support attacks do not do damage but do use energy, as does dodging or any other action. Energy is designed to balance offensive and defensive play, discouraging tanking tactics.)
The rules of most ASBs is that battles consist of each trainer posting 3 attacks and their strategy for that round. The referee then plays out these attacks and any arena effects, constituting a round. Battles between Elite trainers get much more complicated, as there is an allowance for alternate sets of commands, within reason. The Ref can screw you up if you give your pokemon orders that are too complex.
There were other elements we were going to add, we were currently updating to DP Pokemon and Moves, and debating Ability implementation and Leveling systems, as well as the "start-up package" for new trainers.
Here was the last model I proposed for a Startup:
1. Trainers begin with up to (3) Pokemon at the lowest stage of evolution, no Legendaries, spending up to 6 "rarity points" and $15.
2. During Team Approval, each new pokemon starts at Lv. 5 and gets its starting moves + 2 Egg Moves, 2 TMs (one of which must be STAB), and 1 Tutor Move. These are Trainer's choice.
3. Trainers are expected to keep track of the pokemon and money in their accounts.
The reasons for this were to keep the ASB interesting. Our system used to be each pokemon had access to all possible moves from all possible generations available, we wanted to go for a more balanced system in our restart, and not give overpowering advantages to pokemon with immense movepools. This allows each trainer to combine the moves they think will be most effective, and not turn early battles into a Scratch and Pound-fest.
Additionally the reward for winning a battle used to be some money (base don battle length), and a catch or evolution. The level-based system changed this dynamic (on the evolution side). Refs were naturally paid more because refereeing is intense and time consuming, and additionally received a weekly check from the bank for doing so.
Anyway, a lot of this is rambling and justification. Basically speaking, the Smogon ASB League would require a substantial amount of commitment from dedicated users. As its proposer I will take the lead in getting everything sorted out, starting with what we want our rules to be. This is a very complicated game that requires good writing, logical, and sensical skills but is extremely fun when created properly. Once the actual rules are in place, it is fairly easy to pick up.
None of these rules, btw, are set in stone. That is what the rules committee and active members at the outset is for. If someone come sup with a brilliant system, I'm all for it. I already have some of these supporting documents in my computer, as I had created them for use at PFU.
Basically it is like building your own miniature economy combined with RPG elements and pokemon training through battle. There are limitations on how many battles you can be in at once (usually 2 Max), and the day limitations (24, 36, 48) on many activities means its not a huge source of pc++. A good ASB rewards the creativity of its members.