Damn. That was a long thread. People, please stop posting so much stuff for me to read; this thread has taken 2 hours out of my life that I'll never get back. To say the least, my eyes hurt.
I really would like to see sleep mechanics made a 3/2/1 system with decay; if not, just a 2/2/1 with decay would probably suffice. As for negative energy, I agree with R_D on the matter; not only are last-ditch ending combos fun as hell to pull off successfully, it is important and gives a usable edge if you're low on HP; they may be destructive if the new Pokemon gets a solid combo hit, but that's partially why Protect, Dodging, and priority were created.
As for Selfdestruct and Explosion, I know for a fact that they both had a caption saying that they couldn't be used without sufficient energy. I had the moves list bookmarked, and my bookmarks on my computer, for some strange reason, load a cached version of the webpage on the day I bookmarked it as opposed to the updates. Stupid old machine was actually useful for something for once. YAY!
Actually, I think I have an idea to (sort of) end the Rank 4 and 5 cutoff debate. These debates only ask "will this Base stat be Rank 4 or Rank 5?" Well, Wynaut (it's a pun, laugh, dammit) make it Rank 4.5?
The main reason we use integer ranks is because the original system used asterisks to measure the ranks. Personally, I liked that system better (personally, the new system I find not aesthetically appealing and rather generic and boring), but now, with us using plain, boring numbers, we can divide them in half. Possibly, we could apply this to any "bordering" base stat, like the Base 95's, Base 140's (I think that's the cutoff for Rank 6), and all the rest, creating a new system with decimal points. Of course, nature changes would still be a 1 rank difference, and Rank 1 will still be the lowest rank a Pokemon can have without nature changes. I doubt the damage formula would have to change much to accomodate this new system.
As for HP, I propose making a new formula for total HP as totalHP=HPRank*10+70. Basically, Rank 1 Pokemon would have 80 HP, Rank 2 have 90, Rank 3 have 100, et cetera, up to Rank 9 with 160 HP to punch through. And yes, it would probably make Blissey OP. Deal with it. If you think soething threatens you, find a way to circumvent it. Same arguement I give for Gengar, Cyclohm, and any other OP 'mon there may be.
So, any thoughts on my idea?
EDIT: Objection, I know that; I said that it had it at some point in the past. I edited the part to prevent further confusion.
Any comments on my idea?