04 - Character Aplication Guidelines

[The Phantom God]

Apping Your Character

Table of Contents
Who you can you app?
How many characters can you play?
What are the rules governing Minor Characters?
Should I have an account for every character?
Allocating stats and what they translate to
Abilities and their limitations
Utility Abilities
What should I do after I'm approved?

Who can you app?

Figuring out who to app is probably one of the most important decisions you can make! That being said, any canon character from the Puyo Puyo and Madou Monogatari series or their novel/animated material is appable. Period. For characters outside of those series, they must meet the following criteria.

• The Video Game Origin Clause: The character must originate from a series that began its life as a video game. That means the video game must have come before or in tandem with any anime/novel/toy material. Feel free to ask about a series if you need help checking. For the purposes of applying for characters on this forum the following are not considered video games: Visual novels wherein "visual novel" is the single and only video game genre, and digital pet games.

[/b] If your character is a clone, doppelganger, alternate universe spin, or anything of that nature you must have the permission from the player of the character they're modeled after in order for them to be player characters. Else they can only be minor characters. Exceptions exist wherein the doppelganger in question is a canon character of some significance or you are the player of both the original and their doppelganger.
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Additionally, characters must not meet any of the following criteria to be accepted.

• The No Guns Clause: While your character is allowed to know what a gun is, they cannot bring one to Puyo Puyo Universe with them. Consider that even if they did, ammunition would be almost non-existent nor would unlimited ammunition get a pass.
• The No Shonen Clause: Puyo Puyo and Madou Monogatari are series that enjoy a healthy mockery and subversion of so-called shonen logic and shonen stereotypes. Even Lagnus, the walking shonen stereotype is a mockery of the genre. Therefore to maintain the 'feeling' of the setting, a character that plays shonen tropes too straight may be declined for breaking this clause.
• The Fourth Wall Integrity Restoration Act: Characters are not allowed to have fourth wall awareness as an actual character trait. See the main rules section of the guide for information on where the line with fourth wall related jokes is drawn.
• The Dull Edge Clause: Characters from a series that is exclusively M rated or above may not be apped (D rated or above for Japan-exclusives), and characters that are from a series that is only sometimes M rated must be closer to their T or below rated counterparts in how they are written. While the site is no stranger to dark themes, many games that fall into this category are perceived as being very jarring additions to the universe. However, some M rated series may be excluded from this clause at the staff's discretion. To suggest a new series to be excluded from the dull edge clause, please post in the Questions and Feedback board and make your case for it fitting in with the PPU universe. The current series exceptions are listed below:
  
  

  A - I	J - R	S - Z
  	Persona

  
  

How many characters can you play?

Everyone starts off with the ability to app 3 entire characters! However, we might recommend focusing on just one or two if you're worried about progression or activity. To apply for additional characters past the starting limit of 3, you must raise the level of all your current characters to level 5 or above. Additionally, there is a hard cap of 6 player characters for any given individual. This does not count NPCs, and in some cases, on a case-by-case basis, you will be allowed to have a companion that doesn't count towards your player limit. For example, Arle and Carbuncle. Or OCs created to flesh out the world.






What are the rules governing Minor Characters?

For the most part, canon characters cannot be considered minor characters. However, you are allowed to intentionally cripple their stats below what you'd normally be allowed if you'd prefer to treat them as mooks. The only exception to this is characters that there are canonically more than one of. For example, there are several different Draco Centauros throughout the series canonically treated as minor characters. However, if you made a Draco Centauros minor character they would need to have their own name for the purposes of the RP. (They cannot simply be named Draco Centauros.) OCs in comparison can be created as minor characters at will. Minor characters do not require approval, however you may choose to register them using a slightly modified template found in the application area. They can level up just like player characters (But only up to level 10) but their base stats and damage done are somewhat lower. They can also have their own account if you so choose. You will be allowed to continue playing them so long as they obey the same in character rules and guidelines as regular players. It is possible for a minor character to graduate into a player character, provided that you qualify for an additional player character.






Should I have an account for every character?

Preferably, yes. That is the recommended way to play on Puyo Puyo Universe, however, you will not get in trouble for using a single account instead if that's what you prefer. The reason we recommend using a separate account for each character is two-fold. The first and most important reason is that you're technically at an advantage for doing so. Post rank rewards are limited in number and the gap between the next rank increases with every rank up, so your characters will level up slightly faster than if you used a single account--especially with new characters. It's not a big enough difference that I'd consider it a major disadvantage, but enough that it deserves mention. Note that the monthly reward for activity is a flat rate in comparison.







Allocating stats and what they translate to

Character base stats can range from a meager -5 to an entire +8 here at PPU. generally speaking, it's intended that challenges will be made with characters that have positive stats in mind. If you leave a stat negative, you are acknowledging that this stat is a weakness for your character and should not expect to beat roles using that stat. Here's a brief chart that may help give you an idea of what these stats translate to in real world terminology.

Stat Range	What it represents
-4 or less	This usually indicates a disability beyond the normal scope of just 'being bad' at something or some form of very unusual incompetence that you'd expect to draw attention to itself. For example, a person who is very oblivious might have a -3 in perception, but someone who is literally blind or deaf might have a -5.
-3	If your character is especially bad at something but not to the point that they might be considered disabled in some way, this is probably the lowest their stat should be. For example, a very clumsy person might have a -3 in dexterity or stealth.
-2 to -1	For most average joes who are bad at something, this is where they fall. You're just... somewhat below average! You might even be able to fix that with some real practice and training. This might be considered the 'unrefined' skill level.
0	Completely average. You're not bad at it but you're not good either. This usually fits under the "Unrefined" skill level, with a very modest amount of natural talent perhaps.
+1 to +2	Still within the average joe spectrum. This can either fit within the "unrefined" skill level for those that have a natural talent for the stat or the "refined" skill spectrum for people who don't have natural talent. Refined meaning they've put work into bettering themselves.
+3 to +4	This is where the "professional" skill level lays. No longer an average joe, the people at this stat level are very good at what they do, usually via a combination of some level of talent and hard work bettering themselves. It is expected that this is about what you need to tilt the odds of defeating your average roll in your favor.
+5 to +6	Few people can hope to attain heights like these in their entire life time. People at this level have ascended from mere professionalism into an 'master' skill level in which they are no longer learning from others but rather finding ways to get stronger on their own. Some of the world leaders in their fields likely sit in this range.
+7 to +8	Supernaturally gifted. Not only are they incredibly good at what they do, but others likely can't grasp how they did it. They defy reality's expectations and baffle their peers with their incredible talent.

Abilities and their limitations

Abilities is the catch-all term for your character's unique powerset. It is our intention that you be allowed to be creative with your moveset, making it as flexible and mechanical as you feel comfortable with. Ideally, there should be a method of doing anything you want to do through the system, provided you have a creative way of balancing it. Speaking of balancing though, there are some very basic rules restricting what abilities can do under 'normal' circumstances. For starters, there are three different 'classes' of abilities with wildly different values.

• There are normal abilities. Normal abilities are the standard and have a value of about 500 coins.
• Then there are utility abilities. Utility abilities are abilities with very situational uses, such as a sowing ability that allows your character to repair clothes in a pinch. They have a value of 250 coins, or half a normal ability. Check below for more information on them.
• Finally, there are tranformations. Transformations are very powerful abilities that allow you to switch over to a new set of stats and abilities at will. Your transformation will always have the same ammount and type of abilities, with their transformation ability being to return to their normal form. Only one transformation can be used per thread. Transformations cost a whopping 2000 coins, or 4 abilities.

That being said, here is a breakdown of some of the things abilities can and cannot do to help you get started:

• You can take up to three actions on a given turn. Things that are considered actions unless otherwise stated include: Using abilities, using items, making a grapple roll, or any other form of attack that doesn't fall under abilities.
• Abilities can do up to a maximum of 15 damage with no strings attached. Attacks that do more damage or have beneficial effects such as a chance at applying a status may require downsides to balance them.
• Abilities that reduce the damage a character takes cannot be passive abilities (Used in reaction to the attack, as opposed to before being attacked) unless they require the defender to beat the attacking roll with a roll of their own.
• Abilities cannot completely negate incoming damage under any condition.
• Abilities cannot hit or impair a target without a succesful accuracy roll.
• No abilities or combination of abilities may result in a single character rolling more than 10 times in a single post.
• No ability may reward a player for making bad rolls or punish opponents for making good rolls.
• No ability may simply bypass roll prompts.
• "Buff" abilities may not last longer than their cooldown unless there is a risk associated with using them.
• Healing abilities must be substantially weaker than damaging abilities given the same balancing.

That being said, here are just a few examples of various different types of attacks that would be considered at the upper limits of balancing.

• A basic sword slashing attack that does 15 damage.
• A risky sword stab that does 1d10+10 damage
• A blast of holy magic that does 10+(Charisma Stat) damage.
• A devistating attack that does 31 damage on a 4 turn cooldown.
• A slow attack that consumes 2 actions but does 30 damage.
• A healing move that heals for 1d15+(Healing Stat) health with a 3 turn cooldown.
• A buff that increases your strength and dexterity by 2 for 3 turns on a 3 turn cooldown.
• A buff that increases all of your stats by 1 for 3 turns on a 3 turn cooldown.
• A buff that increases your thaumaturgy stat by 3 for 3 turns on a 3 turn cooldown.
• An attack that dispells 2 timed buffs if it hits instead of doing damage on a 4 turn cooldown.

Utility Abilities
Utility Abilities are much like regular abilities, however they are less expensive and are limited mostly to adding depth to your character unrelated to their ability to pound face. Say for example you wanted an ability that allows you to repair your clothes. That might be very useful if you ever find yourself encumbered by damaged magical clothes or in desperate need of functional clothes for warmth, but it might feel like a waste to buy an entire ability for. That's where utility abilities come in! Below is a list of some basic utility abilities endorsed by the site which synergize with some items, though you are allowed to make your own and get somewhat creative with what they do.

Name	Effect
Enchanting	The character is able to re-energize tapped enchantments on the fly. Roll 1d20+Thaumaturgy to repair the item. If the result is greater than 14, the item is salvaged at half its original duration (rounded up). Else, the attempt is a failure and the item is destroyed unless it is of rare quality or above, in which case it simply remains unrepairable for the thread.
Lapidary	The character is able to create and sculpt gemstones into those suitable for rings, enabling them to create jewlery items, provided they are of an uncommon quality or less, at a cost equal to their value on the item index. Higher quality items will require special materials based on the individual items.
Metal Repair	The character is able to make repairs to metal objects on the fly. Roll 1d20+Strength to repair the item. If the result is high enough to bring the item back to positive health, the heal is succesful and the item becomes functional again. Else, the attempt is a failure and the item is destroyed unless it is of rare quality or above, in which case it simply remains unrepairable for the thread.
Sewing	The character is able to mend clothes on the fly. Roll 1d20+Dexterity to repair the item. If the result is high enough to bring the item back to positive health, the heal is succesful and the item becomes functional again. Else, the attempt is a failure and the item is destroyed unless it is of rare quality or above, in which case it simply remains unrepairable for the thread.

What should I do after I'm approved?

We accept you, one of us. We accept you, one of us. Gooble gobble gooble gobble. We accept you, we accept you. Gooble gobble gooble gobble. One of us, one of us. Gooble gobble gooble gobble.

Once you've been accepted, you may be wondering where to start! Thankfully, it's not too complicated. Here at Puyo Puyo Universe we believe in a free form method wherein players may pursue their own stories and plots free of the overarching plot dancing about and demanding their attention. Therefore, whatever path you choose to take is most likely the correct one so long as it is the path that brings you enjoyment. That being said though, if you prefer a guiding hand we're here to help. Here are some suggestions on what to do after you've been freshly approved with a new character.

• Whenever you get the chance, please take a moment to visit the Progression Journal board and fill out the template included in the sticky within to create your character's progression journal. If you plan on playing multiple characters, you can use the same thread and just make a new post for each one. This journal is what will track all of your progress through Puyo Puyo Universe and is very important in that it's the thread the staff will be referencing when dealing with your character. Always attempt to keep it up to date. You might wish to link to your journal in your signature for easy access.
• Do you have any plots you'd like to pursue? Do you want a place to discuss them with others, get feedback and check for interest? Do you just need a place to better introduce people to your characters? Are you looking for someone to play a character for you? Well the Plotting Board is all of those things and then some! Like your progression journals, you might find it helpful to link to your plotter in your signature.
• Just want to hop IC and do whatever? No grand plots, just a day on trail? Social interaction, fluff and letting the wind take you wherever? Creating a thread and tagging it with (Open) will let people know that you're open to anyone joining. However, as the world is quite expansive, it's easy for players to miss these threads. You may wish to let people know it exists or put it in your plotter
• Are you all about adventure? Are you ready to push as hard as you can for that level up? The good news is that we have a Quest Board designed to facilitate challenges and it's currently the 'fastest' way to earn coins on the site. Running your own quest can be hard work, so it's recommended that you try joining another's quest before attempting to start your own unless you're very comfortable with how the site's systems work (or are comfortable going without them)