17 replies to this topic

[Serevn]

Will Factions be using their unique Ranking system like Draconis Combine Tai-i (captain) and Capellan Confederation Sao-shao (major) despite the Capellans actually changing their ranks to chinese later in the timeline in the Xin Sheng reorganization that takes place only a few years later in the current timeline.

[Stormwolf]

I'd be happy with the following:

Mechwarrior/Point Commander
Star Commander/Nova Commander
Star Captain/Nova Captain
Star Colonel

[TripleHex]

I'm inclined to agree with Stormwolf on this topic, based on the need for a unified ranking system. The reason for that is simple. Take a look at the U.S.A's military. A "Captain" in the navy ranks well above any of the other branch's "Captain", and they have no "Major" or even "PFC". That's why I think we should use the system Stormwolf suggests. Also, it's familiar to most of us, and those who AREN'T familiar with it can easily learn it. I WOULD, however, like to see the ranks extend all the way up to Galaxy Commander, and maybe even Khan, and go as low as "Warrior". Here's a list of the Clan's ranks and what they command: http://www.sarna.net...Ranks_and_Units . Oh, also, maybe have a five- or six-grade system within each rank... something like "Star Commander, junior grade"... something to designate how far along in that rank you are.

[FrostPaw]

I would think the ranking would be universal, having different titles for houses and mercs is awesome for lore fluff but gets very convoluted in a video game.

[xMEPHISTOx]

Titles and ranks mean nothing if they are not based on an actual heirarchy to the house/clan orginization. And this is something that is generally done outside of the actual game itself as how is the game to know whos who, someone has to have the authority to be able to promote individuals and assign them duties.

[Acehilator]

TripleHex, on 28 May 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm inclined to agree with Stormwolf on this topic, based on the need for a unified ranking system. The reason for that is simple. Take a look at the U.S.A's military. A "Captain" in the navy ranks well above any of the other branch's "Captain", and they have no "Major" or even "PFC". That's why I think we should use the system Stormwolf suggests. Also, it's familiar to most of us, and those who AREN'T familiar with it can easily learn it. I WOULD, however, like to see the ranks extend all the way up to Galaxy Commander, and maybe even Khan, and go as low as "Warrior". Here's a list of the Clan's ranks and what they command: http://www.sarna.net...Ranks_and_Units . Oh, also, maybe have a five- or six-grade system within each rank... something like "Star Commander, junior grade"... something to designate how far along in that rank you are.

Sorry but a unified ranking system based on Clan Ranks would be epic fail and not make sense in any way, shape, or form considering we do not even have an ETA on how and when the Clans will become playable. So, either a unified system with generic, land forces based ranks or House specific (highly preferable).

[Max Liao]

For the Capellan Confederation, they would still be using the 'old' ranks.

Enlisted:

• Recruit
  
• Lance Corporal
  
• Lance Sergeant
  
• Force Commander

Officer:

• Subcommander
  
• Commander
  
• Captain
  
• Major
  
• Colonel

The General rank was removed in 2455 by Jasmine Liao due to a (failed) coup, and was not brought back until Sun-Tzu Liao's Xin Sheng (circa 3060). So, in this (Romano Liao) era, if they go the House fluff route, it won't be the Chinese names.

Edited by Max Liao, 28 May 2012 - 01:41 PM.

[Juiced]

I would like to see House specific ranks.....no reason not too. As the devs had said house ranks do not confer any actual authority over others. If someone has to look up what rank compares to what rank thats fine.

[Rot Wulf]

Tehbob, on 28 May 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

I would like to see House specific ranks.....no reason not too. As the devs had said house ranks do not confer any actual authority over others. If someone has to look up what rank compares to what rank thats fine.

I agree with this, house specific ranks for the house loyalists.
General Ranks for the merc units.
Clan Ranks for the Clans.

It makes being a member of the FRR mean some different than being a Member of the FWL or DC or FedCom.

Just my view, helps to separate out who belongs with whom, and some titles only are meaningful attached to some lore.

[Carl Wrede]

TripleHex, on 28 May 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm inclined to agree with Stormwolf on this topic, based on the need for a unified ranking system. The reason for that is simple. Take a look at the U.S.A's military. A "Captain" in the navy ranks well above any of the other branch's "Captain", and they have no "Major" or even "PFC". That's why I think we should use the system Stormwolf suggests. Also, it's familiar to most of us, and those who AREN'T familiar with it can easily learn it. I WOULD, however, like to see the ranks extend all the way up to Galaxy Commander, and maybe even Khan, and go as low as "Warrior". Here's a list of the Clan's ranks and what they command: http://www.sarna.net...Ranks_and_Units . Oh, also, maybe have a five- or six-grade system within each rank... something like "Star Commander, junior grade"... something to designate how far along in that rank you are.

Thats about the stupidest idea i have heard in a long time.. using Clan titles for everyone when they are not even in the game.

"You want to go home and rethink your life"

[GB Maximus]

I'd also say it it can be worked into the achievements/experience system easily to have the unique house ranks for each faction. I think it would add a bit more flavor to the overall immersion of the game if it can be worked in easily.

[Quentin Yatoki]

Of course House ranks should be based on fluff House ranks. DC ranks should be DCMS ones, FedSun should be AFFS ones etc. Anything else would hurt the experience of the game.

[Igorius]

The only problem is, in this time period, the Free Worlds league has three different rank schemes that various worlds and groups use. There'd be a heck of a lot of splitting hairs on the FWLM end of things ("but I wanted to use the Andurien scheme, etc.").

I like the idea of, instead of 'ranks,' position titles. Proven lance commanders are called just that, Lance Commanders. Everyone else is a MechWarrior, and on those occasions where it's needed, a Company Commander is designated as needed. Keep the factional ranks for those people who want to use them in their individual play groups.

[CycKath]

All for factional ranking

[Serevn]

I was thinking it would feel much more satisfying to to achieve a unique ranking to your faction... just another Captain or another Major doesn't seem to have that immersion feel with the battletech universe.

[Toothman]

xMEPHISTOx, on 28 May 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

Titles and ranks mean nothing if they are not based on an actual heirarchy to the house/clan orginization. And this is something that is generally done outside of the actual game itself as how is the game to know whos who, someone has to have the authority to be able to promote individuals and assign them duties.

They mean nothing anyways. Once they institute some player control for the factions then we can argue semantics.

[Targun Darklighter]

just use SLDF standard rank. makes things very simple that way

[Robby Vitriolic]

I'd recommend House-specific ranks.

I acknowledge the utility of simplified ranks, like most militaries have done.

But the truth is, most militaries these days operate in a multi-national environment. So a US CPT in the 10th Mountain needs to be able to tell that the Canadian Officer wearing a Maple Leaf insignia for his rank is a Brigadier General, and that the British Officer with the Red and White hackle is a member of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (and BTW, that's 'left-tenant, not loo-tenant!).

No doubt there will be some confusion over 'who outranks who' in Combined ops. And 'guilds' might decide to convert ranks to SLDF equivalents.

Whatever the Devs decide to roll with, I'll play either way. Just my two filthy lucre.