So, this concept (or a version of it) was kinda kicked around quite a while ago but ultimately dismissed because rank was such an integral feature. The reason I'm bringing it back up again is that with rank now almost totally separated from level, it could be a really interesting change to bring some 'meaning' or excitement back to rank. I know we could argue till the cows come home that CL's should provide this, but I think a coded feature he could be a really beneficial change.

The change, in a nutshell is that there is a 'points pool' for each family. The harder you work, the more points you individually contribute to the pool. It's then up to the Leader to decide how to split the pool up; each promotion will cost a set number of points and depending on how hard a family works, there may not be enough to around. Initially, I would envisage it working something like this

- A rank multiplier is taken into account.  MM would have contribute a points total x1; Capo a points total x1.5, Boss x2 etc etc. This would encourage leaders to promote the hardest working members of their crew - but wouldn't necessarily force it.

- Any associates do not contribute towards the family's point tally. Basically, the made man promotion is a leap of faith for the leader and their member - This change reflects that.

- Promotion cost increases per rank. For example, Made Man may take 100 points; Capo would be 150, Boss 200 and so on.

- If a member has been demoted, their subsequent promotions would cost more points than a standard promotion of that rank

- Promotion points would be accrued on an individual basis according to Crimes, forum posting, jail breaking (essentially everything that contributes towards gaining units)

The Reason for the Suggestion

Essentially, I think it puts a bit of pride back into ranking up. I'll be honest, the only real benefits of rank now are that more achievements are revealed and the rank boost. The access to further OC's is frankly negligible - the ability to do the next tier is somewhat negated by the fact I get invited to about 15 OC's a day (many top tier) anyway. Felonies are now available at all ranks and DFP improvements don't affect everyone.

Some will say rank is still, to a degree, a barometer of how much someone is respected by their leader. This is only a half truth. Whilst the majority of crews have stipulations for MM, it stops there and every subsequent rank is granted. In addition, take a look around and see how many people have the units and min time for the next promotion (or two) but haven't received it. The number is so small it's almost anomalous.

This change would revolutionise that line of thinking, to an extent, because everyone who is walking around with their rank can proudly display it knowing that everyone is aware that the crew of such-and-such a Capo/Boss/Consig had to actually spend something in elevating him to that rank; so he's truly earned it and he's truly respected.

Moreover, this provides a visual benefit to the hardest working crews. The more a CL inspires his charges, the harder they worked, the more high ranked members they have.

The RP behind the Suggestion

In the real mafia, you'd never have a situation where a Mafia Boss had 25 capos working for him but only 3 made guys. It makes no sense whatsoever - that's not organised crime, it's communist crime. In the past, there's not really anything that has been done about this because the fact that this is a game takes precedent over definitive realism (it would truly suck if you had to wait for someone to retire or die before you got MM). This, combines elements of the real life mafia - 'opening the books' whilst simultaneously keeping the 'fun' element of the game intact and not penalising anyone

Thoughts?

I really like this idea. As you said it would bring meaning to rank instead of promo button beeing refreshed like RIA and it would make everyone work equaly to get those points so everyone can get promo. It will basily make cl to promote those who work hard, those who really deserve promotion.

Agreed, a really good idea, i just worry the game/user base is not ready for an overhaul of such magnitude, just yet. Although, i would to see this active.

Or make it where each member of the family accumulates the points and the boss ranks them as they earn the points... that way somebody isn't doing a ton of work and the CL is ranking a RHM who was killed by a rouge back up to where they were.