Please note before reading that my intentions are to strengthen the RP essence of the game. Very much of the game's RP components have been turned into stat boosts, and I think it would serve us well to separate stats and RP so that we can finally regain some of the value lost in the ranking system.

I consider the two core elements of this game to be RP and stats. The character progression attributes are the numbers (wackstat, vision, BG counts, etc.), and character interactions are RP (street/BD threads, district/crew organizations, etc.). The game has shifted towards a focus on the numbers rather than RP. The shift has muddied the waters of RP, and I would say it has devalued RP's place in the game. The shift is undeniable: drug units based on level, felonies based on level, street/BD threads contribute vision stat, and simply the visibility of level makes the current rank system awkward.

As a side note, every promotion after Made Man is virtually guaranteed. Their only use at this point is to grant stat boosts.

Therefore, I propose that we eliminate the stat boosts that are granted to ranks and replace them with a boost based on level. This completely separates the RP component of Rank with the stats component of wack and defense boosts. This allows rank to represent the actual place a person possesses in a crew, rather than just the next step in their character's progression. This also eases any pressure on CLs to promote players beyond their station in the crew, simply to reward their character with bonus wack and defense.

To complement this, I would suggest that demotions not reduce character level. Your level is your character progress, and no one can take that from you. What they can take, however, is your station within your crew. Demotion is an RP process and should involve a loss of RP stature, not character stature. Plus, the logic beyond "resetting" the min times through demotions is absurd. I think the current demotion setup was an attempt to solve the bodyguard problem (which has been changed since), and so therefore it's worth rethinking.

The effects of these changes would be huge and far-reaching, but I think they would contribute benefit to the game. Players' strength is in their own hands, but their progress within the crew is in the hands of the CL. RP-based functions like starting a crew or becoming a godfather would still occur based on the rank itself, not the level. However, Godfather boosts would be acquired at Level 60, not when the account actually reaches the rank.

I know this will be the hardest part to accept, but I think many players are capable of getting Godfather points well before 120 days, and that contributes an unnecessary "pause" in the game while they eagerly wait to get those boosts and pray they don't die before then. If the boosts were given at level 60, there would be no need for "hitter" godfathers. It may mean stronger characters overall as people approach 60 units, but it seems odd to me that players should have to wait 20-30 days after getting 60 units, praying they don't get picked off. They won't have the RP command of the district, and won't be able to collect district taxes, but they will have the stat boosts.

If we are to conclude that character (and stat) progression should be based on level, then we have to separate the RP components of rank and the stats boost that accompanies them. I want players to be able to build their character independently of their crewleader, but let their authority in rank be entirely dependent. Let me know what you think, and please do not simply respond with "that's the way it's always been," because that is an illegitimate argument against change.

I think this makes a lot of sense. I know that many people will continue to resist changes to the ranking system for the sake of maintaining the rank. But I do like the idea.

Separating ranks from levels completely will, in a nutshell, Allow the CLs/GFs to use promotions, and the status they convey, as a privilage, not a right.

I would suggest that Organized crimes remain bound to rank, lest it become completely meaningless from a play standpoint

I'd prefer an overhaul of the ranking system, because at the moment it is nonsensical, but in the mean time this seems to be a step in the right direction.

I really like this separating stats and levels from rank really would make ranks more special than they are now I fully support this

Clive, As much as the rank system has always been rather divorced from reality, I think that as long as They aren't interfering with game play (which they don't) i don't see a point in changing it. It's an aesthetic that I've always kind of liked.

I'd also like to note that there is a part of the original suggestion that I do disagree with. I'm not big on cutting down the days requirement to gain GF points. Part of the point behind that is the fact that while crews and made men may come and go, A godfather has achieved longevity. surviving to one hundred and twenty days in this life is no small feat. Leave the requirement. In point of fact, insofar as i am concerned, all of the age requirements starting at made man are in fact too short. Do not make them shorter for any reason.

I'd also like to note that there is a part of the original suggestion that I do disagree with. I'm not big on cutting down the days requirement to gain GF points. Part of the point behind that is the fact that while crews and made men may come and go, A godfather has achieved longevity. surviving to one hundred and twenty days in this life is no small feat. Leave the requirement. In point of fact, insofar as i am concerned, all of the age requirements starting at made man are in fact too short. Do not make them shorter for any reason.

I'm glad someone finally disagreed! It helps work out the details.

First of all, there is no day requirement for GF points. You can get to that experience level regardless of account age. The objective of this suggestion is to make the stats component of the ranks based on level, not reduce minimum times. I think the number 120 was entirely arbitrary and configured for a different time. Sure, it's "no small feat" to live to be 120 days old, but it's also "no small feat" to live to be 150? Or 300? There's no legitimacy in the number 120 specifically that could not also be found in 90 days. I think the "pause" for the GF stat bonus contributes a lengthening of accounts beyond necessity. When people input enough effort to get level 60, give them the level 60 boost.

The ceremony, title, and crew will all be specific to the rank, not the level. I want to make sure we understand that those are separate: getting Godfather points doesn't herein grant you control of a district. It merely means you've spent enough time working on your account that you've reached the pinnacle of level boosts, and nothing more. You aren't a godfather, you don't get a GF crew, and you don't get the rank title. It's no longer the "godfather boost," it's the "level 60 boost," because there's no reason to go through the ceremony and crew if all you want is that boost. That leaves the ceremony and district authority to the actual godfathers.

perhaps. but i also think that the long character life has progressed well beyond the point where that would make a difference. 

I still hold that living to be 120 days old is, for me, partof the wrok required to achieve the level of game mastery suggested by level 60, the so-called GF boost. Its your way of saying, so you've been around a while, you've seen stuff. you have the experiance.

Kinda make sense? or am i talking out my ass.

I don't think character age really paints that picture anymore. I don't think you need to live to be 120 days old to show you've "mastered the game", and I certainly don't think everyone who has lived to be 120 days has mastered the game. I think the number made sense back in the days when it seemed unreachable, but now-a-days we have guys getting 60 units in 60 days or less, and that number becomes more of a waiting game as those individuals anxiously sit by for two months.

I just think if you live to reach 60 units in general, you have gotten there based on some level of mastery, because I think players would perceive fast-rankers as threats in their own right. Getting to 60 units in 60 days would pose a threat, whereas currently these individuals are sitting ducks. It artificially lengthens the process beyond what's necessary because one day the number 120 was selected and hasn't really been questioned since.