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Post by smathis on Aug 7, 2009 16:07:35 GMT -5
Most of the following post is copy-pasted from a PM exchange between myself and Havoc. I think Havoc's fed is one of the most consistently interesting feds out there. And has been for a very long time. Intrigued, I wanted to find out how he did it. The answers I got were astounding and revolutionized how I book my own feds and how I approach LOW on the whole. The result is a lot more surprises. I care a lot more about the matches, the results, everything. I'm also a lot less burned out. To say it's "non-storyline" is probably a misnomer. There are no PRE-PLANNED storylines. But some storylines do pop up from time to time due to how the matches turn out. Combine this with the advice in the following threads... Non-Storyline Feds filsingergames.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=low&action=display&thread=2095Booking/Promoting with Mythic filsingergames.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=low&thread=2423And you've pretty much nailed the way I book LOW. Thanks again to Havoc for sharing a really awesome approach to booking. I can't give him enough credit.
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Post by smathis on Aug 7, 2009 16:12:27 GMT -5
HAVOC'S BOOKING A federation has a ranking ladder of 10 contenders for the world title. The tag roster has a ladder of 5 contenders for the title. There is no ranking ladder for a junior title, such as an Intercontinental, United States or similar secondary belt, unless the title is of a nature -- like a Cruiserweight title -- that would require it. In the event that a Junior Title needs a ranking ladder, give it a ladder of 5 contenders and treat it similarly to how the rankings for tag-teams are treated (see below).
Re-ranking happens monthly.
Over the course of the month, each victory is assigned points. A wrestler gets 4 points for defeating a ranked wrestler and 2 points for a win over an unranked wrestler. In addition, a wrestler gets -4 points for losing to an unranked wrestler and -2 points for losing to a ranked wrestler.
Points are adjusted by one either way if the loss or win occurs via Count-Out or Disqualification. So, losing to an unranked wrestler by DQ would cost -3 points in the rankings. Beating a ranked wrestler by count-out would only earn you 3 points.
The points that are earned do not represent a "rating". They are steps up and down on the ladder. A rating of 4 at the end of the month is actually a representation of moving +4 steps up the contention ladder. For example, a wrestler ranked at #7 who finishes the month with 2 points has a claim to the 5th spot on the contention ladder, UNLESS HE GETS PUSHED DOWN BY OTHERS WITH HIGHER CLAIMS. For instance, if 3 wrestlers have a claim to the #3 spot, he'll likely have to settle for a spot around #7 or #8.
When a wrestler is forced out of the fed via an injury or a loser leaves town match, he returns to unranked status. The stipulation or the injury may remove him from the active pool for a duration of time.
Each month after re-ranking occurs all wrestlers' points reset to zero.
In the championship ladder, the last three contenders are reordered based on the strength of their win(s), regardless of how many points they may have over the other bottom rung contenders.
Up to three unranked wrestlers who have defeated ranked wrestlers or wrestlers who have been booted out of the contention ladder the previous month can be kept in a separate pool. These wrestlers will have a "priority" over the other unranked wrestlers when matches are booked. This is sort of a region of ranks 11-13, unofficially. A way to protect some wrestlers' spots on the roster for a month to give them a chance to earn their way back.
Tag-teams and junior championship ladders use different ranking values because they have 5 contenders, not 10. Values are cut in half. So defeating a ranked wrestler earns only 2 points. And losing to a ranked wrestler only loses 1 point. Modifiers for DQs and Count Outs are applied after cutting the bonus/penalty in half. So defeating a ranked wrestler by count-out only earns 1 point. Losing to a ranked wrestler by DQ costs you no points.
As far as protected unranked contenders on these smaller contender ladders, I usually allow two unofficial contender spots. So two unranked teams or wrestlers can stay on the roster in an unofficial status for the month.
BOOKING A HOUSE SHOW Put all your active cards, including the Commissioner in one stack. Roll a six-sided die to determine how many dice will be rolled in the next step. On a 1 or a 4, 2 dice will be rolled. On a 2 or a 5, roll 4 dice. On a 3 or a 6, roll six dice. Once you've determined how many dice you'll be rolling, roll your dice and count down the stack whatever number you rolled.
Since no match can feature an unranked versus an unranked wrestler or team (with only rare exceptions), always make sure that the first guy you roll is ranked. Figure out if he will be featured in a singles or tag match and then follow the same procedure to determine his opponent.
If a Commisioner's card is drawn, someone demands a title shot that evening or wants the commissioner to do something about an opponent's tactics. Determine who that is among the ranked wrestlers in the federation and then roll on the Commissioner's card. This should probably occur within the first 3 matches in the show.
If a result doesn't seem to make sense in context, roll two dice again and repeat until you find a wrestler or team that does.
If a match in a previous show ended with a DQ, the two teams or wrestlers involved should be scheduled for a rematch on the next house show or PPV (if they are ranked). If the wrestlers are unranked, the feud disappears. All rematches escalate along the "No DQ" => "Humiliation Match" => "Violent Match" => "Feud Blowfoff" continuum. Each of these matches considered a feud match, so the "doubles on feud chart" rules apply.
BOOKING A PPV Unranked guys only appear on a PPV if there is a desperate need for someone to fill an empty slot. Generally, the World Champ and the Tag Champs face off against their #1 contenders. And the Junior Title is defended against the top ranked guy who can challenge for it. For a generic Junior title, like an InterContinental or a USA Title, pick the wrestler ranked 8th or the nearest approximation that you feel will make a good match. For a specific Junior Title, pick the highest ranked guy who could challenge for the belt. So, the highest ranked Cruiserweight would challenge for a cruiser belt. And the highest ranked Hardcore wrestler could challenge for an Extreme title.
After your Title matches are set, go down the ranking list and set up matches that seem interesting until you've built out a card you feel good about.
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Post by smathis on Aug 7, 2009 16:14:52 GMT -5
I have made a few adjustments here and there.
I can't remember what I tweaked and what I didn't. Havoc can clarify points where my booking style has diverged from his original.
But I've been running two feds with this and it's been great fun.
One thing I can't stress highly enough is to treat the ratings as steps UP and DOWN the contender's ladder. That's a huge part of why this system works so well that I missed the bus on early on.
Thankfully, Havoc was very gracious in setting me straight.
Now get them dice rolling!
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Post by havoc on Aug 7, 2009 16:26:34 GMT -5
My name is Havoc, and I endorse this thread. ;D
My methods are fairly basic but hard to convey in words. Smathis has translated what we discussed in several PMs quite well. He added a couple of minor tweeks that are quite worthy.
I don't care to waste time creating promos and creating feuds. I want to roll the bones (man that was lame). If you've ever read any of my feds. This system was being used in some way. The only recent change is that due to a larger roster my match roll i 1-3x d20 instead of d6. I should also note that DQ/countout/questionable finishes usuallly lead to a rematch.
It seems elaborate but my brain has used the system for EVERY fed I've run here. I almost rambled further but I could babble on forever. Any questions, ask Dr Havoc here or feel free to PM me.
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Post by doublea on Aug 7, 2009 16:34:52 GMT -5
If you could just keep Greg Valentine from winning the title...
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Post by havoc on Aug 7, 2009 17:42:28 GMT -5
If you could just keep Greg Valentine from winning the title... you didn't see me fire him? Oh wait. These rules were in place the Iron Sheik/Valentine fiasco
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Post by doublea on Aug 7, 2009 22:05:39 GMT -5
If you could just keep Greg Valentine from winning the title... you didn't see me fire him? Oh wait. These rules were in place the Iron Sheik/Valentine fiasco crack pipe on a pole match?
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Post by markoda on Aug 8, 2009 1:57:35 GMT -5
Nice, but a few questions:
1) how do you determine the order of the matches? Is it just as you roll
2) How do you give points for Battle royals, etc.
3) If there is a feud match, are points given the same?
4) in the top 10, is your secondary title holder included?
5) Is there a limit on the number of wrestlers in your fed with this system?
6) Are you using heels vs. faces or is everyone fighting everyone else?
That's it for now. Interesting system and may have to give it a try.
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Post by markoda on Aug 8, 2009 2:00:29 GMT -5
One more question...
Is the champ included in the monthly top 10. If not how is he initially ranked if he loses the title. Does he start over or do you give him an instant rematch?
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Post by havoc on Aug 8, 2009 8:11:17 GMT -5
Nice, but a few questions: 1) how do you determine the order of the matches? Is it just as you roll No, I roll to determine all the matches and then order them with ranked/unranked matches, ranked/ranked matches, non-title matches, then championship matches.2) How do you give points for Battle royals, etc. I rarely do battle royals but when I do it usually is an automatic title shot so he'd leap to #1. Otherwise I'd just give the winner 4 points.3) If there is a feud match, are points given the same? Yes4) in the top 10, is your secondary title holder included? No. The title holders are not ranked.5) Is there a limit on the number of wrestlers in your fed with this system? I usually have a set limit but it changes occasionally. Currently my roster limits are 30 LOW and 30 LOTF.6) Are you using heels vs. faces or is everyone fighting everyone else? When my HWA was smaller I would try to heel/face as much as possible. With the expansion, I heel/face pretty much every TV taping match but on PPV if there are more heels than faces ranked or vice versa I may have to go face/face or heel/heel.That's it for now. Interesting system and may have to give it a try.
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