Despite all the arguments (and taking a day or two to consider) for/against all I see is:
Can we get a game mechanic (outside of coup) when I get to level 50 and have more time/know more about eq than you/wait for you to lose and get looted by cabal enemeis/are playing a class you find it hard to deal wit I can quickly challenge you to get a few cheap cabal ranks.
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Please help the power players (not directed at any one player in particular), with more time/knowledge/experience profit at the expense of others who did their time and achieved a higher rank than me so we don't have to wait.**
Now that's a pretty cynical viewpoint I admit - but I feel a valid one. If we can all just not get out collective backs up in a hurry and consider there are major differences in this idea when compare to coup:
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You get a defined timeframe on a coup - and not just in the affect. If you attack and miss and then the person runs off and logs off its over. You lose, you're revealed, the person will probably attack you onsite thereafter;
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A 'challenge for rank' idea means running and hiding is not an option. You must stand and fight, if you log off the other guy is going to cut sick with notes, prays, yells and other (perfectly RP'd) IG abuse. Who wouldn't?; and
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If you say 'no way, GTFO' the other guy is going to cut sick with notes, prays, yells and other (perfectly RP'd) IG abuse. Who wouldn't?
What about the players you see gain Elder on this second, third or fourth character via great RP, fast learning even when they're not the proverbial 'top of the PK pile.' Not much of a reward for anything when that power ranker just takes it from you. At least in NEXUS or SYNDICATE you have the chance of running when they come.
I'm also against this as the rank (especially Elder or Leader) should indicate your value to the cabal - not your ability to beat up other members in 'challenges.' For example a dwarven beserker might have trouble dealing with your stone warrior, but when it comes down to the 3 invokers, 4 clerics, 2 shamen and a necro in the Savant cabal the berserker is getting the job done all day, every day. The warrior's helping by getting looted. (Its an example, assume its true, OK?
). How is the warrior remotely more valuable when he can't deal with the cabal's enemies as effectively? Why should he have a higher rank (or take the other's rank) just because they can overcome the other guy in a challenge? Perhaps the Immortal won't allow the challenge in this case? - maybe. Cold comfort if you get caught on the wrong side of this....
TLDR: a mechanic like this pushes more towards 'elitism' of which isn't needed. Those that want to play 'hard and fast' have NEXUS and SYNDICATE open to them. Everyone knows not to get too close to cabal mates when you're higher than them - some learnt it the hard way.
WM (which allows goods, neutrals and evils) IMHO doesn't need to be promoting such a vicious, dog each dog nature of the cabal when challenges (and thus bouts of being vulerable upon loss) are part of the cabal mechanics.
I'm not trying to flame the idea here - I just think something like this does more harm than good. Feedback is welcome.
L-A