Post by Tsuyoshi Minamoto on Jul 22, 2022 17:55:39 GMT -5
Hollow Mask-Break Mechanic
For the purpose of this post, Hollow that mask break to become Arrancar will be called HMB Arrancar. Arrancar that were never Hollow first will be referred to as PT Arrancar. We will not be discussing HMB-TT Arrancar, because the only difference between an HMB-TT Arrancar and an HMB Arrancar occurs at Class 1.
Current Mechanic: When Hollow break their Mask, they race-change to Arrancar of an equivalent class. In order to do this, they must have more SpPr and RS than the strongest thing they have consumed. When this occurs, the Hollow loses their power-themed, custom reserve techniques and all hollow-exclusive techniques. They become an Arrancar of equal class, gain an additional 400 SP and unlock everything that Arrancar would have unlocked access to at that class. Arrancar created in this fashion are locked at the Class that they broke their mask at, unless they broke their mask at Class 1.
Change Proposed: Hollow must be at least Class 6 in order to break their Hollow Mask in any form and transition to Arrancar. When Hollow break their Mask, they race-change to Arrancar of an equivalent class. In order to do this, they must have more SpPr and RS than the strongest thing they have consumed. When this occurs, the Hollow loses their power-themed, custom reserve techniques and all hollow-exclusive techniques. They become an Arrancar of equal class, gain an additional 400 SP and unlock everything that Arrancar would have unlocked access to at that class. Arrancar created in this fashion have their SP total locked upon becoming Arrancar. They may still earn CTP as PT Arrancar do.
Proposal Rationale: The philosophy behind this change is as follows - HMB Arrancar and HMB-TT Arrancar should be rewarded for beginning their journey as Hollow and then breaking to become Arrancar, without making that the clear, preferred option. Thus, there should be a benefit to being an HMB-TT Arrancar who breaks their mask at every class stage over HMB Arrancar, who should not be punished for breaking their mask before a PT Arrancar of equivalent class.
For the purpose of this rationale, we will focus specifically on Class 6, Class 4, Class 3, and Class 2 Arrancar and we will be comparing between the different types of Arrancar at different classes. We will be assuming that characters will have the maximum amount of SP at their individual classes, as this will be the optimal route for HMB Arrancar to take. We will not be using items for comparison, but assume that they follow the same general concept as the tech levels and release levels available.
Current:
As we can see from the above information, there is actually no benefit, at all, whatsoever, to mask breaking early as a Hollow except that you get to do it slightly faster. The detriment, however, becomes absolutely enormous. In losing the ability to take better techniques and benefit from a higher class, there is no possible way for a lower class HMB Arrancar to ever match their PT equivalent. They are out-classed in release, they are out-classed in technique, and they are locked in the maximum amount of SP they could ever obtain.
This method only creates punishment for taking the HMB route prior to Class 1 and significantly stagnates any sense of progression that could be obtained. There is no comparison between the two routes, especially when PT Arrancar can be completed through an application. Let’s look at what it looks like after the proposed changes.
Post-Change:
As you can see, these changes are small, but they come with some pretty significant connotations. While PT Arrancar will still always hold the advantage over HMB Arrancar in terms of SP, they are now equivalent in Class Progression. This penalizes the Hollow appropriately for getting to the Class faster than a PT Arrancar could (because of consumption bonuses) without stagnating the HMB Hollow from shooting for higher positions through character progression by allowing them to progress from that point forwards as a PT Arrancar would, albeit with less SP to work with. A crafty HMB Arrancar will still be able to keep pace with their PT cousins with some effort instead of being completely and totally outgunned at every class without the ability to improve upon their character upon breaking their mask.
Additional Possible Changes
There is one other small change we can make in order to make Training Tier, as a Hollow, impactful at every stage. We can allow Training Tier HMB Arrancar to train for the additional +200 SP they would normally get at Class 1, when they reach Class 1. This changes the theoretical maximum SP at each classes as follows for HMB-TT Arrancar:
Class 6: 1500->1700
Class 4: 1600->1800
Class 3: 1700->1900
Class 2: 1900->2100
By doing this, we can incentivise Hollow who go training tier first, by closing the gap between a Class 1 HMB Arrancar and a Class 1 PT Arrancar by 200 points, and actually rewarding Hollow that wait until at least Class 2, by providing them with an additional 200 SP over their PT equivalent.
Alternative Changes
Arguments could be made for altering the ability for HMB Arrancar to reach Class 0 based on the class that their mask was broken, whether or not they started as TT Hollow, or other unmentioned variables.
For the purpose of this post, Hollow that mask break to become Arrancar will be called HMB Arrancar. Arrancar that were never Hollow first will be referred to as PT Arrancar. We will not be discussing HMB-TT Arrancar, because the only difference between an HMB-TT Arrancar and an HMB Arrancar occurs at Class 1.
Current Mechanic: When Hollow break their Mask, they race-change to Arrancar of an equivalent class. In order to do this, they must have more SpPr and RS than the strongest thing they have consumed. When this occurs, the Hollow loses their power-themed, custom reserve techniques and all hollow-exclusive techniques. They become an Arrancar of equal class, gain an additional 400 SP and unlock everything that Arrancar would have unlocked access to at that class. Arrancar created in this fashion are locked at the Class that they broke their mask at, unless they broke their mask at Class 1.
Change Proposed: Hollow must be at least Class 6 in order to break their Hollow Mask in any form and transition to Arrancar. When Hollow break their Mask, they race-change to Arrancar of an equivalent class. In order to do this, they must have more SpPr and RS than the strongest thing they have consumed. When this occurs, the Hollow loses their power-themed, custom reserve techniques and all hollow-exclusive techniques. They become an Arrancar of equal class, gain an additional 400 SP and unlock everything that Arrancar would have unlocked access to at that class. Arrancar created in this fashion have their SP total locked upon becoming Arrancar. They may still earn CTP as PT Arrancar do.
Proposal Rationale: The philosophy behind this change is as follows - HMB Arrancar and HMB-TT Arrancar should be rewarded for beginning their journey as Hollow and then breaking to become Arrancar, without making that the clear, preferred option. Thus, there should be a benefit to being an HMB-TT Arrancar who breaks their mask at every class stage over HMB Arrancar, who should not be punished for breaking their mask before a PT Arrancar of equivalent class.
For the purpose of this rationale, we will focus specifically on Class 6, Class 4, Class 3, and Class 2 Arrancar and we will be comparing between the different types of Arrancar at different classes. We will be assuming that characters will have the maximum amount of SP at their individual classes, as this will be the optimal route for HMB Arrancar to take. We will not be using items for comparison, but assume that they follow the same general concept as the tech levels and release levels available.
Current:
{Class 6}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 5
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1500
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 6
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 5
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1500
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 6
{Class 4}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 3
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1600
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 4
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 3
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1600
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 4
{Class 3}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 2
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 3
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 2
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 3
{Class 2}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 1
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 2
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 1
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 2
As we can see from the above information, there is actually no benefit, at all, whatsoever, to mask breaking early as a Hollow except that you get to do it slightly faster. The detriment, however, becomes absolutely enormous. In losing the ability to take better techniques and benefit from a higher class, there is no possible way for a lower class HMB Arrancar to ever match their PT equivalent. They are out-classed in release, they are out-classed in technique, and they are locked in the maximum amount of SP they could ever obtain.
This method only creates punishment for taking the HMB route prior to Class 1 and significantly stagnates any sense of progression that could be obtained. There is no comparison between the two routes, especially when PT Arrancar can be completed through an application. Let’s look at what it looks like after the proposed changes.
Post-Change:
{Class 6}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1500
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 5
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1500
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1500
Release Class: 6
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
{Class 4}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1600
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 3
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1600
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1600
Release Class: 4
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
{Class 3}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 2
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1700
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1700
Release Class: 3
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
{Class 2}PT Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
HMB Arrancar
Maximum Tech Level at Class (Before Type): 1
Maximum Theoretical Tech Level through Character Progression: 0
Maximum SP at Class: 1900
Maximum Theoretical SP through Character Progression: 1900
Release Class: 2
Maximum Theoretical Class through Character Progression: 0
As you can see, these changes are small, but they come with some pretty significant connotations. While PT Arrancar will still always hold the advantage over HMB Arrancar in terms of SP, they are now equivalent in Class Progression. This penalizes the Hollow appropriately for getting to the Class faster than a PT Arrancar could (because of consumption bonuses) without stagnating the HMB Hollow from shooting for higher positions through character progression by allowing them to progress from that point forwards as a PT Arrancar would, albeit with less SP to work with. A crafty HMB Arrancar will still be able to keep pace with their PT cousins with some effort instead of being completely and totally outgunned at every class without the ability to improve upon their character upon breaking their mask.
Additional Possible Changes
There is one other small change we can make in order to make Training Tier, as a Hollow, impactful at every stage. We can allow Training Tier HMB Arrancar to train for the additional +200 SP they would normally get at Class 1, when they reach Class 1. This changes the theoretical maximum SP at each classes as follows for HMB-TT Arrancar:
Class 6: 1500->1700
Class 4: 1600->1800
Class 3: 1700->1900
Class 2: 1900->2100
By doing this, we can incentivise Hollow who go training tier first, by closing the gap between a Class 1 HMB Arrancar and a Class 1 PT Arrancar by 200 points, and actually rewarding Hollow that wait until at least Class 2, by providing them with an additional 200 SP over their PT equivalent.
Alternative Changes
Arguments could be made for altering the ability for HMB Arrancar to reach Class 0 based on the class that their mask was broken, whether or not they started as TT Hollow, or other unmentioned variables.
