I want to go ahead and share some things that have been on my mind as I make these edits, especially after getting many messages over the course of the last battle. It is not particularly useful information but I feel like it worth saying, which is why I have included it here:

There are many factors that go into crafting the system, which is why changes are not always instantaneous. Each and every suggestion shared with staff is looked at and discussed. Often,  suggestions that we receive are associated with a user’s desire for the system to benefit them in some way, usually a perceived slight based off of an experience that did not go in their favor. I am not saying that this applies to every suggestion but a lot of them. I am not saying that suggestions are bad either, but rather, it is difficult to look at the system from an objective viewpoint if you are someone who is often invested in using it - especially when frustrated by a loss. There have been previous implementations to the system that have been on a whim, or as a thought, that have been added because there is no perceived flaw in the moment. By taking more time to look at the system and moves from an outside perspective with a focus on maximizing a balance between chance and strategy, I hope to always do my best to make changes that will accomplish my goals to make this a fun system that prevents there from always being a determined winner to a battle. I am not a battle invested person, I hate numbers, but I enjoy playing a fun game with others who also want to play with me and letting the undetermined tide of battle take the roleplay to new places.

That being said, there will always be people dissatisfied with the system. We could have a coin flip determine a battle and there would still be users who were upset for one reason or another. I feel it important to address and mention because staff is a small team of people devoting free time to put unpaid labor into a hobby they’re passionate about - not just for ourselves, but for the whole of the site. There will never be a perfect battle system. As long as we have a site, there will be people who have questions about rules or look for loopholes that no one could have possibly thought of. I have made my peace with this because it is something that I do not have the power or control to change. I enjoy working on the battle system. I enjoy looking for ways to improve and getting suggestions I might not have thoughts of, and then seeing these changes implemented and enjoyed. It is why I have to ask for grace and patience and understanding as we work through all of this together to do the best that we can. If you’re reading this entire note - I appreciate you. I’m not a mathematician or a brilliant person by any means. I’m just the person who is passionate enough to stay awake until 2am multiple nights mulling over logistics. And I’ll do it again, and again.

This is not the end of battle system adjustments but it will hopefully be the beginning of a new age of perspective, from users, and from staff. May we go into this journey together, hopeful, excited, and with a renewed respect and grace for all. Not just for staff, but for each other, as well. Thank you.