Currently, as my readers will see in a roughly four hours when the next chapter goes live as scheduled, the Akashic System displays values in integers. Only neural aptitude is letter grade as normal.
Sounds good, right? Well, I have come to the realization that I'm really fussy about numbers and calculations. Everything has to make numerical sense. As a result, I think I've spent well over twenty-four hours tweaking numbers in spreadsheets by now, and I'm still doing it every now and then. There's always something wrong with the way the numbers scale.
So I want to get some input on how to proceed and I want my readers to help me decide in a poll, and if possible explain your reasoning in the comments below.
PS: I'm having second thoughts on that LitRPG tag so if you're here for the LitRPG, it's time to bail (sorry >.<). I realized now that this novel just isn't suited for having lots of numbers.
Here are the choices:
- Letter Grade
- Grade/Rank S, A, B, C, etc
- Less math. I'll approximate a rank instead of calculating exactly.
- Less numbers in general. Instead, things will be described qualitatively.
- "I feel much stronger than before!" "I'll be able to lift that road roller!"
- Numbers
- 1,2,3...5...10...15...50..., etc
- More math. I'll keep tweaking numbers as I write.
- You'll be able to see smaller increments of power increase.
- Quantitative descriptions.
- "My strength is now XX, increased from YY!" "I can probably easily lift 50,000 kg now!"
- Other
- Please explain in comments!
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1. Letter Grade Votes: 101 63.5%
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2. Numbers Votes: 50 31.4%
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3. Votes: 8 5.0%
I don't think the numbers would add anything intresting to the story, and that adding them would be a waste of time that could be better used for more important parts of it.
Agree
Hybrid ie f1-9 where 1 represents weakest example of an f and 9 represents someone who's nearing the ability of the next rank. (If this is not an option then numbers all the way so long as it doesn't fall into DBZ sillyness)
In some CNs, they divide ability classification between F-SSS low-med-high-peak with an idea of how strong they are in advance. I've always found it to be better than sheer numbers that end up being less meaningful when they balloon up past 1k.
Heck, Annabelle could use the mech classification system for her stats after she reaches a point, which would be really cool.
Letter grading would be best on the long run, i would suggest broad use of power with letters and specific stuff with a subgrade in numbers aka
Power lvl S, within that grade de distinguish one S grader with a talento of fifth grade (S5)
Hybrid logarithmic scaling.
Ie: Letter values D - SSS using a numeric sub-designation. Description:
Let D = 1, SSS = 7, exp is the exponent of "e", the natural log base. Then divide by 10 and convert it to a percentage. The grade A0 would be 546% compared to grade F0 at 1%. There would be no "recognized" E grade. F grades are "cannon fodder commoners" wtih 0 talent in the statistic or a so-called "average" person. The log scale enforces both the expanding experience gain/requirement and potential difference. S0 is the minimum expert grade requirement at 14841%.
The unrecognized grades are borderline acceptable, not trained for safety reason. However, during a military draft, they are included. E0 is F9 and runs through the values of exp(0.9) to exp(0.99).
Numerical Explanation:
F0 = exp(0) = 1%
...
F9 = exp(0.9) = 24.6%
E1 = exp(0.91) = 24.8%
...
E9 = exp( 0.99) = 26.9%
-- Usable stat value --
D0 = exp(1.0) = 27%
D1 = exp(1.1) = 30%
D2 = exp(1.3) = 33%
and so on up to
SSS7 = exp(7.7) = 22083%
SSS8 = exp(7.8) = 24406%
SSS9 = exp(7.9) = 26973%
That's actually pretty much how I was scaling it, but much more complex in an attempt to keep the numbers under control and still produce a satisfying increase. This is a good idea though. I may adopt it.
Do you mind if I use this?
@TypeAxiom
Sure, I've not had a chance to use it myself.
It ensures everyone has a taste of talent and I like the idea that the SSS9 statistic is 270 times a normie.
It has a 3 unit cost at the start of the D level and a reasonable difficulty for growth of 2568 units from SSS8.
But you still must identify what a unit is or how you earn a unit. Especially since we want grade F citizens to have a lot of difficulty rising to grade D.
@Dreslief Wait, what's a unit cost?
@TypeAxiom It is defined as how you grow the stat.
What is needed to improve strength, agility, mental acuity, etc?
Ie:
Stremgth could be reps, consistency, and increased resistance in the exercise regime.
Acuity could be problem solving, puzzles, advanced math, planning, etc. Or the neural conductivity, cognitive growth....
You decide the key to the increase of EXP, the Unit.
@Dreslief Oh, I see. I don't really want it to be particular grindy, though, so I'll probably leave it out.
@TypeAxiom Perfectly acceptable. It could answer questions in your notes without ever needing to be in the text. For example: "Why did anger push Bel to Expert Candidate?"