There have been countless attempts to develop some kind of method to measure and rank/rate the abilities of ThinkTank players. Here is yet another feeble attempt.

I’ve come up with a 5 level ranking system starting with level 1 (Demo/Noob) going up to level 5 (Hall of Fame). Think of it like positions on a mountain as you climb to the ultimate peak (Hall of Fame level). See the image.

I’ve seen some very elaborate formulas (on GG’s message forums), where they would actually rank your skills for numerous aspects of the game, such as your ability to use launch pads, jump pads, the terrain, power ups, shooting, etc. Etc. While it was impressive, it truly was overkill and way too much trouble. Also, it wasn’t very realistic or representative of a player’s true skill in the game. Some players might score excellent points technically when it comes to these aspects of the game, but still not be one of the best players because they are missing that something special that it takes to be a winner…one of the elites. It’s an intangible, immeasurable talent that can’t be measured.

For that reason, I came up with a simple, straight-forward 5 level ranking system.

Why five levels you ask? Good question, I am glad you asked! I played with 10 levels (being AR and all—anal retentive), but that made the process way too complex and quite frankly, annoying! It was far too granular for its purposes and it did not accomplish the intention of having a ranking system—to evaluate your growth in the game and compare your ability to others. Period.

I tested a shorter system with only 3 levels, but once again it did not accomplish the job.

It was much too brief and did not clearly separate the different levels of abilities in TT.

Thus, 5 levels seemed to be the perfect amount of levels as you will soon see.

1 – Demo/Noob Level

Let’s start at the beginning, where we all start, level 1, the Demo/Noob level.

Some of us only stay at this dreadful level very briefly while others seem to stay here forever! In between, on the average, most of us seem to evolve from this level in a matter of a couple of weeks. Level One players don’t understand anything about the game, except shooting anything that moves. They can’t drive backwards or how to use any of the pads. They usually stick to battlemode and shy away from scrum, unless only against bots and other demo’s.

2 – Fair Level

Once you’ve shed your skin of level one, you actually become a fair player. You understand the basic rules of the game and learn how to use all of the tools of the trade.

While you still suck when it comes to driving fast, using the terrain, applying strategy, and scoring, you are much better than all demo’s and noobs. You can always beat them and Bots, but don’t do well against higher ranked players.

3 – Good Level

This level is where the game gets very enjoyable and loads of fun! You’ve evolved from the frustrating first two levels and can finally hang with the big boys/girls. Shoot, you might even win a few games from time to time! However, your success depends a lot more on luck than skill (you NEED great spawns, fortunate bounces during scrambles at the goal in scrum, good arrow pads pointing in the right direction, malfunctioning computer gear for higher level players or major lags to hit them, etc.)

While you’ve mastered the use of all the tools of TT and understand strategy much better than previous levels, you still make too many mistakes that cost you many goals/tank lives resulting in constant defeat. Still, it’s always thrilling and the promise of having one of those perfect games makes it worth all the effort! You are right in the middle of the pack here—you are not at the bottom of the barrel with the demo’s and noobs, but you’re not up there yet with the elites.

4 – Excellent Level

Ah…this is the level right near the summit of the mountain! You will have gone as far as you can go without actually reaching the peak of the game and becoming a legend, a Hall of Fame player! You will have moments of extreme brilliance and occasionally dominate and even humiliate most of your competitors. You will actually have moments of perfection and Hall of Fame like performances (when all goes your way with luck and skill). Still, as great as you are, there is something missing from your game that prevents you from being considered a Hall of Famer. Usually, it comes down to consistency.

You will have games where you just don’t have it, for whatever reason. You will blame lag, computer gear, your health, what you ate, the map, another player, etc. Etc. In the end, though, you know that you just don’t always play up to the level that you can play sometimes. Still, it is a wonderful level to reach! For most players, this is just about as good as it gets!

5 – Hall of Fame Level

Well, here it is, folks! This is the ultimate level in TT! Level 5, the Hall of Fame level! These players are the cream of the crop! They are the best of the best! They are almost always on their game and have that certain magic to their game that always has them up at the top of the scoreboard. They seem to do no wrong in any game they play. They never make mental mistakes and probably could fall out of bed and score a goal in scrum! No one knows how to use all of the tools of the game better than Hall of Famers.

They make full use of every pad, powerup, and fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of every player as well as every square inch of every map! They know where all of the special jumps are…where every health powerup will emerge before it does and uses the radar scope better than anyone! They also seem to intimidate competitors and force lower level players into making costly mistakes just because of their reputation!

They can make even a level 4 (Excellent) player run smack into a tree or rock just because of their name! Doh!

Summation: So there you have it, folks. Your new TT Ranking system. I know it’s rather simplistic, but that was my goal. I did not want to make it too elaborate or complex, for that would defeat its purpose. I think we needed a simple formula that could help chart our progress in the game that we love. No matter what level you are, you must remember that it’s only a game and the whole purpose of playing the game is to have fun!

I enjoy the game as much today as I did when I was a demo! Sometimes more, sometimes less!

Oh, by the way, I consider myself a solid level 3 at this point. I will have some games where I play at level 4 and win big, but most of the time I make too many mistakes that keep me at level 3. I’ve been playing some 10 weeks now and I love it!

Sample Rankings: Here are some rankings of current players that I will offer merely as examples. Please do not get offended if you don’t agree with my rankings because they are merely my opinion, which is based on a short period of playing time and influenced greatly by everything I’ve read/heard from the veterans out there. I could be dead wrong with some of the rankings, so forgive me. I just want to give you an example of how this would work.

P.S. My ultimate goal for developing this ranking system was to assist the TT community come up with a way to create a TT Hall of Fame where the legends of the game would get inducted. We would all have to vote on the inductees, until a special committee of veterans could be established (much like in Baseball) that would ultimately vote on eligible members.

So how old is that elite scrummers list anyway? I'm pretty offended by not being on it really lol