Paisano's ThinkTanks Webpage

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.

Ive 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.

Ive seen some very elaborate formulas (on GGs 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 wasnt very realistic or representative of a players 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 winnerone of the elites. Its an intangible, immeasurable talent that cant 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 allanal 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 systemto 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

Lets 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 dont understand anything about the game, except shooting anything that moves. They cant 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 demos.

2 Fair Level

Once youve 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 demos and noobs. You can always beat them and Bots, but dont do well against higher ranked players.

3 Good Level

This level is where the game gets very enjoyable and loads of fun! Youve 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 youve 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, its 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 hereyou are not at the bottom of the barrel with the demos and noobs, but youre not up there yet with the elites.

4 Excellent Level

Ahthis 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 dont 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 dont 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 arewhere 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 its 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 its 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. Ive 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 dont 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 Ive 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.

***All lists have been deleted***

Go to the website to see the current lists

Last edited: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at 5:51:47 PM

Pais- nice ranking system. One thing though. For readability purposes, you should consider putting the headers, such as "Sample Level 4 Excellent players (Scrum):" in Bold text so they stand out. Right now, that looks like one long list. Hard to see the divisions. So much of this is still all subjective, but otherwise, good work!

Wait wait wait.... How can I be both Level 4 AND Hall of Fame?? :D

But yeah... Please add and (FU) to mine, and change Corey (UF) to Corey (FU) before he becomes extremely irate :) :)

@OM

Thanks OM! I will edit as you suggested. Yes, all subjective.... But fun.

I think everyone's game changes from day to day....shoot, from moment to moment even!

Have you ever started a game on fire...scoring several amazing goals in a row...then bite the big one the rest of the game?

I mean, you didn't forget how to play the game...the players remained the same.... You didn't make mistakes...but still, goose egg the rest of the game for whatever reason! It's one of those mysteries about the game (similar to Golf!) that keeps us all coming back for more!

Can you ever really master it???

@LilAlienD

Are you now confessing to be 44???!!!

I've seen you both in the same game at the same time...

Hmmmm

Anyway, you are a Hall of Famer, but just haven't been around long enough to justify the induction just yet.

Keep it up and you will make it!

W00t! I made it! I'm the youngest Hall of Famer!

Thanks, and nice system.

@Racer

You have every right to woot. Although it's just one man's humble opinion, I do think you have that certain magic about your game that makes the rest of us stop and stare sometimes as you seem to do things that didn't seem possible with our light tanks. We scratch our heads and wonder, "how the eff did he do that?!" Maybe it's because you are so young that you just try strange things and have no concern about the outcome....shoot, even when you fail, you fail majestically!

Nice ranking system Pais! I think this one will acctually work. :)

Lol Paisan, I agree. I'm playing right now.

Move cadc to hall of fame! And I would go in excelent. I have got most of my skill back after my vacation. (going on another soon )-: ) I used to be a hall of famer...

I think you should add another catagory between excelent and hall of fame...

Why the hell is LilAlien not in the Hall of Fame -- that guy rules.

--44 (fueling the fire)

P.S. Fun system and kudos for the hard work. Appreciate the Hall of Fame nod but don't feel deserving -- there are lots of players in the Excellent category that kick my ass pretty regularly. Subjectivity will haunt you...but cool system nonetheless. Thanks.

Last edited: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 3:15:24 PM

Very organized and senseful ranking system paisano. I think id be in the bottom of excellent for Battlemode, the middle of excellent for CTF.

@Filbert

Maybe you missed it, but CADC is in the Hall already. :)

I forgot all about ya Filbert! Yes, you are at level 4 and knock knocking on heaven's door...

As for another notch...I thought about that. I thought about Outstanding or Perfection...with level 6 the Hall of Fame...

But there is something very neat and organized about 5 levels...with 3 being the absolute middle....GOOD.....

Know what I mean, Vern?

@44

Great! More fuel to the fire of the rumor that you are in deed lilalien!!! Argh!!!!

@Michael

Thanks! It's open to suggestions of course

@AIM{+} HERE(KA7)

Oops...forgot you too! You are also a solid 4...but I've seen/heard vets considering you as one of the best battlemoders...so you could be a Hall of famer...I've not played with/against ya much...so I can't say for sure.

Last edited: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 3:57:57 PM

Woot! Thax for the nod paisano... And for the correction on the whole FU UF thing... Otherwise a scottish-style FU!! Would have been due to ya :) looks good as far as the skill breakdown goes for the rankings... Hope it sticks... Congrads to all

________________________________

Yeah it does mean what you think

To complete this list of rankings, we need an "Excellent" list for Battlemoders. I realize you don't play BM much Paisano, so someone else should compile a list. There are lots of great BMers out there that you may not be aware of.

Also, we need a CTF "excellent" and "hall of fame" list. CTF is truly a game unto itself and deserves it's own rankings.

Once again, great job.

OM

@OM

I added some new categories... For CTF and Modding as well as Excellent Battlemoders....

If people add to the list, I will edit the masterlist...maybe Z can create a special page on the site for rankings...

I wouldn't mind updating it every so often...

I was being silly and added a Hall of fame Bots category too. :)

I'm still not up there :) and put 187 as hall of fame modder!

Good, good!

Lessee, for Excellent BMers, put folks like au, Tank0r, Apollo13, Hippie Hater, Willow, Airforce to name a few. Someone else can add more. Truthfully, some on these players probably belong on the Hall of Fame list.

For CTF HoFers (Hall of Fame rs), you can add Smokin J to start.

Who I would move to the hall of fame:

Tank Dork, KBC, Paco, OM, Blind Cide, sulggy and Z.

@ Paisano

I'm not sure we play at the same time, only seen you a couple of times. Any ways, not sure what others think of me but I think my skills have been getting better and better. Now as too where I fit in to the whole scem of things not sure, either a high,high 3 or a low 4. Also you forgot about those of us who play survivor, we need to be ranked too please thanks! B)

Last edited: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 7:33:48 PM

Why am I never on your lists? Ask 44 and bolo, and any of the superior players...i hold my own with anyone.

Is this a time zone prejudice?

Help! I'm being discriminated against!!!!!!!

Stinky, the underestimated

@Lonewolf

Holy smokes! Totally wet the bed with your omission! I have played with and against you enough times to know you are a high level four!

You are being very modest with ranking yourself a level three!! No way you're a three, pal!

@stink

Lmfao! No, there's no discrimination. I just don't recall ever playing with you...and haven't read a lot about you, except how much fun you are to play with (LilAlienD loves ya). So, forgive me....I will add you to level four as well...until further notified to induct you into the Hall.

@Racer

I will move your nominations for induction to the Hall of Fame to a special list of Level 4 players who will be considered for permanent induction very soon, once everyone agrees on the official process, whatever that is.

@ Paisano- five levels is just right. I vacillate between 3 and 4 because... Well... I'm just not quite right in the head. 8o I'll have to agree with the Hall of Fame scrum rankings based on the fact that I've been spanked by everybody on your Hall of Fame list (except Tankgirl, I'm still looking forward to that spanking :P)

@ Stinky- out of site, out of mind. Paisano hasn't seen you as much as some of us. I have always enjoyed your butt kickings. Good to see you here more often. Let's cruise the women's lingerie sections at the mall sometime.

@ Racer445 (SA)©- I'm honored but must insist that you have caught me on my best days.

@ All- Is this a fun game or what? Cudos to Bravetree.

@Racer- thanks for the HoF nod, but I respectfully decline. I don't feel I belong on that higher list. I'm tickled pink just to be on the "excellent" list. (Say it with a surfer-dude accent: Exxxxcellleeent!) %) But I agree with your other nominations. Dork, even though he doesn't play as much as he used to, should probably be on there, as should Sluggy and -z- KBC, although I've only played with him a few times, is a damn good scrummer. Certainly PLAYS like a HoF'er even if he isn't one. Same goes for Paco and Cide.

OM

Last edited: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 11:06:53 PM

Ooooh goodie...level four is fine with me!!! (even though I dust off alot of your hall of famers). Which brings me to my next point. You have too many hall of famers! It should be reserved for the long-time veterans and the newer, truly suberb. If you let everyone in, it loses its meaning.

And should we ever play, I'll make sure I kick your ass all over the place to justify your consideration! Wink wink! I haven't played with you either...and reading about me? The players you read about are usually big boasters...i walk softly and carry a big...stink.

BC...meet you in Vicoria's secret...did you know you can buy used school girl panties here in japan? Complete with stains! Delicious!

@Blind Cide

No, you are not a level 3...not even on your worst day. I've played you enough times to know that much. I agree with Racer, that you deserve Hall consideration... Just was on the fence with ya...cause you don't play as much as the others. But when you do...yikes.

@Stink

I will be looking over my shoulder for ya! I've been playing more and more with my Paisano name at night (TG convinced me to use it more often).

So I fear that I will suffer the stink bomb sooner than later!!! I agree with your comment about keeping the members of the Hall of Fame as small as possible too! That is why I have so many at level four....including some that deserve to go in the Hall. I just wanted to leave it up to the veterans out there to decide which of them go in. The same goes for those I so humbly inducted. I tried to play it safe and pick only those that absolutely belong in the Hall, but if enough vets request that a player be removed from the list for now, then I will do it. After all, you vets have been around much longer and know the game better than anyone...including moi.

@OM

I didn't induct you because you told me in another thread that you didn't consider yourself one of the elites (Hall of Famers) yet.

So, if enough of your peers nominate your butt, then guess what? You're going in!!!

Nice ranking system. Damn shame Im not even listed as noob, since I've owned some of your "excellent and hall of fame" players.

@Fatchick

Sadly, you are one of the many omissions I've made. Apologies. Your skills are well documented in the league forum....so you are on the list for sure....most likely Hall of Fame battlemoder from what I've read.

@pai

Stinky is one of the best, hes been around about as long as I have, if not longer.

Oh I been playin since oct 03.

By the way this is a sample rate I wouldnt worry so much if u didnt get mentioned.

Last edited: Thursday, June 03, 2004 at 5:18:54 AM

This has been a good read.....i agree with many of the listings

I figure the hall of fame is reserved for the like 10 or so who first started the TT online community...

Im not a big fan of rankings....

The hall of fame should only be for the very best...no names....i figure about 11 in scrum, 13 in BM, 5 in CTF, no idea in survivor

Dozens fall in the excellent category for all game types...

I strongly feel that the best players overall can dominate any game type....that narrows it down to about 6

Some people who are great in indie scrum kinda suck at team scrum because of the added complexity....some great teammates in team scrum cannot hold their own in indie scrum....

Also many players have many aliases so it is impossible to create a ranking system

There are so many players I enjoy playing with....these listed below were not mentioned above and always give me a top notch challenge (various game types)

Dj breaka

Spony

Cowboy

Blitzkrieg

Dash

Quitter

DIE

Timbo bomber

Dr. Evil

Dar

Anon

George

Chief

Assclonearmy

Stealth

Fatchick

Supra

Leapord

Regant x

Mj

Master tmo

Sorry if I missed anyone....

Thanks for your nominations paisano..i do get around....hehe

B

Last edited: Thursday, June 03, 2004 at 6:40:31 AM

Ahem bolo...ahem....wat r u an SOB? No props for stinkdawg? Vash gave up the love...c'mon buddy, pucker up.

Thanks Vash...you pre-date me by two months...got the game in December.

Stinker....u got the love....i wanted to list those who wern't mentioned :)

SOB

B

@Bolo

Great list! Awesome players I forgot to mention! Please add more if anyone else sees someone missing.

I will add them to the master list...

Here's the link to my new (but very plain and lame) ThinkTanks webpage .

It has links to all of the nominations for Hall of Fame and Excellent players. Please let me know if you disagree with any of the listings.

Send emails to thepaissano@yahoo.com

Don't know what happened there....

@ paisano,

Good work on the web page. Cool that people have been building a real community here with history and innovation and communication. I think that appeals to me just as much as the game itself. I might point out (not a big deal) that it is daisy duke (as in singular) not daisy dukes (which is plural). There is just one of me, though I do feel somewhat schitzo at times...

--dd

Wait! I'm a Hall of Fame poster[ on PTT?? LOL!! Woot! Yeah, I made a Hall of Fame for something! J/k

Seriously though, I wonder how I made it onto that list. %)

I would push Gnomes & Kid up to Hall of Fame...you don't see 'em around so much these days, but go back awhile...

(don't ferget us ol'timers :)

Wal

@Wal

Yipes! Did we leave you off the list? I think I realized that mistake last night when I thought of butt-whoopings I've taken and your name came quickly to mind! I will add you and the two you mentioned to the Hall... Unless some vets have a problem with any of those entries (which I doubt).

Hah, I'm not talking about me... Just pointing out those vets that may have fallen by the wayside over time...

Maybe it's time to dig through my records & see if anyone's being forgotten...folks like DanMacdonald...

Anyone else?

Think waaay back....

....

......

..

SPONY!!!!!!!!

See, it's all coming back...

@wal

Yes, Bolo mentioned spamoney...er...spony....and I added him on my website's list... Need to do the same here.

Keep them coming!

Ditto. :)...wait, that's a good thing right? :S Why isn't paisano on that list? I hear he's reached new heights for posting. Lol!

@Wal, Gnomie's still out there, he's just been using a clever alais. _{Sneaky little lawn ornament. Hehehe.} B)

Don't forget Gerbil of Death.

@ Bolo

Thanks for the compliment - I try!

These aliases are killing me...I can't keep track anymore.

It'd be nice if BraveTree could implement an online rating system for another version (I say that with lots of hope :)). It could have a scoring system and keep stats and exp. Stored in your own preferences, and when you started an online session it would read your stats from your preferences and just put a simple icon next to your name during gameplay. A simple different colored star or something, that'd be cool.

@LilAlienD

Great idea. I've always hoped for the same thing and even emailed them such a suggestion along with other items from my wish list (which is another thread).

I also think it would be great if TT could somehow keep a log of all game results as you play. For example, record the final scores for every game you play and the names of your competitors. Obviously, it wouldn't catch those lilly-livered pinkos who cut out before the final score is posted, but it would get everyone else and the final tally. It would then be able to keep track of how many goals you scored in scrum (or kills in btm) and how often you've won.

@KBC

Was that a slam? New heights? Are you talking about the size of my thread here or how many threads I've started?

Oh well...no biggie. I mean well...sorry if I've been a spammer.

The only think about keeping game records is..... Where would they keep the database? As nice as it'd be, more then likely not going to happen. Keeping a few stats (per game type) in your preferences is only a couple bytes stored on the users computer. It'd pretty much be just like the couple ranking stats that are listed for each user name when you start up TTs.

Wow, I didn't make anyone's list.

That hurts, that really hurts.

Oddball, keep in mind that the list here is only a sample one. It's kind of impossible to mention everyone, as paisano mentions in one of his posts. For what it's worth, you belong on the "Excellent" list for BM and Scrum, and I guess CTF too, although I don't have much experience against you in that. Would anyone like to second those nominations?