Politician Archive

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garvin wrote:

Since City Mayor cost 15 skill points,someone has to give up their prefered player template for the good of everyone else...To those who love politician, what if I told you that if you wanted to keep playing you had to give up that profession just so other's could be happy...would you do it happily or reluctently?

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I did do this. Happily? Well, it took some thought, then I said 'I'll do it!' And I did. And I was happy to support my city, be a little selfless. What I gained was a little fame, a little noteriety, a bit of celebrity, and LOTS of thankful people. Sure, I'm bored sometimes, but I get through it.

I'd like to see Politican NOT be considered a starting profession. It really isn't if you need 500 AP to get it. Therefore, it would not cost 15 points, but 6 points, like other elite professions. Except I'd like there to be nothing specific under it. I know it's a stretch of the rules, but I think it makes sense. And the decreasing skill point need as you go up makes sense to me also.

For every other profession there is a benefit to the skill point sacrifice. Right now 15 skillpoints allows me to set taxes that is it. If there were benefits to being mayor and future use for the points I wouldn't mind.

15 points is a big deal for no return. I also think the skill point issue is keeping more people from running and getting good qualified people who would want to do the job. Would you really want to drop novice medic to be able to be mayor? I had to drop all my medic and scout skills to become mayor.

If you are a pure crafter or a pure combat person 15 points isn't too much. Here is my character:

Aritsan 4040, Master Architect 43 points+63 points

Marksman 0400, Pistoleer 0242 29 points +32 points

I am currently going up in Merchant and would like to master artisan and pistoleer as well. I have 83 points left. Not to mention I would love to have novice scout and novice medic back. Those 15 points in novice politician are using up one whole line of Merchant or pistoleer.

If you want politician to cost skill points it needs to give the individual some kind of benefit. No other profession does not give its practictioner a benefit for the individual. We don't get a discount on taxes or training, we don't get bonuses to anything. I was willing to sacrifice the points early on to create the city and make it thrive. The city is now self sustaining and there is nothing for me to do. If an individual has to give up skill points there needs to be a return on giving up those points. There is no return on my investment.

Two words.

Second account.

Once you hit metro, once every flat spot has a garden, once it is clear to even new citizens where houses should and shouldn't go, a mayor's duties become trivial.

Sure, there's always some mayor stuff to do, hold events, move trainers, etc. But after Rank 5, it is no where near a fulltime job.

So buy that second character, people. Or face the reality of playing a gimped one.

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Bashful wrote:

Two words.

Second account.

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BrianAlt wrote:

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Bashful wrote:

Two words.

Second account.

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NO! You can't expect people to pay more money (REAL MONEY) just for the right to be a Mayor. It should work within the confines of the game. Anything else is an excuse.

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I'm not expecting people to do anything. You want to sit around and wait six months for some miracle cure for politicians? Be my guest. I'm just suggesting an alternative.

If I didn't have an alt, I'd drop politician in a heartbeat.

but I think we seem to drift from the "good of the whole" to a "me me me me" template...

15pts minimum for the good of the city. That is the minimal dedication you can give. You can spend for a full tree that way you can change things around on a whim (city redecoration) moving city facilities to make it look better etc etc...

I have a template I love.. but I also love helping people. In sacrificing my own needs and put other ahead of me.. I don't mind giving up 77 points for a profession that doesn't have "me me me" needs. I don't dip into the treasury... I don't need name recognition (actually I kept the title architect hehe) I do it cause I want to do it... that is what I meant..

sure a vet player or a good player might make a better mayor... but if they are not willing to sacrifice their own time and needs to serve others... how good a mayor can they be?? by giving up precious points (and they are precious) for a "thankless" job... for the better of other life

It all comes down to sacrifice. Unlike other class you don't really "make money" with this... you can't kill a mob with politician... you can't make useful stuff with politicians (placing building doesn't count) you can't make money as politician alone (unles you are taking from the treasury) it is a selfless act...

you need complement skills (or class) to accomplish your personal need..... the need for credits (combat or crafters) or need loot (combat or crafters) and such...

If a player really want to make good of the city and truly wanting the city better for others... 15 points is not much to ask..

I love to craft.. I have some merchant skills. I am also master aritisian and architect. so it fits well.. granted I was a rifleman for combat purposes... now.. if the politician were a hybrid class that takes up 200+ points (like bounty hunter) then we are looking at too much sacrifice..

Message Edited by Chibi-Bar on 02-19-2004 03:41 PM

I see what you mean...... basically since the council is form and such (some city doesn't do this.. scary) they pretty much run day to day events and just need a "head figure"... thus your main point for point reduction.

personally I am trying to make it so the City is non-destructable.. the only way it can be destroy is

1. ran out of money

2. ran out of citizens (below minimum)

after this is implemented, then I won't worry about "joe blow" blowing up cities with 1 skill point politician

Chibi,

The selfless sacrifice and getting a city up and running was cool. But now 3 months after the fact it really isn't helping anyone. I am sacrificing skill points so someone else doesn't have to. If my skill was useful and helping people I wouldn't mind. Other than adding people to the militia there isn't a mayor skill I use anymore. Anyone in the militia can grant zoningright.

If there was something I actually did with the skill points I would keep it. Right now I keep it so the city doesn't go poof.

It can be done, but its a great big PiTA most of the time. Since becoming Mayorover 3 months ago (seems like more some days), I have picked and dropped Novice Politicantwice to date. At the moment I am back to being a 0/3/0/1 politican - my previous politican experience I got to 3/1/2/2.

I had dropped the skills completely owing to my reluctance to drop other "game experience" professions and in anticipation fo being voted out (which did not eventuate). I am on my second round of politican "grind" at the moment so that the city can havea faction terminal. Prior to that it was so that we could put down gardens, trainers and statues. I dare say that once I get the terminal down, I'll be dropping Novice Politican again to continue my gameplay experience (plus I need the 30 odd skill points back).

We have tried on a few occasions to vote me out for another resident who actually wishes to rollplay the Mayor, but on both occasions I won by a landslide owing to residents being busy r/t, not coming into game during that period, being o/s on service duty, etc. We have come close but not close enough.

All of the residents are aware though of the problems involved and none whine when things take time to do (plus most can see that some of the benefits such as research, entertainment, etc just simply aren't worth the weekly maintenance hit - especially as we dont charge taxes and rely purely on donations from wealthy residents). I keep them all informed as to what my intentions are and I am confident that the next election we hold will be more fruitful.

Folks should note that dropping Novice has absolutely no effect on the city and the AP xp can always be gained back fromby training fellow residents. The only time you will get into trouble is where you are in danger of loosing facilities if you drop below the city caps.