Opinions on TR team threads

I rarely reply to these types of posts but I thought I'd share my two cents anyways since I've hosted a TR thread 6 or 7 times (can't quite remember), one time with the old system and the rest with the new voting system. Personally I've never had to use the new voting system but I do like it just inc there's someone who really likes the type of the team they're on that month but someone else already made a new thread. For hosting, I've never had to compete with anyone else and take it to a vote, since I only really post within the last day, when no one else has posted. Moving on, I think implimenting some sort of reward system (like the forum title) would be a good idea, so as long as the reward is not too big. In all the previous times I've hosted it's because I wanted to get more involved with the PFQ community and I've come to enjoy hosting for the most part. However there have been times where I felt obligated to host because no one else posted for the team that I was on for that month and a small reward for the host of the TR might be a good idea to motivate more people to host, similar to what FloydLeech has said (again these are my own experiences with hosting and I'm sure other past TR hosts may have had differing experiences when hosting). Having some sort of reward, like the forum title (provided the leader did a good job) would hopefully be a good idea since it gives some reward to the leader for helping to organize clicklists, adding members to the table, and other TR host responsibilities, but in my opinion, still makes the main motive for hosting a TR thread being a part of the PFQ community and hosting the thread because you can and you want to rather than just a plain reward, no matter if they did a "good" or "bad" job leading their team (I'm not exactly sure how the difference between a "good" job or a "bad" job for the TR would be determined, but something that determines that could also further distinguish those who want to host because they want to be involved with the community and such and those who host because they want a reward). I also feel like having a title better acknowledges the TR host's efforts for leading a team than a monetary reward like the fragment, and might serve as a better motivation for those who want to host to be more involved with the community. I might be a little biased towards a small reward since I've hosted several times but I do like the idea of a small reward like a title I know that was a lot and I hope it made sense for the most part, but anyways TL;DR: I like the voting system that's there right now and a small reward might be good, provided that the reward isn't big enough so that the main motive for hosting would be the reward as opposed to doing it because you want to, reward or no reward

Whilst haven't been on in the last few months to see it, I have liked whole voting system for threads, there were a few months before where I wanted to host but because of time zones, when had woken up a thread had already been created. I also like the idea of a little reward for the host as it might help nudge someone who is on the fence about hosting step up and stop the need for Sally hosted ones. Though I definitely do agree it should be voted on at the end of the race. Though I will say I'm not so fond of it being a forum title, to me if two people want to host one month and someone has a special badge or something I think the other person is going to be overlooked automatically... But that is just my thoughts.

I kind of like this idea. I've considered trying to make a team thread myself, but two things hold me back: One, I don't know where I'd get the TR templates for the thread and idk how to update them with new users, and two, the fact that people might look over my thread. While this is a personal issue, I do love the idea of small little rewards for hosting, and feel like it might incentivise people to create team threads. Of course it might also cause people to start overcrowding the TR section when it comes time to choose TR leaders which could cause confusion, but every up has its down, right?

Okay, lots of thoughts on this, including Several things that haven't been addressed yet. tl:dr - I believe the purported net benefit of the new system is not worth having it - in its current form at least. Advantages of having the current apply/voting system: 1) Avoids the whole 'rush to be first' scenarios that often occurred, Sometimes resulting in a less than desireable host for Some teams, Some races. 2) due to time zones, and a worldwide userbase, means some users who would never have had a chance to host, have that chance now. That's it. Those are the only ones I see. (To be fair, #2 is a very good one) Disadvantages of having the current apply/voting system: 1) Unhosted Race Threads - straight up? They suck doo doo. (See point 1 below under things that Haven't changed as well). And stepping in to 'ghost' host one is not much fun either. 2) there are months where the current process pushes right up against the start of the race. Time to sign up, coordinate, prepare, support preparation efforts and the like is often vital to a good, fun, supportive, and ultimately successful type race, for some/many teams. 3) there are users, who Would be good hosts, who might have created threads, but will not necessarily do so if they risk being part of a competition to, or not at all if they see someone has already applied (see point 3 in possible fixes) 4) 'known' names both have an advantage in any voting (as has been previously stated), but might also deter quality hosts from even trying (again see point 3 in possible fixes) 5) clearly there is/are some sort of (unstated) problem(s)/issue(s) being seen, discussed by, or reported to staff/ownership, otherwise this thread would be unnecessary (if everything was going swimmingly). Cynical? Yes. But also from learned experience. Things that Haven't changed having the current apply/voting system: 1) Bad race hosts. Possibly the only thing Worse than an unhosted thread. There are still a disproportionate number of (way) less than desireable hosts. Example - ones who apply Knowing (and sometimes even Stating outright) that they do not/will not have the time to even minimally, let alone properly host a thread for a week long event. Example 2 - a race host who stops hatching team type eggs after a day or two (or not at all), or quits on the team days before the race is over (regardless of team score). Not participating in a race is fine, but Not when one has Applied to Host that type. Thoughts on Rewards for hosting: 1) no. Just no. If users previously (under the old system) Rushed to be first to create a type race thread, why would you feel you need to 'reward' those who do now? (Especially bad ones?) What was the incentive before, and why not look to harness that again instead? 2) I have, in the past (and I am sure I am not the only one), 'rewarded' a good/great/excellent race thread host with a little something for all their hard work, effort, encouragement, etc. <edit - did this because their performance deserved it - not just that they hosted. I do not think the Site should be rating hosts to determine reward(s) either> 3) we don't Allow type race raffle hosts to be rewarded in any way (even if they are the biggest contributor to a race team's success), and that is usually far more work (having done both), so why should a race host be any different? 4) and what about those who 'ghost' host an unhosted thread? They haven't gone through the process, but probably deserve a reward more than someone who put themselves forward to host ahead of time. Possible fixes? 1) Window to sign up to host an unhosted thread while any host voting is going on. Before the unhosted threads are system generated. (Would require staff vetting, but no more than if all threads had applications in the first place) 2) Some sort of separate race host reporting system (for participants of that type race team) that only staff sees, to help weed out problematic race hosts from being allowed to host in the future for a period of time, and/or without a discussion beforehand. Specific reporting criteria could be listed (and maybe should be a part of the type race setup/Application information, regardless) 3) similar to the block on seeing any user reports other than your own, an initial 24+hr blackout on type race thread hosting 'applications' (except ones own), then revealing them all at once. With or without time to openly apply further before voting begins. 4) shorten the whole process so there are at least a few/few more prep days in months the race starts early in the <edit> first second week of a month. Just my thoughts. Thank you for reading this far.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the rewards system. On one hand, it might encourage people to apply for team leader a lot more than the current situation and encourage more interaction with the users in order to be a better leader. On the other hand, I feel this might cause a few issues where people apply for team leader then put no effort in just for a reward that month (if they get picked, That is). But no problem doesn't have a solution, I feel by making the reward something other than z-fragments, like some people suggested, it would balance this out. Z-fragmemts, in my opinion, should remain something bought with dp or earned in the typerace by your effort. The reward shouldn't be as small as something like evolution items but not as large as fragments either. Maybe the fragments could work if the reward was only around 1-3 earned. (Scratch that. See edited point below.) I'm thinking, However, maybe gold poke could work, similarly to the weekly contests, where based on your vote and placement, you get a certain amount? Either way, I'm curious to see what happens with this. Edit: I no longer think that those 1-3 fragments would work as a reward. I typed my prior post on my phone still half-asleep. After giving it further thought, I just decided against it. During the two times I led my races these last two months, whether we reached the goal or not, I got at least enough z-fragments for TWO crystals. This is more than enough. I don't see a reason for more z-fragments to be given to only the team leader, even if they put a large effort in. It's not the team leader who brought the team to the team goal. It's a team effort. The Z-fragments should remain a reward only reached via the type race's effort (+bought w DP), otherwise, it would really fluctuate the economy and I feel it may cause other personal issues.

Thank you for your input thus far! We're going through them and considering potential prizes and/or incentives for everyone, not just the team leader. We'll post proposals once we've fleshed them out more.

Trebor always comes in with really thoughtful comments and I think this one in particular is worth looking at. In the past I have definitely been prey to voting on a thread with a "recognizable user" as the host merely because I've heard of the player. Having a blackout would be great so that you don't see "Oh, X popular player has signed up already so I shouldn't try." It could also be worth looking into an anonymous thread submission? Like how contest entries work. You can see the thread, and the intro (excluding names), but not the user who put it forward. It could be a hit or miss concept, but it could also let some newer players sneak in and get the title. I really like the idea of a vanity plate reward based on your performance. Like after the week itself, players could submit that yes, they thought this host was effective. Or yes, this player contributed so many points, or was the loudest cheerleader. I don't think it should be a monetary/item reward. One thing I feel that could seriously boost PFQ's user base's morale is to recognize the community. Having forum user plates for Type Race effort makes sense, considering there are plates for Wiki Editors and Discord Boosters. It's a small thing, but it gives users a chance to be recognized for their interactions in the game by their peers.

Very unpolished post. I like the new voting system rather than the old "first come first served" system, it gives lots more people a chance to lead. One thing I don't like about the new voting system is that it feels a lot slower: something I miss about the old system is being able to socialise with my teammates a lot sooner, although I do understand how this is directly incompatible with a voting system, lololol. I agree with the suggestion for revealing all the submissions at once- a lot of the time, I see someone else has already made a thread, and I don't apply because I figure that they've got it covered. If you want more leader applications, then this could motivate more people who would otherwise just default to the "first-come-first-served-esque" mindset of "well, someone already made the thread, i'll just let them handle it." Ofc, just speaking for myself here. As for "rewards for leaders"... I'm not sure. Maybe if someone's an exceptional leader, sure, and if these rewards will inspire people to be exceptional leaders, then absolutely. More than anything though, I'm just reminded of Flight Rising's dominance system, and how the dom leads on Flight Rising will take on lots of work for a dominance push, and get the same reward as everyone else in the flight. Maybe there could be a return of the "Helping Hand" banner, or something much like it, for anyone who puts in the effort to be an exceptional type race leader or some other great contribution to the community (eg: answering help questions, writing userscripts, writing guides, making skins, making free-to-use post templates, idk) Once again, very unpolished post, very unpolished ideas. Please don't take anything I say as a fully-formulated idea or suggestion. ono EDIT: Also, something I came up with while writing this post, and then promptly forgot in favour of a completely different tangent: Maybe an EXP boost for the type race leader for eggs/pokemon of their type during the race? A bit like what Wiki Editors and Nitro Boosters get, but just for one type. This could even be extended to a small EXP boost for everyone for their team's type. Get more people motivated to participate. Idk, on second thought, I think this'd be a lot better tied into the "New Helping Hand" banner.

Sounds good and good luck

Well, four (4!) entries already to host the type race thread - so for that type you can definitely say the new changes had an effect

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as I am sure it has little to do with the fact Normalium Z always sell for a premium over all other types :P