Preparing for the Whitelists

[Garrison]

If you're like the rest of us when it comes to applying for a whitelist, you probably went to see some other applications to get some examples. Only to be shocked and/or intimidated by all the detail and effort people have put into their applications. If you have no idea where to start, be it applying for Predator or Commander. Here are some guides and resources from other players to help you study and prepare for your application so you are less likely to get denied by making a fool of yourself.

Before going any further, you may want to refresh your memory on the Server Rules & Roleplay Guidelines.


-USCM Commander- [Thank you, Renomaki, for helping me expand on this.]

• -The USCM wiki page from Alien vs Predator (not essential, but would probably help your role playing as Commander)
  -What it really means to be a commander by Renomaki
  -Briefing for Dummies by Renomaki

Some things to bear in mind about the commander...

1. there is a very fine line between leading your troops to victory, and power gaming to victory. Put emphasis on role playing and don't always go for victory above all else. Your main job is not to just to help the marines win, but to make the round interesting for those playing in the USCM.

2. Getting into the white list can be a bit of a popularity contest. Since players opinions of you can impact your application, so take up some major roles (Exec Officer, CL, SL) and make
yourself known on the game and the forums in a positive way.

3: A good briefing is one that is both easy to understand and amusing. A CO is an RP role, after all, so you are expected to put forth some creativity, even if your game plan as a whole is just the same thing as all the other COs. For more on how to make a decent briefing, consult this guide here.

4: The life of a commander is a very draining one (at least if you are the sort that puts a lot of heart into it). While the marines could always use a good leader, remember that one round too many will probably just whither down your sanity. In the long run, it'll be good for your mental health to lead in moderation and allow others to take the wheel of leadership for a few rounds.

5: More often than not, being a good commander isn't so much about leading marines to victory as it is losing with as much grace, dignity, and honor as possible. You shouldn't give up easily, but you also shouldn't go to extremes to win either. If victory cannot be achieved by fair, non-meta/powergaming means, then all there is left to do is make the enemy's victory as hard-earned as possible. Fight to the last breath and live long enough to spit in their face, I say.

6: Tactical-knowledge is power, and to get such power, you need to be willing to listen and observe. Communication is an important element for any leadership role, and of course it isn't a one way road. Talk to your marines and have your marines talk to you, and together you'll get a lot more done than if you just left marines to their own devices. Independence is nice and all, but your marines can't do everything on their own, nor can you expect them to handle themselves without some sort of direction from you. You ARE a commander, after all, so lead them well.

-Predator-

When applying for Predator, ensure you have a solid comprehension of the lore and a well written character. Because you are expected to role-play and only kill within certain parameters, as the lore and your characters personality dictates. The admins/staff are going to grill you thoroughly to ensure you've done your homework and are going to play by the book.

• -Yautja article on the Alien Species wiki. and Alien vs Predator wiki
  -A Guide on How to be -denied- Accepted as a Predator by Retro
  -Predator Application Guide/Tips (10/16/15 Update) by Gelonvia
  -The Yautja language (Look here if you need ideas for coming up with a name)
  -Elaboration on the Unblooded Credit goes to jusa297 for pointing this out
  -Cazador de Trofoes (Even though its from an instruction book for a tabletop game, it contains a good summary of Predator Culture and how their equipment works, with references from most media.)

Yautja Names Consist of 2 words, First Name and Last Name, The first name is a Phrase in the Yautja language of your choice and last name is the name of the Clan they are born into.

Predators can also have their Clan name in front of their name. Freeing up your last name to a word of your choice

While doing research i found that Young Bloods have already completed their training regime and now are ready to hunt a serpent, while Unblooded seem to be preds that either didn't completed the training or that aren't good enough to become Young Bloods because they aren't good enough, or have not yet completed their training. As seen here, Unbloodeds are denied their acid resisting weaponry and can't challenge other predators to duels: http://avp.wikia.com/wiki/Un-Blooded

Young Bloods also get more equipment than the Unblooded http://avp.wikia.com/wiki/Young_Blood

More stuff will be added when I can find/learn about it.

[Jay Burns]

Yautja Names Consist of 2 words, First Name and Last Name, The first name is a Phrase in the Yautja language of your choice and last name is the name of the Clan they are born into.

preds can also have a clan name in front of their first name, for example, my pred name is Dto (clan name)' yeyin (firstname) 'thewi (Last name)

[Garrison]

Ah, the info I am using is rather outdated, I'll fix that.

[Nick123q23]

Good point about the popularity contest. How well known you are in the community is probably the most aspect of the whitelists, as regrettable as it is.

[Renomaki]

Good point about the popularity contest. How well known you are in the community is probably the most aspect of the whitelists, as regrettable as it is.

I know, it isn't entirely fair... But on the other hand, if the staff know you really well, they are more likely to trust you with positions of power.

The CO whitelist is a lot easier to get into than the moderator job, and the moderator job is a lot easier to get into than predator. Depending on the level of influence and power, staff tend to get a lot more pickier with who they choose to fill those roles. If a random nobody came in and suddenly applied for CO, despite having little renown on the sever, it'll be a real hard sell to get the community to trust him in a role such as a Commander. Anyone who took a look at old bans and reports should know just what kind of fuckery was possible back when CO was open to all...

In the case of preds, it is a role with such cosmic power that if it were open to anyone, the chance of hard-core grief would be considerable. Even if you take away the honor code, predators have an unwritten rule in that the hunt should be modest, with only a few kills here and there. Sure, a lot of people might not realize that from past experiences with them, but trust me, a lot of preds really try to avoid mass slaughter. In order to become a predator, you have to have good roleplaying skills, understand the lore (which determines if you'll behave in a manner fitting of a hunter and not like a redneck with a shotgun and a keg of beer in his gut), have no bias towards one faction or another (You may not be a balancing force, but you still gotta try to avoid showing favor to either side and change it up as a game progresses), won't abuse your tech (because plasma rifles are serious business and so is your cloak) and... I could go on and on...

But even if you can mark all these things on your list, it won't matter if you aren't willing to put in the effort to get known and trusted by the community. After all, not every person is who they say they are, and on the internet, it is quite easy to lie. Actions both in game and in the forums speak louder than any app, you know?

[Garrison]

Good point about the popularity contest. How well known you are in the community is probably the most aspect of the whitelists, as regrettable as it is.

I think this is more present on the Commander Whitelist, since Players can vote to have you approved or denied. Predator apps are more in the hands of staff members rather then popular vote. The system as is. seems rather reasonable in my opinion, since people will usually take a commander they know more seriously then one they don't. Where as Predators are under THE MOST scrutiny since the staff want to make sure they will follow the code of honor and have a decent backstory to motivate their actions in game.

Never the less, I do hope this guide will help those who are considering on becoming a Commander or Predator. In addition to helping them maintain their spot on the whitelist.

[Mark Wilson]

I find this information REALLY useful, thanks for your effort