Monster ranking system?

[Woolen_Monkey]

I've come across a monster ranking system that I'm considering using for a typical fantasy world. I'd appreciate hearing your opinions and advice on it. What do you all think?

***Damage Ranking System***

**Rank 1: Negligible Impact**
- Sub-tier 1a: Nocturnal Visitors
- Sub-tier 1b: Enigmatic Observers
- Sub-tier 1c: Seasonal Wanderers

**Rank 2: Minimal Disruption**
- Sub-tier 2a: Shy Residents
- Sub-tier 2b: Tolerable Pests
- Sub-tier 2c: Bordered Intruders

**Rank 3: Nominal Nuisances**
- Sub-tier 3a: Frequent Troublemakers
- Sub-tier 3b: Persistent Disruptors
- Sub-tier 3c: Unwelcome Neighbors

**Rank 4: Moderate Disturbance**
- Sub-tier 4a: Frequent Agitators
- Sub-tier 4b: Seasonal Pests
- Sub-tier 4c: Ephemeral Threats

**Rank 5: Significant Threat**
- Sub-tier 5a: Frequent Trouble-Makers
- Sub-tier 5b: Aggressive Invaders
- Sub-tier 5c: Seasonal Menaces

**Rank 6: Localized Catastrophe**
- Sub-tier 6a: Elemental Rampage
- Sub-tier 6b: Cursed Anomalies
- Sub-tier 6c: Natural Outbursts

**Rank 7: Regional Apocalypse**
- Sub-tier 7a: Catastrophic Outbreaks
- Sub-tier 7b: Apocalyptic Blights
- Sub-tier 7c: Elemental Cataclysms

**Rank 8: Environmental Extinction**
- Sub-tier 8a: Ecosystem Collapse
- Sub-tier 8b: Regional Obliteration
- Sub-tier 8c: Existential Devastation

 

[LilRora]

I've no idea why tiers 3a and 5a are the same. In general though, I'd say it's good for a formal ranking system (for an organization or government), but bad for average people because it's a little too complicated to be used on day-to-day basis.

If you're planning on utilizing it, I recommend either simplifying it all or making people use a simplified version. I don't know about others, but I certainly wouldn't want to rack my brain for the threat level when I read a Seasonal Menace is approaching; as a reader, I would want something more general, but easier to understand (at least at first, as you can add more details as the story goes on).

I've read quite a lot of stories with different monster classification systems, and even the most detailed ones usually had about ten categories. Some, of course, had more, but those were rare and generally unused - because how many SSS+ monster can you even have. On the other hand, I particularly remember one story that had four categories, and that was enough.

That doesn't mean the one you have here is bad though, because it's actually better to have more details when you want to add some formal classification to the monsters in your story. It's just that a formal one won't be used often, and even then it will usually be along with an explanation.

 

[Woolen_Monkey]

I've no idea why tiers 3a and 5a are the same. In general though, I'd say it's good for a formal ranking system (for an organization or government), but bad for average people because it's a little too complicated to be used on day-to-day basis.

If you're planning on utilizing it, I recommend either simplifying it all or making people use a simplified version. I don't know about others, but I certainly wouldn't want to rack my brain for the threat level when I read a Seasonal Menace is approaching; as a reader, I would want something more general, but easier to understand (at least at first, as you can add more details as the story goes on).

That doesn't mean it's bad though, because it's actually better to have more details when you want to add some formal classification to the monsters in your story. It's just that a formal one won't be used often, and even then it will usually be along with an explanation.

They are the same because the same thing is happening but on different levels like comparing cracker fireworks to dynamite. Thanks for the input. I will use the major ranks for common use and sub-tiers for more specific info. ?

 

[CupcakeNinja]

I've come across a monster ranking system that I'm considering using for a typical fantasy world. I'd appreciate hearing your opinions and advice on it. What do you all think?

***Damage Ranking System***

**Rank 1: Negligible Impact**
- Sub-tier 1a: Nocturnal Visitors
- Sub-tier 1b: Enigmatic Observers
- Sub-tier 1c: Seasonal Wanderers

**Rank 2: Minimal Disruption**
- Sub-tier 2a: Shy Residents
- Sub-tier 2b: Tolerable Pests
- Sub-tier 2c: Bordered Intruders

**Rank 3: Nominal Nuisances**
- Sub-tier 3a: Frequent Troublemakers
- Sub-tier 3b: Persistent Disruptors
- Sub-tier 3c: Unwelcome Neighbors

**Rank 4: Moderate Disturbance**
- Sub-tier 4a: Frequent Agitators
- Sub-tier 4b: Seasonal Pests
- Sub-tier 4c: Ephemeral Threats

**Rank 5: Significant Threat**
- Sub-tier 5a: Frequent Trouble-Makers
- Sub-tier 5b: Aggressive Invaders
- Sub-tier 5c: Seasonal Menaces

**Rank 6: Localized Catastrophe**
- Sub-tier 6a: Elemental Rampage
- Sub-tier 6b: Cursed Anomalies
- Sub-tier 6c: Natural Outbursts

**Rank 7: Regional Apocalypse**
- Sub-tier 7a: Catastrophic Outbreaks
- Sub-tier 7b: Apocalyptic Blights
- Sub-tier 7c: Elemental Cataclysms

**Rank 8: Environmental Extinction**
- Sub-tier 8a: Ecosystem Collapse
- Sub-tier 8b: Regional Obliteration
- Sub-tier 8c: Existential Devastation

you forgot tier 9....legos.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

I feel, like with all things, there has to be specialisation for general classes of use-cases to subclasses etc., very dependent on location and maybe season.

Aquatic monsters require measures completely different from those who live in a desert, and those who are proficient at camouflage, and those that are aereal and those who are territorial.

Depending on circumstances and place those rankings will change too, as a group of cats in an unfamiliar environment could devastate an ecosystem.

When the supernatural comes into the frey most rankings can be thrown out of the window altogether.

Back when the Earth was invaded by the flora of [redacted], we tried our hands at classification of threats and such and it was a useless endeavour

 

[atgongumerki]

I fail to see any clear naming scheme for the sub-tiers, which makes it seem very unscientific.
This indicates that the classification comes from the people, alas I don't know why the common folk would create sub-tiers at all.
They might do for the weaker ones, but not for anything of Rank5+

Also, the readers will have trouble memorizing all those words.

 

[J_Chemist]

You mention this is a monster ranking system but then you provide a damage ranking, so I'm confused as to what you're looking for.

As for the ranking on its own - I also have no idea what's going on here. There's no detail explaining the difference between the levels and they don't seem to rank against each other.(i.e; does your environment scale hold the same lethality as the regional scale?). Define them, put them into a cause-effect ratio scale to show how each affects the other or utilize spheres of influence to show where they settle in your overall scheme.

I'd also use monsters themselves to attach the damage scale to creatures in your world, as it'll give us a more tangible view of your scale.

 

[ManwX]

It confusing. Simplicity is better.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Simplified* as:

1. F ranked: Nuisance.
2. E ranked: People Killer.
3. D ranked: Neighborhood killer.
4. C ranked: City killer.
5. B ranked: Country killer.
6. A ranked: Continent killer.
7. S ranked: World killer.

*Hard to gauge, a rat in modern time is a lot less devastating than a rat in Black Death.

 

[ReadLight]

In my humble opinion, and I may very well be wrong, it's better to keep it simple. I've read a few books and stories with ranks, usually the kind that is used to make to villain appear OP so as to make the protagonist who wins against them even more OP.
"What!? Isn't he only a level 3!? how could he have defeated a level 5!?"

But the ones that I know the best? The one from One Punch Man: Wolf Tiger, Demon, Dragon, God for Monsters. S, A, B, C for Heros, ordered by numbers. Simple, and fits the story.

A sophisticated/elaborate ranking system like yours may potentially fit a richer story, but I think it is not that such a system would make a story rich, instead it is a story that's already rich in content would be able to use such a system.

I personally wouldn't want to bother remembering what level means what for a book, as long as I can understand it easily to enjoy the story. If what you are doing right now fits your book, do it. But I think some readers know that in many books, those ranks will eventually lose their meaning in the later parts of the story when everything gets stronger.
"What!? Isn't he only a level 3,000,000!? how could he have defeated a level 5,000,000!?"

TL;DR: I say keep it simple, unless that big list is what you want/what your story needs.

 

[Jerynboe]

Rank 1-8 seem reasonable, though the sub ranks are really what make it over complicated. These seem like all inclusive rankings, so maybe having 2-4 traits ranked to be more informative and having those names as shorthand for common archetypes?
For example, if something is Danger 2, persistence 4, frequency 3, that would indicate some kind of seasonal pest that is difficult to root out and be labeled a Persistent Disruptor.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Where do Bedbugs fall?

 

[Rhaps]

Where do Bedbugs fall?

Frequent Agitator of course.

 

[Succubiome]

These rankings seem to be something from a kingdom perspective-- they're focused on disruption to the hold of power across the land, not how hard something is to fight (as adventurers would likely to be focused on), or on how likely something is to harm or kill you (as most everyone else not a part of the hierarchical power structure nor an adventurer would likely be focused on).

Unless rankings are somehow part of the world, like levels in a litRPG, any classification is made to be useful by those who use it, and also somewhat arbitrary.

Again calling back to One Punch Man, which uses a simple system, but it's frequently referenced how they have to update threat level because they underestimated how bad it was-- now, this is partially used to raise tension for drama and jokes, but unless threat level is baked into the rules of the world or somehow extremely predictable, this sort of thing should happen sometimes, because it's an abstraction of reality made by people, not an actual rule of how the universe works.

 

[CheertheSecond]

If I am an employee having to work using this system, I will say that it needs to be revisited.

First of all, let's talk about the highest-level denominators, the ranks. Since you declared that it is a damage ranking system, the highest-level denominators must give a general idea to the listeners or the report readers of what kind of problem they are dealing with. From rank 1 to 4, things were clear enough but from 5 to 8, it became really confusing.

**Rank 5: Significant Threat**
**Rank 6: Localized Catastrophe**
**Rank 7: Regional Apocalypse**
**Rank 8: Environmental Extinction**

Why is a significant threat below of localized catastrophe?

Rank 5 simply says that the monster is a significant threat. However, rank 6 suddenly added "localized" into its name. This word means the threat affects an area. However, none of the first 5 ranks are talking anything about the damaged area. Why does this sudden breaking of pattern exist? The good thing about a ranking system is it allows to compare so that even a novice who knew nothing about the ranking can get the gist of it without having to open the encyclopedia to check for the definition. "Negligible", "Moderate", "Significant"; these are words that can be compared to understand a sense of danger. "Significant" and "localized" can not be compared. If your ranking system doesn't follow a pattern, it will be hard to grasp. The harder it is to use for a novice, the worse a system is especially if it is something that many people should understand.


To the second point, the next level denominator, the sub-tiers. Since these terms are subcategories of the rank, it should further explains the issues rather than just to sound cool. That is not what a ranking system for.

Why are they considered "Nocturnal Visitors"? Do they only appear at night? So does that mean those that appear at twilight and daytime aren't "Nocturnal visitors"? So if something appears at night only that means it is the least threatening?


Why are they called "enigmatic observers"? They are just content with watching the scenery and we don't know what they are so we called them enigmatic observers? Why are they in higher rank than nocturnal visitors? Is it because they can appear during the day and twilight instead of just nighttime?

So they wander around and we met them only during certain season? So these guys that only appears in a certain period of the year is more dangerous than the ones that only appears at night and those that were enigmatic?

Why is "Ecosystem Collapse" at higher rank than "Apocalyptic Blights"? An ecosystem can be as small as a forest, it does not denote that the gravity of the situation is the gravest.

I can go on for the entire list but I will not because I choose not to.

The problem I have with this ranking system is that it has no consistency in its descriptive terms which does not allow an easy deduction, and its sub rank doesn't elaborate on the ranks itself. For a ranking system this long, many would expect it to be comprehensible and concise. However, it isn't. It is an incomprehensible system which defeated the purpose of it being this long.

 

[Ellieporter]

I've come across a monster ranking system that I'm considering using for a typical fantasy world. I'd appreciate hearing your opinions and advice on it. What do you all think?

***Damage Ranking System***

**Rank 1: Negligible Impact**
- Sub-tier 1a: Nocturnal Visitors
- Sub-tier 1b: Enigmatic Observers
- Sub-tier 1c: Seasonal Wanderers

**Rank 2: Minimal Disruption**
- Sub-tier 2a: Shy Residents
- Sub-tier 2b: Tolerable Pests
- Sub-tier 2c: Bordered Intruders

**Rank 3: Nominal Nuisances**
- Sub-tier 3a: Frequent Troublemakers
- Sub-tier 3b: Persistent Disruptors
- Sub-tier 3c: Unwelcome Neighbors

**Rank 4: Moderate Disturbance**
- Sub-tier 4a: Frequent Agitators
- Sub-tier 4b: Seasonal Pests
- Sub-tier 4c: Ephemeral Threats

**Rank 5: Significant Threat**
- Sub-tier 5a: Frequent Trouble-Makers
- Sub-tier 5b: Aggressive Invaders
- Sub-tier 5c: Seasonal Menaces

**Rank 6: Localized Catastrophe**
- Sub-tier 6a: Elemental Rampage
- Sub-tier 6b: Cursed Anomalies
- Sub-tier 6c: Natural Outbursts

**Rank 7: Regional Apocalypse**
- Sub-tier 7a: Catastrophic Outbreaks
- Sub-tier 7b: Apocalyptic Blights
- Sub-tier 7c: Elemental Cataclysms

**Rank 8: Environmental Extinction**
- Sub-tier 8a: Ecosystem Collapse
- Sub-tier 8b: Regional Obliteration
- Sub-tier 8c: Existential Devastation

Imo, your categories are so insane. Are they from Hunter X Hunter or from a Korean Manhwa that has dungeon rating systems lol.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

***Damage Ranking System***

**Rank 1: Negligible Impact**
- Sub-tier 1a: Nocturnal Visitors

@RepresentingEnvy

 

[Woolen_Monkey]

In my humble opinion, and I may very well be wrong, it's better to keep it simple. I've read a few books and stories with ranks, usually the kind that is used to make to villain appear OP so as to make the protagonist who wins against them even more OP.
"What!? Isn't he only a level 3!? how could he have defeated a level 5!?"

But the ones that I know the best? The one from One Punch Man: Wolf Tiger, Demon, Dragon, God for Monsters. S, A, B, C for Heros, ordered by numbers. Simple, and fits the story.

A sophisticated/elaborate ranking system like yours may potentially fit a richer story, but I think it is not that such a system would make a story rich, instead it is a story that's already rich in content would be able to use such a system.

I wouldn't want to bother remembering what level means what for a book, as long as I can understand it easily to enjoy the story. If what you are doing right now fits your book, do it. But I think some readers know that in many books, those ranks will eventually lose their meaning in the later parts of the story when everything gets stronger.
"What!? Isn't he only a level 3,000,000!? How could he have defeated a level 5,000,000!?"

TL;DR: I say keep it simple unless that big list is what you want/what your story needs.

You're right I was overthinking by a long shot. I guess I was trying to make it cover all grounds so it wouldn't confuse anyone but in an effort to I made it more confusing.

 

[Raymann]

Me irl.
A cockroach when I realise that it can fly too...
*Tier 8a existential devastation.*

 

[Woolen_Monkey]

@RepresentingEnvy

Mom's too kind to hurt anyone.

Me irl.
A cockroach when I realise that it can fly too...
*Tier 8a existential devastation.*

For real.

Imo, your categories are so insane. Are they from Hunter X Hunter or from a Korean Manhwa that has dungeon rating systems lol.

Nah fantasy's are just crazy. There all like that i just put it into words not letters.

you forgot tier 9....legos.

Wow, too extreme man the MC wouldn't even survive that...