Thread: Vanarch System for FFXIV 2.0 (suggestion from Vanarchy system in TERA)

To those who are not aware, The Vanarch system in TERA allows individuals (who must be guild leaders, at least level 50) to run for elections, and by winning, they then become the Vanarchs (mayor) of that area and reign for about 4 weeks until the next election cycle. There are a total of about 15 or so areas, so there are about 15 reigning Vanarchs at each reigning period. Vanarchs are able to set taxes for that area (Teleport tax, flight points tax, merchant taxes), and are able to set which stores, AH, or trainers should be opened or closed for that area.

The Vanarchs must do real work by doing quests, getting gold, tokens, in order to keep those stores open and to keep the taxes low. If they don’t do these, then they cannot maintain the stores to stay open, hence, inconveniencing the population, and therefore, they may get voted out next election.

There are a lot of issues with this system still. So far, the major complaint is that there is no incentive of becoming a vanarch, because by becoming one, you are basically ‘working’ for the people (lol). Some people think that it’s all sugar and rainbows once becoming vanarchs and they hate the fact that it’s a lot of work (just like irl I guess). Those Vanarchs who are abandoning and neglecting their duties, well, their guild’s reputation quickly plummets. The second major complaint is that Vanarchs need more powers, instead of just keeping stores open.

I think this would be interesting if they implement something like this in FFXIV v 2.0, by taking parts that work, and improving on other parts that do not work so well. What do you all think?

For example, instead of only keeping stores open, Vanarchs may grant “area buffs” to people who are leveling in the area. Or Vanarchs may grant “extra mount speed or extra EXP points” to people leveling in the area. Or in the case of RF Online, their Vanarchs (Archons) become more powerful, and they are very hard to kill in PvP. Maybe these Vanarchs can become HNM.

In my opinion, a political system like this can be fun and can have its place in MMO. Many people say, keep politics outside of games, but I disagree. So far it’s a very interesting dynamic. It's an additional content and something to do for those who are bored. It gives more depth to the areas knowing there are reigning leaders lurking around that you can kill in PvP. I would say that in the future, perhaps term limits are necessary to prevent the same guild leaders winning Vanarchy over and over.

No, sir. I don't like it. Something like that is too easy to be abused.

Originally Posted by AsterBarnivere

NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.
(The Vanarch System is badly broken and abused in TERA anyway and EASILY exploitable)

I completely agree that it can be abused and exploited. Which is why FFXIV v 2.0, if they should ever consider, should improve on the things that are broken in TERA.

This is why my suggestion is pointing towards more positive experiences, such as "extra buffs" and "extra mount speed", instead of negative experiences, such as "increasing taxes" , "disabling stores". Therefore, should the Vanarchs neglect their duties, the worst we can ever get is no buffs, no mount speed, etc. This is the rough idea. Of course there are things you can further implement, such as, Mid-term recall elections.

This would ensure that no one would have to suffer for the entire reign duration. If enough people vote to do a recall on a bad Vanarch, then there would be a recall election, etc. Certain things can be abused, but not every system is fool-proof.

Also touching on what Black_Rose said, a system like what you talked about could also work. I didn't mean to say it has to be "Vanarch" from TERA, no. But what can we take from that, and what can be fun to do when put into FFXIV v2.0: some sort of linkshell and linkshell competitive events like these that extend beyond just pvp or pve.

this is Final Fantasy XIV.

I can't wait for SimCity 5 to come out either.

Originally Posted by Eekiki

I can't wait for SimCity 5 to come out either.

I can, enjoy buying the right to build a city after you buy the game <.< lol. This system was fun for a bit on K/JTera, but I don't think XIV's community on some servers would make this a good system to be honest.

once again my friend.. go play tera and quit this sharade... you are getting old sooo fast