What Are Referees?
A referee is the person who interpreted the attacks made by all battlers and decides exactly what effect they have, before writing out a descriptive piece detailing the battle. Referees have the power to decide who wins a battle, and are therefore entrusted with great responsibility. As a referee, you are expected to be unbiased and consistent.

Reffing A Battle
While reffing a battle, you are required to give a description of how you see each attack panning out. This gives the referee a lot of freedom to write creatively, and the battlers the freedom to be far more strategic and clever in their battle plans than the games ever do. And because of this, you will often see many attacks interpreted differently by different referees, in different situations. It is perfectly acceptable that you ref your attacks differently than others would, as long as it remains unbiased, consistent and logical.

The most important factor when reffing, is to remember what game you are playing. This is ASB, not Pokemon Red, Gold or Sapphire. Damage should never be pre-calculated; attacks do not have set amounts of damage. When an attack is used, you should take into account things such as accuracy of the attack (whether it hit full on, or just brushed the opponent) and the type of the opponent (water attacks do more damage to fire types)

If you are at any time unsure of how to ref an attack, look at the ASB Attack List for a good guide. However this is merely a guide and does not have to be followed exactly.

Another important thing to know about is "damage caps." It is generally recommended that ASB refs apply a 30-50% damage cap during all normal battles (unless the battlers request it be removed). The most widely used value is 40%. A damage cap simply means that a pokémon cannot receive more than that set amount of damage in one round, regardless of any and all circumstances. Damage caps are completely omitted in events such as Gym Leader Tourney battles (esp. since damage is purposely increased there).

If you receive complaints about your reffing, you are expected to explain your actions to the battlers, so that everybody knows where they stand. If as a battler, you feel a ref’s explanation is biased, or unfair, report to the head ref who will sort the issue out and have the final say.

The Reffing Tower
The Reffing Tower is where you come to become an approved ref. The difference between an approved ref and an unapproved ref is quite simple; an approved ref gets extra rewards for their reffing. Approved refs are ranked, depending on their ability and their activeness. There are four difference attainable ranks, those being Rookie, Intermediate, Experienced and Master. There is also the Head ref, a position one individual holds, they have the final say on every reffing matter. If you have any complaints about reffing, you go to them. The other sort of approved ref is a "free style" ref. This is a position that is available only on request, and is merely for the ability to call yourself approved. Free style refs do not receive added rewards.

The reffing tower is also used to request a referee. If you wish to request a new or sub ref, please post a link to the battle, saying whether you require a new ref or a sub ref.

Becoming A Ref
To become and approved ref, you must ref the mock battle at the bottom of this post. The Head ref will then analyze your reffing, and decide whether or not you are worthy of a spot as an approved ref. A newly approved ref will start off in either Rookie or Intermediate level; this is at the Head Ref’s discretion. If you fail the test, you must wait for a new mock battle before attempting again. If you just joined ASB, it would beneficial to you if you viewed other reffings before jumping in on your own. It’s not mandatory but it would help you see how the reffings are done.

Now That You're A Ref...
If you wish to gain promotion, then you must ref the current mock battle (provided you haven't already reffed it). Please also include what rank you are currently, and what rank you are attempting to achieve. When deciding whether you are worthy of promotion, the head ref will also study your general performance, to ensure you are reffing all battles at a good enough quality. It is also possible to be promoted due to sheer hard work.

You must always post links to the battles you are currently reffing to receive your reward, and update your posts every few rounds at least. You should keep all this information in one post, until the head ref posts a new mock battle (this will be in a new post too); then you can make a new post.

As a referee, you are expected to be active. If you go for an extended period of time without reffing (unless you’ve posted in the Absence Tower), you will be either demoted or fired and will have to re-do a mock reffing in order to be rehired. .

Rewards
Your reward for being an approved ref is a free catch or evolution after reffing a certain amount of battles. In the case of a DQ or forfeit, the battle has to be at least half completed (ex: if there is a DQ in a 4 on 4, at least 2 Pokemon have to have been knocked out in order for you to use it as a reward link). The amount of battles required depends on your rank (see below for details). When you have reached the required amount, please post links to all the battles, and the Head Ref will then approve your prize. This is the battle amount each rank needs to complete before coming to the head ref:

This amount has changed as of February 5th, 2006

Rookie: 6 battles
Intermediate: 5 battles
Experienced: 5 battles
Master: 4 battles
Head Refs: 3 battles

If you win the "Ref of the Month" award, you will receive a free catch or evolution and additional points.


Ref of the Month

August/September: aragornbird
October - January: RaZoR LeAf
February - March: Chris 2.0
June - August - Chris Watarimono
September - Crystal Tears
November/December - Asayake
January - The Arbiter
February - Tsuki Megumi


Ranks:

Head Ref:
RaZoR LeAf, Chris 2.0

Master Refs:
None

Experienced Refs:
The Arbiter, The Missing Link

Intermediate Refs:
Syberia, Asayake, Chris Watarimono, TheBlueAvenger

Rookie Refs:
Wolfsong, Crystal Tears, Charles Legend, Vermillion, Deus Theois, Weasel Overlord, Tsuki Megami, Silencer, Weasel Overlord

Free-Style Refs:
None

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Anyone not included in the list of current referees must redo the latest mock battle in order to become an approved referee.
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[b][size=5]Current Mock Battle

Round 1

Bruce Wayne vs Peter Parker

Arena
The rooftop of the tallest building in the Switzerland of Marvel and DC (Goldenrod City). A square shape with no barrier or wall at the edge. There is a ventilation pipe blowing out steam in one corner, while the roof access door is in the diagonally opposite corner. It's a fine day, and no criminal masterminds are around to interrupt the battle


Crobat-- vs --Ariados
BatmanMaleMaleSpiderman


Bruce "Listen up Batman, a robin could could beat that insect, so blow it off the roof with a Whirlwind, then use Fly to follow it as it falls and use Air Cutter to slice it good before it hits the ground!"

Peter "So that rich boy thinks he can get the better of us does he? Use Agility to move away from the edge and behind that thing in the air, then ground it by wrapping it up in a Spider Web. Finish it off by grabbing with with Psychic and tossing it off the edge!"

--

[b][size=5]Contest Refs / Judges

Now that Contests are beginnng in ASB, it has come to my attention that we should have people who are able to ref contests asides from myself (Chris 2.0). More information on Contests is here.

Just like with battles, to be an approved Contest Judge you must ref a mock battle. See below for the Mock Contest and post here in this Tower to get your Mock Contest checked. There will be similar (albeit condensed) ranks for Judges as much of it is down to opinion and personal takes on things. Again, check below. This Mock Contest will, like Battles, be updated to ensure you can gain promotion.

Any questions PM Chris 2.0. Remember, if, when reffing a Contest, you do not think a combo is feasible, then you are in your right to say that a combo would not work. (Eg...Thunderbolt and Flamethrower together, you get the picture. Or something just mind-boggling) If any arguments occur PM me and I shall determine whether or not the attack combo could be pulled off.

A reffed Contest can go in your reffing status just like any other reffing. You can use it towards your reffing quota. Point prizes and such are all in the link above.



[b][size=5]Current Mock Contest

Please ref this contest. For those wondering how, you simply type out how the attacks are seen/work in the contest. See the current and past Pokemon Contests for any pointers. Ref the attacks, how well they work (for example, using thrash may over-excite the Pokemon, or something may go unplanned) and give it a score out of 10.00 for each Co-ordinator/Trainer.

[b]
NEW MOCK CONTEST


Ok guys! New Mock Contest time. I urge anyone who enjoys contests to give judging them a shot - they're a really great way to define your creativity skills! They also pay very well too, with 4 points for reffing a contest.


APPEAL STAGE


Arena: A huge, aquarium-style pool with rocks all around. The audience are sitting belowground, watching from allsides of the large tank, which is set deep into the ground.


Diver Dan and Tentacruel [M]:
"Use a rapid spin to start! Then release a bubblebeam all around, and end by shooting an aurora beam straight upwards!"
Rapid spin -- Bubblebeam -- Aurora Beam


Beauty Orico and Feebas [M]:
"Surround yourself in mirror coat, then use flail to launch yourself out of the water! Then fire a dragonbreath down onto the water."
Mirror coat + Flail -- Dragonbreath


DragonTamer Zane and Kingdra [F]:
"Use Dragon Dance and Agility to speed around the pool! When you're charged up, unleash an octazooka!"
Dragon Dance + Agility -- Octazooka


Lass Evelyn and Squirtle [M]:
"Use rapid spin to whirl around, then use skull bash while in your shell to smash up a boulder! Finish by using mega punch in the water!"
Rapid Spin + Skull Bash -- Mega Punch






--


Head Judge
Chris 2.0

Expert Judge
Charizard04621
The Blue Avenger

Expirienced Judge
Vermillion
Andrew
The Arbiter

Beginner Judge
Mega Horny