Bleach: Platinum Hearts - Starter's Guide

[BLEACH: PLATINUM HEARTS] STARTER'S GUIDE

Sup. Interested in roleplaying on BPH? Confused and overwhelmed by the information on the forum? This guide is intended to help you get through the preliminary stages of becoming a member.

To start off you should read the Discord Rules to gain some insight into what type of community we are. While most sites have you take a look at the Forum's General/Basic rules first, learning to communicate with the other members of the site is invaluable in terms of adjusting to BPH and its unique systems.

Note: The coloured headers are links to the threads in question

Discord Rules

It doesn't mention it in the rules, but something to keep in mind: please do not post advertisements in any of the chats. The only time it's okay is when you have consent from some people, and you provide explicitly those people with the link to another RP site through private chat.

The next bit of information to read are the general rules that apply to member conduct, and more specifically, on-site board conduct.

General Rules

Keep in mind that there are some rules on the Discord included in this topic, so I suggest you express some modesty in chat until you read this topic as well.

After reading the general rules you might want to make an introduction thread. While not required, it serves as a way to get to know your fellow members through methods outside the Discord.


Introductions

Simply post a thread (assuming you've already made an account) and, well, introduce yourself! You'll get the typical "Welcome aboard!" and "Hi there!" welcomes, and you'll get some people helping out and suggesting where you should start off to get accustomed to this site. Some people might even link you to this thread. Once in a while, you'll get some crazy-ass greeting that's, if anything could tactfully describe it, wild.

After finishing an intro, you'll likely be good and ready to go for making a character. But what kind? Bleach has so many different races, and BPH--being a custom/canon site--has added a plethora more. That in mind, the next step to take is reading their specs.

Race Specs

If you went to Race Specs through the board as opposed to taking a look at the side-bar quick link, you will see two sub-boards labeled "Canon Race Specs" and "Custom Race Specs". In each board respectively you will find information on the custom races created by our member base and information on the canon races of Bleach. If you intend to create a character from one of the canon races, it is recommended that you still read these topics. Platinum Hearts is set in the 25th century; over time, the canon races have progressed and evolved. They are vastly different from their origins in the manga and anime. If you want a summary of the different races, we also have a synopsis thread.

Race Synopsis

Simply go through the assorted topics until you find a race that satisfies you. From there, after reading the information in the topic go to The Application board. In here, you will find the multiple character templates for their corresponding race. Find the correct template and begin to fill it out. It is recommended that you keep a copy of your application in a document that you may periodically save, in case you accidentally go off the "Create a Topic" page and lose all your data.

Application Templates

If you would like to post a WIP of your character application, post it in the board linked above.

Works In Progress

You may also submit your application directly without going through a "Work in Progress" method. To do this, create your topic directly in the provided link above. If a character application is in the Unchecked Applications board, it is automatically assumed that the character is complete and awaiting review.

Unchecked Applications

In the process of writing your application, there are some threads you should read and keep in mind to better understand the systems we use to gauge characters, and the rules they'd need to abide by while you roleplay here. Here are a few of them:

PH Laws on Energy
Be sure to take a look at the laws on spiritual energy and the sort for the site. Considering how powerful beings may get on Platinum Hearts, it is highly recommended that you read the boundaries and capabilities achievable through Spiritual Energies alone.

Character Tiers
Character Tiers are akin to "levels" of a character in an RPG. The lower the number of your tier is, the larger the energy reserves your character possesses. Since most characters and entities on the site use energy as their primary resource to achieve a plethora of feats, it's often most closely associated with how powerful a character is, but that isn't quite the case.

PH Powerscale
PH's powerscale is not constricted by what was illustrated in Bleach, and in fact goes much further than that. While not quite the the extent of being DBZ planet-busters for multiple characters, there are still a few that actually are capable of destroying the Earth, and for some god-level NPCs, characters that can shape entire realms. To understand what level of destruction they can output, this thread is vital.

Hazard System
The Hazard System is a better gauge for understanding how powerful a character can be through different means, whether it's through their raw power output and destructive capabilities, through their political influence and connections, or even the resources available to them to shape the world.

Ability Guide & Guide to Attack Potency & Power Guide
These two threads illustrate how staff looks at grading powers and abilities, and overall provides some suggestions as to what you should consider when developing your character's powers.

High Tier Guide & How Staff Grades & Increasing Chance of Approval
These threads will help you to understand how staff members approach grading your applications to assign you your tier and will skills, and overall how we perceive "quality". These threads should help you hit the mark of what you want your character to possess and be able to do.

Organisation Synopsis & Orgs, Factions, Families
Many characters belong to different organisations, and if you want an idea on what organisations represent what ideals, or what goals they have, you can read this synopsis thread. It should give you an idea of what constitutes them if you are intent on having your character join any of them, such as the Gotei.

Training/Combat System
When entering combat in a thread, know what the rules on that are on Platinum Hearts. The Training/Combat System guidelines provide key information necessary to role play a fight properly by our standards.

Of course, there are more mechanics available on the site to spice up your role-playing experience here on BPH. At this point, this thread will be providing optional threads and steps in starting out on this site, as well as supplementary threads designed help you along the way.

Face Claims
Although not necessary, it is super duper highly recommended that you utilise the Face Claim System. More information on the subject is featured here.

Extra Character Information
The Extra Character Information section is a valuable resource for starting out on the site. There are multiple sub-boards which include additional information on characters (such as families and their relations). It is recommended that you take a look at this after finishing your first character.

Character Creation Centre
Want to add more to your character? The Application Section features not only the sub-boards necessary to make your characters, but some sections that allow you to make your own kido, equipment and inventions, or apply for Power Upgrades earned through character development.

We near the end of the Starter's Guide. The final links this thread will provide are to topics designed to aid you during your stay here on Platinum Hearts. They are not required to be read, and are intended for the less experienced Role Players. Hopefully, this starter's guide served it's purpose, and thank you for reading.

Supplementary Help Threads


Powerless Char Guide - UHCM
Character Alignments Guide - Hayuko
Low-Tier Char Guide - CPKallday
Writing Levels - [THEFROST]
Killing Characters - UHCM