Omg, hey guys! [Major Site Shit]

Like I said, these proposals are just expressions of my obsessive/compulsive nature -- I'll concede that they are petty/trivial in the grand scheme of things and I'm not going to cry if they aren't implemented. With that said, I'm feeling pretty debate-y so leggo:

Ao, Lán Shī
I believe you are mistaking quantity with quality in this case. Just because a 'caster' has 10 techniques in total does not mean that his 10 techniques are superior (or even equal) to the 5 that a 'non-caster' might have. People who forgo becoming casters excel in other areas (increased weapon proficiency/speed/strength/etc) -- this is what mastery levels represent. Again, this was largely an unwritten rule that was previously enforced through grading. In the past, mods have not allowed people who specialize in Kidou/Cero to have the same combat proficiencies as somebody who specializes in Zanjutsu or Hakuda, and vice-versa. This creates balance without homogenizing character types.

Hiroki Shirai
I'm not sure how restricting the total number of techniques stifles creativity -- there is already a limit (of 13) in place, and very few people have reached it. Unfortunately, when people do hit the limit it becomes daunting trying to figure out what their character's theme is, as it frequently becomes lost in the mess. I'm not suggesting that characters who don't specialize in Kidou/Cero/etc be restricted in what their techniques are capable of doing; I'm just suggesting that the total number be reduced and streamlined.

• I agree with Sheep in the thought that it would help those unfamiliar with Bleach or just new to the site if we create (perhaps regular-member created) threads somewhat explaining the non-canon aspects/factions/things on the site. I say non-canon because there’s a wiki out there and I feel if someone needs to know they can go there and go most of what they need.
• After some discussion with another member I believe it would be somewhat beneficial to somewhat move away from NPC’s (particularly for factions leaders) as I understand this is probably to somewhat limit chaos from ensuing and the constant change like you see in captains. I feel by making it NPC’s you place a strain on one individual to NPC everything as well as limiting the creativity of others. No telling what cool things could happen if you let X run something for a while and then let them be overthrown by Y (kinda like what you saw with Soul Society). I will say I do feel an NPC or guide to becoming a Visored or any of the half-breeds be provided however or else you could get a jumbled mess, unless you make being a visored a cannon thing with x-number slots etc.
• Considering the size of the Quincy working for the Vatican and the CIA, I think it would be suitable to combine the two factions into a new entity. Perhaps make it global or something. Now before anyone goes into an uproar I say this because through combination you can get your “good” Quincy working to uphold the pact and somewhat protect the world. You could then shed more light onto the Sternritter and have that as your strictly Quincy organization as in the Manga. This way you combine two small groups to make a moderate group and promote a practically non-existent faction
• My last thought is totally just a random thought and not meant to stir emotion but perhaps insert a tad bit more diversity into the ranks. Strider mentioned once that most people misunderstood it and whatnot and considered Great a base line but perhaps we could fix this by adding in a bit more to distinguish them and the difference. Perhaps insert little stepping stones into each level like Great-Stage 1 or Stage 2 blah blah. It could get murky if too many Tiers are added but at the same time it could help to somewhat distinguish the line for people as there isn’t a set starting point for anyone.